skirmish line
Spread-out battle arrangement
A skirmish line is a military formation where soldiers spread out in a loose, extended line rather than massing in tight ranks.
The spacing—typically several feet between each soldier—reduces casualties from artillery and allows troops to use cover while advancing or screening the main force.
The term dates from an era of linear warfare but persists in military vocabulary: The platoon deployed in a skirmish line across the field.
- open orderUnexecuted trading instruction
- echelonLevel within hierarchy
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
platoon · probing · no man's land · scouting · battalion · advance · vanguard · light infantry · bayonet · rifle · flanking maneuver · formation · flank · retreat · feint · covering fire · volley · musket
- Battlefrontsfront lines, frontline, Eastern Front, Western Front, combat zone
- military tacticstactics, flanking, maneuver, ambush, battle formations
- tactical positionsdefensive position, forward position, sniper position, prone position, fallback position
- cavalry tacticscavalry charge, cavalry charges, cavalry raids, flanking, flank attack
- infantry tacticsfire and maneuver, flanking maneuver, battle drills, defensive positions, ambush tactics
- formationscircle, triangle, ring, spiral, stack