British Infantry Fighting in Two Ranks

Bob,

It makes no difference whether troops are 2 Rank or 3 Rank when forming a line from a March Column. Modern troops form at one pace between ranks and files, so a March Column can form line by simply halting and turning left or right.

Napoleonic troops had one pace (30 inches) between ranks but files were shoulder to shoulder (officially 22 inches, but perhaps a slightly looser 24 in practice), so they couldn’t simply turn left or right to form Line from a March Column, or vice versa. A Napoleonic Column of Route (March Column) therefore was formed of a series of blocks, each of 3 or 4 man frontage and either 2 or 3 ranks deep, depending on which they used. They formed line by halting and each block wheeling into line. You can see a diagram of this on my website (scroll down to reach Company forming Column of Route).

https://rodwargaming.wordpress.com/miltary-historical-research/military-historical-research/basic-formations-and-movement-drills/

I have nearly finished preparing a short article on British use of 2 Ranks (with sources) which I will post tomorrow.

Rod