Types of Wheels (tactic)

[Stryker65]

Hello all,
I once did some research into wheeling and other battlefield tactics, but forget what it was/can't find my notes. Can anybody give me an overview of wheeling on the battlefield? I know bits and pieces, but am otherwise unsure about how right and left wheels work, and how retreating by...left flank (?) works. Just a general description of how to turn on a battlefield, both when advancing and when retreating. The only real infantry tactic I know is Refusing The Line (thanks, Gettysburg)
-Stryker

 

[Dan Kohli]

I'm going to have to take a look at Casey's to refresh my memory. But the wheel should be in theory a simple type of maneuver. I try to remember to check my copies of Casey's and Cooke's tactics.

Here's a online copy of Casey's and Hardee's tactics. It should be in the school of the company.

https://www.11thovc.com/_files/ugd/0d3674_2f286cc6ebfd46248632b33e1d345056.pdf

https://www.11thovc.com/_files/ugd/c1e07c_ab5083336784476998ac7763f6471ed3.pdf

 

[captaindrew]

It's pretty simple really, there's only two types of wheels, right or left. You are turning the line and changing the direction of your front. I drew this simple diagram not long ago to demonstrate a question another member had, the difference between a wheel and an oblique.

 

[captaindrew]

To retreat by the manuals in a battle line is simply an about face and go, nothing fancy. Now in skirmish drill you can do firing by retreat where the guys can cover each other by leapfrogging and firing while covering your file partner.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

To retreat by the manuals in a battle line is simply an about face and go, nothing fancy. Now in skirmish drill you can do firing by retreat where the guys can cover each other by leapfrogging and firing while covering your file partner.

Could he be referring to "by the R/L of companies to the rear"? I believe that is the one that requires each company to make a wheel.

I also think it's important to note that (correct me if I'm wrong - American drill isn't my thing) if the goal is to change front/facing, the entire battalion of ten companies didn't generally wheel all together as one - there were commands that accomplished this so that the companies came on line more efficiently (the flank company then not needing to swing all the way around).

 

[captaindrew]

Could he be referring to "by the R/L of companies to the rear"? I believe that is the one that requires each company to make a wheel.

I also think it's important to note that (correct me if I'm wrong - American drill isn't my thing) if the goal is to change front/facing, the entire battalion of ten companies didn't generally wheel all together as one - there were commands that accomplished this so that the companies came on line more efficiently (the flank company then not needing to swing all the way around).

By the right or left of companies to the rear (or to the front) is not a wheel, your going from a battalion battle line and breaking off into companies toward the rear. Stand by, ill make another diagram in a bit.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

By the right or left of companies to the rear (or to the front) is not a wheel, your going from a battalion battle line and breaking off into companies toward the rear. Stand by, ill make another diagram in a bit.

Which is the command where each company forms a 45 degree wheel on the preparatory command?

 

[captaindrew]

Could he be referring to "by the R/L of companies to the rear"? I believe that is the one that requires each company to make a wheel.

I also think it's important to note that (correct me if I'm wrong - American drill isn't my thing) if the goal is to change front/facing, the entire battalion of ten companies didn't generally wheel all together as one - there were commands that accomplished this so that the companies came on line more efficiently (the flank company then not needing to swing all the way around).

This

Which is the command where each company forms a 45 degree wheel on the preparatory command?

That's simply a half wheel, you're thinking of when column of companies goes into a battle line. Each company does a half wheel, then forward till their position on line then would turn into line. Your other question on changing fronts you are correct, the order would be change fronts forward (or rearward) on the 1st or last company.

 

[captaindrew]

This is by the right of companies to the rear ( or you can go opposite, forward)

 

[captaindrew]

By the right or left of companies to the rear (or to the front) is not a wheel, your going from a battalion battle line and breaking off into companies toward the rear. Stand by, ill make another diagram in a bit.

This is changing front forward on the first company, if you want to change to the left you'd change on the last company. Same as to the rear though you have to about face each company to go to the rear.

 

[thomas aagaard]

It's pretty simple really, there's only two types of wheels, right or left.

Technically the two ways to do it is not about left or right. but if you are moving or standing still.

When standing still you do it one way. Then the guy on the inside stay in his place.
(used when the battalion is standing in line, and need to form a column of companies to the right or left.)

But When doing it on the move, the inner guy still keep marching, just with shorter steps.
This is very very important to remember if in column of companies... or the rear companies will catch up the the front on and everyone end up in one big mess.

(this detail show up in both French/US, British, Prussian and Danish drill books. And logic tell me that it also do in others...)

 

[captaindrew]

Technically the two ways to do it is not about left or right. but if you are moving or standing still.

When standing still you do it one way. Then the guy on the inside stay in his place.
(used when the battalion is standing in line, and need to form a column of companies to the right or left.)

