Basics: Line Combat

[MorGrendel]

Basics: Line Combat

Line combat seems to be an elusive art. It appears that once a leader finds a style of fighting that is advantageous to his unit, that leader makes it the unit’s sole method of fighting. There are a great number of cruxes to this. The first of which is that no one style of fighting is always the best choice; rather, it is a combination of applying many styles that will give you the consistent advantage. Also as a unit’s personnel changes, so does the units ability to effectively carry out a particular style. Finally, when you focus on one style of fighting, new fighters become a tell-tale weak spot in the line.

As I see it there are three general styles of line fighting: Skirmish Line, Shield Wall line, and Porous Line. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, speed of assault, and preferred moment of use.

Skirmish Line: A Skirmish line is generally a fast moving, loosely packed line hoping to exploit a point or a flank. The Skirmish line’s attempt is to curl an edge of a line back on itself, limiting the defending lines mobility and retreat options, while at the same time creating off-angle shots for the support members to exploit. Skirmish line is a non-combative line, preferring not to commit itself to a point unless highly advantageous. A Skirmish line is often a weighted line that clumps weapons forms together; generally shields to lead the attack and draw fire, followed by pole weapons trusted to keep attackers off of the line so that the shields are not slowed down, followed by spears who throw shots into the confusion and at turned around enemies. A Skirmish line is most advantageous on the open field where it has room to maneuver. It is very simple to disguise a Skirmish line as Porous line, as the proper spacing for movement is built in for a Whirling Dervish attack. A Skirmish line is undone by a Shield Wall line that can deny a flank(s) due to unmovable objects like walls or trees. If a Skirmish line is not running, then it can very easily be turned on its heels. The best way to stop a skirmish line is to cut off its head by charging into the support members just as the Skirmish shields pass.

Shield Wall: A Shield Wall is almost the exact opposite, as it is a tight formation where the shields form a defensive barrier. Shields are interlocked and/or stacked like a tortoise shell to create a living wall. Spears are positioned in gaps and in such a way as to keep attackers from coming up and over the wall. Support troops brace the backs of the shield men on the line, and make ready to sally out incase the wall is breached. A shield wall is at its best when it has a denied flank due to some form of obstacle. It is simple to disguise a Bubble or Slant charge in a Shield Wall line, with the charge used most effectively when an opponent is beginning to set up to attack the wall and is just bringing its spears to the front. On the down side, a Shield Wall line takes the longest and is the hardest to reform. Also it is the most misused line, as people accept the loss of mobility for improved defense. This is a game of positioning and mobility, the moment you stop exploiting an enemy’s weakness you are in extreme peril. A Shield Wall line should only be used to hold ground and objectives from imminent charges, or to deny one flank while attacking on another. A Shield Wall line can be defeated in two main ways. The first is to attack a flank, maneuver around it, and surround the Shield Wall line. The other is to attack a point over and over again. It is best to focus on one side or the other, where the combining of mixed forms of weaponry on the defense are at their least. A Shield Wall line is generally a straight line that can only defend to the front as members of the line will have to move though their own members to defend the weakened point.

Porous Line: The Porous Line is the most difficult line to pull off, as it requires the most awareness from its members. The Porous line is a weighted line, but one that rotates weight as needed. By this I mean the spears are at the front when combat is at a distance, the shields move to the front in defense of a charge, and the support weapons like pole arms move to the front as the enemy is repulsed and/or as an assault begins. This line uses a checker board pattern, much like the Roman cohorts of old. Support in this pattern works diagonally, like bishops on a chess board protecting the pieces in front of them. However, due to the gapping in a Porous line, the front line is able to fall back into the rear and support the line as the support troops strike the incoming attacker. Moreover, an effective Porous line lets some attackers in and overwhelms them with force, while other attackers are repelled by shields making their way to the front. One of the real advantages of the Porous line is that it is so malleable and capable of splitting itself up, as well as transforming into other styles. A Porous line works well against a Shield Wall line at range, and in particular against a less-consolidated charge. However, it is weaker against a Skirmish line on the open field, though it is better able to deal with being wrapped around than the Shield Wall line. A Porous line is both good at offense and defense, but is not as quick as a Skirmish line and can suffer by not being able to take advantage of a presented opportunity. However, it is not as slow and unmaneuverable as a Shield Wall line, but significantly less defensive.

One final thought on line combat, line combat is not the end all be all of combat. Line combat instructions should not intercede a fighter’s instinct. Rather, it should provide a framework for support, and give a foot print to the unit. A fighter should know where others are around him, where to drive opponents, and where he needs to be in a line.