The calculation of the length of each line must take into account that the actual scrabble thirds o

When it comes to the interpretation of a battle, in addition to measuring and comparing the plausibility of general or partial narratives about the event, it should scrabble be borne in mind that the tactical concepts and effective and practical implications of the weapons of the period studied (am to refer specifically to the seventeenth century, but it is also valid for other ages) were very different from today. The appreciation of the battleground, if he is not very modified from which staged the action studied, should take into account this basic principle. I recall that at the time of the Battle of Montes Claros, the practical range of a musket was less than 100 meters, a musket even less of a pistol under 10 yards (against breastplates had to shoot at close range to ensure greater probability of penetration). And that in most cases were resolved to the fighting weapon. Therefore, the distance between the first two lines forces arrayed in battle at the beginning of a fray was relatively small (between 300 to 400 meters or less), it allowed the evolution of the troops at a safe distance even in the case of infantry, and preparations for the launch and delivery of cargoes (and previous skirmishing with rifles) by the cavalry. The extent of each of the lines depended on the number of units and personnel that constituted. Remember that the thirds, on the ground, formed into squads of 10 rows deep, counting those of the Musketeers (usually the first two or three rows of each squadron, which contained wards over 4 to 5 rows of arquebusiers - about the specific meaning of this terminology, see if this article). And, indeed, each squad could contain elements of more than one-third, scrabble or highlight sleeves shooters to other squadrons, or to be interpolated with the cavalry, or to defend a specific point on the plot, acting as small independent units .
The calculation of the length of each line must take into account that the actual scrabble thirds of varied widely, scrabble but on average each squadron would, scrabble in case of the battle of Montes Claros, between 500 and 600 men. Without forgetting the clear, ie, the intervals between the infantry squads or battalions of cavalry formed on the ground. Sticking to what was determined in military treaties, should be clear enough to allow the operation of a squadron or battalion space, your forward or backward without tangle with friends who were in front or rear units. But just not always the case, or because scrabble the nature scrabble of the terrain did not permit, or for reasons of cohesion of the lines themselves. That is precisely what happened to the cavalry battalions scrabble of the Spanish Army in Montes Claros, that its cargo on the Portuguese came right wing strengthened, but at the expense of the interval between the units. After initial success, they squandered the first lines of the cavalry of the Portuguese army, failed to reorganize themselves and were defeated by the counter-attack mounted by the Portuguese.
Photo C - From the right side of the Spanish device (position held by thirds Infantry), looking to the left flank (on the ground would progress farther down the cavalry). In the distance, the hills of Ossa. Note the relatively flat nature of the terrain, but with some more enclosed spaces, with rocks, small trees and scrub, not too different from what is described in the narrative sources. It was because of this type of terrain scrabble that the Count of Schomberg sent a detachment to form the vanguard scrabble of the army, commanded by the master Antonio de Saldanha field, the auxiliary of the district of Tomar, with five hundred infants thirds of all auxiliary tools leading of engaging the mounds and facilitate the hitherto difficult steps. scrabble (Ericeira, 1946 IV, pg 290).
D Photo - View of the Spanish positions, from the ground in front of the first row of the Portuguese cavalry on the right side of the device (which had two-thirds of infantry reinforcement in that first line, the Masters field Cid José de Sousa and Matias da Cunha, interspersed with six battalions of cavalry). It was through this terrain that the cavalry scrabble of the Spanish Army progressed to load the Portuguese counterpart and the aforementioned thirds getting some initial success.
And Photo - View from the intermediate lines and rear of the device spanish, looking to the left flank, occupied by cavalry. The small lake that you can see in the photo did not exist in 1665.
Related This entry was posted in battles, scrabble Restoration War, with tags 1665, battles, Comte de Schomberg, D. António Luís de Meneses (Earl of Canterbury and the Marquis de Marialva), Marquis of Caracena, Montes Claros, Jorge P