The Regiment, as part of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard, fought in many battles, distinguishing itself at Wagram, Beresina, Hanau and especially Somosierra. On at least three occasions, light-horsemen of the Regiment saved Napoleon’s life.

The Polish 1st Light Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Guard, under the command of Wincenty Krasiński, was created by a decree of Napoleon’s, and signed on 9 April 1807 in Finckenstein (now Kamieniec Suski in northeast Poland):

“These people only know how to fight !”
… You are worthy of my Old Guard I proclaim you my bravest cavalry !”
– Napoleon, Emperor of France

In 1807 Napoleon authorized the raising of a guard regiment of Polish light horse. His main object in so doing was probably political, a first token of his promise to establish an independent Polish state. Whatever his motives,he obtained the services of some of the finest soldiers who ever served under him. Qualifications for enlistment were high. Applicants must be landowners or the sons of landowners. Some financial backing was certainly necessary, as those accepted had to provide their own uniforms, saddlery and horses.

In November 1808, Emperor Napoleon was advancing on Madrid. Across his road lay the Sierra de Guadarrama, crossed by the Somosierra pass defended by 12,000 Spaniards. Marshal Victor, commanding the advanced guard, set about forcing the pass by conventional means, sending infantry to the high ground on either side. Napoleon was impatient. He ordered light cavalry to storm the pass. When one of the French commanders raised not unreasonable difficulties, the Emperor turned to the Poles who were acting as his escort and told them to charge. One hundred and fifty horsemen charged uphill for a mile and a half, storming four successive batteries, two of them covered by earthworks. As they approached the crest the Spaniards fired their cannons and muskets and fled. Eighty-three of the Poles were casualties, including all seven officers.

Josef Anton Poniatowski 1763 – 1813 War Minister of the Duchy of Warsaw

At that time they were armed only with light cavalry sabers and carbines. They were issued with lances in the following year (in the end of 1809). Their uniform was Polish from the start; the square-topped cap or czapka, jacket or kurtka was dark blue with crimson facing and white piping, the trousers were also dark blue with crimson stripes. Officers were distinguished by silver lace and piping. When lances were issued they had pennants in the Polish colors, red over white.