Battalion (Sweden) - Tactics -- Infantry Vs Infantry

Tactics -- Infantry Vs Infantry

The formation marched toward the enemy, accompanied by drums, to within 50 metres (160 ft) from the enemy's line. There, it halted for the third and fourth rows of musketeers to aim and open fire. The march continued some 20 metres (66 ft) further and halted again for the first and second rows of musketeers to aim and open fire. The zombie like appearance of rapidly approaching Swedes, along with major casualties from the first and second blasts, should induce the enemy to panic and flee, allowing Swedish swords and pikes to kill enemies on the run. It was rare for opposing forces to engage each other in close combat with swords and pikes. Light artillery units were sometimes placed in the gap between battalions – a practice in use at the end of the Great Northern War.