"Cavalry in column v cavalry in line?" Topic

Hi Mcladdie

I agree on your perception of events in a cavalry command deciding to counterattack. But could you in many rulesest not simply say that the command range – in this example 600 – would be the range within which a ommand could react to something happening and for example launch a counterattack. To me it seems evident that a brigade had a certain zone of interest on a battlefield within which it was deemed to be the dicretion of the brigade commander whether to react or not, whereas this would not apply to events further away – a command range – if not by name then by effect.

But could you in many rules set not simply say that the command range – in this example 600 – would be the range within which a command could react to something happening and for example launch a counterattack.

This might strike a person like a potato-patatoe kind of issue, but that 600 yards isn't the range of command for anyone at any time, it is a reaction distance to enemy movement. And that can be restricted by Line-of-Sight, at that. It isn't the same effect as a command range, either in decision-making for the player or outcomes. The brigade is *in command* of the brigadier regardless of where the enemy cavalry is.

I played with "command radius", when my 2 regiment/battalion units consisted with only one base and figures of commanding generals taked more space on table than units itself, as substitution.

Now generals must be in physical contact with addressee, when commanding, and problem solved, no "command radiuses" anymore.
On commanding phase every general have one choice of 3 actions for every 3 subphases – move, give orders, take orders. One only restriction, every general may give only one order per turn. Player general may command freely, but subordinated nonplayer generals go through initiative tests for independent orders.

I get your point McLaddie the term command range is arbitrary, but wouldn´t a formation brigade/division at any given point have a zone of interest – for use of another term. A brigade would seldom send a batallion 2 km away on a flank – or a squadron for that sake since that would make them hrad to command and therefpre de facto detached. So I would argue that some sort of range within which a command function optimally seems reasonable when looking at the doctrines emplyed historically.

G'Day Nicolai,

"A brigade would seldom send a batallion 2 km away on a flank"

It was quite common…and it is for that reason a detached battalion commander is called a "Chef de Corps"…he has all the temporary authority of a Regimental Commander or even Brigade Commander if he is acting as a Flanking Brigade".

Everyone should be asking themselves how are commands telegraphed from one battalion to the next…and which dispositif de division was harder to command…that is what you should be trying to understand…

But I agree that the location of the commander is very important.

As an example…it was found that once the cavalry brigade began its forward movement…that the brigade Commander was better off in the rear so that he can control the reserve

Best Regards
Art

Hi Art

Thx for the response. As you say yourself this is a detached corps and therefore essentially not part of the command of the brigade or what do you think?

Sparta:

Not to answer for Art, but for a detached battalion or squadron:

It's a separate command with separate missions, the "Chef de Corps" in command. For instance, at Eylau, Davout sent off an infantry battalion and artillery company to reinforce his right with a "Chef de Corps" in command.

G'Day Bill

I am not familiar with this account…but it sounds like Davout created a "Flanking Brigade"…

A Flanking Brigade only requires two bodies of troops…in your example…a body of infantry…and an element de piece de bataille (artillery)….

And as Bill stated…in my example he is a Chef de Corps…with a different mission.

So perhaps everyone is wondering…what is considered too far away to be effectively under the immediate command…

If the battalion en potence (or perhaps a rear guard)is in an order of battle…en dispositif…with the great body of troops…and is mirroring the actions and executions of the great body of troops…and complying to the regulating battalion…has visual contact…

the battalion in question may be fragmented from the great body of troops…but nevertheless part of the dispostif or order of battle.

Otherwise…

Why would you position a lone battalion without the immediate support of the great body of troops…unless it had a different mission…

Even then to be quite truthful…en potence or acting as a rear guard is a different mission.

Best Regards
Art

Art,

How come you are posting to this message board using your real name?

Regards,

James