Cerino-Badone, Swiss Regiments - Libreria Militare Ares

The fire was made from three lines simultaneously, with the first in knee 24 . When the battalion
had to advance it was deployed in column, lining up the platoons in pairs or individually, with the
grenadiers at the head. For the advancing line a system of fire was devised intended to undermine
the enemy's defences before impacting with the bayonet. According to the tactical situation, the
battalion stopped and opened fire with two platoons of each outer wing. When the unit was
advancing again, at the end of this movement it fired with the four platoons placed toward the
centre. Finally at the third offensive movement it was the time for the four platoons of the centre of
the wings. Meanwhile the men could recharge, and prepare for the next advance.
1 2 3 3 2 1 1 2 3 3 2 1
In case of withdrawal the two external platoons of each wing fired, first right, then left, while
the rest of the battalion continued his evasive movement. After their fire action, the four platoons
reached the rest of battalion as quickly as possible. It was now the central platoons to cover the next
move backward and the movement continued with eight platoons marching and four making the
covering fire. Defence against cavalry was entrusted to the firepower: immediately the four platoons
in the centre of the battalion fired. Then it was the time of the four at the centre of each wing, and
finally those of the extremities. When the situation was too dangerous, it was necessary to use the
square 25 .
The Reglement appeared to be one of the most advanced of its period. Its main characteristics can
be summarized in the following points:
- Emphasizing the fire power. On this element, the Reglement was nothing short of futuristic.
While the Imperial and the French maintained their heavy tactical units in 4 ranks, the Sabaudian
infantry on the battlefield could use a formation in four or three ranks according to tactical situation.
To fire it was always recommended the three ranks with fire platoons. The aim was to saturate a
front of 175 meters wide by 75 deep with 2045 rounds per minute 26 .
24 Mauvillon, in his Essai sur l’influence de la poudre à canon dans l’art de la guerre moderne, wrote that “je ne parle
point des effets du feu, lorsqu’on fait mettre un genou en terre au premier rang, ni n’en ferai mention nulle part dand cet
ouvrage; parceque ce mouvement si commun à la place d’éxercice, ne s’éxécute jamais à la guerre, dont il est
uniquement question ici”. Jacob Mauvillon, Essai sur l’influence de la poudre à canon dans l’art de la guerre moderne,
Leipzig 1788, p. 158.
25 ASTO, Etat du Regiment des Gardes de S.A.R.; BRTO, Manoscritto Militare 234, Recoeuil de plusieurs plans des
defferentes manouvres que la troupe de Sa Maiesté le Roy de Sardaigne doit faire, tel qu’il l’ordonne d’exeuter dans le
reglement qu’il donné l’an 1755.
26 These theoretical performances were obtained in shooting by trained troops not in real battle situations with human
material under combat stress. However, they indicate how it was possible to get in perfect condition, a performance
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