|
Post by quincannon on Sept 10, 2014 5:18:12 GMT -6
In addition the greatest breakthrough in tactical application, allowing us to transition from the massing of the ACW and WWI was not a weapon, but rather the man portable and vehicle mounted FM radio, which did not come along until the 1930's. The radio is the greatest of battlefield weapons. It facilitates maneuver without massing, as well as precision fires.
|
|
|
Post by Mulligan on Sept 12, 2014 2:12:27 GMT -6
I have been studying up. Obviously, in a week I haven't gotten too far into ON WAR, by von Clausewitz. Making lots of notes, though, on the chapters "Passage of Rivers" and "Attack on the Enemy's Army in Its Cantonments", from Volume III. Also absorbing cavalry theory with the assistance of a tactics manual (Napoleonic Light Cavalry) and a PC war game -- Napoleon: Total War, Limited Edition. So far, my grandson (Earl of Uxbridge) keeps beating me. Wow, with a few squadrons of cavalry you can really wade into tight infantry formations and then chase the poor, panicked bastards all over the battlefield! Game on! In the wee hours, I'm doing my homework on Light Cavalry Tasks: Reconnaissance, Outposts, Vedettes, Patrol Clashes, Skirmishing, Dismounted Fire, Firing from Saddle, and Pursuit. Mulligan ( Chef de Bataillon)
|
|
|
Post by mac on Sept 12, 2014 3:46:06 GMT -6
It is a sickness!
|
|
|
Post by Yan Taylor on Sept 12, 2014 4:01:21 GMT -6
Imagine a British Regiment of Cavalry given the job Custer had, if the Regiment had four Squadrons, each containing three Troops, then you could have the following;
1 x Hussar Squadron 1 x Lancer Squadron 1 x Dragoon Squadron 1 x Heavy Squadron
Just thought I would enter this realm of fantasy.
P.S. Happy birthday Lew.
Ian.
|
|
|
Post by AZ Ranger on Sept 12, 2014 6:23:21 GMT -6
That wading in successfully was in a smoothbore muzzle loading era. Wading into accurate rifled barreled weapons with high rates of fire makes a pile of dead horses and the reason for them not being effective any more.
Also you have to look at what offensive weapons the 7th had at the battle and determine how effective a charge would be against a huge area with tepees and against the Indians who were better riders and had faster more maneuverable horses .
Regards
AZ Ranger
|
|
|
Post by quincannon on Sept 12, 2014 8:22:06 GMT -6
Mulligan: American cavalry from 1832, with the constitution of the Regiment of Dragoons was as different from European cavalry as night is to day. I fear if you are trying to glean tactical insights then you are wasting your time. If you are enjoying the game with your grandson - enjoy your time with him and take no council in hussars.
In addition pay close attention to Steve's advice. The rifled weapon, especially the rapid fire rifled long arm, relegated the horse to a four legged personnel carrier meant for deployment of personnel for dismounted combat
|
|
|
Post by Yan Taylor on Sept 12, 2014 13:04:50 GMT -6
I agree Chuck, but why didn’t they give the troopers the Springfield rifle instead of the Carbine, I know there was a weight difference 9lb (4.1kg) Rifle and 7.27lb (3.3kg) Carbine, but it certainly had a better range and equipped with a bayonet that would make the sabre redundant.
Ian.
|
|
|
Post by lew on Sept 12, 2014 13:26:47 GMT -6
Ian, Thanks for the Birthday greeting!! I would also like to wish AZ Ranger a Happy Birthday as well.
|
|
|
Post by Yan Taylor on Sept 12, 2014 15:18:29 GMT -6
Your welcome Lew, when was it AZs birthday, I was not aware of it, saw nothing on the birthday thread.
Ian.
|
|
|
Post by AZ Ranger on Sept 12, 2014 16:56:41 GMT -6
Ian, Thanks for the Birthday greeting!! I would also like to wish AZ Ranger a Happy Birthday as well. Thanks And the same to you my friend. Steve
|
|
|
Post by Mulligan on Sept 12, 2014 22:34:26 GMT -6
My initial approach to cavalry theory is mainly meant to amuse my family. They know that Lolo (Grandfather) has stumbled upon some aspect of Americana (Custer) that they do not quite understand -- they are from somewhere else, you see -- but they observe that I have suddenly become absorbed with arcane, historical matters. It's my thought to include everyone in the fun because, of course, this is all about the fun and the vicarious adventure. While manipulating virtual regiments of Napoleonic Hussars across CG HDTV battlegrounds is, obviously, not exactly relevant to hard-saddle US Army tactics at the time of the Plains Indian Wars, it is serving as a light, initial layer of exposure to command control of equestrian forces in early, non-mechanized warfare. After some time on the PC I anticipate moving towards a more traditional study of cavalry principles. The gradual evolution of tactics over the centuries, from country to country, should make for interesting reading. Eventually, I expect I will develop a more nuanced understanding of what LTC Custer thought he might accomplish with his five mounted companies, rather than by just recalling my own formative, civilian equestrian training -- throwing my plastic riding helmet through the barn door in frustration! -- and trying to reason it out from that limited experience alone. Mulligan
|
|
|
Post by Beth on Sept 12, 2014 23:10:38 GMT -6
Sometimes when I am about to fall asleep I wonder if Custer had some of his reserves waiting in so he could bring them forward over the ridge ala Maitland's guardsmen at Waterloo. I can see Custer urging them over Battle Ridge and the NA running. Of course that would make Benteen and Reno, Custer's Prussians. Sometimes it's easy to get battles mixed up in your head during that hazy almost sleep stage.
Beth
|
|
|
Post by AZ Ranger on Sept 13, 2014 7:46:35 GMT -6
What I wonder is what did Custer think that he saw as compared to the real time situation.
AZ Ranger
|
|
|
Post by Beth on Sept 13, 2014 9:03:14 GMT -6
I personally think he was so focused on what he thought was ahead of him--a fleeing village-- that he didn't have a clue what was going on behind him until it was way too late.
|
|
|
Post by quincannon on Sept 13, 2014 11:30:57 GMT -6
It is called target fixation Beth, and many a man has come a cropper for this most mortal of mortal sins,
|
|