LotR -- Book 5 - Chapter 10 - The Black Gate Opens - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

William Cloud Hicklin · 03-10-2019, 07:53 PM

Dividing your force between two hills: not optimal, but if the hills aren't very big, too small to get your whole force on just one, then you have a choice: deploy them as Aragorn did, or deploy them in a continuous line with the flanks on the hills. There is merit in that, but on the other hand, it creates a weak spot in the middle of the line where the enemy can break through. Moreover, when you are grossly outnumbered, you want to present as small a front as possible to the enemy, so he can't bring his numbers directly to bear (think Thermopylae).

Of course Aragorn's little army was still doomed barring a miracle (which happened), but if the idea was to buy as much time as possible then two schiltrons on elevated ground make a lot of sense.

What makes ZERO sense is the movies' suicidal banzai charge, which would have been wiped out in five minutes.

Galadriel55 · 03-10-2019, 08:00 PM

Thanks!

I still feel that one big circle makes for a "longer death" alternative, but I suppose it comes down to the size of the hills as you said.

03-10-2019, 07:53 PM	#1
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,330	Dividing your force between two hills: not optimal, but if the hills aren't very big, too small to get your whole force on just one, then you have a choice: deploy them as Aragorn did, or deploy them in a continuous line with the flanks on the hills. There is merit in that, but on the other hand, it creates a weak spot in the middle of the line where the enemy can break through. Moreover, when you are grossly outnumbered, you want to present as small a front as possible to the enemy, so he can't bring his numbers directly to bear (think Thermopylae). Of course Aragorn's little army was still doomed barring a miracle (which happened), but if the idea was to buy as much time as possible then two schiltrons on elevated ground make a lot of sense. What makes ZERO sense is the movies' suicidal banzai charge, which would have been wiped out in five minutes. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

03-10-2019, 08:00 PM	#2
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,526	Thanks! I still feel that one big circle makes for a "longer death" alternative, but I suppose it comes down to the size of the hills as you said. __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera