A Behavioral Choice is not a Race

“Once you get past the lance points, it’s like killing rabbits.” The Earl of Uxbridge in Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe’s Waterloo

A cavalry lance is, on first sight, a terrifying weapon. It has a sharp point at one end, the full weight of a man and a horse behind it at the other, and the man wants YOU. The prospect of having their internal organs explored with cold steel was doubtlessly more than enough to make inexperienced soldiers run from the mere sight of charging lancers, and accusations of racism seem to have the same effect in the political arena. The truth is, however, that no cavalryman used a lance against mounted enemies who knew what they were doing, because there were far simpler ways to commit suicide. Once you get past the lance points–or accusations of racism from Islamic supremacists and their multiculturalist allies–what follows is about as sporting as what happens to sheep in a meat packing factory.

32. In attacking a lancer, rapid approach is even more important than against a swordsman. The only moment of danger is when the point of the lance comes within the first reach of the fully extended saber. If, at that moment, the swordsman lunges, forcing the lance to the outside, he is safe and the lancer is at his mercy. George S. Patton Jr., Saber Exercise War Department, Document No. 463. Washington, March 23, 1914

[...] that no cavalryman used a lance against mounted enemies who knew what they were doing, because there were far simpler ways to commit suicide.

Sorry, but Waterloo and other examples taught that is not the case. While the lance was not good in close quarters, its initial impact when used en masse could be quite effective, even against cavalry, not just infantry. Likewise, the mass cry of "racism" is not something so easily dodged as a single accusatory thrust.

And, of course, formations of lance-armed cavalry backed by saber-wielding riders were developed, to combine the shock of the lancers with follow-on mêlée abilities.

Similarly, we can't expect it to be smooth sailing once we pass the initial barbs of "racism" claims. As everywhere such cries arise, we would see people pointing to "economic disadvantages" or "geographic handicaps" for the swapped babies of the articles. It's not as simple as addressing the initial claim of racism.

"The saber is solely a weapon of offense ..."

Thus, my slashing wit is deemed offensive, of course!

But we also must remember the background of what Gen. Patton was teaching. While an aggressive posture might be best for the sabre-wielding horseman against a lancer, that doesn't mean the prospects are entirely good. Far better is to take the (moral) high ground and force the opponent to rise to your level, leaving him only broken ground over which to commit his charge.

And obviously, one way the lancer could effectively best his opponent was to skewer his opponent's mount before closing to saber range. So we should be wary of climbing astride a high horse, too.

But I do note that the Omaha Lancers couldn't stand up to my Buffalo Sabres. :-)

And I really must finish reading the entire Sharpe's series!

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