"ECW Maneuvers?" Topic

Hi all, I am writing my own ruleset for the ECW (yes another ECW ruleset) but one aspect that I find is missing in other sets is how complicated were manouvres such as wheelng and changing formation. I am not a re enactor so I have never tried this myself but manouvres with foot or horse would seem to have a high potntial for disorder. Also is there a manouvre for moving a unit to the left or right of its original position, is it just turn face 90 degrees, move and turn face again?

thanks for any help

John

A lot of the theory was based on the battle drill of the Roman Republic, though with larger units. So much of the clean maneuvering would be from front to back. Lateral maneuvering should be more difficult.

Not sure if cavalry should really be affected. On one hand, they would disorder if they maneuvered to turn or wheel. On the other hand, they were still deadly to unformed infantry. So probably no game effect.

That's my take on the little I know of the period.

There were instructions for moving diagonally while facing foward as a unit if thats what you mean. Not sure they were used in battle too much, ECW battles were fairly linear and most of the maneouvres were probably used to place the unit in line and only needing to move forward or back after that.

I was part of a composite regiment sized ECW unit put together many years ago for the benefit of a visiting film crew,and again at a display at Aldershot barracks,things like basic wheeling was fairly straightforward if a bit slow for a block of 400 or so men and very much depended on sergeants to mark their lines.

Right! guess it is a good thing I do not sign my name to my postings! Oh wait I do?

VR
James Mattes

Ok the posting gremlins seem to have struck. I didn't post the above as I'm not James.

What i did post was this….

John I see that your in Bedfordshire. So a short(ish) drive away over the weekend of 9 – 10 June the Naseby battlefield trust are hosting an event to start the fundraising effort for their visitors centre. All being well we will have two company sized bodies of infantry on display. That should give you a view on the speed and nature of basic manouvers.