Introduction A Herringbone is one type of tactical formation (named after the Herringbone pattern). Outline When in a Herringbone formation, the person at the front of the squad faces forward, while the rest of the squad lines up behind them, facing alternatively left and right. The final member of the squad in the herringbone formation… Read More
Introduction The oblique order (also known as the ‘declined flank’) is a military tactic whereby an attacking army focuses its forces to attack a single enemy flank. The force commander concentrates the majority of their strength on one flank and uses the remainder to fix the enemy line. This allows a commander with weaker or… Read More
Introduction An echelon formation is a (usually military) formation in which its units are arranged diagonally. Each unit is stationed behind and to the right (a “right echelon”), or behind and to the left (“left echelon”), of the unit ahead. The name of the formation comes from the French word échelon, meaning a rung of… Read More
Introduction A point d’appui (French for fulcrum), in military theory, is a location where troops are assembled prior to a battle. Outline Often a monument is erected to commemorate the point d’appui for notable battles. In some battles there may be more than a single point d’appui. An example is the Catto Long Barrow in… Read More
Introduction The phalanx (pl.: phalanxes or phalanges) was a rectangular mass military formation, usually composed entirely of heavy infantry armed with spears, pikes, sarissas, or similar polearms tightly packed together. The term is particularly used to describe the use of this formation in ancient Greek warfare, although the ancient Greek writers used it to also… Read More
Introduction The line formation is a standard tactical formation which was used in early modern warfare. It continued the phalanx formation or shield wall of infantry armed with polearms in use during antiquity and the Middle Ages. The line formation provided the best frontage for volley fire, while sacrificing manoeuvrability and defence against cavalry. It… Read More
Introduction A military column is a formation of soldiers marching together in one or more files in which the file is significantly longer than the width of ranks in the formation. The column formation allows the unit rapid movement and a very effective charge (due to weight of numbers), and it can quickly form square… Read More
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 