The Winged Hussars: Poland’s unique & deadly cavalry

Among the most brilliantly creative tactics that the Polish Winged Hussars (approx. 1500s-late 1700s) utilized were their wings.
Before going into battle, the Hussars would mount eagle, falcon, or vulture feathers to a pair of wooden frames, which they would then attach to either their armor or their saddles. What was the point of them? Shock value. The Hussar’s wings had a similar effect to cats who puff up their fur. Riding into battle sporting wings made the cavalry members look bigger, scarier, and fiercer from their enemy’s standpoint. Combine a couple of wings with the leopard or lynx skin capes the Hussars often wore, and they became a confusing and terrifying spectacle.

Among their other favorite battle tactics was the Hussars’ notorious headlong charging style, which was designed to “crack open” their enemy’s units. While most European knights of the era would stick together in tightly packed formations, the Hussars liked to have room to maneuver. They changed the game by riding in with each warrior about six feet apart, providing them with room to pull off sudden changes in direction, as well as overlapping charge tactics.

The Hussars didn’t depend on looks alone to achieve victory on the battlefield. Each warrior was equipped with a kopia lance which was made of thin, hollowed-out wood. The lances were incredibly lightweight, usually crafted out of cheap wood due to the fact that each was designed for a single use. After a Hussar had put his lance to good use, he would then fall back on the use of one of several different kinds of sabers, ranging from a koncerz (pointed end designed to pierce armor) to a pallash (more like a traditional broadsword).

Usually firearms instantaneously made arrows obsolete and swords pointless; the Hussars never really got that memo, though. When the evolution of firearms came along, the Hussars added them to their arsenals but didn’t replace their old weapons. They’d charge into battle, decked-out in armor that could take a bullet or two, along with their spears, swords, warhammers, and rifles.

Among the other assets that these warriors had to their advantage was the reputation they developed for being virtually unbeatable...”

Another good article: https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/winged-hussars-greatest-figthers/?rebelltitem=3#rebelltitem3