Why did soldiers walk into battle?

American (and British) soldiers and officers therefore had a much greater respect for “firepower.” The way to maximize the value of firepower was to have soldiers “walk” across a battlefield at a measured pace, even if some of them, inevitably, get killed.

Why were soldiers told to walk not run?

The heavily encumbered British soldiers would leave their trenches at 7.30am, not at dawn but in broad daylight. They would walk, not run, in order to stay in formation. They would not creep forward while their own bombardment was in progress. They were given no instruction in how to rush defended positions.

Why did soldiers go over the top in ww1?

The order to attack Men ordered to attack – or ‘go over the top’ – had to climb out of their trenches, carrying their weapons and heavy equipment, and move through the enemy’s ‘field of fire’ over complex networks of barbed wire, keeping low to the ground for safety.

Why did they walk across the Somme?

A seven day bombardment by more than a million shells would crush the German front line, destroy the German artillery and scatter the German wire. The heavily encumbered British soldiers would leave their trenches at 7.30am, not at dawn but in broad daylight. They would walk, not run, in order to stay in formation.

What formations did Lineline infantry use in its battles?

Line infantry mainly used three formations in its battles: the line, the square and the column.

What happened to line infantry after the Napoleonic Wars?

In the years after the Napoleonic Wars, line infantry continued to be deployed as the main battle force, while light infantry provided fire support and covered the movement of units. In Russia, Great Britain, France, Prussia and some other states, linear tactics and formation discipline were maintained into the late 19th century.

What was the training like for French line infantry in 1814?

During 1814, in the War of the Sixth Coalition, the training of regular French line infantry recruits was very limited due to the fierce attack of the Coalition Forces. A recruit was trained by firing two cartridges and four blanks.

What was the difference between Line Infantry and Light Infantry?

Besides regular line infantry, there were elite troops (royal guards and other designated elite regiments) and the light infantry. Light infantry operated in extended order (also known as skirmish formation) as opposed to the close order (tight formations) used by line infantry.