Swords vs Phalanx

[Ptah]

Here's the basics of anti-phalanx maneuvering I've posted quite some time ago.
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1. The failure of the standard battle line against phalanx lines

Deploying one's forces parallel to enemy lines is pretty much the standard tactic in most every occasion. This method is literally 'standard', and has no serious drawbacks, but possibly, the fact that it is "standard" is itself a drawback in that against highly 'specialized' enemy forces, it does not offer any kind of real mobility. Most often the initiative is lost, and you are forced to fight the enemy at their own terms - because, you are being passive.

For example, look at the following picture:



Typically, assuming equal numbers, a standard battle line against the phalanx is ineffective at best, with often catastrophic results. The basic principle of tactical maneuvering is to surround and destroy, while avoiding being surrounded yourself.

However, with equal numbers deployed on the battle field, the chances are, against phalanxes whatever forces you send to flank will not be able to get the job done in time. The phalanx is immensely powerful in its frontal areas. When a collective of enemy center advances, your center just will not be able to hold line long enough until you flanking attacks meet some kind of success.


2. Strengthening the center is NOT an alternative

The situation is pretty self evident.



In response to the problems of the center being pushed, what happens if you strengthen the center lines with more units? The attempt to flank enemy units will not work at all. And still, your center will be eventually driven back.


3. The Epimenondas Alternative

Deploying your forces in an echelon pattern, with one side stronger and the other side weaker, is a classic response to fighting enemy forces with superior frontal attack.



Your objective is to hit one corner of the enemy line with all your strongest section('forward wing'), while the weaker rear section('rear wing') remains ready to react.

The problem with the standard, parallel battle line, is that holding the battle line is in fact, sacrificing your best advantage against enemy phalanxes - mobility. There is no reason to think that all of your forces have to be nearly arranged in a single line. As long as you can react, and control your forces fast enough, a battle formation split into multiple numbers can become a quite powerful alternative.



When your forward wing hits one corner of the enemy line with all its might, the phalagites are forced to react.




If they break the phalanx line to engage your forward wing, disengage your forward wing and lure enemy phalanx units to the forward wing. At the same time, your rear wing begins to react and hits the few rear units of the enemy phalanx, picking them off one by one. If you observe closely, you will notcie that by hitting one corner of the enemy line, and forcing them to react, you are able effectively "surround" individual enemy units with ease. By grabbing the initiative and striking the first blow, you force them to react in a certain way you expect - and this, is the key importance of aggressive tactics, as opposed to the 'standard' methods of tactical formations which are inherently defensive and passive.




If the enemy phalanx lines chooses to temporarily ignore your flanking attacks, and advances to your weaker, rear wing in an orderly fashion (hoping to deal with the rear wing first), then you can keep attacking its same corner with the forward wing, gnawing and tearing apart the corner units one by one. Your rear wing will continuously retreat in an orderly fashion, luring the enemy centerline to it... while the forward wing gets its job done.




If the enemy phalanx units choose to retaliate your flanking maneuver in an orderly fashion, disengage your forward wing and regroup them nearby enemy advancement as quick as possible. At the same time, your rear wing moves to the opposite corner of the phalanx line. This rear wing, now becomes a new forward wing.


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The essentials of such tactical maneuvering is; a) always move faster than the enemy, b) always make them react. Don't wait for them to make the first move. Try to be aware of what happens in the battlefield as a whole, and keep moving your units into positions that matter.


In the end, with equal number of units, a standard swordsmen unit has no chance to beat a phalanx unit if you fight them on their terms. They are hard spears - they need the battle formation to stay intact. They need to face you to attack. Always move around, and force them to break battle formation as much as possible.