File (formation) explained

A file is a military term for a number of troops drawn up in line ahead, i.e. one behind the other in a column. The number of files is the measure of the width of a column of troops in several ranks one behind the other.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Usage

Files are useful when troops don't know where the enemy is, since there are overlapping fields of fire from each soldier, and cover from a possible flanking attack. Files are at a disadvantage when there are heavy weapons nearby, supported by infantry, especially machine guns and tanks.

Ancient Greek use

A file of men in the Greek phalanx was called a lochos and usually ranged from eight to sixteen men.^[5]

References

Bibliography

• Book: Royal military panorama, or, Officers' companion . 8007063 . 1813 . 3.
• Duparcq, Edouard Le Barre (1863). Elements of Military Art and History: Comprising the History and Tactics of the Separate Arms; the Combination of the Arms; and the Minor Operations of War. D. Vand Nostrand.
• Holbrook, John (1826). Military Tactics: Adapted to the Different Corps in the United States, According to the Latest Improvements. E. A. Clark.
• McNab, Chris (2007). Combat Techniques: An Elite Forces Guide to Modern Infantry Tactics. Macmillan.
• Schwartz, Richard B. (2008). Tactical Emergency Medicine. Williams & Wilkins.

Web sources

• Web site: Basic Formations, Movement Techniques, and Hand-and-Arm Signals . global.security.org . 2001 . 15 June 2015 . United States Army . PDF.

Notes and References

1. McNab, p. 55.
2. Schwartz, p. 9
3. Holbrook, p. 10.
4. United States Army, p. 9.
5. Web site: Asclepiodotus, Tactica, chapter 2 . 2023-02-21 . www.perseus.tufts.edu.