Chapter 65: War Preparations
TL: Etude
From the end of July, Alda conducted several military drills in succession. After all, in the upcoming war, they would not be facing third-rate pirate groups but the military forces of nobles from another territory. Hence, it was essential to adapt in advance.
To flexibly utilize their forces on the battlefield, under Pauls suggestion, the staff department began experimenting with linear tactics. Specifically, this involved arranging each infantry battalion in a single line horizontally, with each spearman company within the battalion forming six rows vertically, each company responsible for two rows. The musketeer companies were deployed separately, arranged in three rows, with each platoon responsible for one row.
Compared to the popular square formation tactics of the time, Aldas army had a broader front but smaller depth. This wide front could create a semi-encircling effect, and as the number of muskets increased, it would be increasingly effective against dense square formations, allowing for a rapid output of firepower to the enemy in a short time.
Compared to the large-scale battle groups like regiments of ten thousand or battalions of a thousand commonly used in this world, smaller units like companies and platoons allowed junior commanders more opportunity to exercise initiative. Of course, this was predicated on having a large number of qualified junior and non-commissioned officers. Paul was certain no other power in this world placed as much emphasis on training junior and non-commissioned officers as he did. He even established a military school specifically for training qualified lieutenants and sergeants, as most low-ranking officers in the other lords armies were not much more knowledgeable than their common soldiers.
Considering the poor accuracy of smoothbore muskets, musketeers were not allowed to fire at will until ordered by an officer. In practice, there were generally two methods of firing: volley or platoon fire.
In volley fire, the three rows of soldiers fired in succession from front to back. While one row fired, the other two aimed or loaded their muskets, thus maintaining a continuous output of firepower.
In platoon fire, the first row of soldiers would kneel and shoot, the second row would bend and shoot, and the third row would stand and shoot. This way, all soldiers could fire simultaneously, creating a devastating volley. Although this method could not maintain continuous fire, European historical battles had shown that a fierce volley in the minutes approaching the enemy and before launching a charge could be very effective.
A single volley by the soldiers could adequately prepare the well-trained spearmen for an assault. According to a piece of information Paul had read in his previous life, such a volley not only inflicted greater damage on the enemy but also created a fear and shock effect three times greater than that caused by firing in single rows. The reasoning was simple: for most people, the shock and fear caused by one long-lasting thunderclap are greater than the cumulative effect of ten intermittent claps of thunder.
Paul was confident that a single volley would be enough to rout the hastily conscripted soldiers of the local lords.
Soldiers in the first row undoubtedly needed great courage. Therefore, a reward mechanism called Courage Allowance was created, where soldiers in the first row would receive a reward three times their regular salary. To ensure the full protection of the first row soldiers, the equipment department went to great lengths to purchase and craft a batch of iron armor, allowing these brave warriors to lead their brothers forward with confidence.
To eliminate the soldiers fear of the primary ranged weapon of the erathe bow and arrowthe equipment department also mobilized civilians to hastily produce 100 wooden bows to shoot thin wooden sticks wrapped in cloth. Of course, these couldnt compare to real war bows, but they were sufficient to simulate the effect of a volley of arrows. During drills, row upon row of soldiers, holding crude wooden shields and marching to the beat of the drum, advanced towards the enemy. Any who couldnt withstand the psychological pressure and retreated or charged rashly were severely punished.
To fully utilize the artillery, the concept of infantry-artillery coordination was also introduced. Of course, Pauls so-called infantry-artillery coordination was simple in theory: the artillery bombards first, then the infantry charges; after the infantry charge, the artillery bombards again.
However, this still posed a significant challenge to the artillerys mobility. To enhance the movement speed of the artillery and provide timely support to the infantry, each artillery unit was equipped with four horses: two for hauling the cannon and two for transporting ammunition. Besides practicing to increase firing speed, the artillerymen also trained in quickly assembling and disassembling the cannon and setting up firing positions.
Additionally, the infantry had to overcome the fear of their own cannonballs whizzing overhead, and the artillerymen had to roughly grasp the relationship between the cannons elevation angles, ranges, and trajectories. Otherwise, there was a risk of hitting their own troops.
After several exercises, a combat method suitable for Aldas army was developed:
When the enemy launched an attack, the cannons bombarded them from a distance, disrupting their formation. As the enemy approached, the musketeers and cannons loaded with grapeshot inflicted mid-range firepower damage, killing and wounding many. During this, the musketeers maintained continuous fire through volley firing. When the enemy charged the frontlines, the spearmen engaged in hand-to-hand combat. If the enemy was overpowering, the musketeers joined the melee with bayonets. If the forces were evenly matched, they aimed for precise close-range kills under the protection of the spearmen, while the cannons delayed the enemys reinforcements.
When Aldas army initiated an attack, the cannons first disrupted the enemys formation with long-range firepower, preventing effective assembly. As the cannons fired, the musketeers moved forward with the spearmen following towards the enemys position. Upon nearing the enemy, a volley from the musketeers inflicted heavy casualties and demoralized the enemy, followed by a spearman charge to break the enemys lines.
In previous battles, many veterans unfit to remain in the army due to injuries were recalled. They were deployed to various towns and villages to establish and guide the training of militia organizations with the help of local agricultural associations. In Pauls plan, the militias from various regions would serve as a reserve force, becoming an essential part of Aldas military system.
The reason for strengthening militia training was due to a notorious but effective war strategy used by lords during this era: sending small units to raid and plunder enemy towns, reducing the enemys population and economy, ultimately forcing them to submit.
While the army was strengthening itself, Cecil, in charge of the intelligence system, was also busy. People of this era had almost no sense of secrecy, making it easy to discern the movements of the traitors from Baylding.
Intelligence indicated that Viscount Aibut and two other barons had returned to their domains to recruit soldiers. Meanwhile, Viscount Angelo continued to stay in Butuya, recruiting soldiers in the name of the lords mansion on the direct lands of the Ganard family. It was estimated that the four could assemble a force of about 2,000 to 2,500 men.
Paul naturally scorned these farmers who had just put down their hoes. The only concern was the 20 or so knights in the enemys ranks. Unlike the watered-down pork of the Grayman family, these were genuine knights, a formidable cavalry force when assembled, and highly skilled in combat.
Should we practice the hollow square formation? Paul suddenly thought of this.
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