The Google-friendly History Question Thread.

[Don't Panic]

Why would mounted cavalry ride in a circle? (I have one specific maneuver in mind. I'll give you "European" to start with.)

Horse archers?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Why would mounted cavalry ride in a circle? (I have one specific maneuver in mind. I'll give you "European" to start with.)

Horse archers?

Later than that.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Did their horses have short legs on the left side?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Did their horses have short legs on the left side?

I said circle, not spiral.

[Arse]

So as to always have the arm with the sword/gun in it facing the enemy?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

So as to always have the arm with the sword/gun in it facing the enemy?

Um, I don't think that was a factor, but I can't be absolutely certain. However, clockwise/counterclockwise would not have had a impact on the maneuver.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

Is it something to do with evading fire from fixed trajectory weapons?

[Don't Panic]

Why would mounted cavalry ride in a circle? (I have one specific maneuver in mind. I'll give you "European" to start with.)

Horse archers?

Later than that.

To perform the caracole maneuver?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Why would mounted cavalry ride in a circle? (I have one specific maneuver in mind. I'll give you "European" to start with.)

Horse archers?

Later than that.

To perform the caracole maneuver?

Bingo!

[Don't Panic]

Why would mounted cavalry ride in a circle? (I have one specific maneuver in mind. I'll give you "European" to start with.)

Horse archers?

Later than that.

To perform the caracole maneuver?

Bingo!

Same as horse archers just with pistols instead of bows, you ride in a circle so there are always troops with primed weapons closest to the enemy.

[klr]

...
To perform the caracole maneuver?

Bingo!

Same as horse archers just with pistols instead of bows, you ride in a circle so there are always troops with primed weapons closest to the enemy.

That's what I was thinking as well, although I didn't know the formal name of the manoeuvre. Didn't the Mongols do something similar?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

...
To perform the caracole maneuver?

Bingo!

Same as horse archers just with pistols instead of bows, you ride in a circle so there are always troops with primed weapons closest to the enemy.

That's what I was thinking as well, although I didn't know the formal name of the manoeuvre. Didn't the Mongols do something similar?

Who has noted the serious problem with this maneuver?

[Don't Panic]

...
To perform the caracole maneuver?

Bingo!

Same as horse archers just with pistols instead of bows, you ride in a circle so there are always troops with primed weapons closest to the enemy.

That's what I was thinking as well, although I didn't know the formal name of the manoeuvre. Didn't the Mongols do something similar?

Who has noted the serious problem with this maneuver?

The fact that after you fire you have to turn your back to your enemy? Who is presumably also armed with projectile weapons.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

The fact that after you fire you have to turn your back to your enemy? Who is presumably also armed with projectile weapons.

The fact that you're probably facing a line of musketeers with only one of your men firing at a time. Not good for assaulting a troop of prepared men.

[Don't Panic]

The fact that after you fire you have to turn your back to your enemy? Who is presumably also armed with projectile weapons.

The fact that you're probably facing a line of musketeers with only one of your men firing at a time. Not good for assaulting a troop of prepared men.

It makes sense from a logistical viewpoint, you'll only have half as many horses and men to feed after the battle. Less supplies to lug around the place.