The Epic Charge that stopped Ottoman expansion in Europe: 1683 Historical Battle of Vienna

The Battle of Vienna[a] took place at Kahlenberg Mountain near Vienna on 12 September 1683 after the city had been besieged by the Ottoman Empire for two months. The battle was fought by the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, both under the command of King John III Sobieski, against the Ottomans and their vassal and tributary states. The battle marked the first time the Commonwealth and the Holy Roman Empire had cooperated militarily against the Ottomans. The defeat is often seen as a turning point for Ottoman expansion into Europe, after which they would gain no further ground

00:00 Introduction
00:59 Defence preparations
01:40 The Ottomans advance
02:32 The alliance march to Vienna
02:56 The Siege begins
03:36 The Relief force
04:26 The Ottoman issues
05:12 The Ottomans attack the relief force
06:06 Combat begins
08:01 Ottoman betrayals
08:22 The Siege continues
09:34 The Final push
10:16 The largest cavalry charge in history
12:25 The Ottoman line breaks
13:23 Aftermath

[pissedoff-ismt]

That cavalry charge must have been something to see. I would hate to have to face cavalry, it must have been terrifying even for seasoned troops. Great work as usual dude!!

[mr.s]

"Then the winged Hussars Coming down they turned the tide"

[TotalWarDocumentaries]

Very nice! Then the Winged Hussars arrived! Really cool man, I'm all in for this :)

[paulofelipebbraga]

As soon as I saw the winged Hussars in the thumbnail i knew it would be great.

[mariusdmeridius]

Polish ''Winged Hussars'' were elite cavalry formation that was created in 1503 and was solved in 1776 by a resolution of Polish Parlament. They didn't lose single battle for 125 years despite the fact that in most cases they've been vastly outnumbered by the enemy forces sometimes even 15 to 1. The Polish ''Winged Hussars'' are most famous for their role in the Battle of Vienna which took place on 12th of September 1683. The defeat of the Ottoman army is often seen as a turning point for Ottoman expansion into Europe, after which they would gain no further ground. At around 6:00 pm, the Polish King Jan III Sobieski ordered the cavalry to attack. Some 25, 000 regular cavalry and 3, 000 Polish heavy lancers, the famous "Winged Hussars", rushed down the mountainside, straight at the enemy. It was the largest cavalry charge in history. The Polish King led the charge himself. It's also worth noting that the Poles were not alone. The battle was won by the combined forces of the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the latter represented only by the forces of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland (the march of the Lithuanian army was delayed, and they reached Vienna after it had been relieved)
It was the Polish King Jan III Sobieski who paraphrased, after the battle of Vienna, Julius Caesar's famous quotation (Veni, vidi, vici) by saying "Venimus, vidimus, Deus vicit"- "We came, we saw, God conquered."

[zach]

Those Winged horsemen were the most colorful units of the battle. They were awesome.

[paltomori]

This battle had a huge impact on the history of Hungary as well. 3 years later Buda was freed from Turkish rule, and within 15 years almost the entire Kingdom of Hungary was liberated after 150 years of Turkish oppression. This Christian victory made all of that possible.

[ChristianVik-yu]

This was a very important victory. I remember it very well from my history lessons.

[AllfretÉNewmun]

What overwhelms my thinking - the logistics in support of these massive forces and those responsible for it. The cavalry charge - imagine the sounds, thunder and dare I say beauty - what could stop it? I cannot imagine the bravery of those who had to face it - the front line....but I guess, different times, different approach and view of the fatality of live..? Excellent production thanks.

[lonnieclemens]

My first time to hear about the Winged Hussars. Thank you for sharing this video.

[IamCanadian]

when Poland saved the west....and how were they Nazi and soviet repression and western indifference....no....Briton did try to intervene....but too late...

[allenatkins]

Everybody is gangsta until the Winged Hussars show up.

[JosephDowling-ib]

Those feathers in the frame created an errie humming sound when in full gallop. It would disturb the foes horses as well as the troops.

[manuelacosta]

The Winged Hussars are among the most legendary cavalry of all time and this charge sealed their status. The Poles have a well earned reputation for bravery against the odds and emerging victorious.

[andersholmstrom]

I have been in Krakow and seen tents etc. taken by the poles in the battle of Vienna.

[Miki]

Poland did nothing but protect Europe yet it was treated like devil by most European countries later on.

[leebiggs]

You left out the artillary bombardment from the Kahlenberg, the two year long preparation for the siege by the Ottomans, and Pasha's interest in taking the city by surrender rather than by direct conquest. Also, Pasha was not hanged, but garotted. This defeat was the reason Osama bin Laden chose Sept. 11 his attack day.

[erichguenter]

I saw some of this Muslim weapon in a museum in Dresden Germany the Muslim left enough flower and coffee behind to start the first coffee house in Europe

[blogerprokofief]

Une bonne correction aux Turcs, c’est très bien.

[ricardomews]

the Polish hussars won the battle with the Turks... and then... were humiliated by the very man who asked them for help to save Vienna... and Europe!