Cavalry in Future Wars

by Friedrich von Bernhardi

INDEX

Action, typical case of Cavalry, [225];
example of Mars la Tour, [225] (footnote)
Advance, time to be selected for, [32];
rate of, [121];
of enemy marks period for pushing forward, [27]
Advantages, in War, must be fought for, [29]
Ammunition, carbine, insufficiency of, [175], [179];
increase in amount of, for practice, [250]
Ammunition columns, special, required for Cavalry, [179]
Armies, change of character of modern, [3]
Art of War, new conditions in, [3];
their effect on Cavalry, [9];
result of first engagement of overwhelming importance, [12]
Artillery, effect of modern, on defence of villages and woods, [15];
power of, can be over-estimated, [54];
support of dismounted Cavalry by, [60], [100];
protection of, [95];
Horse Artillery must adapt itself to Cavalry's action, [100];
position for, [101];
one battery per brigade recommended, [179];
quick-firing guns wanted, [180];
should be attacked from flank, [234];
co-operation in Cavalry training, [263]
Attack, stereotyped forms of, prohibited, [72];
on flank when advisable, [78];
simultaneous, on front and flank, [79];
'mobile' or 'immobile' horses during, [91];
by dismounted troops, [99];
change of direction of, when permissible, [116];
importance of vehemence of onslaught, [232];
formation for, against Infantry and Artillery, [234];
distribution and duties of dismounted men in, [259]

Baggage-train should be represented at manœuvres, [279]
Bapaume, Battle of, [57]
Barley as forage, [206]
Battle-field, place of Cavalry in, [81], [84];
case of Mars la Tour, [82];
best formation for, [85];
decided by circumstances of case, [82], [85];
simple formations alone applicable on, [225];
Mars la Tour, [225] (footnote)
Beans as a ration, [205]
Bit and bridoon, merits of, [192], [197]
Bivouac, disadvantages of, [122], [125]
Breaking in. See ['Training']
Bridging material, sufficient, needed to be carried to deal with small streams, etc., [175]
Bridoon. See ['Bit']
Brigade, highest unit for drill purposes, [238]
Bugle calls, when allowable, [69];
value of, [230];
regimental calls, [230];
movements to be practised without, [236]

