A Thesis on Military Strategy: The V Formation

[SupaSaMM 257]

The V-formation

 

To the interested readers and fellow scholars of military strategy, 

 

The paper below was one designed to deal with that of the Inferi threat. It was written by I, Atilan Bishop, to present to my commanders a strategy we could use for the next time the Inferi did indeed pull a bull or a mighty creature upon us and then use that bull or might creature to distract our forces so that their inferi infantry then would suddenly come upon us, just as we were taken by the bull and trying to kill it. For a long time, I kept this document classified and not public, but given the need for what we seem to be dealing with this time in Almaris, I believe it necessary to make this former essay of mine public. 

 

But I do believe that this strategy devised is one that, as I did, can be fixed to meet the needs of the situation and is not one that has to work as I did so. Pieces can be moved but what is more important than the V formation is what should be used to deal with threats in battle that are not effectively and quickly killed by just 2 soldiers. 

 

 

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Why should we use a V-formation?

 

This formation best suits that of a traditional battle. Basically, it’s the one where we meet the enemy and the enemy meets us on a field. To make this further clear, this battle is simply a meeting of two armies, there is no siege of a city and there is no building that exists here. So, the two V’s are an infantry division, and in the middle we will have our knights on horseback and hopefully whatever Calvary we can muster. 

 

So the main strategic reason for this strategy is that A) it allows our infantry to be more mobile which is critical for some of the Inferi at hand. B) it allows us to effectively to deal with more bulk and indomitable foes (the bull in the first ever battle with the Inferi that boar creature in the Siege of Karosgrad)

 

 

So, why a v shape… let’s make the comparison to that of a regular static rectangular unit. We will arrange our forces so that’s there’s 12 men in a 4*3 rectangle for the rectangular unit shape and then in a 12-man V for the other and compare it to what happens if a boar or a bull comes charging straight forward. So the circles in red are those most likely to get hit and become a casualty, the green circles will denote the ones least likely to get hit with a bull or boar charge and the yellow indicates that it might go either way. 

A drawing of the a smaller V formation  that only used 12 soldiers could be seen, assessing risk of the unit in its colours. 

So, when looking at the above. We see two guaranteed casualties in this V-formation if we are to assume the soldiers hold their ground (which a V is created to allow for mobility but in this case we are just talking about reduced casualties). We see 4 more possible casualties and yes, in this case if the creature is charging forward in a straight line without changing trajectory like they always do, then we get the same casualty assessment. 

 

However, if we use this system we see how we get half the soldiers as casualties in the bull’s charge or the malflame and this is why the V is so important! It reduces likely casualties and it’s more mobile.  

A drawing of a typical rectange formation of soldiers could be seen taking upon the same risk assessment as described. 

 

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What makes the V Formation Mobile?

So, let’s assume our rectangular formation is the traditional formation (as shown above), there are also issues with mobility. When dealing with a charging creature, infantry finds itself surrounded and unable to make a good retreat as they might bump into their infantry and also a rectangular structure keeps soldiers more rigid which works when the enemy can be held back, but if the enemy is giant creature like the bull or boar that is just too big to get pushed back by a soldiier than the infantry need the ability to move backward and sideways to allow themselves room to pull back and then counterattack. 

A recreation of the same rectanle strategy would be seen yet again 

So let’s assume the infantry closest in line to the charging enemy movies out of the way as shown here where the infantry is to pull back like so, here is what happens. Where you see the infantry pull back. 

 

There would be arrows in this drawing to indiate where each soldier would move if the bull started to charge in its straight path. 

 

Now let’s assume the infantry reconverge again after moving away and now attack the bull’s blindside or its sides to weaken it. (size of arrows doesn’t mean anything, just indicating movement)

There would be arrows in this drawing to indiate where each soldier would move after being force to pull back and away. 

So, now this looks great but see how only 6 of the 12 are actively engaged in trying to slow the beast? If the other 6 in green move downwards or upward to do damage and encircle, they would have been just as fast as doing it in a V formation. And this is why the V is better suited here as it puts more men in the attack. Allow me to show you! Here we see the V formation as before it was mobile. 

 

Another drawing of the a smaller V formation that only used 12 soldiers could be seen, assessing risk of the unit in its colours. 

 

And now here it is when it’s mobile!

We get this result shown below where instead of 6 men attacking men we get the entire formation able to do attack the creature which can be very effective. Also we see how our V becomes a straight line where either the beast continues its charge through but most likley more injured and damaged or it dies in the V that basically formed a pincer on it. If it dies, the infantry can then resume the V as before or become a rectangle formation if need be. 

And this is Why a V is the best strategy to use, especially when dealing with a charging bull like creature or a big beast that will need a team of infantry to kill. It allows more mobility and allows more soldiers to deal damage and injury upon the charging creature. Compared to your more traditional structure, this formation is more efficient and thus effectve. And remember often the charging creature serves as a distraction to give their infantry to rush your position and so thus, it’s critical that the large creature is dealth with swiftly and the V simply just does that better. 

 

 

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An Example of an Application of the V-infantry formation in conjunction with other forces

 

Now this example (shown below) that I started initially can be subject to change but I think 2 V’s are better because we still need to take into the fact the enemy  infantry and other forces they may bring alongside the creatures or creature they intend to use as I have already described. 

