Charge (warfare)

A charge is an offensive maneuver used in warfare. It involves combatants advancing toward an enemy at their maximum speed. The primary goal is to engage in decisive close combat. Historically, the charge has served as a dominant shock attack. It often acted as the key tactic that decided the outcome of many battles. In modern warfare, the scale of the charge has changed significantly. Instead of large groups, modern charges usually involve small fireteams. These teams use weapons with a high rate of fire to strike specific defensive positions. These positions might include a bunker or a concertina.

The success of a charge depends on a specific mechanism of speed and fire. Attackers must advance at a rate faster than the defenders can disable them. This is a comparison between the speed of advance and the effectiveness of enemy fire. Several modifiers influence this outcome, including timing, organization, and formation. The terrain, or the physical features of the land, also plays a critical role. If a charge fails to reach the enemy, the attackers may become vulnerable. They might then face a counter-charge from the defending side. For 700 years, the rate of fire in armies has steadily increased. This rise in firepower has made straight charges much less successful since the mid-19th century.

Different types of charges have appeared throughout history. The Highland charge was a tactic used by Irish and Scottish troops in the late 16th century. These troops combined a volley of musketry with a rapid transition to melee weapons. Another type is the bayonet charge, which became a main tactic during the 18th and 19th centuries. A bayonet is a blade attached to a firearm. Interestingly, many bayonet charges did not actually result in close combat. Often, one side would flee before the fighting began. The act of fixing bayonets was used to boost morale. It served as a signal that the soldiers were willing to fight at close quarters.

Cavalry charges use horses to create a powerful shock effect. In the European Middle Ages, new technology made these charges much more effective. The adoption of the frame saddle and stirrups allowed riders to stay secure. Soldiers also used a technique called couching, where they held a lance under the arm. This allowed them to use the full momentum of the horse and rider. The Battle of Dyrrhachium in 1081 is an early example of this medieval charge. However, the rise of professional pikemen and longbowmen changed the battlefield. Men using pikes or halberds could often stop even the best cavalry. This led to knights sometimes dismounting to fight as heavy infantry instead.

To be successful, a heavy cavalry charge requires a specific combination of traits. The unit must possess high morale and excellent training. They also need quality equipment and individual prowess. Most importantly, there must be collective discipline among both the warriors and their mounts. Only highly trained horses will voluntarily charge into a dense, unbroken enemy formation. If a charge lacks these elements, it often fails. Historians note that horses may refuse to gallop into a mass of enemies. In such cases, the charging unit might break up before contact is made.

Significant cavalry successes occurred even into the 20th century. In 1917, the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade conducted a famous charge. They moved across two miles of open terrain to capture Beersheba. In 1918, the Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers charged Turkish positions at Haifa. This successful charge resulted in the capture of 1,350 prisoners. The Lancers also took 17 artillery guns and 11 machine guns. Their own casualties were eight dead and 34 wounded. During World War II, the Polish cavalry performed many charges. While they were often trained as rapid infantry, they executed up to 15 charges during the Invasion of Poland. The last successful cavalry charge of World War II happened on March 1, 1945, at the Battle of Schoenfeld.

In the Pacific War, the term "Banzai charge" was used by Allied forces. This referred to human wave attacks by Japanese infantry units using bayonets and swords. The name came from the Japanese battle cry, "Tennōheika Banzai," which means "Long live His Majesty the Emperor." Today, the traditional large-scale cavalry charge is considered outdated. However, the concept of the charge remains in modern contexts. For example, mounted police sometimes use similar techniques to manage large crowds. The history of the charge shows a constant struggle between the speed of an attacker and the increasing power of defensive weapons.