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The | {{Short description|Leading part of a military formation}} | ||
{{Other uses}} | |||
The '''vanguard''' (sometimes abbreviated to '''van''' and also called the '''advance guard''') is the leading part of an advancing [[military formation]]. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force. | |||
In [[naval warfare]] the van is the advance ship, or fleet, that will make the initial engagement with an enemy [[Naval fleet|fleet]]. | |||
== History == | |||
The vanguard derives from the traditional division of a [[medieval]] army into three [[Battle (formation)|battles]] or ''wards''; the Van, the Main (or Middle), and the [[Rearguard|Rear]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rogers |first=Clifford |title=Soldiers Lives through History: The Middle Ages |publisher=Greenwood |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-313-33350-7 |location=Westport |page=73 |author-link=Clifford J. Rogers}}</ref> The term originated from the medieval French ''avant-garde'', i.e. "the advance guard". The vanguard would lead the line of march and would deploy first on the field of battle, either in front of the other wards or to the right if they deployed in [[Line (formation)|line]]. | |||
The makeup of the vanguard of a [[15th century]] [[Duchy of Burgundy|Burgundian]] army is a typical example. This consisted of: | |||
*A contingent of [[Light cavalry|foreriders]], from whom a forward detachment of scouts was drawn; | |||
*The main body of the vanguard, accompanied by civil officials and trumpeters to carry messages and summon enemy towns and castles to surrender; and | |||
*A body of workmen under the direction of the Master of Artillery whose job it was to clear obstacles which would obstruct the baggage and artillery travelling with the main army.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Michael |first=Nicholas |url=https://archive.org/details/armiesmedievalbu00libg_046 |title=Armies of Medieval Burgundy 1364–1477 |publisher=Osprey |year=1983 |isbn=0-85045-518-9 |location=London |pages=[https://archive.org/details/armiesmedievalbu00libg_046/page/n21 22]–3 |url-access=limited}}</ref> | |||
In an English force of [[England in the Middle Ages|the period]], the foreriders of the vanguard would be accompanied by the harbingers, whose job was to locate lodgings for the army for the following night.<ref>Rogers (2007), pp 76–7</ref> | |||
In modern times, the word can also be referred to as a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas. | |||
===Forward detachments=== | |||
During [[World War II]], the [[Red Army]] began forming ''ad hoc'' vanguard formations called "forward detachments" ''(peredovye otriady)'', from [[Field army|army]], [[corps]] and [[Division (military)|divisional]] units. Forward detachments brought together the mobile (motorized or mechanized) elements of the parent formation to play an exploitation role once a breakthrough of the German lines occurred. A rifle division, for example, might mount one or two [[battalion]]s of [[infantry]] on trucks, with motorized [[Anti-tank_warfare#Anti-tank_guns|antitank guns]] and motorized [[artillery]] in support.<ref>David M. Glantz, ''Colossus Reborn'', University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 2005, pp. 110, 119</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
* [[Vanguardism]], a political theory developed by [[Vladimir Lenin]] | |||
* [[Forlorn hope]] | |||
* [[Rearguard]] | |||
== References == | |||
{{Reflist|30em}} | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
[[Category:Military tactics]] | |||
[[Category:Military terminology]] | |||
Latest revision as of 15:21, 8 September 2024
The vanguard (sometimes abbreviated to van and also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force.
In naval warfare the van is the advance ship, or fleet, that will make the initial engagement with an enemy fleet.
History[edit | edit source]
The vanguard derives from the traditional division of a medieval army into three battles or wards; the Van, the Main (or Middle), and the Rear.[1] The term originated from the medieval French avant-garde, i.e. "the advance guard". The vanguard would lead the line of march and would deploy first on the field of battle, either in front of the other wards or to the right if they deployed in line.
The makeup of the vanguard of a 15th century Burgundian army is a typical example. This consisted of:
- A contingent of foreriders, from whom a forward detachment of scouts was drawn;
- The main body of the vanguard, accompanied by civil officials and trumpeters to carry messages and summon enemy towns and castles to surrender; and
- A body of workmen under the direction of the Master of Artillery whose job it was to clear obstacles which would obstruct the baggage and artillery travelling with the main army.[2]
In an English force of the period, the foreriders of the vanguard would be accompanied by the harbingers, whose job was to locate lodgings for the army for the following night.[3]
In modern times, the word can also be referred to as a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas.
Forward detachments[edit | edit source]
During World War II, the Red Army began forming ad hoc vanguard formations called "forward detachments" (peredovye otriady), from army, corps and divisional units. Forward detachments brought together the mobile (motorized or mechanized) elements of the parent formation to play an exploitation role once a breakthrough of the German lines occurred. A rifle division, for example, might mount one or two battalions of infantry on trucks, with motorized antitank guns and motorized artillery in support.[4]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Vanguardism, a political theory developed by Vladimir Lenin
- Forlorn hope
- Rearguard
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Rogers, Clifford (2007). Soldiers Lives through History: The Middle Ages. Westport: Greenwood. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-313-33350-7.
- ↑ Michael, Nicholas (1983). Armies of Medieval Burgundy 1364–1477. London: Osprey. pp. 22–3. ISBN 0-85045-518-9.
- ↑ Rogers (2007), pp 76–7
- ↑ David M. Glantz, Colossus Reborn, University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 2005, pp. 110, 119