Breaking open the front of a phalanx

[duncan.gill]

Had an odd thought.

I was wondering if in real life whether it would have been possible for two soldiers to form a ^ shape with their shields and then use it as a wedge to punch through a phalanx. My thinking would be that given the length of the pikes that they would easily glance off the shields (as they would be hitting them diagonally and shield wielders would be closer to the point of contact and therefore be able to bring more force to bear on the point of contact) and it would allow the shield carrying troops to reach the phalanx formation, drop the shields and engage in close in combat (at which the phalanx troops would be much weaker). Also the commotion caused would allow other troops to enter in the breach in the hedge of spears.

Any thoughts?

[Parallel Pain]

I had similar thoughts before. I was usually told no, but never given an elaborate answer.

I personally still think it could be done. In any case the Celts did somehow break phalanx from the front (personally I believe in a shield wedge like the one you described).

[Africanvs]

This sounds like something that would require extreme discipline to pull off and I would have to say if it was a tactic that could be readilly applied, the strength of the pike phalanx would not have been so successful. Especially since it was often simply an anvil to smash the enemy against with the cavalry hammer.

In essence the phalanx is more a hindrance to the enemy correct? Something to hold them for a period of time until the cavalry arm can come around from behind to strike the finishing blow? A wedge like this would seem to take a bit of time to worm itself between the pikes thus the phalanx is hindering them in such a way that it is successful. Aside from this, I imagine if a phalanx is under pressure long enough without support it will eventually falter even when assaulted frontally.

I do not doubt some type of wedge like this was used on certain occasions mabe even with success, but I'd like to think this kind of a tactic would be futile against experienced phalangites and more useful against fresh recruits or unseasoned levies.

[soibean]

Did the phalanx soldiers have a holster with which to hold the weight of the spear, I read somewhere it weighed about 12 pounds so it wasn't that heavy. Yet even so it would surely tire the soldier after a prolonged fight if he had to hold it the entire time.

[QuintusSertorius]

I think the problem is that infiltrating a phalanx is possible, but has the consequence of breaking up your formation. Which matters because then men get isolated and start worrying they're going to be abandoned while everyone else is running.

[Vorian]

Could work if you faced only a spear in from og every man and they kept them still.

However three or four spears were in fromt of every phalangite, so you would have to pass through the first two, to counter another two and another two before you reach the men.

[Illian the Mediocre]

I read somewhere it weighed about 12 pounds so it wasn't that heavy

It's not so much the weight of the pikes that would make them difficult to use, but more the length. However they would often dig one end of the pike into the ground to help them steady it. You're right of course it would be very tiring in a battle. Thus making attempts to break through more successful.