U.S. ARMY CAVALRY CORPS HORSEMANSHIP INSTRUCTION MOUNTING, DISMOUNTING & THE MILITARY SEAT 50924

This 1942 black and white restricted official training film #2-601 by the War Department is about “Horsemanship: Mounting, Dismounting, and the Military Seat.” It was produced by The Signal Corps in collaboration with The Commanding General Army Ground Forces and the Research Council, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A corporal talks to soldiers in cavalry uniforms, including jodhpur pants, standing with their horses. A group of experienced cavalry soldiers rides by and are admired (:36-2:18). How to lead a horse using its reins is shown (2:20-3:02), followed by how to properly mount a horse. The instructor uses a pointer to show proper body alignment (3:03-4:58). How to properly dismount is shown (5:14-6:26). A soldier smoothly mounts and dismounts twice so they can watch it from both sides of the horse (6:34-7:27). The soldiers lead their horses into a coral. They turn their horses towards the instructor and stand next to the horse. They prepare to mount. The instructor scrutinizes each one as he gets on his horse (7:42-9:54). A twisted stirrup strap is shown up-close (9:57). The Corporal tells them to prepare to dismount and scrutinizes each one getting off his horse (10:08-10:24). The proper military seat is shown, using a soldier on a horse and the Corporal with his pointer. The four principal elements discussed and pointed at are the rider’s upper body, legs, base support, and balance. This explanation provides close-up views of the uniform (10:46-12:51). The corporal uses two wooden clothespins to explain the hazards of gripping with just the calves (13:02-13:11). The soldier mounts the horse and the Corporal points to the legs and calves in the proper positions. He trots the horse and the position of his legs are discussed (14:39-16:00). The laces on the 1942 uniform boots are shown up-close when he is told to remove the boot from the stirrup and put it back in (16:08-16:40). The Corporal uses a 2x4 to illustrate the mounted position on the ground. The soldiers squat with their toes turned out too far and then in normal walking position (17:04-19:00). Correct arm position is pointed out (19:28-19:48). The rider maintains a relaxed hold on the reins while walking the horse as the men watch. He is instructed to full trot, followed by a gallop.(20:02-21:06). The soldiers are asked to evaluate a rider’s position on a horse. This rider is part of the training and maintains whatever position each soldier adjusts him into (21:35-23:08). The soldiers are standing in a line next to their horses. One mounts and trots. He returns and is instructed to fix his leg position. The rest mount and take the correct military seat. The Corporal assesses each one. They walk around the ring on their horses, receiving correction (23:44-28:30). The properly seated trooper is shown and explained using the pointer (28:36-29:32).

In December 1939, the United States Cavalry consisted of two mechanized and twelve horse regiments of 790 horses each.Cavalry had been the preferred force for the defense of the Mexican border and the Panama Canal Zone from Mexican raiders and enemy landings, a threat that was becoming obsolete in the 1930s, if not for Japan's rising influence. A fleet of horse trailers called portees assisted cavalry in traversing the roads. Once mounted, cavalrymen would reach the battlefield on horseback, dismount and then fight on foot, essentially acting as mobile light infantry.

After the 1940 Louisiana Maneuvers cavalry units were gradually reformed into Armored Corps. The office of Chief of Cavalry was eliminated in March 1942, and the newly formed ground forces began mechanization of the remaining horse units. The 1st Cavalry Division was reorganized as an infantry unit but retained its designation.

The only significant engagement of American horsemen in World War II was the defensive action of the Philippine Scouts (26th Cavalry Regiment).

In Europe, the American forces fielded only a few cavalry and supply units during the war. George S. Patton lamented their lack in North Africa and wrote that "had we possessed an American cavalry division with pack artillery in Tunisia and in Sicily, not a German would have escaped."

We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: "01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference."

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com

Видео U.S. ARMY CAVALRY CORPS HORSEMANSHIP INSTRUCTION MOUNTING, DISMOUNTING & THE MILITARY SEAT 50924 канала PeriscopeFilm