Sub-Roman Britain (Cavalry etc)

[Robert Vermaat]

I took that Gildas reference ("under the protecting wings of their parents") as a simile. Of course, as you and other have pointed out before, Gildas was no historian, and wasn't trying to be.

I agree immediately agree with Gildas being no historian.
However, you missed the 'wing' reference. it in DEB ch. 6:

After this, when news of such deeds was carried to the senate, and it was hastening with speedy army to take vengeance on the crafty foxes, as they named them, there was no preparation of a fighting fleet on sea to make a brave struggle for country, nor a marshalled army or right wing, nor any other warlike equipment on land
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quibus ita gestis cum talia senatui nuntiarentur et propero exercitu uulpeculas ut fingebat subdolas ulcisci festinaret, non militaris in mari classis parata fortiter dimicare pro patria nec quadratum agmen neque dextrum cornu aliiue belli apparatus in litore conseruntur.

Another reference could be to 'army wing' in a more strategical sense in ch. 13:

He then extends one wing to Spain, the other to Italy, fixing the throne of his iniquitous empire at Trier
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et unam alarum ad hispaniam, alteram ad italiam extendens et thronum iniquissimi imperii apud treueros statuens