Napoleonic Infantry Tactics: A Quick Guide
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Date: 2022-09-12
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Comments and reviews: 19
john
The column he showed was aFrench attack column, not a column of division. The attack column is partly inverted, meaning the right hand companies are in reversed order, with the 2nd company in the front rank, the 1st in the second rank and the grenadier company in the rear rank.
A column of divisions looking at the column from behind the formation would have from right to left, the grenadier company, and the 1st company in the front rank, the second rank would be the 2nd company and the 3rd company while the third rank would be the 4th company and the voltagier company.
NOT the same thing at all, as the column of divisions could form line on any company, while the attack column can only form line on the center.
An attack column in theory could form line to its right flank in roughly half the time an open column of companies could perform the same maneuver, depending on the level of experience and drill of the men. Conversely an open column of companies could form line to the left flank in less than a quarter of the time an attack column could, again depending on the attack columns level of competency. Were the column of companies in close or closed column the speed of the attack column forming to either flank would be increased comparatively to the other.
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The column he showed was aFrench attack column, not a column of division. The attack column is partly inverted, meaning the right hand companies are in reversed order, with the 2nd company in the front rank, the 1st in the second rank and the grenadier company in the rear rank.
A column of divisions looking at the column from behind the formation would have from right to left, the grenadier company, and the 1st company in the front rank, the second rank would be the 2nd company and the 3rd company while the third rank would be the 4th company and the voltagier company.
NOT the same thing at all, as the column of divisions could form line on any company, while the attack column can only form line on the center.
An attack column in theory could form line to its right flank in roughly half the time an open column of companies could perform the same maneuver, depending on the level of experience and drill of the men. Conversely an open column of companies could form line to the left flank in less than a quarter of the time an attack column could, again depending on the attack columns level of competency. Were the column of companies in close or closed column the speed of the attack column forming to either flank would be increased comparatively to the other.
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Simon
While a bit of a tangent its worthy to note that as wars got more Lethal they became less common.
In Grecian Hoplite warfare the loosing phalanx thats right the guys who broke dropped their weapons and shields to run only had a roughly 15% casualty rate.
Its no wonder the Greeks always went to war with one another 15% is basically a sport.
Then you had the Napoleonic Wars that had battles that were fought to the man with retreating soldiers being run down and killed.
Finally you reach the twilight of linear warfare in WW1 of which war basically became industrialized slaughter
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While a bit of a tangent its worthy to note that as wars got more Lethal they became less common.
In Grecian Hoplite warfare the loosing phalanx thats right the guys who broke dropped their weapons and shields to run only had a roughly 15% casualty rate.
Its no wonder the Greeks always went to war with one another 15% is basically a sport.
Then you had the Napoleonic Wars that had battles that were fought to the man with retreating soldiers being run down and killed.
Finally you reach the twilight of linear warfare in WW1 of which war basically became industrialized slaughter
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Teemu
What a shitty way to die. Win by numbers. Oh and that stand in line and don't duck the bullets is ridiculous. And if you survive, then you get to slaughter other men by bayonnets in a bloodfest. This fighting style must be an egotrip of the general, who wants to prove that his power can kill his own men if he wants to
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What a shitty way to die. Win by numbers. Oh and that stand in line and don't duck the bullets is ridiculous. And if you survive, then you get to slaughter other men by bayonnets in a bloodfest. This fighting style must be an egotrip of the general, who wants to prove that his power can kill his own men if he wants to
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Attempted
European Army: I have battered your skull, crushed your chest, shattered your arms, and broken your legs.
Napoleon: Ah, yes, but in your fury you didn't break my hands; and with those I ripped out one of your testicles forever.
European Army: I. I don't feel like fighting, anymore.
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European Army: I have battered your skull, crushed your chest, shattered your arms, and broken your legs.
Napoleon: Ah, yes, but in your fury you didn't break my hands; and with those I ripped out one of your testicles forever.
European Army: I. I don't feel like fighting, anymore.
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T33K3SS3LCH3N
Calling smoothbore muskets inaccurate beyond 80 yards is at least missleading.
A serious firefight could begin anywhere between 350 and 150 yards depending on the conditions. Other than often mistakenly believed, longbows did not effectively outrange muskets.
