Modern PLA Land Unit Of The Day. Light Cavalry

After reviewing the modern Chinese heavy shield infantry and Phalanx / Mandarin Duck formations, next up is the mysterious PLA Light Cavalry.   The PLA Light Cavalry, like other Light Cavalries such as the legendary Mongolian equivalent, is trained as swift scouts and battlefield raiders. As a result, they traded heavy armor for speed and mobility, allowing them to perform critical missions such as performing reconnaissance, quick raids against the enemy’s rear, and protecting the flanks of the main army.   At least in principle.   In actuality, as evidenced by the photographs below, they are not properly armed for modern combat of 2024.   While it is understandable that they are not protected with plate armor, they are also not wearing mail shirts for little protection against arrows or melee warfare.  

As several famous PLA professional analysts have properly pointed out, the PLA has not performed a massive cavalry charge since the mid Qing dynasty, 200 years ago, thus it is understandable that they will not know how to handle modern combat.  They are untested.  Additionally, they appear to be equipped just with a saber and a composited bow, with neither shield or lance to be found. Furthermore, crucial two-way communication technology such as Ram Horn is not available at the squadron level; as some well-known PLA professional analysts have pointed out, corruption at the top levels is to blame for not equipping Ram Horn to each troop.

The PLA still has a much to learn about modern warfare, particularly infantry tactics and related Table of Equipment in 2024

Man,
oh man, the PLA Hastati border guard is carrying a cheap, Chinese
knockoff gladius that isn’t even sharp to start.  Their scuta also
appears to be of low quality.

Group photo of this 13-member  Contubernium

Two Type 89 120mm Pilum for range attack before close-quarters melee at Contubernium level

PR Photos Of The Day: Charge of the Light Brigade

The China Army has long been neglected its cavalry arm throughout the
last two decades, leaving only 2 companies in its orbit.   They were
mostly used in historical reenactment or movie extras.

Well, they have since “corrected their mistake”  by grouping them into
independent companies under a  single battalion under the 76th Group
Army for better coordinated effects on highland border patrol as well as
a back up to the PAP.
(source here)

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45319/the-charge-of-the-light-brigade

I
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
   Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!” he said.
Into the valley of Death
   Rode the six hundred.

II
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
   Someone had blundered.
   Theirs not to make reply,
   Theirs not to reason why,
   Theirs but to do and die.
   Into the valley of Death
   Rode the six hundred.

III
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
   Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of hell
   Rode the six hundred.

IV
Flashed all their sabres bare,
Flashed as they turned in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
   All the world wondered.
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right through the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reeled from the sabre stroke
   Shattered and sundered.
Then they rode back, but not
   Not the six hundred.

V
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
   Volleyed and thundered;
Stormed at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell.
They that had fought so well
Came through the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of hell,
All that was left of them,
   Left of six hundred.

VI
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
   All the world wondered.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
   Noble six hundred!