So I wonder if anyone in the 1920s or 1930s caught
on movie film the moment of impact between a
genuine cav charge and pole weapons? (Maybe during The
River War, or the breakup of the Austo-Hungarian Empire
or a Russian invasion of Turkey?) What really
happens? I wouldn't trust written accounts from the
cavalry era(s) --- due to viewpoint problems. (Herald:
"Then our stalwart yeomanry did withstand the enemy
charge!" [real world: 60% casualties among the pikemen,
go get more yeoman before your next battle]).
My most vivid "memories" of it are... TLOTR: Peter
Jackson has the Rohirrim pretty much pancake the poor
orcs twice: Helm's Deep and Minis Tirith. OTOH, the
USMC claimed into the 1910's at least (had an elderly
relative) that they were stoic enough to stop a cav
charge just with mounted bayonets and discipline.
Seems like good fiction or poor memories are all we have
to go on. Someone here know of some original source
material?