Colonial Campaigns Club (CCC)

To OOB Designers in the club:

In a recent discussion it was asked what was the definition of "sudden melee". This was in connection with a unit of skirmishing (light) infantry vs. a line of infantry.

The term "sudden" was to eliminate one of the key factors and strengths of skirmishers: the demoralizing affect that firing can have on linear units.

Instead, the question was focusing on whether or not 60 men in a skirmish-style deployment could resist a melee charge by 60 men in linear deployment.

It is my understanding that without the benefit of firepower (in the form of fatigue and attrition on the advancing unit) well before the unit obtains melee range, there is little likelihood that the skirmishers can resist the charge from the linear deployment.

And, of course, this vulnerability is aggravated even more when there are half or 1/3rd skirmishers than linear troops in a 30 yard x 5 yard patch of battlefield.

However, perhaps I'm overlooking something. And so I look forward to any comments or discussion this particular point requires.

Thanks in advance!

Regards,

Lieutenant Brooks