10-06-2016, 05:11 PM
but these things would be true even for Alexanders Companions. Horse is not a machine, it will not intentionally hit a solid object at FULL speed, it will try to avoid it if there is space to do so.. this is why typically at chase, there is a plenty of room horse can run through, while cavalrymen can kill fleeing enemies.
With cavalry battles, its different. Horses wont hit each other while running in opposite direction, they will just pass each other. of course, some cavalrymen might be successful at hitting the enemy, killing him or horse, but dead horse present an obstacle.. thats why, even later in Napoleonic times, cavalry didn't charged cavalry at full gallop, but usually slowed down - sometimes even to a walk speed, while keeping tight formation, so enemy couldn't break through their formation. One of major reasons why French cavalry was so famous was because while they were not even close to being as good horsemen as German or British, they tend to keep formation no matter what... If I recall correctly, Wellington once said that single British cavalrymen can take two french, but single french squadron can take out two British... because of better cohesion and more discipline (British cavalry were quite impetuous,which sometimes lead them into really bad situations - like for example Royal Scott Greys charging too far at Waterloo just to be counter-charged by French lancers and beaten badly)
With cavalry battles, its different. Horses wont hit each other while running in opposite direction, they will just pass each other. of course, some cavalrymen might be successful at hitting the enemy, killing him or horse, but dead horse present an obstacle.. thats why, even later in Napoleonic times, cavalry didn't charged cavalry at full gallop, but usually slowed down - sometimes even to a walk speed, while keeping tight formation, so enemy couldn't break through their formation. One of major reasons why French cavalry was so famous was because while they were not even close to being as good horsemen as German or British, they tend to keep formation no matter what... If I recall correctly, Wellington once said that single British cavalrymen can take two french, but single french squadron can take out two British... because of better cohesion and more discipline (British cavalry were quite impetuous,which sometimes lead them into really bad situations - like for example Royal Scott Greys charging too far at Waterloo just to be counter-charged by French lancers and beaten badly)
Jaroslav Jakubov
