After the little bit of detective work on Guy Sajer's book I have another tantalising little slice of WWII which is well worth a look.
I came across an article on the NET whilst doing some research for my Polish forces. The article is written by
M.Kamil Dziewanowski(Professor Emeritus of Contemporary Russian and East European History at Boston University amongst other things). The article is written in the first person and deals with what he describes as perhaps "the last great charge of cavalry in the history of warfare". He, as a junior officer of the 3rd Light Horse, took part in a full blown, brigade size cavalry charge at point of lance and sabre against a German infantry and motorised column near the Narew River on September 9th 1939.
I want to believe in this story so badly. For one thing it may well be such a historic event(although an Italian Cavalry regiment undertook a mounted charge in Russia at Chebotarevsky in August 1942), the last lancer charge. Secondly, it will make a fantastic wargame scenario which is where my main interest lies. This is not a squadron action but something along the lines of the Light Brigade perhaps even larger!
I have checked the locations, the orbats, the dates and the commanders cursorily against Zaloga's
POLAND 1939 Osprey. All of the Prof's info checks out. There are one or two little anomalies though. In case anyone is wondering why I'm rambling on:
1. I have read many accounts of the campaign in Poland. None detail a full blown cavalry charge of this size.
2. Most books are at pains to make it clear that charging Polish cavalry in WWII is a myth perpetuated by romantics and cinema.
3.Reference books also go to great pains to make it clear that the lance was NOT carried in combat during the campaign.
For those of you who are interested, I have uploaded a copy of the Prof's original article in the
WARCHEST under
Scenarios, it is titled :
Dziewanowski. Have a read and let me know your thoughts.
My main question marks are :
1. He mentions fighting against the East Prussian Cavalry Division. I cannot find any reference to this formation in orders of battle although there was a 1st Cavalry Brigade attached to the 4th Army and operating in the right area at the time.
2.He specifically mentions the charge being in broad daylight by the 1st Lancers and 3rd Light Horse(Both full regiments but with battle casualties), he is also specific that it was at point of sabre and lance.
3. Although the Germans were not deployed the cavalry had to advance over a mile of stubble field and meadow in full view of their target, yet the Poles suffered only three killed and 20 wounded and themselves took over 200 German prisoners.
4. Lastly, a possible trivial point but the Prof talks about being 1,500 feet from the enemy, wouldn't a European of that age talk in metres and not feet?(of course he is living in the US and this may account for it but...)
If you've given up reading or are bored I apologise but I love this story(great read) and potentially it is a dream come true wargames scenario.
Have a look and tell me what you think!
Barry
mm I would not bet on either Barry 
I grew up with them, so I know horses very well; their appearance, behaviour, endurance, health, the whole thing.