During the engagement of Trautenau (27th June, 1866), the trumpet signal "assemble," given at another point, caused four Prussian battalions to withdraw.[1] See also the effect of the signal "assemble" after the taking of Problus.[2] Notice the effect of the signal "form square" during the assault on the Forest of Bor (Königgrätz).[3]
On the morning of June 26th, 1866 (day of rest), reveille sounded by a trumpeter was mistaken for an alarm signal. The 7th Infantry Division assembled and the signal was repeated in two other army corps. Two days previous another useless alarm had occurred because a trumpeter, surprised by a number of Radetzky Hussars, had blown the alarm signal.[4]
The village of Diletz (action at Gitschin, 1866) was to be evacuated at the sounding of the signal (Saxon) "First Brigade withdraw." The signal was, however, understood and carried out by only three battalions; two battalions, which were at the time engaged, did not hear it at all and maintained their position until they were taken in reverse by hostile fire and forced to withdraw.[5]
In the crisis of the fight of the Füsilier Battalion of the 48th Infantry and the 1st Battalion of the 52nd at Vionville, the signal "assemble" was sounded and repeated by other trumpeters, further mischief being averted by the energetic efforts of the officers who prevented trumpeters from blowing the call and ordered them to blow "commence firing" instead.[6]
2. THE PURPOSE OF FORMATIONS. COMPARISON BETWEEN LINE AND COLUMN.
The object of assembly formations is to unite troops, usually prior to a movement, in a restricted space permitting an easy survey of the entire body. Assembly formations serve also the purpose of placing troops in readiness before starting on a march, before beginning an action, and for moving them on the battlefield when out of reach of hostile fire (columns). Route formations should permit an orderly, comfortable march of the troops, as much of the available width of road being used as possible, a space being
- ↑ Kühne, Kritische Wanderungen, 3, 2nd Edition, pp. 55 and 85.
- ↑ Geschichte des Infanterie-Regiments Nr. 16, p. 230.
- ↑ Geschichte des Infanterie-Regiments Nr. 57, p. 47. Hönig, Untersuchungen über die Taktik der Zukunft, 4th Edition, p. 61.
- ↑ Geschichte des Regiments Nr. 66, pp. 48/49.
- ↑ Anteil des Königlich-Sächsischen Armeekorps, p. 130.
- ↑ Geschichte des Regiments Nr. 52, p. 59.
