"Bavarian Cheveauleger in the Franco-Prussian War " Topic

I am trying to determine if the Bavarian Cheveauleger were light cavalry or just dragoons by another name. I know they had cuirassiers and lancers also, but can't tell if these guys were light cavalry of dragoons. Any help is genuinely appreciated.

Terry

Under the Chevaulagers in the Osprey book – German Armies 1870-71 (2) Prussia's Allies the first sentance starts "The Light Horse ……"

Generally I believe they are classed as Light Cavalry,

Tally Ho!

Nick

The Bavarians only designated 3 classes of Cavalry, so the Cheveaulegere were the "light cavalry" by virtue of not being Uhlans or Cuirassier. However for both sides during the war there was no real tactical differences between Light Horse (Hussars, Reiter, Cheveaulegere) and Dragoons.

The 1870 war started before the Bavarian Cheveaulegere had received the supply of carbines specified after 1866, so it would not have been likely they were used in any dismounted or skirmish role.

There are records of their involvement in several cavalry clashes during the war so you would be justified in fielding them as battle cavalry alongside the Cuirassier and Uhlans.

There has been a very interesting discussion on the tactical role of "light cavalry" during the FPW on the V&B and 1870 yahoo groups recently (prompted by my own confusion on how they were designated and used during the war)

I suppose the clue is in the name really.