Basic Formations- Line, Square, Column

Line formation- The line formation brings all 100 man battalion muskets to bear on a target. The line formation is a standard tactical formation which has been used throughout history. This formation provided the best frontage for volley fire, while sacrificing maneuverability and defense against cavalry. An infantry battalion would form "in line" by placing troops in several ranks, with three ranks being the most common arrangement. Each rank was approximately half a meter apart from the next, and soldiers in a rank were positioned closely to each other (usually within arm's length), with just enough room to present their weapons, fire, and reload. The line formation required that the troops be well-drilled and constantly supervised by officers and non-commissioned officers (NCOs). NCOs as well as officers were were positioned to the rear of the line. At times the Officers would be forced to lead by example and led the line
formation from the front. Movement in line formation was very slow, and unless the battalion was superbly trained, a breakdown in cohesion was virtually assured, especially in any kind of uneven or wooded terrain. As a result, line was mostly used as a stationary formation, with troops moving in columns and then deploying to line at their destination. The line formation can move, but it best used to volley fire and create a line of battle. In addition, the line formation was extremely vulnerable to cavalry attacks from the flanks and rear. Using battalions in line formation work best when used in multiple battalions to flank the enemy.



Square Formation- The formation took the form of a hollow square, or sometimes a rectangle, with each side composed of two or more ranks of soldiers armed with single-shot muskets or rifles with fixed bayonets. The unit's colors and commander were positioned in the center, along with a reserve force to reinforce any side of the square weakened by attacks.Once formed in square, the infantry would volley fire at approaching cavalry, either by file or by rank. In successful actions, the infantry would often withhold fire until the charging horses and men were some 30 meters from the square; the resulting casualties to the attackers would eventually form piles of dead and wounded horses and their riders which would obstruct further attacks. In game holding the volley fire until the cavalry gets close enough can cause the enemy cavalry to break and have high casualties or if the the volley is not time right the formation can be overrun. While it was vital for squares to stand firm in the face of a charge, they were not static formations. Astute commanders could, in suitable terrain, maneuver squares to mass fire and even trap cavalry. Squares could also be arranged in a checkerboard formation to give supporting fire as cavalry moved between them. Lone infantry battalions in squares are easy targets but 2 or 3 supporting battalions is a hard nut to crack. However, only the front ranks or ranks that are pointing to the enemy can fire unlike the line formation where all the men can fire.


Column- A military column is a formation of soldiers marching together in one or more files in which the file is significantly longer than the width of ranks in the formation. It has the advantage of being easier to maneuver than other formations in that it permits an army to follow the form of a road, thus increasing its movement speed. However, column formations are very vulnerable to frontal and flank attack. French armies often attacked in column formation in an attempt to drive through enemy lines by sheer weight of numbers. Against enemy units already weakened by the fire from skirmishers or artillery, this was often successful. French units would approach in column formation and deploy into line when close to the enemy. This a good tactic as it keeps your men in a tight formation and when you are close to the enemy it is best to change into line formation protected by a large skirmisher screen. The column formation as well does not bring all the muskets to fight at one point. Usually only the front ranks can fire, but the column formation is great for bayonet attacks and easy to move around.

Large Battlefield Formations

Mixed Order Formation- The Mixed Order (French: Ordre Mixte) was a tactical formation used by demi-brigades of the French Revolutionary Army and later by Napoleon's Grande Armée to great effect. The Mixed Order involved three battalions, one of veterans and two of conscripts. In the game a good way to use this if you have weaker troops would to either deploy a grenadier battalion in line with two national guard or line infantry battalions on the flanks in column formation. The veteran brigade would deploy in line formation, as only it had the necessary training to retain its cohesion in this formation while moving or when under fire. The
line formation brought the most firepower of the unit (every man could fire) but it was not resistant to sudden attack especially by cavalry and it could not manoeuver very well. The two conscript battalions were deployed in column formation, which required far less training to perfect, on the flanks of the veteran unit. The column formation allowed the unit rapid movement, a very effective charge (due to weight of numbers) or it could quickly form square to resist cavalry attacks.
As the overall quality of the French Armies improved, the mixed order remained a part of French tactical doctrine, and was used extensively by Napoleon when commanding the Grande Armée. The Mixed Order capitalised on the strengths of both the Line and Column formations, while avoiding some of their inherent weaknesses. In battle the Mixed Order is a great way of moving you men in a tight formation that has flexibility but also combines both firepower and the bayonet. During a battle in EW in my opinion the largest a Mixed Order formation should be is 4 battalions having two in line in the middle with one battalion on each side in column. If the formation is any larger it gets hard to move around and tends to lose its formation. Majority of the players seem to go for the 3 battalions for mixed order. An advantage of mixed order on the defense is having the ability to have one battalion in line with two battalions on the ends in square formation to protect against cavalry.


