The british were never given the order to take aim. The french were, the americans were. The British were given the order 'present arms'. They didnt even aim. They knew there was no point aiming because the muskets were so inaccurate, but they didnt have to worry about that because they were so close to the enemy they knew they'd likely hit someone 🙂
Hi Neal, muskets were notoriously inaccurate above 80 to 100 yards, plus most soldiers were taught to aim at the chest, with the pull of the gun it meant a lot of musket balls passed harmlessly overhead. British infantry were taught to aim at the legs, so more of their shots found a target. Part of the strategy was to panic the enemy into firing too early, also fumbling their reload, by which time the British would be at optimum range, stop, fire one volley, then charge with the bayonet.
Hi Neal, well 1) Flintlock muskets were short ranged, 100 yards maximum, so caused less casualties than rifles unless you held fire till really close. Which BTW is why the British march all that distance till they fire themselves which you don't see. the French of course though its not shown here had begun to consider using columns for shock effect with the bayonet. 2) In these days of three ranks rather than 2 infantry could hold off cavalry in line. See the battle of Minden for details. I will say re this film that I think the gaps between the lines are too big on the British side.
Let me just add a explanation of Minden. In that battle the French had put there cavalry in the centre of the line and the infantry on the flanks. They came head on at the British infantry, who did not engage in the square forming you'd see in the Napoleonic wars. Instead they stayed in line and mowed the French down with musket volleys.
During the Crimean War in 1854, a British light horse brigade attempted to attack Russian artillery batteries, but suffered a crushing defeat. ruclips.net/video/lnC6rNaUUPo/видео.htmlsi=ZM4zqOix7UuZiiTM
@@yorkshire_tea_innit8097 Фермопилах в 480 году до н. э., в которой триста отважных спартанцев во главе со своим царем Леонидом преградили путь многотысячной армии персидского царя Ксеркса.
The british were never given the order to take aim. The french were, the americans were. The British were given the order 'present arms'. They didnt even aim. They knew there was no point aiming because the muskets were so inaccurate, but they didnt have to worry about that because they were so close to the enemy they knew they'd likely hit someone 🙂
It is all 100% discipline. You get your boys to do that. And they'll do anything.
Hi Neal, muskets were notoriously inaccurate above 80 to 100 yards, plus most soldiers were taught to aim at the chest, with the pull of the gun it meant a lot of musket balls passed harmlessly overhead. British infantry were taught to aim at the legs, so more of their shots found a target. Part of the strategy was to panic the enemy into firing too early, also fumbling their reload, by which time the British would be at optimum range, stop, fire one volley, then charge with the bayonet.
60 yards max range
Kf you guys look closely the British soldiers who got shot still survived that means muskets were inaccurate
Hi Neal, well 1) Flintlock muskets were short ranged, 100 yards maximum, so caused less casualties than rifles unless you held fire till really close. Which BTW is why the British march all that distance till they fire themselves which you don't see. the French of course though its not shown here had begun to consider using columns for shock effect with the bayonet. 2) In these days of three ranks rather than 2 infantry could hold off cavalry in line. See the battle of Minden for details. I will say re this film that I think the gaps between the lines are too big on the British side.
Let me just add a explanation of Minden. In that battle the French had put there cavalry in the centre of the line and the infantry on the flanks. They came head on at the British infantry, who did not engage in the square forming you'd see in the Napoleonic wars. Instead they stayed in line and mowed the French down with musket volleys.
We’re are the f1 reactions to the Spain/Austria/British GP and qualifying
During the Crimean War in 1854, a British light horse brigade attempted to attack Russian artillery batteries, but suffered a crushing defeat. ruclips.net/video/lnC6rNaUUPo/видео.htmlsi=ZM4zqOix7UuZiiTM
That was due to a mistaken order. Not real tactics.
@@yorkshire_tea_innit8097 Фермопилах в 480 году до н. э., в которой триста отважных спартанцев во главе со своим царем Леонидом преградили путь многотысячной армии персидского царя Ксеркса.
@@yorkshire_tea_innit8097 ruclips.net/video/jURtcZy-jdQ/видео.htmlsi=YqjVlIGMxNSTJ2Ye