The company deployed in line of sections in columns of twos would thus seem to be the most favorable formation for movements, and the line lying prone is especially well suited for halts. For movements under purely frontal, concentrated fire, the line is the least favorable formation, while the route column offers the narrowest target. In this, the character of the terrain plays a decisive role. In firing on targets consisting of columns, it has been assumed that a single projectile will place only one man out of action. Under shrapnel fire the formations are similarly arranged as regards their vulnerability, the line formation being less favorable than the column of platoons, since the former receives all bullets deflected laterally.
The total losses in battles and more serious engagements amount to from 10 to 20% of the participating troops. In some organizations the losses in killed and wounded may amount to as much as 50-60%. The loss that an organization will endure is directly proportional to its efficiency. Good troops, which unexpectedly get into a difficult situation (as, for example, the British Brigade of Highlanders at Magersfontain), and which have been trained to look upon heavy losses as unavoidable, will be capable of enduring a loss of 25% in the course of a battle without going to pieces and without discontinuing the attack.[1]
At the battle of Gravelotte, in which 166,400 rifles, 21,200 sabres, and
732 guns, extending over a front of 19 km., participated on the German
side, only 109,200 rifles and 628 guns fought the decisive action. The
losses amounted to 9.51%, distributed as follows: 899 officers and 19,260
men; according to arms: infantry, 10.96%; cavalry, O.66%, and artillery,
5.74%. On the decisive flank, the infantry of the Guard suffered a loss of
almost 30%. On this flank, the Rifles of the Guard (Gardeschützen) lost
44%, the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Regiment of the Guard, 55.5% of their
enlisted strength, the 6th Company of the latter regiment losing even 141
men.
Although losses are, generally speaking, smaller than during the 18th Century, and at the opening of the 19th Century, nevertheless they may amount to a considerable figure in a brief space of time in single bodies of troops which suddenly encounter a heavy fire.
- ↑ It is notorious that colonial wars with their moderate losses spoil troops and their leaders in this respect.
