The hussars borrowed their name and smart outfit from the Hungarians, who were the first to serve in light cavalry companies of the French Army towards the end of the reign of Louis XIII. The 1st hussars regiment was created under the reign of Louis XV, early XVIII century.
Being extremely daring swordsmen, accustomed to vanguard and reconnaissance missions, hussars built for themselves a great reputation as crazy intrepid warriors and incorrigible philanderers, who soared from victory to victory during the Empire and Revolution wars.
1806 - Pointe d'avant-garde du 9e Hussards
Jean-Baptiste-Edouard Detaille - Musée de l'Armée - Paris
They were said to be afraid neither of God nor the Devil, and were only accountable to their superiors.
Under Napoleon III, hussars were once more at the battle front, notably during the Crimean War and subsequently during the 1870 War.
During World War I, the fourteen hussars regiments of the French army were deployed at various fronts, notably in Lorraine and Verdun.
In 1940, hussars put up resistance against German invasion that resulted in heavy losses on their side.
In 1946, after the end of the Second World War, hussars were reorganized into armoured regiments. The 1st regiment was then sent to Algeria where it became the 1st Parachutist Hussars Regiment. Its squadrons, equipped with armoured cars, fought in Indochina, Morocco and Algeria.
Since 1978, the missions of the 1st Parachutist Hussars Regiment (1st RHP) have mainly been intelligence, emergency intervention and backup to parachutist infantry regiments. It is within this context that the 1st RHP has always been called up to participate in several Overseas Operations as was the case during the 1990 Gulf War, where it took part in Operation Daguet.
The 1st Parachutist Hussars Regiment is stationed at Tarbes.