Uhlan (also spelt Ulan, Polish: Ułan) were originally Polish cavalry soldiers armed with lances. These troops were light cavalry, and wore the national dress and czapka (or lancer cap). They were introduced into the Prussian service in 1740, but failed to distinguish themselves in the First Silesian War, and it was only after the treaty of Tilsit (1807) that Ulan regiments were again formed in the Prussian army.
In the Austrian army a "Uhlan-pulk " of Poles was formed in 1784 and ordinary Uhlan regiments of Austrian cavalry in 1791.
Manfred von Richthofen was in an Uhlan regiment from 1911 to 1915.
See also
To be honest this hat is not (only) czapka (which means hat in general) but czako (tchako - in polish czako means uhlan's hat)
thanx
P.J.
