Towards Organized Disorder: The Evolution of American Infantry Assault Tactics, 1778-1919
Abstract
Tactical Evolution was a pragmatic process creating new methods in response to technological innovations which made previous doctrine too costly in lives to be effective. Assault tactics evolved in three phases. The first phase, which began during the Revolution reached successful maturity in the Mexican War and ended amidst the improved technology of the Civil War, was the use of the eighteenth century linear formation. The second, which evolved out of the Civil War and ended in World War I, was a linear formation composed of three lines of men: a firing line of skirmishers, followed by a second line called supports, and a third named reserves. During World War I, U.S. Infantry adopted a non- linear formation and the technique of fire and maneuver.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 17, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA086108
Entities
People
- Henry J. Osterhoudt