cavalry

What was a cavalry squadron?

The cavalry was a mounted fighting force and a unit was called a squadron. The name squadron meant the same as the company/battery in the other branches of the military.

In 1972, a squadron comprised:

- 6 officers- 26 non-commissioned officers- 128 dragoons- 153 riding horses- 11 pack horses- 4 MG 51- 6 rocket tubes

The dragoons bought a federal horse (Eidgenoss) from the federal government at auction, which they maintained, cared for and trained so that they were always ready for immediate military deployment. They completed their annual refresher courses with their "Eidgenoss".

Film of the mobilization in 1914 (editing: Ulrich Lehmann)

Excursion tip from Ulrich Lehmann:Le Largin (Bonfol CH/Pfetterhouse F) Inauguration (20 JUL 2014) of the educational trail "Kilometer 0 on the south of the Western Front in the First World War": Swiss dragoons (cavalry) in uniforms from the First World War.

More about the Swiss cavalry here on Wikipedia.

Historical films about the Swiss cavalry can be found here.

Commemorative publication on the abolition of the cavalry 40 years agoOur squadron member Christian Hug has self-published an impressive book on the history of the Swiss cavalry 1848 - 1972. "Swiss Cavalry 1948 - 1972" by Ch. Hug can be ordered in the shop.​​​​​​​.