Charge (warfare) facts for kids

A charge is an action in battle where soldiers move quickly towards their enemy. Their goal is to fight them up close in close combat. For a long time, the charge was a very important part of many battles. It often decided who would win.

The main idea behind a charge is to move faster than the enemy can shoot at you. If the attacking soldiers can reach the defenders before too many of them are stopped, then the charge might work. But if a charge fails, the attackers can be in great danger from the defenders fighting back.

What is a Military Charge?

A military charge is like a powerful sprint directly at the enemy. Soldiers or cavalry (soldiers riding horses) run as fast as they can. They do this to close the distance quickly and start fighting hand-to-hand. This tactic has been used for thousands of years. It is a very old way to try and win a battle.

Why Soldiers Charge

Soldiers charge for several reasons. One main reason is to break the enemy's lines. If soldiers run at them with great speed and force, it can make the enemy scared and confused. This can cause the enemy's formation to break apart. Another reason is to get through enemy gunfire quickly. The faster soldiers run, the less time the enemy has to shoot at them. A successful charge can also make the enemy lose their will to fight. It can be a very scary sight for defenders.

Types of Charges

There are different kinds of military charges.

Infantry Charges

These are charges made by foot soldiers. They often carry bayonets (knives attached to their rifles). They run forward, shouting, to scare the enemy and get into close fighting. This was common in many wars, especially before modern machine guns.

Cavalry Charges

These charges are made by soldiers on horseback, called cavalry. Horses are very fast and powerful. A cavalry charge could be very scary and effective. They would ride quickly, often with swords or lances. They aimed to smash into enemy lines. The weight and speed of the horses could break through enemy formations.

The Risks of a Charge

While a charge can be powerful, it is also very risky. Attacking soldiers are very exposed as they run. They can be easily shot by the enemy. If the defenders stand firm and shoot well, many attackers can be killed or hurt. If the charge fails, the attacking force might be left weak and disorganized. This makes them easy targets for a counter-attack by the enemy. A failed charge often leads to many casualties for the attacking side.

Images for kids

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  Greek infantry charge with the bayonet during the Greco-Turkish War of 1897

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  The Charge of the Light Brigade, a charge of British light cavalry against a larger Russian force, was made famous because of Lord Tennyson's poetic retelling of the events.

See also

In Spanish: Carga militar para niños