Pila range and how?

[jkaler48]

Tacitus writing in the late Roman period describes the current Legionary battle load as up to seven missle weapons one of those being a Pilum. He also describe the in the past practice of carrying two pila into battle. He goes on to say the Germans are now carrying two to three into battle.

There are comparatively many references to Pila being laid aside in battle while the standard tactic is to first engage the enemy with pila. Perhaps in some instances the Pila are being put aside because the first volley has been thrown and there is no time to launch a second one.

We may find holding a second pilum in the shield hand awkward and difficult but we do not spend hours every day years on end practicing as the Romans did. We do not have a Centurion standing at the ready to beat us if we injure our fellow soldiers with clumsy pila handling in formation.

Whether pila were resupplied in battle after the initial ammunition load was expended is a matter that cannot be determined with any certainty. It was certainly possible to do so as Romans records on weapons supply and manufacture records indicate the Legion traveled with repair and manufacturing assets, requisitioned more Pila than other weapons, had additional weapons on hand when in the field and lastly had plenty of non Legionary personnel on had who could have delivered Pila to the battle line.