Napoleonic Era Infantry

Question 1

3 Types of Weapons used?

Answer 1

Bayonet (extremely long)
Musket
Rifle

Question 2

What type of gun was used the most?

Answer 2

musket was the standard used gun
- very accurate
- 3 rounds per minute
- e.g ‘Brown Bess’ musket

Question 3

Rifle example?

Answer 3

Baker Rifle
- rifles not used as much as muskets
- not on mass scale yet

Question 4

What are the 2 main types of formation used by the British?

Answer 4

Line formation
Square formation

Question 5

What is a Line formation?

Answer 5

soldiers stand in a line
- for Br often 2 people deep
- good bc everyone can fire
- BUT issue for maneuvering + vulnerable to a cavalry chase

Question 6

What is a Square formation?

Answer 6

square of soldiers
- ‘rare to break a square’
- good against cavalry (horses scared + could be stabbed by kneeling soldiers)
- BUT not mobile so good for defence but poor offence

Question 7

How did Line Infantry operate on the move?

Answer 7

Volley - fire at the same time

Question 8

What is Column Formation?

Answer 8

dense formation
- good for moving
- looks scary/intimidating
- good for morale of attackers

Question 9

What are skirmishers?

Answer 9

Stealth soldiers + often snipers
- disrupt enemy by picking off officers
- sometimes screen fire
- e.g 95th rifles (light company)