06-08-2013, 09:46 AM
Quote:well actually the cavalry wasn' t so usefull... you have to consider, for example that a direct charge of cavalry against a formation of infantry would have been ineffective..so the aim of cavalry was "only" to protect the flanks, thanks to its speed, and to outflank enemy's flanks( that would have had a psychological effect on the enemy) so to have had a too many horsemen would have been vain.
Perhaps the mind set to use was that cavalry in this period was never intended to break up a rank of well protected infantry and never intended to do direct charges (a concept many seem to take as the be all and end all of cavalry tactics).
And I would caution against underestimating the psychological effect of a horse coming at you at pace and loosing arrows accurately yet taking out random targets to left or right of an infantry man ordered to hold his ground.
Even turning an infantry flank can have a very bad effect on morale because once a defensive shield formation is broken, an infantryman is very vulnerable.
Moi Watson
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Merlot in one hand, Cigar in the other; body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, what a ride!
