Talk:Lancer

Untitled
"Prior to the outbreak of war there had been fierce controversy as to whether lances or sabres were the most effective "white" weapons for cavalry but neither proved to be a match for modern firearms."

Does anyone understand white weapons? I presume it is an attempted translation of "arme blanche" which I have seen used in English about cavalry - i.e. a blade or edged weapon in contrast to a firearm. For example *

The translation for "arme blanche" given by W.C. Carman in A Dictionary of Military Uniform reads as follows:

"This French expression refers to the 'white arms' as opposed to firearms, thus mainly indicating cavalry armed with swords or lances, i.e. in white metal".

I suggest that you edit the Lancer item if you feel that the wording used needs clarification. 210.246.12.238 09:28, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

Mexican-American War
Mexico used lancers in California in the Mexican-American war. They drove the Marines out of Los Angeles during the Siege of Los Angeles.

AThousandYoung (talk) 20:10, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

This is rather dubious. I know an article now exists about the "Siege of Los Angeles," etc., but with all due respect, there is a tremendous amount of exaggeration taking place. There was only a small company of Americans from a small boat(maybe 50 men tops)that camped on the bluffs outside the small town, and then entered it. Although LA was the largest Mexican settlement in Alta California at the time, the population was well under 2000, indicative of just how sparsely populated the state was; and was spread out all over the area, with the actual population of the town center itself probably much less. Some locals, led by a Mexican soldier, banded together and, using, whatever weapons they had, harrassed the Americans, who retreated and ultimately left the area. As battles go, it was the most minor of skirmishes, with few if any casualties. And while some lances and lance-like polearms were used by the local Mexican combatants, they were hardly "Lancers" in any sense of the term, and did not make a charge. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 222.230.128.105 (talk) 04:42, 19 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Maybe Soldado de Cuera in the Battle of Rio San Gabriel? Kortoso (talk) 20:14, 31 August 2015 (UTC)

Ancient lancers
It says in the beginning of this article that lancers were used in ancient times, as early as 700 BC. There should be a part in this article regarding the use of lancers before the 17th century. 12:37 PM 01/30/10. Artaxus —Preceding undated comment added 17:39, 30 January 2010 (UTC).

MILHIST initial assessment
Borderline but has sufficient to justify start tag. The article clearly intends to concentrate on the modern lancer, rather than "cavalry with spears" and this scope should be clarified. More work is needed on the evolution of the modern lancer in Europe. Monstrelet (talk) 08:18, 8 May 2010 (UTC)

"An exception was the Polish cavalry who did not discard the lance as a weapon until 1934 and who continued to use it as a training device until the outbreak of World War II, but it was generally abandoned after Polish lancers were massacred by German tanks and machine guns." - it is not clear whether lances as a weapon was discarded in 1934 or 1939 (the correct is former I believe). It might be also noted that in II World War the cavalry fight on foot but used horses as fast redeployment during battle therefore in formula it was nearer the motorised infantry then lancers and the rare occasions were horses were used in battle were when the unit was surrounded as a method of breakthrough with horses rather that normal operations (as an elite troops they had anti-tank weapons as well). Uzytkownik (talk) 20:56, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Polish cavalry in II World War
"An exception was the Polish cavalry who did not discard the lance as a weapon until 1934 and who continued to use it as a training device until the outbreak of World War II, but it was generally abandoned after Polish lancers were massacred by German tanks and machine guns." - it is not clear whether lances as a weapon was discarded in 1934 or 1939 (the correct is former I believe). It might be also noted that in II World War the cavalry fight on foot but used horses as fast redeployment during battle therefore in formula it was nearer the motorised infantry then lancers and the rare occasions were horses were used in battle were when the unit was surrounded as a method of breakthrough with horses rather that normal operations (as an elite troops they had anti-tank weapons as well). Uzytkownik (talk) 20:58, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Image of Republican Guard - lance or regimental standard?
The first image of the article - File:Republican Guard lancer Bastille Day 2008 n1.jpg - appears to be carrying a regimental standard or colour rather than a lance. Does anyone know for sure? Alansplodge (talk) 15:59, 19 February 2012 (UTC)


 * Yes you are correct - French cavalry have not carried lances, even for ceremonial, since between the two world wars and the Republican Guard have never had this particular weapon. The photograph is that of a standard bearer and accordingly has had to be removed. Pity - it looked good.Buistr (talk) 18:55, 19 February 2012 (UTC)