American Military and Fighting Tactics

American Military and Fighting Tactics

Introduction

One of the most often heard questions about the American Revolution was, "Why Revolutionary War soldiers stand in the direct as well as many challenges?" The answer, like most complicated answers. Battlefield tactics are regulated by several factors. Among the most important of these areas, the number of troops, and, most importantly, the weapons used by the troops said.

Analysis

In the seventeenth century, European powers have developed a range of new weapons, which were introduced into his army as fast as they could be. At the same time, these same European powers created a large, well-trained, standing armies. The need for extensive training required for new types of weapons has made the concept of filling armies' ranks with conscripts obsolete. More administrative time was spent on developing the institutional structures that will accommodate new types of weapons.

In the sixteenth century, firearms replaced the pike (spear like weapons) as the main infantry weapons. Originally firearms were extremely primitive. They were shot using the buttons on the fuse is lit or the same as it was called to arms in the firing pan. It requires a lot of time to load, and therefore it was necessary for the pikemen to protect the "Musketeers", but they are overloaded. Their actual impact on the battlefield is questionable. The battles are still won or lost in the pikemen, who did all the close hand-to-hand combat.

In the second half of the sixteenth century, a significant breakthrough has been achieved. A fire was invented by a mechanism that relies on a spark, which was flint striking a steel plate with fire arms. These weapons were much easier, does not require the matchlock in the stand and fire can double the speed. It was the flintlock musket. However, here again, after the fire, the gun was useless, when the soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

In 1642, we find that the first mention of the Bayonet. The name comes from the French manufacturing cutlery center of Bayonne, whose daggers and knives, well-known at that time as "bayonets." These were the "plug" bayonets. They are, quite simply, nothing more than daggers, whose pen was changed to be inserted down the barrel of the musket. While primitive, they decide vulnerability musketeer in close quarter battle.

This weapon has some drawbacks. In the musket can not be dismissed with a bayonet module in place. And often it will be separated during use, leaving the semi-musketeer defenseless again. In 1671 the French invented another socket bayonet. This foot long spears, the device works as a metal sleeve that is slipped over the end of the barrel. This allowed the musket to perform its functions of fire, as well as from traditional pike. He revolutionized the war pikemen and relegated to the pages of history. However, this is much improved musket equipped with socket bayonet, it is still very cumbersome. The famous British "Brown Bess" musket was very inaccurate. At fifty yards of well-designed musketball to eighteen ...