WBritain
Master Sergeant
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2005
- Messages
- 1,321
LOCKING UP RANKS
The infantry battle tactics of the early 18th century depended on mass firepower. Infantry formations formed in two or three lines, and advanced towards the enemy. At extreme musket range of between 250 to 300 yards , the infantry would commence a cycle of firing and advancing which would be repeated until they were within some 60 yards from the enemy. At this point both sides would be firing as fast as they could in controlled volleys until one side broke.
In order to have all three ranks firing simultaneously, without any danger to the front ranks, the Anglo-Dutch armies closed the gaps between their ranks before firing. The front rank knelt, the centre rank took half a pace forward and half a pace to the right so as to fire in the gaps between front rank men and the rear rank took one pace forward so as to fire in the gaps between centre rank men. This closing up of ranks was known as “locking up”. When reduced to two rank firing both ranks would stand still lock up to insure that the musket muzzle would be beyond the head of the men in the front rank.
The outbreak of the war in 1775 saw an unprepared British army but in 1776, after Bunker Hill, the British commander Lord William Howe ordered that two ranks rather than three be used in normal operations. The American army originally used three ranks following European practice, but von Steuben’s reforms of 1778 specified the use of two rank formations stating :
“A company is to be formed in two ranks, at one pace distance”
The effect of this was that both sides used two rank formations for most of the American War of Independence. By the conclusion of that war most British officers who took part in it were convinced that, regardless of what regulations written in England might say on the matter, two ranks was the correct mode for “modern” warfare.
One of our new Exclusive Collectors Club figures is a 43rd Regiment of Foot second rank Battalion Company man designed to interlock with the standing firing figure just released. There will only be a limited number of the 2nd rank figures offered so please watch our website for availability.
Thanks,
Ken Osen
The infantry battle tactics of the early 18th century depended on mass firepower. Infantry formations formed in two or three lines, and advanced towards the enemy. At extreme musket range of between 250 to 300 yards , the infantry would commence a cycle of firing and advancing which would be repeated until they were within some 60 yards from the enemy. At this point both sides would be firing as fast as they could in controlled volleys until one side broke.
In order to have all three ranks firing simultaneously, without any danger to the front ranks, the Anglo-Dutch armies closed the gaps between their ranks before firing. The front rank knelt, the centre rank took half a pace forward and half a pace to the right so as to fire in the gaps between front rank men and the rear rank took one pace forward so as to fire in the gaps between centre rank men. This closing up of ranks was known as “locking up”. When reduced to two rank firing both ranks would stand still lock up to insure that the musket muzzle would be beyond the head of the men in the front rank.
The outbreak of the war in 1775 saw an unprepared British army but in 1776, after Bunker Hill, the British commander Lord William Howe ordered that two ranks rather than three be used in normal operations. The American army originally used three ranks following European practice, but von Steuben’s reforms of 1778 specified the use of two rank formations stating :
“A company is to be formed in two ranks, at one pace distance”
The effect of this was that both sides used two rank formations for most of the American War of Independence. By the conclusion of that war most British officers who took part in it were convinced that, regardless of what regulations written in England might say on the matter, two ranks was the correct mode for “modern” warfare.
One of our new Exclusive Collectors Club figures is a 43rd Regiment of Foot second rank Battalion Company man designed to interlock with the standing firing figure just released. There will only be a limited number of the 2nd rank figures offered so please watch our website for availability.
Thanks,
Ken Osen
