Tacitcs/ Deployment On The Battlefeild

Question 1

Why did tactics change?

Answer 1

Tactics where driven by the capabilities and limitations of the weapons used

Question 2

How did individuals influence change in tactics?

Answer 2

Although changes in weapons played a part so did people
1. Use of musketeers in a square by Prince Maurice from the Netherlands- know as the Dutch counter march
2. King Gustav of Sweden making the first row kneel, second one crouch and third stand to get a forceful volley of fire- Swedish salvo

Question 3

Why did square formations have such an advantage ? Musketeers

Answer 3

Musketeers keep continuous fire by moving back
Increased chance of hitting something due to group fire

Question 4

Why did square formation have such an advantage ? Pike men

Answer 4

1.In square they could defend against cavalry and be almost impenetrable
2. Usually placed next to the musketeers incase of cavalry charge they would move in front and act as a blockade
3. Could fight against other pikemen using a combined push called ‘push of the pike’ eventually causing a brake in formation for one side

Question 5

List the typical tactics in the early modern period?

Answer 5

Pikemen deployed in squares
Musketeers deployed in squares
Artillery in pairs between groups of infantry
Cavalry on the flanks

Question 6

Who invented the Swedish salvo formation ?

Answer 6

King Gustav of Sweden

Question 7

Who invented the Dutch counter march ?

Answer 7

Prince Maurice from the Netherlands