Cantonments, advantages of providing, [125]
Carbine, method of attachment, [176];
improved pattern needed, [177]
Cartridges, method of carrying, [177]
Cavalry must be trained to act in 'mass,' [7];
during Wars of 1870 and 1877-1878, [7];
experiences of the past insufficient, [8];
proportion to other Arms, [10];
importance of, greater than formerly, [11];
new tasks for, [14];
actual fighting value diminished, [16];
best strategic value increased, [16];
public opinion at fault, [16];
exploits in 1870-1871 misjudged, [16];
German organization of, requires reform, [17];
clear conception of requirements during each phase needed, [17];
advance during mobilization deprecated, [23];
should not act till enemy's strategic concentration begins, [28];
importance of superiority over enemy's Cavalry at commencement, [31];
in what cases the principal Arm, [37];
Divisional, [38];
Independent, [38];
fire action of, during battles, [55];
greater tactical cohesion than Infantry, [58];
scope of, enormously increased, [59];
importance of good leadership, [63];
place of, in line of battle, [81], [84];
formation of, on battle-field, [85];
factors determining strategic employment of, [126];
difficulty of supplying reinforcements, [151];
augmentation of German, necessary, [153];
and not to be postponed till mobilization, [158];
training of, requires reforming, [181] et seq.;
Regulations require amendment to meet dismounted needs, [257];
tasks for, in future War not properly appreciated, [268]
Change of formation during action, [69];
from 'rendezvous' to 'attack,' [79]
Charge, the, when preferable to fire action, [52];
example of Waterloo, [52];
position of Commander during, [65];
choice of moment for, [87];
cohesion during, [221];
speed of, [221]
Chargers. See ['Horses']
Chotusitz, Battle of, [83]
Civilians, possible participation in future Wars by, [10];
armed resistance by, to be suppressed, [33]
Column, regimental, value of, for War, [227];
squadron, disadvantages of, [228]
Combined action, factors essential to success of, [68]
Command of Cavalry masses exceeding six regiments, [45];
must be under a single leader, [46];
efficiency of, more important with Cavalry than Infantry, [63]
Commander, qualities needed in a good, [64], [286];
place of, before and during charges, [65];
when working with other Arms, [66];
choice of formation to be left to, [72], [76], [77];
must be informed of progress of Infantry combat, [86];
qualities required in covering a retreat, [86];
in dismounted action, [93];
must decide as to extension in strategy, [106];
and concentration in combat, [106];
to be kept informed of general situation, [111], [117];
must organize his own reconnaissance, [120];
personal supervision of front by, [121];
forage reserve to be formed by, [131];
to arrange times for drill, [215];
but not to deviate from Regulations, [220];
importance of handling 'masses,' [216].
See also ['Leader']
Commencement of War, essence of all Cavalry action during, [26];
obtaining intelligence during, [27]
Communications, increased liability to interruption of, [13];
greater opportunities for Cavalry to interfere with, [14];
especially after victory, [14];
to be maintained with Headquarters on field of battle, [67]
Comparison between Cavalry and Infantry, [59]
Concentration, question of disturbing enemy's communications during, [19];
views of other Powers on this, [20];
value of raids during, [20];
premature commitment of Cavalry during, [24];
reasons against sacrificing Cavalry during, [25];
defensive duties during, [26];
advantages of pushing forward during enemy's, [28];
of force for raids, [35];
of considerable masses, when essential, [44];
for combat, [106], [108], [109]
Corn, amount of, to be carried by Cavalry, [130];
author's experiment, [203]
Coulmiers, Battle of, [86]
'Critique' after field days, [243]
Cyclists, value of, in conjunction with Cavalry, [22], [147];
circulation of intelligence by, [39];
should enable Divisional Cavalry to be economized, [42];
further Regulations required, [146];
limitations of, [148];
to be attached to Cavalry, [178]

Deception of enemy, means towards, [119]
Defects in horses, correction of, [199]
Defence of villages, [97]
Defensive duties at commencement of War, [26];
combat, [92];
'immobile' detachments during, [92];
action, breaking off a, [94];
action, duties of dismounted men during, [259]
Despatch riders, [138], [145]
Detachments, economy in use of, [38];
reports from, to Headquarters, [111];
outflanking, during attack, [232]
Direction, change of, during action, [117]
Dismounted action, increased importance of, [49];
when desirable in attack, [49];
when inevitable, [50];
Sheridan's Cavalry in, [51];
during rearguard actions, [52];
during general engagements, [55];
examples of Fredericksburg and Five Forks, [55];
in South African War, [56];
Franco-German War, [57];
'mobile' and 'immobile' horses, [91];
in defensive combat, [92], [93];
tactical distribution of men in, [96];
'Wing' or 'Line' systems, [96];
in defence of villages, [97] et seq.;
in attack, [99];
training for, [247];
importance of, not sufficiently appreciated, [248] et seq.;
not to be confined to the defensive, [249];
recruits' course, [250];
Regulations as to, require expansion, [257] et seq.;
as important as fighting in the saddle, [262]
Dispersion of troops for raids, [35];
for screening and security, [106], [109]
Divisional Cavalry defined, [38];
duties of, [39];
apportionment of, [41];
as little as possible should be retained for Infantry Divisions, [42];
reconnaissance duties of, [141];
security duties of, [144]
Divisions of Cavalry, maintenance of, during peace, [161];
present strength insufficient, [165];
permanent creation of, not advisable, [167]
'Double-column' formation, when recommended, [80], [229]
'Drei Treffen Taktik,' [73]
'Dressur' detachment, [190]
Drill, shortening of season for, [198];
importance of Squadron and Regimental, [214] et seq.;
merits of Brigade and Divisional, [215] et seq.;
ceremonial to be separated from practical, [237];
Brigade, the highest unit for formal, [238]

