The tactics of the Polish Hussars.

So here we have the local ducat Krakow, Poland, nominal - 10. The year of issue of this coin is 2010, mint: Warsaw, Poland. Total circulation – 100.000.

The Polish hussars' primary battle tactic was the charge. They charged at and through the enemy. The charge started at a slow pace and in a relatively loose formation. The formation gradually gathered pace and closed ranks while approaching the enemy, and reached its highest pace and closest formation immediately before engagement. They tended to repeat the charge several times until the enemy formation broke.

The tactic of a charge by heavily armoured hussars and horses was usually decisive for nearly two centuries. The hussars fought with a lance, a stabbing sword, a sabre, set of two to six pistols, often a carbine or arquebus (known in Polish as a bandolet) and sometimes a warhammer or light battle-axe. The lighter, Ottoman-style saddle allowed for more armour to be used by both the horses and the warriors. Moreover, the horses were bred to run very fast with a heavy load and to recover quickly. These were hybrids of old, Polish equine lineage and eastern horses, usually from Tatar tribes.

As a result, a horse could walk hundreds of kilometres loaded with over 100 kilograms and instantly charge. Also, hussar horses were very quick and manoeuvrable. This made hussars able to fight with any cavalry or infantry force from heavy cuirassiers to quick light-armed Tatars.