05-02-2005, 08:44 PM
The problem from my experience is that the lead elements who charge forward at speed either get ?killed? or trip and pile up. In a few seconds the entire running flying wedge bogs down. This under modest to heavy resistence. Even worse if the ground is rough or uneven, or littered with small shrubs or clumps of grass... or the dead and dying and their discarded gear
What has worked best are formations several soldiers abreast and deep that seem to offer the enemy gaps or weaknesses but are in practice traps or ploys :
- to cause him to turn flanks, even if its only a few men,
- to cause men to look away, become distracted,
- to cause them to become fearful that they may be flanked en masse,
- to cause him to go defensive or bunch up, making weapons use difficult
In general there is no reason to slam into an enemy shieldwall or formation.
Run towards it certainly, if that's the best tactic, in good order, and when you return to a fast walk a few paces form the enemy line, reform and then walk into him... to begin grinding away at him...
I can envision using Auxilia to charge at an enemy to soften his lines, cause casualties, disrupt his ability to move, and so on..... this followed by the more disciplined Legios who begin the steady work of grinding away at him.
I've used this tactic to great success but the troops used to slam into an enemy, ...flying wedge... were expendable.. often far less skilled and or disciplined. Works great against his best units, atriting them softening them for the final blow...
What has worked best are formations several soldiers abreast and deep that seem to offer the enemy gaps or weaknesses but are in practice traps or ploys :
- to cause him to turn flanks, even if its only a few men,
- to cause men to look away, become distracted,
- to cause them to become fearful that they may be flanked en masse,
- to cause him to go defensive or bunch up, making weapons use difficult
In general there is no reason to slam into an enemy shieldwall or formation.
Run towards it certainly, if that's the best tactic, in good order, and when you return to a fast walk a few paces form the enemy line, reform and then walk into him... to begin grinding away at him...
I can envision using Auxilia to charge at an enemy to soften his lines, cause casualties, disrupt his ability to move, and so on..... this followed by the more disciplined Legios who begin the steady work of grinding away at him.
I've used this tactic to great success but the troops used to slam into an enemy, ...flying wedge... were expendable.. often far less skilled and or disciplined. Works great against his best units, atriting them softening them for the final blow...
Hibernicus
LEGIO IX HISPANA, USA
You cannot dig ditches in a toga!
[url:194jujcw]http://www.legio-ix-hispana.org[/url]
A nationwide club with chapters across N America
LEGIO IX HISPANA, USA
You cannot dig ditches in a toga!
[url:194jujcw]http://www.legio-ix-hispana.org[/url]
A nationwide club with chapters across N America
