Clearing a last line of vineyards, the Hussars now began a charge in mass. With the cry of Jezus Maria ratuj, the password of the day on their lips, and their king at their head, the Poles advanced at a canter. The Imperial infantry to their left paused in their own attack to take in the awe-inspiring sight. At 50 paces, with the order Zlozcie kopie (lower lances!) the Hussars broke into full gallop, lances lowering like “stalks of rye in the windâ€. Into the oncoming Turkish cavalry, Sipahis and akinci, they tore!A witness to the charge wrote:
No sooner does a Hussar lower his lance than a Turk is impaled on its spike; disordering and terrifying the foe. That blow cannot be avoided or deflected … Oft transfixing two persons at a time. Others flee in eager haste… Like flies in a frenzy.>
Scattering the Turkish outriders, Sobieski now ordered the Hussars to charge home against the center of the Turkish camp. With an audible crash and shattering of lances they smashed home into the Janissaries. The Turkish line recoiled, and after receiving still another charge from the far-right squadrons of Polish horse crumbled. Soon the entire Turkish line was fleeing headlong in a disorderly mob from the pursuing Hussars.
The siege was over, and Vienna was saved. The Turkish drive into central Europe ended in defeat; and in the coming years the Imperial forces, led by the brilliant Prince Eugene of Savoy would drive the Turks out of Hungary entirely.
But the laurels of that autumn day in 1683 belonged to Jan Sobieski and the Polish Winged Hussars he led. This was their last hurrah, a glorious final charge that helped to save the West from Muslim domination.
