Polish Winged Hussar 1576-1775

Description

This book takes a close look at the origins and development of the Polish 'Winged' Hussars. Using many years' painstaking research drawn from unpublished Polish sources, the author provides a rounded view of the training, tactics, appearance and experiences of these legendary and fascinating warriors. Most dramatic of all Hussar characteristics were the 'wings' worn on the back or on the saddle, although not all Hussars wore them, and their purpose has been hotly debated. The Hussars terrified the Turks, Tatars, Muscovite boyars, Ukrainian Cossacks and Swedes, who did everything to avoid facing them directly in battle.

Richard Brzezinski is an independent historian who has spent much of the last 20 years travelling across Europe to research the visual aspects of military history from primary sources. Besides his ground-breaking books for Osprey, he has written articles for History Today and the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. He has also worked as as an historical adviser for the BBC and on the Polish film epic With Fire & Sword (1998). In his spare time he works as an editor and translator. Velimir Vuksic is a talented and experienced military illustrator whose published work covers a wide variety of periods, conflicts and armies. He has worked for numerous magazines over the years, including Military Illustrated. A native of Croatia, Velimir has also served in the armed forces as a paratrooper. He lives and works in Croatia.

"Osprey's military titles are very subject-specific, allowing for a depth of focus most other general-interest surveys lack. Their latest titles are top picks military reference libraries will appreciate... [In] Richard Brzezinski's Polish Winged Hussar 1576-1775...thie history and origins of their tactics receives fine insights." --Midwest Book Review