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Napoleonic Warfare - Cavalry - Coggle Diagram
Napoleonic Warfare - Cavalry
Types
Medium / Line
Used for charging
Protects flanks
Heavy
Considered to be the most valuable by Napoleon
Ride down the enemy in charges
Not necessarily the most armoured, just the heaviest
Light
Used for cover
Used for recon
Most numerous
Least used
Harass the enemy
Used for pursuit after the battle
Skirmishing
Equipment
Sabers used as a primary weapon
Firearms used as a secondary weapon
Sometimes there was some form of metal body armour
Always helmets
Combat
Charging
Line and heavy cavalry
3-5 phases
Tight formation
Can result in heavy losses
Skirmishing
Few casualties
Performed regularly
Provokes the enemy
Reduce defensive capabilites
Force enemy to change plans
Make note of enemy positions and terrain
Foraging
Attack individual enemies
Requires sufficient power to overcome enemy
Formations
Line
Largest number of sabers
Greatest chance of outflanking
Used for charging
Easily disturbed
Higher speed
Echelon / Diagonal
Greater flexibility
Can react more easily
Bypass other friendly troops
Closed column
Easier to control
Keeps enemy off-guard
Unsuited to attacks
Hard to maintain during gallops
Very vulnerable to artillery
Vulnerable to counter charge against large flanks