"British Kneeling Firing Figures" Topic

On another board, a gentleman who is very knowledgeable in
military history wrote this:
"Certainly, the British infantry fired in two ranks, both standing, during the Napoleonic Wars."

I'll be the first to admit that I know very little about the Nap Wars, as they are not a period of interest for me.
But, I have seen dozens of pictures of the "British Square" which clearly shows two ranks, with the first rank kneeling.

So, did only the second rank fire?

Every toy soldier company (Airfix, Timpo, A Call To Arms, Etc) that makes Naps, have a kneeling firing British figure.
Are they all wrong?

Not being a Nap enthusiast, I am not sure how that worked.
Can someone explain?

Please, let's not start a big thinng over this. I am just looking for an explanation. As I said, I know very little about the period. Thanks.

Square and Line are not the same formation. The former is used to repel cavalry and kneeling is a simple requirement to achieve that function.
The purpose of linear formations is to deliver maximum firepower without giving up the possibility of moving.

I imagine that it is slower to load a muzzle-loaded musket from the kneeling position.

The sides of a square are usually three or four ranks deep. The kneeling first rank offers a hedgehog effect of bayonets pointed at the horse's chest. The second and third ranks fire over the first, which does not itself fire, except maybe at the last moment to just pull the trigger while keeping the musket butt grounded. The fourth rank, if there is one, serves to fill in the ranks.

Yes. The front rank of a square would kneel and ground their musket butts at an angle, presenting a wall of steel to horses. The remaining 3 ranks would be standing, also with bayonets fixed.

The front rank, and indeed all ranks, are likely to be ordered to hold their fire. If the front ranks fires, they cannot reload in that position. And if the enemy is near – which is very likely if you are in square – you do not really want anyone lowering their muskets/bayonets to reload. Defensive formation, with a potent point blank volley if need be. But you are going to try to conserve that.

The only other time a soldier would be kneeling would be while skirmishing. No bobbing up and down if you are in line. (So my French light battalion with one rank standing and one kneeling is totally wrong, but never mind.)

(So my French light battalion with one rank standing and one kneeling is totally wrong, but never mind.)

Yes, but it probably looks very cool.

Remember, as Fernando once said, "it is better to look marvelous than it is to feel marvelous."

This is also why Brits should take higher casualties from ball artillery shot when in square – an extra rank of men to hit, whereas French and 3-rank formations form square with only three deep.

It is true that British infantry in 2 deep line would normally fire with both ranks standing.

However, the regulations were written for 3 deep line, and although this formation was rarely, if ever, used in action during the Napoleonic wars, the troops were trained to fire with the front rank kneeling.

When in square, the British infantry would normally be drawn up 4 deep with the first 2 ranks kneeling. The first 2 ranks could fire if necessary but would normally form a hedge of bayonets. They would stand before loading.

Another drill was introduced during the Napoleonic wars for light infantry in close order, which allowed them to form a 2 deep line with both ranks kneeling. Firing and loading was carried out whilst in the kneeling position. There is an example of this formation being used in the action at Morisco in 1812.