WR - Re: WR-Commands Question(4)-Answer

[Michael and Tiffany Geisendorff]

> What is the 'flank' of a shield wall unit?  Is one flank more important
> than the other and why?

Bjorn answered: "The Flank is the "ends" of the shield wall. I suppose that if
one flank
is more important than the other it would be the left because the left
flank can have the weakness of the end person having to turn to defend
their self from an attack, *but* if the enemy successfully flanks you on
either side you are in deep trouble.  Can we say dead spearmen . :-)"

and Mangus wrote:  "   The flank of a unit is the sides, thus usually the area
that the
soldiers are not facing, directly. When soldiers are facing enemy on 2
fronts they tend to get REALLY nervous. :)  In such combat where units or
blocks of troops are needed, Flanks are important. Were several units lined
up and marched toward each other, The soldiers in the middle need not
immediately worry about their own flanks. The units on the end or far left
and right are responsible for protecting the "flank" from being enveloped.
Should this happen, the flank begins to collapse allowing the enemy to
advance toward the center's unprotected flank. On the other hand, Should the
unit on the flank have the opportunity, they may advance and do the same to
the enemy, Thus GREATLY improve their chances of victory.
     Upon the active use of cavalry, this allowed an army the ability to
place a fast moving force, upon an unprotected flank or even the rear of the
enemy. Thus exploiting the flanks.
So in short, the flanks are the "sides" of the unit and both flanks are
important."

Yes, the flanks of a shield wall are the ends of the wall.  The left flank is
important in the sense that it can be the weaker of the two sides and could be a
point of concern.  Also, both are equally important from the stand point that if
either side collapses, the unit may be destroyed.
However, in a shield wall, there must be a point that sets the tone, speed, and
direction for the unit.  As Duke Kein suggests in his essay, the right flank
shieldman is the one that all shieldman in the line should look toward to do
this job.  Also, the right flank usually has a greater opportunity to produce
kills, but at the same time, stand strong in the defense of the unit.  In
addition, the left/right flank shieldman must be knowledgeable about commands
and must not hesitate to carry them out, and they must COMMUNICATE what they see
to the commander.  Of course, for the unit to work coherently, everyone in the
unit must COMMUNICATE! (echo commands, voice what you see, become one, ... we
are Borg ... ;-)

Questions?
Brita

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