File (formation)

Military unit of troops aligned one behind the other From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In military organization, a file is a number of troops drawn up in line ahead (i.e. one behind the other) in a column. The number of files is the measure of the width of a column of troops in several ranks one behind the other.[1][2][3][4]

Troops from the U.S. and Bangladesh march in single file during a tactical training exercise in 2014.

Usage

Files are useful when troops don't know where the enemy is, since there are overlapping fields of fire from each soldier, and cover from a possible flanking attack. Files are at a disadvantage when there are heavy weapons nearby, supported by infantry, especially machine guns and tanks.[1][2]

Ancient Greek use

A file of men in the Greek phalanx was called a lochos (Greek: λόχος) and usually ranged from eight to sixteen men.[5]

References

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