[Southern] Re: TACTICS

[YsfaelEleanor at aol.com]

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
    This document is intended to be an amendment to Duke Kien's essay on
melee tactics; specifically the chapter on commands.


The Caladin Manuever-  "PREPARE for the CALADIN RIGHT(or left)...GO"
    This manuever is used to penetrate into the backfield  whenever the enemy
unit is filling a gap such as a bridge, bridge end, or the gate or sally port
at Gulf Wars. Probably the best distance from which to execute this command
is three to five yards.
    On the prep "PREPARE for the CALADIN RIGHT..." the second rank and the
reserve shields prepare/begin to line up with shields first, then poles, and
finally, spears behind the right flank(or left if called)  shieldman.  On the
"...GO!!", the right flank shieldman charges the shieldman directly in front
of him, pushing  him from the side and into the rest of the enemy shieldwall
so as to "blow" a hole through which the rest of the second rank may go. The
front rank advances at the same time as the flanking shield charges, and
engages the enemy unit shield to shield. The first shield from the second
rank to get there decides whether to assist in keeping the hole open, or
going through. Because of this, it is very important to have capable
personnel in these two positions. When the bulk of the unit is through the
gap, the front rank disengages and follows. If done correctly, the front rank
will have no problem disengaging a confused or at least worried enemy.
Remember to reform quickly in the enemy's backfield.


The Cannon-  "PREPARE the CANNON...FIRE"
    This manuever takes advantage of an enemy units lack of initiative. As an
enemy force of smaller size approachs, they will tend to slow with the
anticipation of contact. This is the time to use this manuever. It is
designed to make quick work of the enemy.  This manuever is performed from
Plan Beta. The best range to execute this manuever from is five or six yards.
    On the prep "PREPARE the CANNON",the polemen move back and to the right
just as if they were moving back to Plan Alpha. The back shields, however,
wait for the "FIRE!!!" command at  which point they charge double time into
the enemy. The front rank of shields, as well as the rest of the unit, charge
at a regular pace on the same command. This should have the affect of  the
first contact opening up their shieldwall, followed quickly with another
strong shield and pole advance such that the enemy is literally swept away.


The Pulse Charge-   "PREPARE for the PULSE...GO"
    Often in melees, if the battle becomes static on a bride, or in a gap,
the spearmen begin duelling.  This manuever is used to suddenly attack these
spears so that they die, or move away.  Often, on completing this manuever,
it may be followed up with an advance of one or two steps if the victory
condition calls for taking ground towards a flag, or bridge end.
    On the prep "PREPARE the PULSE..." the front rank of shields does exactly
that.  They prepare to step into the enemy, take two or three shots, and then
move back into their original position in the shield wall.  The reason that a
prep is given, is so that they all move together. As well, the commander can
"time" the execute command of "...GO!!!" so to take greatest advantage of
patterns in the enemy attack.        


Break-out-   "BREAK OUT ON ME!!!"

    This is not really a manuever per se, but a really needed tool on the
battlefield.  As often as not, when two armies collide, they swirl, and unit
cohesion falls apart.  At the same time, a lot of killing is done, and
usually a hold is called.  During the hold, look around.  If the unit is so
engulfed as to be ineffective, the enemy is going to make short work of it
when lay-on is called.  Find a way out, and WAIT for lay-on to yell "BREAK
OUT ON ME!!!", and then head for daylight.  This will allow the unit to
extract themselves from the situation, form back up, and come back in as a
unit to do some real damage.


Engulfing Manuever-   "Second rank, file RIGHT(or left)...GO...ADVANCE"
    This manuever is used to quickly flank an enemy, bringing most or all of
the units weapons to bear on the enemy.  What makes the flank very strong is
that the same unit is attacking both the front and side of the enemy's unit.
 There is no best range for this manuever and so the employment of it
requires careful consideration in the timing of the "GO" and "ADVANCE"
portion of the command.
    On the prep "Second rank, file RIGHT..." the second rank turns to the
right.  On the "...GO...", the second rank runs in a file around their own
right flank and on to the enemies flank.  On the "...ADVANCE!!!", the front
rank advances into the enemy unit's front