Expanding from Column to Line
Movement by columns is the most flexible method for manoeuvring troops around a battlefield. It allows any unit to easily change direction and deploy out to a variety of formations. Its only drawback is getting out-of-column before combat occurs. Troops best suited for deploying from columns are obviously mounted and light troops with their higher movement rates. Slower infantry (eg. Bd, Sp, Pk...), especially irregulars , might struggle to complete similar manoeuvres in time to meet an opponent.
| Diagrams drawn to 15mm scale, all dimensions in "mm" unless otherwise specified. | |
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Step A: Start out with your basic group of elements in column (all edge to edge and corner to corner contact) Note: when elements expand from column, their movement is increased by 1" (25mm). |
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Step B: the column expands out with the lead element remaining stationary, all other elements move as per single elements (+1") and must form up
in edge to edge, corner to corner contact as a group. No element can finish further forward than the initial lead element. The width of the line is only limited by movement of the elements as they expand out. |
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Step C: the final formation of the group can vary considerably. In this example, the last four elements in the column might lack movement to form part of the line, in which case they either fall in behind as shown (movement permitting) or get left behind to form a seperate group. |
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Example D: an alternative formation to step C. if the last four elements did have the movement, they might choose expand out to the far right. This option allows them to expand out again in subsequent bound/s. |
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Example E: alternative formation to step C. Another alternative. Elements can form up two or more elements deep on either flank. These elements can again expand out in subsequent bounds. Note: the elements used for these examples are Auxilia (Ax) with a normal movement of 3". When expanding from column they move 4". |
The following two examples are more complex variations to the basic column-to-line drill described above. They have been nicknamed "KMDT" manoeuvres (Khazar Mounted Drill Team). These variants allow columns to form up into line parallel to their flank/s or to oblique angles depending on the angle of the lead element. The examples use Auxlia size elements and movement rates.
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Step A - the manoeuvre is initiated by turning the leading element 90° at the end of its previous movement bound. All the elements still
count as being a single group (column with a kink or bend). Step B - the column expands out and lines up with the lead element, which must remain stationary. |
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This is a variant to the above example. Step A - the lead element in the column pivots at the end of its last move turning 70° (it can turn any angle within its permitted movement.) Step B has all remaining elements expanding out into line. Note; the element marked "z" did not have the movement to form out in line so must move in behind another element or keep its original position. |
The order in which elements expand out from column is not restricted. as long as no element exceeds its movemet allowance for expanding, they can fall into line as required by the controlling player. The following examples show how to do it most effectively. The elements used are LH(F) with a 6" movement (7" expanding).
Step A: Measure the maximum distance that the second element in the column can move laterally to fall into line. This will be the limit that your column is capable of expanding out (assuming you have enough elements to form a complete line.)
Step B: The illustration shows the order of elements after expanding. Element U only had movement to reach a position left of Z. It could also move behind as a second rank for Z, V & W.
Step B: A less effective example with the elements expanding out in order from the element Z. Most beginners will start of this way until they realise the benefits of Step B.
