Basic Battle Tactics

1. Units and Formations

There are three types of units that can be used in historical battles, which are Infantry, artillery and cavalry.

1.1 Infantry

Infantry are armed with muskets and bayonets and can be organised into three different types of formation, which are rank square and line.

1.1.1 The Line Formation

The line formation is good for attacking and defending positions, however it is vulnerable from flanking and rear attacks.

1.1.2 Rank Formation

The rank formation is good for marching through towns and dense woodland etc. This formation is vulnerable to artillery fire, enemy infantry and cavalry attacks.

1.1.3 Square Formation

The square formation is an excellent defence against cavalry charges and is even more effective when squares of infantry are grouped together. This formation isvulnerable against enemy infantry and artillery fire

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1.2 Cavalry

Cavalry units can consist of either lancers or dragoons.

1.2.1 Lancers

Lancers are armed with a long spear type lance and can move very quickly, which make ideal units for surprise hit and run attacks

1.2.2 Dragoons

Dragoons are armed with pistols or short muskets and swords and can release a volley of shots, before resorting to using the sword.

1.2.3 Line Formation

The line formation is good for attacking enemy infantry and cavalry units. This formation is vulnerable to flank and rear attacks by enemy infantry and cavalry.

1.2.4 Wedge Formation

The wedge formation is a good defence against enemy cavalry attacks. This formation is vulnerable to enemy infantry attacks.

1.2.5 Rank Formation

This formation is possibly the best attacking cavalry formation.

1.3 Artillery

Artillery cannot be formed in specific formation, but can be grouped in batteries. Artillery can be used to bombard the enemy's positions from a long distance or fire grapeshot into massed enemy ranks. Whole formations can be wiped out by accurate grapeshot from artillery.

2. Battle Tactics

Before each major battle, a good tactician will locate the enemy's positions on a map and then assess the enemy's strengths and weaknesses.

2.1 Scouting the enemy

Locating the enemies positions can be achieved by sending individual or small groups of units on scouting missions, to locate where the enemy lines and fortifications are.

2.2 Planning an Attack

A good battle plan should comprise of which units should be combined to attack or defend and in what formation. The best co-ordinated attacks on the enemy are attacking his flanks or getting behind the enemy and attacking from the rear, which will have a significant impact on the enemy's morale.

2.2.1 Flanking

A flank attack is one of the best methods of attack, which can be the decisive strategy to winning a battle. If an enemy flank is not exposed then manoeuvring your troops may cause your enemy to expose a flank.

2.2.2 Morale

Your troop moral may be kept high or boosted by defending next to buildings, such as forts and fortresses etc. Destroying the enemy's buildings with artillery, attacking their flanks and positioning troops behind their lines will lower their morale.

2.3 Combined Units and Formations

Using combined units and formations may prove much more effective in defending against and attacking the enemy.

2.3.1 Infantry and Cavalry Combined

When attacking the enemy with infantry and cavalry, the cavalry can first lead the attack and discharge their weapons and sometimes forcing the enemy infantry into square formation. The cavalry can then be withdrawn and infantry in line formation may then start a secondary attack on the enemy infantry in square formation. This is an excellent method of combined infantry and cavalry attack.

2.3.2 Infantry and Artillery Combined

When defending a bridge or any other strategic position, infantry combined with artillery are very effective. Artillery grape shot and infantry musket fire can prove a devastating combination against the attacking enemy ranks. It must be noted that placing artillery behind your infantry, may result in your own troops being grapeshot by friendly fire.

2.3.3 Crossing Bridges

Crossing defended bridges can be a costly affair and more success has been accomplished by our better generals, attacking a bridge with both cavalry and infantry, where the cavalry leads the attack followed by infantry.

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