The Last Great Cavalry Charge: The Battle of the Silver Helmets, Halen 12 August 1914

The Battle of Halen transformed modern warfare, revealing cavalry’s dwindling relevance amid costly, decisive miscalculation.

The engagement was orchestrated on the previous successes of the cavalry of Frederick the Great. It was staged so that the German Fourth Cavalry Division, which was magnificently equipped and trained, would charge into glory with sabers rattling. Hundreds of horses would thunder into combat. Instead, 24 German officers, 468 men and 843 horses were lost during no less ...