The Prussian army of Frederick II was possibly the best in Europe, and its cavalry were the elite units of that army. The 5th Hussar Regiment, nicknamed the “Black Hussars”, were the most elite of those elite cavalry units, and were renowned for both bravery and cruelty in battle. 

Prussian hussar regiments were created by Frederick II in 1741, following the patterns set down by Austrian and Hungarian light cavalry going back to the 15th Century. Prussian hussars wore traditional Hungarian uniforms, giving them a distinctive look from other Prussian units. 

Hussars were the ideal troops for reconnaissance and raiding missions, often used to harass the enemy army as skirmishers, to overrun unprotected enemy artillery positions, or to run down fleeing enemy troops.