Why did soldiers stand in a straight line?

In some cases, it was possible to overturn the enemy with just one volley at a short distance. The line was considered as the fundamental battle formation as it allowed for the largest deployment of firepower. Against surrounding enemy cavalry, line infantry could swiftly adopt square formations to provide protection.

Why did soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder and fire their muskets at the same time?

Since the 17th century, infantry normally fought in a tight shoulder to shoulder line and fired volleys at each other. When one side gained the upper hand, it would finish off the attack with a bayonet charge. These tactics developed because smoothbore muskets were accurate only at short ranges.

Why did soldiers walk across no man’s land?

Soldiers were only occasionally involved in a full-scale attack across No Man’s Land. However, men were sometimes ordered into No Man’s Land to obtain information about the enemy. They would have to crawl forward on their stomachs in an attempt to get close enough to find out what the enemy was up to.

Why did soldiers avoid No Man’s Land?

Along No Man’s Land were considerable amounts of barbed wire, especially in the areas most likely to be attacked. This barbed wire made the land almost impossible to pass. In addition, wet weather made crossing the area extremely difficult for soldiers (Justin and Robby).

Why did soldiers in the 17th and 18th century walk closed ranks?

Originally Answered: why did soldiers in the 17th,18th and 19th century walk in closed ranks in battle towards the enemy as they shot with their muskets? Wouldn’t spacing themselves make them more difficult targets? Simply put, you had to be in close order to defend against cavalry and infantry charges.

How accurate were muskets in the early 19th century?

And this is in the early 19th century, at the far end of the time period you mentioned (earlier muskets were actually more accurate but had a much lower firing rate, generals decided that firing rate was more important). The muskets of the time were absurdly inaccurate and smoke made it even harder to aim.

Why was the musket not used as a weapon in medieval warfare?

Because the main weapon of soldiers of the period was not the “shot” from a musket, but the bayonet attached to the end of the musket. A line of spear points is a pretty difficult formation to get through, but a single man with a rather ungainly spear (a 10–12 lb spear) is a sitting duck – particularly against sword armed cavalry.

Why were heavy infantry the main force in the Revolutionary War?

Although there were many armies (especially by the latter half of the 18th century) that effectively fielded marksmen equipped with rifled muskets, who operated in spaced-out formations, these people were skirmishers, highly vulnerable to cavalry and unable to hold the field. Heavy infantry, in the lines, were the main force for good reason.