Light and heavy infantry

From: Andrew Barton <AndrewBarton_at_...>
Date: Tue, 15 May 2001 08:22:54 -0400

> Heavy infantry is _trained_ to fight in close formation (e.g. a
> phalanx) whereas light infantry is _trained_ to fight in a loose
> order, to pursue, harass, skirmish etc.

This description is entirely accurate for the Napoleonic period. In the British army, John Moore introduced the prctice of having battalions with all of their men trained as light infantry. After his death his own regiment was converted to light infantry as a memorial, and the only major difference was that they used a different drillbook.

The situation was different in ancient times, though. Hoplon and pelta are Greek names for large and small shield respectively, and even though the equipment and training of peltasts changed over time they were always more lightly equipped than the hoplites.

Andrew