All the TW-games has had a serious anti-climax when ever a unit charges because only the front rank do anything. I seriously doubt the others behind just sat there and waited for the guy in front to die before they got some action.
I seriously doubt that after they picking up such speed when they charge that the ones in the back would just stop and wait in line like they do in TW.
And I seriously doubt the front rank would form a neat straight line and just poke their swords and spears at the enemies front ranks.
While yes the front rank shouldn't run past the enemies front rank like that(atleast not all of them) and should start fighting the moment the collision happens but the others behind shouldn't wait like in previous game but pick out their own targets as well and start fighting as well. MTW2 is heading there and fighting itself seems to get better and better.
If we have a time machine and go back and see a medieval battle I think this is pretty much what we will see, a mess of troops.
depending on weapons used of course, but most combat WAS standing in line poking at eachother. Phalanxes and romans with their large shields depended entirely on that. Charging and jumping in/over enemies is complete hollywood nonsense. If you did that you'd probably knock over your opponent, but you'd go down too, in the middle of the enemy formation. Not something you'd want to happen unless you're suicidal or hollywood actor.
Medieval armies - unlike what you see in movies and even MTW - relied mostly on spear armed infantry, who would fight in very close formations (shield wall). Later on spears when replaced by pikes and halberds.
Unless you were a crazy berserker or suicidal you wouldn't blindly charge your enemy, you'd stick as close to the protection of your brothers in arms as possible.