But When doing it on the move, the inner guy still keep marching, just with shorter steps.
This is very very important to remember if in column of companies... or the rear companies will catch up the the front on and everyone end up in one big mess.

(this detail show up in both French/US, British, Prussian and Danish drill books. And logic tell me that it also do in others...)

Splitting hairs don't you think? For simplicity sake for explanation a wheel is a wheel, or in some instances a turn. Now wheeling into column is another animal because you're not changing your front and the guide shifts depending on which way you're turning.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Having seen the chaos you get when half your "battalion" do not know this difference, I would argue that it is actually a critical difference. And as such the direct opposite of "splitting hairs".

 

[captaindrew]

Having seen the chaos you get when half your "battalion" do not know this difference, I would argue that it is actually a critical difference. And as such the direct opposite of "splitting hairs".

That's why you teach it one way when the majority of the guys you're teaching do it a few weekends a year and never pick up a manual. You get the desired result, get the guys in the right position, and look good doing it. Some things you need to adherent to the KISS method. If you keep the inside guy in place and just slowly turn it always comes out better.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Hello all,
I once did some research into wheeling and other battlefield tactics, but forget what it was/can't find my notes. Can anybody give me an overview of wheeling on the battlefield? I know bits and pieces, but am otherwise unsure about how right and left wheels work, and how retreating by...left flank (?) works. Just a general description of how to turn on a battlefield, both when advancing and when retreating. The only real infantry tactic I know is Refusing The Line (thanks, Gettysburg)
-Stryker

The left wheel command will have the leftmost soldier basically rotate at the baby step with the rest of the line sweeping in a counter clockwise arc. It is sometimes beneficial to have a few guys on that pivot point retrograde a little bit while rotating. They rotate slowly because the outermost soldiers in the arc will have to run to keep up with rest of the line. Slower is always better at least until some quality drill time can be found.
Right wheel is just the opposite of that.
I think in manuals they say to guide on the innermost pivot position. I found that the line easily breaks apart with week end warriors guiding thusly. I had my men guide to the outermost soldier marching the long arc of the movement. He set the pace and it was much easier to keep the line from fragmenting. The innermost pivot person has to be really experienced in executing this maneuver if your want to guide on him. They have to turn really slow and then possibly retrograde a well.
The easy terminology for this command is that the line should move like hands on the clock. Same sweeping motion as the timepiece second hand.
Hope that helps.
Cheers!

 

[Trooper "D"]

Hello all,
I once did some research into wheeling and other battlefield tactics, but forget what it was/can't find my notes. Can anybody give me an overview of wheeling on the battlefield? I know bits and pieces, but am otherwise unsure about how right and left wheels work, and how retreating by...left flank (?) works. Just a general description of how to turn on a battlefield, both when advancing and when retreating. The only real infantry tactic I know is Refusing The Line (thanks, Gettysburg)
-Stryker

One more thing. There are some old grainy black and white film footage of American Span Am troops drilling and they do this motion. Its fast paced film of the era but it shows everything just right. There is also footage of some drill team zoaves doing their parade bits. When they wheel you can see them leaning into each other while marching. It's only a few dudes on the drill team so it is easy to observe. The "shoulder to shoulder" technique is basically keeping contact with your neighbor to keep the line tight.
OK, I'm done.

 

[captaindrew]

The left wheel command will have the leftmost soldier basically rotate at the baby step with the rest of the line sweeping in a counter clockwise arc. It is sometimes beneficial to have a few guys on that pivot point retrograde a little bit while rotating. They rotate slowly because the outermost soldiers in the arc will have to run to keep up with rest of the line. Slower is always better at least until some quality drill time can be found.
Right wheel is just the opposite of that.
I think in manuals they say to guide on the innermost pivot position. I found that the line easily breaks apart with week end warriors guiding thusly. I had my men guide to the outermost soldier marching the long arc of the movement. He set the pace and it was much easier to keep the line from fragmenting. The innermost pivot person has to be really experienced in executing this maneuver if your want to guide on him. They have to turn really slow and then possibly retrograde a well.
The easy terminology for this command is that the line should move like hands on the clock. Same sweeping motion as the timepiece second hand.
Hope that helps.
Cheers!

The guide is to the outside, the inside guide doesn't move, just pivots. Everyone except the outside guide should be eyes to the outside guide. You need experience at both ends, at the company level there should be corporals on the ends and sergeants at the battalion level. Of course the 1st sergeant will be at the right end of each company.

 

[Stryker65]

Thanks! I mainly wasn't sure if Left Wheel meant that the Right would wheel to the left or the Left would wheel to the right

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

It's pretty simple really, there's only two types of wheels, right or left. You are turning the line and changing the direction of your front. I drew this simple diagram not long ago to demonstrate a question another member had, the difference between a wheel and an oblique.View attachment 481130

Great diagram - great in its simplicity!