this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2024
532 points (97.3% liked)

Greentext

6642 readers
1761 users here now

This is a place to share greentexts and witness the confounding life of Anon. If you're new to the Greentext community, think of it as a sort of zoo with Anon as the main attraction.

Be warned:

If you find yourself getting angry (or god forbid, agreeing) with something Anon has said, you might be doing it wrong.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Simulation6@sopuli.xyz 14 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Muskets were not all that accurate. The plan, I suppose, was to get close and then rush in and fight man-to-man.

[–] perviouslyiner@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Lindybeige suggested that the opposite might be true, at least for the individuals

[–] Simulation6@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 year ago

I guess I was basing my comment on novels, such as the Sharpe series, rather then actual history.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They're talking about urban fighting, I imagine fighting on an open field is quite different.

[–] perviouslyiner@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Indeed, although this video mentions a similar effect seen in open field formations

Right, but that effect seems to be quite different, and essentially the same as warfare today. It turns out people don't like killing other people.

But the "likelihood of surviving" calculus changes a bit when you're on a field with cavalry, cannons, and ranks of soldiers all around. Charging may be a more appealing option, especially if it gets you a better position (i.e. maybe the enemy has fortifications).

[–] naevaTheRat@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 year ago

they had rifles in like the 15th century. Widespread use by the 17th. Muzzle loading rifles. They were accurate within a meter at 900 yards.

[–] Harbinger01173430@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

The last of the human soldiers who chose to engage in proper melee combat. Smh.