Post by Otagiri Tatsuzou on Sept 4, 2007 16:22:44 GMT -5
Warring States Battle Formations
The Wu 伍 - five-man squad in line astern.
The Dui 队 - 10 Wu in line abreast (5 men deep and 10 across) 50 men
The Bo 伯 - Two Dui in line abreast (5 men deep and 20 across) or line astern (a square 10 men deep and 10 across) 100 men
The Qu 曲 - Two Bo in line abreast (5 men deep and 40 across) or line astern (20 men deep and 10 across) 200 men
The Square 方阵 - made up of several rows of Qu, with the HQ in the middle of the rear row. Not necessarily a true square, can be rectangular. A favourite tactic was to place stronger Qu on the flanks, and then lure the enemy to attack the centre and be outflanked.
The Circle 圆阵 - a Qu reformed into a ring, with the HQ protected within it. A highly defensive formation.
Dispersed Formation 疏阵 - increasing the distance between individual Qu in a square, so as to mislead the enemy or divide his forces.
Close Formation 数阵 - decreasing the distance between individual Qu in a square, for strength in close-quarter fighting.
The Awl 锥(zhui)行之阵 - A wedge (triangle with one point facing forward), a highly offensive formation. Also known in later history as the Male Formation 牝(pin)阵 (you'll see why later).
The Wild-Goose-Flight Formation 雁(yan)行之阵 - A V-formation with two wings for enveloping the enemy and the HQ in the middle. Or an inverted-V for a defensive formation that can quickly be converted to offensive wedge. The V-formation can also be modified into a flattened U known as the Basket Formation 箕(ji)形阵 or Female Formation 牡(mu)阵, for luring enemy wedges into the centre and then enveloping them.
The Hook Formation 钩行之阵 - A line abreast with the two ends sloping inwards to avoid being flanked. Probably most suitable for archers or crossbowmen.
chinesearmour.multiply.com/notes/item/8
The Wu 伍 - five-man squad in line astern.
The Dui 队 - 10 Wu in line abreast (5 men deep and 10 across) 50 men
The Bo 伯 - Two Dui in line abreast (5 men deep and 20 across) or line astern (a square 10 men deep and 10 across) 100 men
The Qu 曲 - Two Bo in line abreast (5 men deep and 40 across) or line astern (20 men deep and 10 across) 200 men
The Square 方阵 - made up of several rows of Qu, with the HQ in the middle of the rear row. Not necessarily a true square, can be rectangular. A favourite tactic was to place stronger Qu on the flanks, and then lure the enemy to attack the centre and be outflanked.
The Circle 圆阵 - a Qu reformed into a ring, with the HQ protected within it. A highly defensive formation.
Dispersed Formation 疏阵 - increasing the distance between individual Qu in a square, so as to mislead the enemy or divide his forces.
Close Formation 数阵 - decreasing the distance between individual Qu in a square, for strength in close-quarter fighting.
The Awl 锥(zhui)行之阵 - A wedge (triangle with one point facing forward), a highly offensive formation. Also known in later history as the Male Formation 牝(pin)阵 (you'll see why later).
The Wild-Goose-Flight Formation 雁(yan)行之阵 - A V-formation with two wings for enveloping the enemy and the HQ in the middle. Or an inverted-V for a defensive formation that can quickly be converted to offensive wedge. The V-formation can also be modified into a flattened U known as the Basket Formation 箕(ji)形阵 or Female Formation 牡(mu)阵, for luring enemy wedges into the centre and then enveloping them.
The Hook Formation 钩行之阵 - A line abreast with the two ends sloping inwards to avoid being flanked. Probably most suitable for archers or crossbowmen.
chinesearmour.multiply.com/notes/item/8