Warrior [19] British Redcoat 1740-93 by Stuart Reid

Author:Stuart Reid [Reid, Stuart]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: new
ISBN: 9781780966533
Google: roXvCwAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 13536707
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Published: 1997-01-15T05:00:00+00:00

Evolution of light infantry tactics

Once appointed commander-in-chief in North America, Howe then took the whole process a stage further by effectively training all his regular infantry as light troops. In the 1750s, the intervals between ranks and files had been tightened up quite considerably in order to speed up manoeuvring. But Howe trained his battalions to march and fight in two ranks rather than three - and to do it in open order, that is, with a full arm’s distance between each file.

Munition quality broadsword hilt as issued to the rank and file of Highland regiments. [Author’s collection]

The result may not have been very pretty, but this ‘loose file and American scramble’ served the army well throughout the war, and is usefully described in a set of standing orders issued by Major General Phillips: ‘It is the Major General’s wish, that the troops under his command may practice forming from two to three and four deep; and that they should be accustomed to charge in all those orders. In the latter orders, of the three and four deep, the files will, in course, be closer, so as to render a charge of the greatest force. The Major General also recommends to regiments the practice of dividing the battalions, by wings or otherwise, so that one line may support the other when an attack is supposed; and, when a retreat is supposed, that the first line may retreat through the intervals of the second, the second doubling up its divisions for that purpose, and forming again in order to check the enemy who may be supposed to have pressed the first line. The Major General would approve also of one division of a battalion attacking in the common open order of two deep, to be supported by the other compact division as a second line, in a charging order of three or four deep. The gaining the flanks also of a supposed enemy, by the quick movements of a division in common open order, while the compact division advances to a charge; and such other evolutions, as may lead the regiments to a custom of depending on and mutually supporting each other; so that should one part be pressed or broken, it may be accustomed to form again without confusion, under the protection of a second line, or any regular formed division.’

From this and from other similar descriptions, it is clear that the tactics employed by the British army during the American War of Independence were radically different from those practised in Europe. Gone was the solid firing line; instead there were, to all intents and purposes, a heavy screen of light infantry backed up by solider assault columns ready to exploit any weakness in the enemy lines. The frequency with which ‘charging’ (presumably with the bayonet) was stressed is also significant.

The troops ranged in these loose files were not intended to act as skirmishers per se; although the regimental light companies (and to a certain extent the grenadiers as well)

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