England. Columns are formed, in view of the (8) weak companies in a battalion, with company or half-company front at full or reduced distances (quarter column). In actions with savages echelon formations and the square are also employed.
Switzerland. The company is divided into four platoons. The line is used as an assembly formation and for purposes of parade. The company column, corresponding to the German formation of the same name, is used for movements on the battlefield. In both line and company column the platoons are posted abreast, at intervals of three paces. Finally the route column is used. This is formed either by wheeling by squads, or by platoons executing column right (left). On the battlefield the platoon may be deployed and formed in several lines.
In the battalion, company columns in line of columns, or route columns in the battalion column, are posted abreast at intervals of 10 paces. Line and double column are abolished.
Opinions are divided as to the value of the double
column. Formerly, when the double column was still the
column of attack from which deployment for fire action had
to be made, a discussion of its merits was of special importance.
While Austria abandoned the double column formation
in 1881 and Germany in 1905, Switzerland replaced it
by a column having a front of two platoons (Plotonkolonne),
and Russia readopted it again recently. All other states
utilize it as of equal value with the deep column in making
movements beyond range of artillery fire and as an assembly
formation in addition to the deep column. The change
from double column to any company column formation is
easier than a like change from the Swiss "Ploton column"
(double column of platoons), which has the same front,
since in the double column two companies can be deployed
at the same time toward both flanks.
The deep column appears to be better adapted for making movements and for advancing under cover, and, on account of its narrow front, a force in this formation is better able to adapt itself to the forms of the ground in hilly or close country than a body of troops in double column ot twice the width of front.
