Any reference photos of mounted troops in WW2

[Rob_bresnen]

I have just been reading up on the Cheshire Yeoman and have learned that this regiment fought on horseback up to 1942 in Palestine. Has anyone got any photos of what such troops would have looked like? My google fu has failed me.

[former user]

and Vichy french


try searching for "operation exporter" and "cavalry"

[Hang Tuah]

Here you go!

http://www.militaryhorse.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=7397

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205194509

http://www.karkeeweb.com/patterns/1940/1940_introduction.html

[Cubs]

Not a photo, but a watercolour of the Cheshire Yeomanry in Palestine. Interesting to see the cap and neck-protector in use.



And again, this time they've left the colour behind to save on unnecessary weight.



Presumably they're both on patrol, as I would imagine the helmet would be worn in action.

This one's a Cheshire Cat, which is probably of less relevance.

[Helen]

Quote"This one's a Cheshire Cat, which is probably of less relevance."

Nevertheless, just as important to show. :-)

[Cubs]

Presumably they're both on patrol, as I would imagine the helmet would be worn in action.

Actually, I can just make out the writing below the watercolour - "Machine gun section Cheshire Yeomanry going into action ... something something something Syria", so they're not on patrol after all.

[former user]

I can't see the use of a helmet when mounted.
I would strongly opine that any pictures of mounted and helmeted warriors are either propaganda post 1900 or ancient
plus, noone sane would wear a helmet in sunny regions unless directly threatened by artillery shells

[Cubs]

plus, noone sane would wear a helmet in sunny regions unless directly threatened by artillery shells

I was assuming the old fashioned tropical helmet was still used, as seen in the first photo you posted!

As for the metal one, I read an account of a rifleman at Outpost Snipe and he said much the same; that no-one used the 'tin-hat' if they could help it because the hot metal burned the back of the neck when you aimed the rifle.

[Rob_bresnen]

There are pictures here ( http://www.karkeeweb.com/patterns/1940/1940_introduction.html ) that show the men wearing metal helmets and 1940 pattern webbing, which dates the photo. I would hazard a guess that the men in the tropical helmets are from earlier, but I am only guessing.

Any guesses as to whether these yeomen would fight from horseback or dismount and fight like infantry?

[former user]

I was assuming the old fashioned tropical helmet was still used, as seen in the first photo you posted!

Yes, I have also seen pictures of french troops wearing tropical helmets, Aethiopia and Syria Campaign.
I doubted the use of tin hats without need 
the picture You mean is clearly inspection order, thus the helmet.

As to the tactical use of horsed cavalry - apart from dispersed reconnaissance and screening, of course dismounted.
Who would be so insane to expose horse and rider to Artillery and MG fire?
Horsed troops are still useful in terrain difficult to access with vehicles, look at the southern african decolonization wars, Angola, Rhodesia, Namibia.

[Rob_bresnen]

Yes, I have also seen pictures of french troops wearing tropical helmets, Aethiopia and Syria Campaign.
I doubted the use of tin hats without need 
the picture You mean is clearly inspection order, thus the helmet.

These guys look like they are on patrol, and they have tin hat

As to the tactical use of horsed cavalry - apart from dispersed reconnaissance and screening, of course dismounted.
Who would be so insane to expose horse and rider to Artillery and MG fire?

The Poles?s.

Seriously though, if you are going to fight dismounted, then surely tin hats are useful.

Horsed troops are still useful in terrain difficult to access with vehicles, look at the southern african decolonization wars, Angola, Rhodesia, Namibia.

The US Special Forces used them in Afghanistan in the early parts of the Afgan war.

[former user]

These guys look like they are on patrol, and they have tin hat

the picture is clearly evidence!
(though I must say that I am always sceptical if I see pictures that good)

to clear up a possible misunderstanding:
I am convinced that cavalry were too issued  tin hats and always had them with them - in order to wear them when dismounted and fighting in an infantry role
(or being photographed  no seriously, I have learned to distunguish posed photographs when researching the french army, but I can't tell for the brits)

And the polish cavalry charge is clearly a myth from why I have read - a surprise engagement in confusing terrain with bad visibility
that was blown up by the german propaganda

[Rob_bresnen]

I am convinced that cavalry were too issued  tin hats and always had them with them - in order to wear them when dismounted and fighting in an infantry role
(or being photographed)

 . Touche sir.

[answer_is_42]

Cavalry were also used widely on the Eastern Front by both sides and most armies. I know the Romanians lost a large percentage of the national heard during the war, as virtually all of their cavalry units remained mounted throughout.

Also, on a vaguely related note, camels in the Crimea.