It must have been the first book, which I will discuss on the blog. Partly because (no) chance bears the same title as the blog, but mainly because it is a basic position on the shelf of anyone who deals with the war for American independence. The author is a historian at the University of Leeds, and the book is an expanded version of his dissertation, "The British Army on campaign in North America, 1775-1783" and covers all aspects of the succession of tactics and strategy of the British during the war.
is not my intention of reviewing this book, because (flattering usually) review can easily be found on the websites of bookstores. I prefer to deal with the analysis of the information contained herein from the viewpoint of Wargamer, in other words - how should the rules of the game in light of the information to be communicated to us by Dr. Spring.
First of all: fighting fire. So far I have met with many conflicting opinions on the effectiveness of rifle fire during the war. Are legendary exploits of American riflemenów armed with threaded "long gun from Pennsylvania." On the other hand, it is assumed that the regular British soldiers were unmatched in fighting the fire in a dense pattern, when they could carry fire platoon. In one description of the first battle of Saratoga was even found that General Gates, only because he left their fortified positions to cope with the British in the dense forest, where they could not use its advantage in the training of shooting.
Spring in turn examines contemporary views on this subject and comes to a different conclusion. According to him there was no major difference between the effectiveness of regular infantry fire British loyalists, or even the continental army militia. Fire platoon, although impressive in exercise was not possible to maintain in field conditions and after 2-3 Salwach plutonium soldiers switched to single fire. In American terms, in the difficult terrain and the relaxed ranks has become the rule batalionowych putting volleys, followed by a bayonet or attack on, or random fire, which the officers did not have the slightest effect. What is more interesting - did not matter the speed of the fire. The author cites the opinions of officers who, after the Seven Years' War experiences asserted that "do not shoot too fast." Observed that the soldiers forced the rapid pace of weapons charge, they did so carelessly, for example, instead of nailing the load struck struck with a rifle butt on the ground that the inertial force skompaktowała charge in the barrel. That was then loaded projectiles less range, accuracy, and even the clout - were able to stop a hit on their uniforms the soldiers.
From the examples cited in the book, it appears that a greater impact on the effectiveness of the fire were the conditions in which it was conducted. The most effective was the first salvo, as the guns were loaded before the battle, not the barrel were contaminated by the remnants of burnt gunpowder, and the tinder-box was not damaged. Another important element was the tactical situation. Fire from prepared positions was particularly deadly, even if it meant only heading a fence or wall, which is a shooter based on his musket. Also a long time to wait for the opponent favors pointing to a valid, while branches that during the attack stopped for a moment to give a volley had a tendency to move over to the fire. One observer pointed out, the soldiers firing in the march are often pressed the trigger at the time of the shot, without aiming. The effect of such a fire had to be miserable, and really - some of the militias that fled into Guilford Courthouse by British bayonets, had apparently no losses, despite the fact that before the attack the British gave them a volley from close range.
Given the above, it seems that all units using smoothbore muskets should have the same firepower and troops can be promoted which do not move before putting volleys, but expect your opponent on the choice each position. Other factors influencing the strength of fire should be - the first salvo and gunpowder smoke, disturbing both parties during a protracted duel fire.
Another important issue, widely discussed in the book is the speed maneuvers and ranks of the British Army, but this I will in the next post.
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