However, this strategy shifts the killing of the charging creature to those on horseback like the calvary and horseback this time as we have shown how the V works with infantry. But the infantry in V’s are doing important work and also there could still be other enemy infantry or charging creatures present that would still make the V’s useful and the soldiers in the back are the ranged unit doing the very important job of killing ranged units and also other infantry and cavalry that may arise in such a battle.   

 

And since that we have shown why V’s are a good formation overall, now we have to get into the good parts of this strategy. 

 

Now let’s assume we have the same charging enemy creature similar to the bull or boar in our battles. First our horse units arrive and will form a circling tactic to disorient the target and perhaps slow him down and inflict damage. 

 

However, this depiction fails to talk about the Inferi infantry who will also be on the attack and if they are successful and get to the calvary while we let our infantry to hold their positions, we get this very bad situation.

 

 

 

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Can you see what happens here? Our horse units become surrounded and overwhelmed as they fight on two fronts, one side where they are circling around and fighting the bull and then the other where their infantry attack and this is why the infantry also will need to move forward as those on horseback move to attack the Inferi. And from there we get a better, more defensible position and it must be important to note that once the cavalry circles the creature they will be moving downwards to meet our infantry. 

 

Below is the result of a successful formation. Remember this is doable as long our cavalry will be circling and that circling will have a downward trend so it gives our infantry time and less distance to work with, making them a bit faster and ready to defined their cavalry. So now what happens is either men from the V or some of the ranged unit will go up and form a mini wall to allow our cavalry to do its work. 

 

And now, our infantry deals with their infantry and if in their ranks they contain very specialized forces such as the big ogre-like creatures or another huge imp like orc creature that could not be killed by just one man quickly, we have shown how the V is still very capable of fighting them down. 

 

Once the charging inferi is dealt with by those on horseback they can circle back and attack the infantry. And perhaps the horizontal wall that formed between the V’s can be separated and those on horseback can charge through. 

 

 

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An important caveat, none of this formation is set in stone. What I have described here is an example, a basic one at that too. If there is more than one charging inferi, we can split those on horseback or we also allow the infantry to engage. 

 

Also important to note all those on horseback is assumed to have their horses and themselves wearing significant armor and I highly encourage those on horseback to carry shields. Also physics dictates that a horse with heavy armor is less pushed by an explosion compared to an infantry and that’s why it’s often good to use the cavalry on them. If the creature is capable of explosive powers like that bull in the first battle of the Inferi War 

 

Furthermore, those in the reserves can be pushed forward and moved out to fight in the V’s or be moved out to fit the need of the situation at hand. 

 

 

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To the readers who have made it this and to the true scholars of military stratagem, 

 

If you have read this far, I thank you for having read this paper in full. I ask that you simply take the time to see and understand how the V can play and be used in a battle. To take the time to think on this, perhaps make your own stratagems. If you are a officer in your military, perhaps use this but in full understanding of your own military’s capacity and strength. 

 

And just as important, in this paper, I made no talk of the weapons to use and this was an intentional thing. For I know, I know not every army can make certain weapons like pikes or spears standard issue in an infantry loadout. Furthermore, sometimes it might be better in some situations to use a sword over a spear or perhaps in that V formation you have one line of spears and one line of swords for example. But either way, more importantly this paper was designed to promote the use of a strategy that ought to be used more often to fit the need for this kind of situation as I described above. 

 

And I, speak to you as an experienced soldier  who has fought battles with Inferis, Rozanians and scores of bandits beyond count. Though I will not call myself a scholar in anyway, I do wish to tell you that I am not a man who speaks with little experience of a lack of knowledge and that I do not want you as the reader to have questions about this author’s military knowledge such that it derails the more necessary conversation about the V formation that we all ought to have as fine military men of our nations who would do what it took to make sure our fellow comrades returned home to their wives, husbands, parents and children. 

 

Sincerely,

Lord Atilan Bishop, Soldier at heart and Military strategist in the Mind, Squire of the Dawn of the Blades

 

This Document was reviewed by; 

His Serene Highness, Jarad Munnel, Ac’Luxz of Helious, Taur and Ruke of Alterk, and Lunderia, Magin of Vali’mae, Co’tr of Voclia, Cond’pos of Oblen, Vaton of Achyae & Sievis, Gin of Sen’nyor, Patriarch of Munnel, Ac’Luxz of the Mali’Solaril 

 

[Lomiei 1488]

Aurik Bishop, receiving a copy of the battle plan in the form of a scroll, could only briefly view the piece and it's quality as he breathed a sigh. "Mein days of valor in battle have long passed." He travelled downstairs to stuff the document in a cupboard somewhere when he came across his young son Otto ( @JosifNotJoseph ). He stopped, and took a moment to think. "Otto." Soon, he stands straight up and gestures for the boy to come closer to him "its time du all learned to fight, hmm? Lets get dur training started by lifting some heavy stones... its gutte for zhe soul." smiling, he called also to his fresh introduction to the world "Tytos! come lift some rocks vith dur vatter und brudder!" Aurik placed the half-assessed scroll on a table of the Castle Ostervik before leaving to gather some stones from the coast of the Ostervik Dock.