French dragoons in Spain, 1811
Dragoons are light cavalry units that were first formed by Prince Alexander of Parma in 1552, with infantrymen mounted on pack horses intended to surprise enemies. They played a key role as mobile soldiers in the British Army and French Army, with the British having the infamous "Green Dragoons" of Banastre Tarleton.
History[]
Dragoons of Austria-Hungary in 1915 during World War I.
Prince Alexander of Parma formed the first unit of dragoons in 1552 when he sent musket-equipped infantry to ride on horses so that they could surprise their enemies. The name "Dragoons" comes from France's interpretation of Dragoons, equipping them with "dragon" muskets. Ever since then, the name stuck on to mounted cavalry units, and dragoons served with distinction in several European armies. Great Britain's "Green Dragoons" and France's "Chasseurs a Cheval" proved to be famous units that were extremely effective. Dragoons, always armed with firearms, could shoot while on horses, increasing their speed in attacking and escaping enemy forces, and were used as skirmish cavalry.