Education, military, for man and horse, [186];
tactical, for troops generally, [213] et seq.;
of recruits, [272];
of non-commissioned ranks, [275];
higher, of officers, [286] et seq.
Efficiency of troops essential to good leadership, [126]
Enemy, advance of, marks period for pushing forward Cavalry, [27];
Cavalry of, must be beaten off field to obtain information, [30];
outposts of, to be broken through, [33];
communications, of, to be attacked, [33]
Equipment for bridging and telegraphs, [174]
Equitation, Staff for, [193];
proposed new procedure, [200];
school of, in Hanover, [290]
Exercises to develop 'tactical principles,' [236];
of larger formations than Brigades, [239];
'field-service' exercises, [240] et seq.
Expediency, the highest ideal of strategy, [47]
Extension of front when advisable, [107];
in action when favourable, [240] et seq.

Field-firing, increased importance of, [251];
scheme for, [252]
'Field-service' exercises, [218];
nature of, [240];
ground for, [239];
Cavalry acting independently, [240];
Cavalry in combination with other Arms, [241];
existing deficiencies in, [266]
Fire action often imperative nowadays, [47];
occasions when it will decide the day, [50];
General Lee's capitulation, [51];
South African War, [56];
Franco-German War, [57]
Firearms, increased range of, [36];
better class of, needed by Cavalry, [58]
Flank attack, when advisable, [78], [79];
after victory, [83];
during charge, [233]
Flanks of enemy to be worked round to obtain information, [29]
Forage, reserve of, [131];
amount to be carried on horses, [169];
author's experiment, [203]
Force necessary to be employed in various circumstances, [36]
Formation for attack, [36];
change of, during action, [69];
latitude to be allowed to Commander, [76], [77];
merits of 'double column,' [80];
'mass' when suitable, [81];
on battle-field, [85];
of dismounted men in action, [96];
in defence of villages, [96];
in dismounted attack, [100];
best, suitable for War, [226];
to be avoided, [226];
regimental column, [227]
Four-squadron regiments, [154]
Frederick the Great on length of marches, [122]
Front, extension and concentration of, [107]
Frontal attack against Infantry and Artillery, [235]

Galloping, exercises in, [209]
German Cavalry, numerically inadequate, [151];
expedients for augmenting, [153];
proposed territorial organization, [167]
Gravelotte, example of faulty reconnaissance reports, [288]
Ground, value of tactical advantage of, [78];
acquisition of, for field-training, [239]

Halts on march, [128]
Headquarters, reports to be sent to, from detachments, [111]
Horsemanship, [184]
Horses, demands on, [87];
'mobile' or 'immobile,' [91];
position for led, [93] et seq.;
protection of, [95];
rest for, [122];
security of, during rest, [122], [124];
bivouac on march, [122];
on outpost, [123];
importance of care bestowed on, [123], [127];
excessive demands on, [128];
shortage of, in Germany, [152];
'augmentation,' [155];
'untrained,' of small use, [158];
increased demands on, [181];
training of, [185] et seq.;
English thoroughbreds, [187];
Prussian, [187];
old, [194];
food for, increase of, [203];
endurance of, [202];
feeding, author's experiment in, [203];
galloping powers, [209];
weight to be put on, [212]

Increase of German Cavalry needed, [158]
Independence, when to be given to subordinates, [68]
'Independent Cavalry' defined, [38];
conditions which determine allotment of, [42];
in what cases it should be concentrated on decisive lines, [43];
security duties of, [144]
Individual superiority essential for patrols, [31]
Infantry, effect on Cavalry of extended zone of fire of, [9];
difficult for Cavalry to encounter in close bodies, [10];
when once broken offer great opportunity to Cavalry, [15];
defence of villages and woods by, more difficult now, [15];
compared with Cavalry, [59]
Initial success, great importance of, [12]
Initiative, value of, [115]
Inspections, new scheme of, for recruits and schools, [200];
importance of thorough, [246]
Inspector-General of Cavalry, position of, [282] and footnote
Intelligence indispensable at commencement of War, [27];
spaces between enemy's columns to be penetrated to obtain, [27];
when more important than security, [28];
circulation of, [39];
during progress of action, [40];
experience of 1870, [40];
to be transmitted direct to Headquarters, as well as through usual channel, [45]