A History of the 2. Bavarian Light Cavalry
"Chevauleger" (der), a unique Bavarian Cavalry formation whose roots extend back to 1682. From the French for 'light rider or horse', or in practical terms, 'light cavalry'. The Chevauleger were roughly comparable to the Dragoons in tactics but closely uniformed like the Uhlans." (1)
As to its original founding, there is a mention of a Graf Rumford of Bavaria, forming two Light Horse regiments in 1790 (2). (There are references of Bavarian Cavalry even earlier, during the thirty-years war (3) .)
In 1793, the Bavarians fought against the French as part of the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. The Chevaulegers were attached to Major-General von Blucher's Prussian brigade in 1794 and fought the French in a series of clashes at Friedelsheim, Battenburg, Herzheim, Monsheim and Zell (4).
Napoleonic Wars
The 2nd Bavarian Light Horse (Chevaulegers Regenter) has a rich combat history during the Napoleonic Wars (5). The 2nd Chevau-Legers Regt. "Konig" participated in many battles of the Napoleonic campaign, beginning with successful sieges of the following Prussian fortresses in 1806-07 at Plassenburg and Grossalogau, Breslau, Brieg, Kosel Kosel, Glatz and Niesse. The six Chevau-Leger regiments went with Napoleon to Russia, and fought in the battles of Smolensk & Bordeno. After the battle at Winkowo (Oct 18, 1812) on the horrendous retreat from Russia , it was with the 1st Regt., where it was reduced from 80 men to 14 and both regiments ceased to exist (6).
In 1813, the newly reconstituted Bavarian Army was again the 6th Corps, and fought in the campaign, from Hanau, Saxony up to the armistice. Later, the alliances changed and they fought against Napoleon in a series of battles.
The Franco-Prussian War
In 1870, Bavaria quickly sided with Prussia in the war with the French 2nd Empire, under Napoleon III. The 2nd Bavarian Chevauleger was attached to Third Army lead by the Bavarian Prince, Frederick Charles. In the opening move of the war, the Third Army victoriously fought with distinction at Wissenburg, overrunning French and Algerian units.
It continued and fought throughout the entire campaign with the 2nd Corps all of the major
Battles.
The Great War
The 2nd Bav. Lt. Cavalry was attached to the 6th Bavarian Division for the entire duration of World War One (7). Known as Divisional Cavalry, the Squadron was part of a 1st Class, tenacious "attackers" Division (8), trained in storm trooper tactics (9).
In 1918, there were three squadrons (10) of the 2nd Bavarian Light Cavalry in the Sixth Bavarian Division (it was also short-handed with transfer of the 11th Bav Rgt. (11)) . It is well documented that Divisional Cavalry Squadrons held front line trenches (12) and were often in the farthest forward observation posts (13) (observing was historical role of the cavalry). Being part of an Attack or Shock Division, the 2nd Bav. Lt. Cav., while in the trenches, would support attacks and counterattacks especially since the 6th Division suffered heavy losses throughout the war (14). When dismounted in the trenches, the cavalry squadron would have been subdivided down to the smallest military unit a Gruppe (8 men and 1 lance-corporal) (15).
When the dismounted troopers were relieved of it's forward trench duties, it would become mounted and patrol roads and escort POW's to rear areas (16).
The typical 2nd Bavarian Light Cavalryman would look very similar to the infantryman. Equipped with a late-war M1916 Bluse (Tunic), and 1916-17 Stahlhelm, the trooper would more likely wear boots (17) , but would travel lighter since they were not issued knapsacks (18). Most of their heavier gear was in the rear, with their horses. The Chevauleger "were armed with a rifle instead of a carbine." (19).
Manning a forward observation post (20), would require stealth and initiative. Using periscopes (21), cavalryman would report any activity by field phone. Being the closest to No-Mans Land (or in it) they would often have to venture out (rescue wounded, or fight sappers). During an attack, observation posts being so vulnerable, casualties would obviously be high (22).
The dismounted cavalryman would serve their stint in the front-line trenches (23) as well. Exposed to artillery and gas as well as massive Allied attacks, they would have suffered numerous casualties (24). It is documented that the entire division suffered greatly from numerous gas attacks as well (25).
The 2nd Bavarian Lt. Cav. was well seasoned in combat (26), since it was part of a division that was respected even by the enemy (27). It was mentioned clearly in dispatches that the "whole division" (28) fought in the attack at Verdun and lost heavily. In numerous times, (Nancy -1914, St. Mihiel -1914-15, Verdun 1916, Artois 1917, Flanders 1917, Lille 1918, Cambri 1918, Dixmunde 1918 and Roye 1918) the division defended and attacked territory at a staggering loss, it is fair to assume that the Chevauleger Squadrons were often in the front trenches spilling blood as well (29).
The 2nd Bav. Lt. Cav, and the division (30) maintained high morale inspite of the course of the war and a well-known dislike (31) of the Prussians. These dedicated soldiers fought to the bitter end staging a violent counter-attack on Sept 29, 1918 (32). Throughout the war, the British gave this division a first class combat rating (33).
*Footnotes are not included in this document.