Hungarian Hussars in Napoleon’s Campaign Against Russia

Abstract

It is little known that Hungarian soldiers, including Hussars, took part in Napoleon’s 1812 campaign against Russia. Moreover, the four, and later five Hussar regiments assigned to the so-called Imperial-Royal Auxiliary Corps clearly played an important role in the activities of this Corps. During the campaign, the Hussars were mainly responsible for the tasks of reconnaissance and securing the march, which was vital as the Auxiliary Corps was operating deep in hostile and unknown territory. The Hussars, of course, also distinguished themselves in small and large engagements. As an indication of their prominent role, in October 1812 a fifth Hussar regiment was sent to the theatre of war to reinforce the Hussars. This shifted the balance of the Auxiliary Corps’ cavalry even further in favour of the Hussars. Their special importance was also reflected in the new order of battle which was then introduced. This meant that Hussars were assigned to more major military formations than before, a clear indication of their indispensability and the importance of their deployment.