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PostPosted: Mon May 22, 2023 11:15 am 
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Joined: Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:55 am
Posts: 1656
Location: Bouches-de-l’Elbe
Gentlemen,
I was thinking about fire combat again and again in the past, currently my perception is that we usually use units that fire in a way most beneficial to us, but that is not necessary like they were used back then. I make three threads to not mix the discussions on the different unit types.
This one is about infantry bat. in line.

To me it seems that it's usually only used on the defense because a column has so much more advantage on the offense compared to a unit in line.

If that is correct one wonders what's up with the stories of infantry lines advancing, firing and right after that assaulting the enemy. This seems to have been often the case in the early Napoleonic Wars and an assault in column was used only if there would have been now time to change the formation.

Now, how do you use infantry bat. in line generally?

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PostPosted: Thu May 25, 2023 2:20 pm 
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Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2001 8:49 am
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Location: USA
It really depends on the game, scenario, situation, and what side I am playing. When playing as the British, with their fire bonus, I will often use line on attack and defense. In a restricted space (I.e. not the open plains of the Battle of Leipzig), I will often use he large Austrian battalions of 1809 and 1813 in line on the attack if I think I will have time to soften up my opponent or get some good shots in on columns or squares. I will used mixed formation on defense as the Austrians to make sure my flanks are reserves or mobile. In 1812 and 1807 the allied units are rarely large enough to have any hope of defending themselves from stacks of French infantry in column if left alone in a hex in line formation AND will not do too much damage firing so I tend to use a lot more square and column unless I am worried about massed artillery.

I could go on...

Now that I am playing mostly in phased play I am using line formation more often....so this could be subject to change...

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