Zulu - Final Attack
January 7, 2011 8:14 AM
In the final attack of the film Zulu British soliders line up in three ranks. Whilst the first rank fires the second rank reloads their rifles, etc. Does this technique have a name? Video here.
I agree with Fire by Rank.
It is volley firing as well, but volley firing can take many forms in addition to the three (or two) row format.
posted by MtDewd at 8:46 AM on January 7, 2011
It is volley firing as well, but volley firing can take many forms in addition to the three (or two) row format.
posted by MtDewd at 8:46 AM on January 7, 2011
Interesting that the rear rank fires first. Defensive (e.g., bayonet) reasons?
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 9:45 AM on January 7, 2011
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 9:45 AM on January 7, 2011
Interesting that the rear rank fires first. Defensive (e.g., bayonet) reasons?
Yes, absolutely. As with all formation fighting, the greatest fear is that the lines might break; if this happens, panic ensues and generally everyone dies. Guns of the era took time to reload after each shot -- you can see the rear rank doing this as quickly as they can, at around 1:06. If the first rank were to fire first, they might be overrun while they were reloading, and that could be enough to break the entire formation (see: everyone dies).
Having bayonets up-front provides protection and reloading time for the rear ranks, and the idea is that the volleys of fire from the rear ranks provide the same for the rank in front.
posted by vorfeed at 12:09 PM on January 7, 2011
Yes, absolutely. As with all formation fighting, the greatest fear is that the lines might break; if this happens, panic ensues and generally everyone dies. Guns of the era took time to reload after each shot -- you can see the rear rank doing this as quickly as they can, at around 1:06. If the first rank were to fire first, they might be overrun while they were reloading, and that could be enough to break the entire formation (see: everyone dies).
Having bayonets up-front provides protection and reloading time for the rear ranks, and the idea is that the volleys of fire from the rear ranks provide the same for the rank in front.
posted by vorfeed at 12:09 PM on January 7, 2011
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posted by Electric Dragon at 8:20 AM on January 7, 2011