With Covid locking everything down, I thought I’d use the downtime to post some videos of period formations. These aren’t to scale, nor detailed [I’m still learning], simply an overview of the general idea. I’ve either seen these tactics from documentaries, would like to see them used or they are formations I’ve actually already seen put into practice.
I will also post videos of basic commands of Calontiri Battle Doctrine as explained here: https://www.calontir.org/calontir-war-council/ to help everyone stay sharp.
As always, I’d appreciate feedback!
Concentrated Center
This is sometimes called Penetration of the Center. Basically use a squad of your best troops to create a gap in the OpFor center. After the gap is created, units should continue pouring in and roll the OpFor on both new flanks.
Avoid using if enemy is many rows deep as it becomes more likely they can repel the charge
The Oblique Order
Don’t telegraph this formation, roles should be assigned before the battle begins, and the troops assigned to the attacking flank should be experienced and must get into formation only seconds before contact.
Concentrate those troops on the left or right flank.
Weaker side fades the OpFor delaying engagement while pulling back to the main force, protecting its flank
Feigned Retreat
This one is tricky as no one is going to buy that you’re about to leave the field in fear.
Instead use terrain that might disrupt their formation while you “retreat” or in combination with hit and run tactics where the OpFor gives chase, weakening their formation, then the retreating squad immediately closes and attacks their over-committed line.
Single Envelopment
Use any extra units on your side to create a special hit squad to take on OpFor on either extreme flank.
The OpFor likely has experienced troops on the flanks, so you would need at least a 2 to 1 advantage [on the target flank] when executing this.
Also you’ll want your quickest troops assigned to this squad as you don’t want to telegraph your intent, you want them in position quickly and carry out the action just as quick
Double envelopment is rarer and more difficult to pull off because as you might have guessed, calls for this to be done on both flanks
Inverted Wedge
This one is a bit of a haymaker, and the OpFor formation here is exaggerated for demonstration purposes. I wouldn’t try it in foreign wars as too many things need to be just right, and your force needs to be on its A game.
You fade the center of your formation drawing the enemy center, getting them to over-commit and outpace their flanks. As soon as an opening is seen, your flanks attack hard while your center simply reforms and slowly advances, keeping the OpFor center threatened and preventing it from helping its now endangered flanks.
Hidden Flank
This one is another that doesn’t have absolute applicability to SCA combat from what I’ve seen. Generally, in foreign wars our “reserve” forces are simply standing in 3rd or 4th row, waiting for troops from the front line to fall, to take their place.
This might apply in open field, during limited resurrection battles where generally speaking, whichever side wins more battles during the allotted time, wins the scenario. By letting your forces resurrect but hold, then send them out a squad at a time, directing them to weak points in OpFor formations. You make the most of your limited forces and you win the battle by using your resources just a bit more effectively than the OpFor.