In 1993 an idea was envisaged to re-create a historical unit of Polish cavalry set in one of the most colourful periods of military history... the Napoleonic Wars.
The unit chosen was that of the l^st Polish Lancers of Napoleon's Imperial Guard on the grounds that to many historians ,model makers and war gamers this regiment was perhaps the best known of many Polish units of that time that served the Emperor Napoleon and was privileged to serve as the bodyguard to this most famous of men during the turbulent times that re-shaped Poland and Europe.
The Polish Guard Lancers were formed in Warsaw in 1807 under the command of Col. Vincent Krasiński and immediately taken into French service, [unlike other Polish units who belonged to the newly created Duchy of Warsaw under the command of Prince Józef Poniatowski.]
As part of the French army the Poles were organized and trained as other French cavalry units under French instructors with a French administrative staff and orders issued in French. Uniforms were cut according to Polish tradition and national colours with the Polish czapka headdress denoting these troops as Poles. All other equipment issued was of French manufacture.











At first the 1^st regiment was that of light-horse and was only attached to the Imperial Guard. It was not until one of it's squadrons on duty to the emperor was ordered to charge by the emperor and take Spanish positions in the Sommo - Sierra pass in 1808 that the Poles suffering heavy casualties took the position capturing 16 cannon. Napoleon taking note of their exceptional self courage and bravery in overwhelming odds accepted them into the Imperial Guard and used them from then on as his personal bodyguard.
In the past some individuals have mistakenly assumed that the 1^st regiment was always armed with the lance, this in fact did not take place until after the Battle of Wagram in 1809 where Poles from the regiment charged Austrian lancers armed only with sabres, took the lances off the Austrians and used them so effectively against their enemies that Napoleon issued the Poles with the lance shortly afterwards.
The Poles followed the emperor through Spain, into Europe and the disastrous Russian campaign of 1812 acting as the emperors bodyguard during the retreat through ice and snow. When Napoleon was exiled to Elba in 1814 the Poles were the only foreign unit to be allowed to remain at his side and go into exile with him.
They returned with the emperor to Europe in 1815 in squadron strength only and were prominent in the massed cavalry charges at Waterloo against the impenetrable and resolute British and Anglo - Dutch squares of infantry and stayed by the emperors side to the very end.
It was once asked of Krasinski by the emperor as to how loyal his Poles were. Krasinski answered that if it were in their power they would put him on the throne of Poland and die to a man defending him!













With this glorious history behind it the re-enactment group was formed in 1993 to show both Poles and others Polish culture and its glorious military heritage from this period in the best possible way.
Uniforms, equipment ,regulations and orders were extensively researched with vital support from the Gen. Sikorski Museum in London and the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw.
In 1999 a visit by unit members to Poland set the spark for the creation of infantry and cavalry re-enactment groups of the Napoleonic era forming in Poland.
Today the 1^st Polish Guard Lancers re-enactment group has grown considerably from it's humble origins and now boasts two sections of about fifteen men each in Poland and the U.K.
It's functions are to portray the regiment at events, battle re-enactments and ceremonies both in the U.K. and abroad. Recently in December 2004 members of the unit were present in Paris to parade with other Napoleonic units through the city to the Emperor's tomb at Les Invalides where the unit was presented alongside other units with a standard and Eagle in commemoration of the Distribution of Eagles ceremony in 1804.This was a highly prestigious event which will probably never again be repeated and those who attended were very proud and honoured to be involved.
The unit is always looking for new recruits and would like to encourage Poles or others interested in Polish history in the U.K. or abroad to join its ranks. At present there are a number of members in the unit who speak good Polish and would welcome more Polish speakers to participate. The ability to ride is not a pre requisite to becoming a member as the unit has riders at various stages of horsemanship and has room for mounted as well as non mounted members of both sexes.
If you are interested , would like more information or feel that you could give the unit a firm commitment then please contact:

Command of the regiment and a first squadron in United Kingdom:

Mr. Jerry Lavender in the south on 01279-656604 ,or Mr. George Lubomski in the North on 01535 - 654118. The unit also has a web site which can be reached on www.polishlancers.com The unit looks forward to hearing from you.
2^nd Squadron in Poland:

Mr Marcin Piontek in Warszawa by e-mail: info@arsenal.org.pl or Mr Bartek Przybylski at Sanok: szwolezer@arsenal.org.pl. You may also visit a website at: http://arsenal.org.pl

by Jerzy Lubomski