Frederick II the Great, ascending the Prussian throne in 1740, inherited from his father (Frederick William I) undoubtedly one of the best armies in Europe at that time, which, however, was not an ideal army and required changes. The first skirmishes and battles of the war for the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) clearly showed that the greatest corrections and reforms awaited the Prussian cavalry. They also showed the necessity to create light cavalry units, which included, among others, the 5th Hussars Regiment formed in August 1741, which was later called Regiment of Black Hussars (German Regiment Schwarze Husaren). Already in September this year, five squadrons of this regiment were formed, and he became its first historical commander major von Mackroth. It is worth adding that even then the soldiers of the regiment were distinguished by black uniforms and a skull with crossbones on a fur cap. The Black Hussars Regiment took an active part in the Second Silesian War (1744-1745) and in the Seven Years' War. In the latter war, among others, he fought at Zorndorf in 1758. It is worth adding that the regiment remained in the structures of the Prussian army, and later the German army until 1919.
When Maria Theresa of the Habsburgs took the throne in 1740, she inherited from her father (Emperor Charles VI) an army of not the best quality. Although the cavalry of that army was well trained and had quite high morale, they did not use the best tactics on the battlefield. This was especially demonstrated by the lost battles of Strzegom-Dobromierz (1745) and Soor (1745). It is not surprising then that after a series of defeats in the Silesian Wars, the Austrian cavalry underwent some changes. First of all, in the years 1749-1751 it received new regulations, which ordered it - especially cuirassier and dragoons - to attack white weapons as quickly as possible and to strive to get on the wings of enemy cavalry. Shortly after the start of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), at the beginning of 1757, the Austrian cavalry consisted of 18 cuirassier regiments, 12 dragoons regiments and 12 hussars regiments. In full-time, the regiment of dragoons consisted of 817 soldiers on the peace foot. At the military level, his employment increased and was then divided into 12 companies of 75 cavalrymen each and 1 electoral company (the so-called grenadier company) of 100 soldiers. In addition, there was the regiment's staff of 15 people. In total, the regiment of dragoons numbered 1,015 at the war rate. Although during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) the Austrian cavalry continued to give way - especially in maneuvering large units - to its Prussian counterpart, it did well in the battles at Kolin (1757) and Kunersdorf (1759), victorious for the Austrians.