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Calling smoothbore muskets inaccurate beyond 80 yards is at least missleading.
A serious firefight could begin anywhere between 350 and 150 yards depending on the conditions. Other than often mistakenly believed, longbows did not effectively outrange muskets.
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Ray
Napoleonic cannon, with a well trained crew, could fire, reload and fire again. faster then a Soldier with a musket. And the range was much greater. So Napoleon drilled his artillery to be very mobile, and not a static point of defense.
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Napoleonic cannon, with a well trained crew, could fire, reload and fire again. faster then a Soldier with a musket. And the range was much greater. So Napoleon drilled his artillery to be very mobile, and not a static point of defense.
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Jason
The British had the double line vs triple line of other armys of the time. It allowed them to cover more frontage with less troops. It was also said that the 3rd line was responsible for causing casualties on the first two lines.
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The British had the double line vs triple line of other armys of the time. It allowed them to cover more frontage with less troops. It was also said that the 3rd line was responsible for causing casualties on the first two lines.
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Jo
Napoleans idea of great infantry tactics. a frontal charge against the enemy center or fortified location. I'm surprised so many people think he was a great general. He was merely mediocre at time when incompetence was the norm.
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Napoleans idea of great infantry tactics. a frontal charge against the enemy center or fortified location. I'm surprised so many people think he was a great general. He was merely mediocre at time when incompetence was the norm.
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JohnJ469
I can't help but think the archers at Crecy would have made short work of a Napoleonic column. Even 600 of them firing from 400 yards at the advancing column at 6 shots a minute would do enormous damage.
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I can't help but think the archers at Crecy would have made short work of a Napoleonic column. Even 600 of them firing from 400 yards at the advancing column at 6 shots a minute would do enormous damage.
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Gregory
I cant imagine how terrifying it must have been fighting like this. One guy freaks out before the fight starts and starts screaming and shit. getting smashed by a horse and trampled would suck.
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I cant imagine how terrifying it must have been fighting like this. One guy freaks out before the fight starts and starts screaming and shit. getting smashed by a horse and trampled would suck.
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Dave
Very much a DUMMIES GUIDE. Where are the refused flanks? Where are the assaults with horse artillery alongside and protected with dragoons? A great waste of 5: 38 minutes of my life.
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Very much a DUMMIES GUIDE. Where are the refused flanks? Where are the assaults with horse artillery alongside and protected with dragoons? A great waste of 5: 38 minutes of my life.
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Iann
Im like 2 years late to this, but what is the song playing through this video? I played it in high school orchestra as second bassoon, but I cant remember the name to save my life
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Im like 2 years late to this, but what is the song playing through this video? I played it in high school orchestra as second bassoon, but I cant remember the name to save my life
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GradeY
pretty good video except the part where it was pointed out that the only experienced troops in europe at the time were english. i think every country had elite troops.
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pretty good video except the part where it was pointed out that the only experienced troops in europe at the time were english. i think every country had elite troops.
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Jordan
Its nuts this was nearly the same strategy used in the US civil war. Just with more advanced and deadly weaponry. No wonder it was the USs bloodiest war.
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Its nuts this was nearly the same strategy used in the US civil war. Just with more advanced and deadly weaponry. No wonder it was the USs bloodiest war.
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Viktor
So think about supplying this kind of army. There was no such wars in our history. This all is just historical fiction, totally)
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So think about supplying this kind of army. There was no such wars in our history. This all is just historical fiction, totally)
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Ash_Bear552
Currently writing a flintlock fantasy book where one of my characters is a soldier so this is gonna be really helpful
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Currently writing a flintlock fantasy book where one of my characters is a soldier so this is gonna be really helpful
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Nunya
Wow! Getting that down to six minutes and doing such a comprehensive and understandable job is amazing. Well done.
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Wow! Getting that down to six minutes and doing such a comprehensive and understandable job is amazing. Well done.
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Onochie
These manoeuvres are similar to some of the formations made on the parade ground during foot/arms/sword drills.
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These manoeuvres are similar to some of the formations made on the parade ground during foot/arms/sword drills.
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Tom
With the massive use of conscripts, Napoleon used massive cannons to make up for experience soldiers
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With the massive use of conscripts, Napoleon used massive cannons to make up for experience soldiers
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