Attack Column (Colonne d'Attaque): A wide column of infantry, almost a hybrid of line and column, with light infantry skirmishers in front to disrupt the enemy and screen the column's advance. Once the column closed, the skirmishers would move off to its flanks, then the column would fire a massed musket salvo and charge with their bayonets. An excellent formation against a standard, thin line. The Attack Column was developed from the "Mob" or "Horde" tactics of the early French revolutionary armies. Its disadvantages were a lack of massed firepower and vulnerability to artillery fire. In EW the attack column can be two different formations in my opinion. The first attack column has 3 line battalions one right after another with skirmishers in front. For an added bonus either put a light infantry of grenadier battalion in the front for better firepower. To make more sense of this formation it is like stacking 3 or 4 battalions in line one right after another so they can break a whole in a weak part of the enemy. Another variation of this formation is having your battalions in column formation with either 2 to 3 battalion wide frontage with 2 or 3 deep battalion column. This is great for a well timed bayonet charge to give yourself that deciding factor in the victory. I would not recommend trying to volley with this formation, but it does have decent firepower so it is always an option.


Checkered Board Formation- This formation is used by players for both attack and defense. The player lines up 3-5 battalions in line. The staggered line means that the front rank would be 3 battalions wide with 2 battalions in reserve. These battalions do not need to be right behind the first line but splitting the line so they can give help to whatever battalions is hard pressed. These reserve battalions can be formed into line or also in column formation to make them easier to move. These reserve battalions are great for defense because whatever sector of the battle that is going bad you can easily send in reinforcements. Also on the attack the reserve battalions are great for a concentrated bayonet charge on a weak part of the line without taking pressure off the enemy with your front rank still volley firing on the enemy. This formation frontage should be wider than it depth as this formation is great for attacking since it is not a complex formation. Also the reserve battalions can be pulled from the line to be put into an Army reserve if the sector of battle is not as bad as others.


Supportive Squares This formation is one of the best defense tools against cavalry. The Supported square formation can vary from 3 battalions to as many battalions you feel needed. An example of the supported square formation would have two battalions in square in the front with a single battalion between the front to battalions a few paces off in a V shaped formation. This gives each square the ability to get protective fire from some of the ranks of the supportive squares. This also causes a good cross fire that is deadly to cavalry. The supportive square formation is very easy to form from the Mixed Order Formation. All the player needs to do is pull back his battalion in line in the middle of the Mixed Order formation and bring it back a few paces and put it into a square formation. The two flank battalions as well need to be put in square formation but do not need to move as they will be giving mutual support to the other battalions. A very important thing to remember is to tell your battalions to stand ground so they can shoot in all directions and are much harder to break if attacked by cavalry. I would not recommend put a battalion in front with two battalions in the back of it as this causes less firepower to be used.

I see you have the edge Leatherkneck, nice one lol.

Am willing to have you know your stuff.

I will add my infantry tactic, that nearly everyone knows by now.

The massed infantry coloumn.

TIMING

First is to time it just right, if you are attacking draw up the coloum in the fog of war out of sight. Draw your opponents reserves away with a feint attack. If defending a similar techinique, draw up the coloumn to aim at an exposed attacking flank, goad your opponent into thinking he is winning, draw him in then strike.

FORMATION

You need about 9 infantry battalions, arranged in line, 3 across and 3 deep resembling a big rectangle. Light horse on the flanks, heavies in the rear.

THE ATTACK

When the timing is right, move off aiming for the weakest part of the enemy line. The light cavalry engages any skirmishers or adverse enemy cavalry keeping them at bay.

When the first of your infantry lines comes very close to the enemy line, stop and fire, devestating much of their defending line.

The second attacking line then moves forward past the first line, stops and fires, mowing down the survivors. The third line then smashes through with the bayonet.

CONSOLIDATION

The wings of the colomn then need to fold outwards, making a corridor into the heart of the enemy and prising apart the enemy line. Heavy cavalry can then stream safely through and get behind the enemy.

Victory is assured.

THE CONS

This tactic can go very very wrong especially if the enemy meet it with canister and are able to soak up the steam roller style attack with retreating lines of infantry firing and being replaced.

But at the right moment, and with a bit of luck this tactic has won me many a battle. It looks epic as well.

Stu[/u]