The lancer (called "ułan" in Polish and "Ulan" in German) had become a common sight in almost every European, Ottoman, and Indian cavalry during this time, but, with the exception of the Ottoman troops, they increasingly discarded the heavy armour to give greater freedom of movement in combat. The Polish "winged" lancers were amongst the last to abandon their armour in Eastern Europe. There was debate over the value of the lance in mounted combat during the 17th and 18th centuries, with most armies having very few lancer units by the beginning of the 19th century.