"Assault Columns in the AWI?" Topic

Hey all,

I'm about 3/4 of the way through "With Zeal and Bayonets", which has totally changed my perception on the way the British army conducted itself during the war.

I noticed that the term "assault column" was mentioned a few times, particularly when the British were assaulting Continental fortifications. I think it was mentioned when Bunker Hill came up.

Do you think it would be appropriate to incorporate some sort of rule to reflect this, when gaming this period? A few of the rulesets I own mention very little about this type of formation.

Thanks,

J

"With Zeal and Bayonets",

Also changed my view on the tactics during the AWI. Also helped me understand why Howe did not chase Washington down after winning the battles he did. We use assault column in our games.

But remember that they were only used in special situations and normally only by "elite" units such as grenadiers or light infantry.

Another example of their use would be by the American light infantry battalions in their assault on the British redoubts at Yorktown.

So don't overdo them as both the British/German and American/French forces were still "steeped" in the linear tactics of the Seven Years War. They should only be used as an exception on the battlefield to assault defiles and critical fortifications.

Jim

The Rebel troops at Savvanah used assault columns against the British redoubts

They were only used against fortified positions, IIRC.

Against fortified positions or, in the case at Weitzell's Mill, to force a river crossing.

for game purposes i think we can totally avoid the temptation to use them thanks to our readings about Napoleonic warfare ..it's better, in my humble opinion and for the sake of feeling the period during the game, to stick to the concept "Messieurs les Anglais, tirez les premiers"

Considering how loose and open everybody fought on the AWI, perhaps an assault column could be considered a loose line but in 3 ranks.

"Messieurs les Anglais, tirez les premiers"

And yet in the battle were the apocryphal event was supposed to take place,from which this apocryphal quote arose, the English arguably lunched what was a army level assault column. :p