Inverted wedge
Encyclopedia
The inverted wedge is a military formation resembling a "V" or inverted triangle, and is sometimes known as a "V-formation". In the inverted wedge, two units advance abreast of each other, and a third unit follows behind and between the two, in reserve. It is roughly the reverse of the flying wedge
formation.
The inverted wedge is particularly effective for encircling
an enemy force, village, or other strategic objective. The leading units envelop the objective to the right and left, while the remaining unit is free to search, attack, or support one or both of the leading units as the situation requires. Arguably the most famous use of the inverted wedge was by Hannibal at the Battle of Cannae
, where he completely surrounded the numerically superior Roman force.
The inverted wedge formation is used ceremonially by cadets at the United States Air Force Academy
each year at the acceptance parade in the fall, when the new fourth-class cadets (freshmen) join the Cadet Wing. The formation is reversed at the spring's graduation parade, when the soon-to-be commissioned first-class cadets (seniors) leave the Cadet Wing in the flying wedge
formation.
Flying wedge
A flying wedge is a configuration created from a body moving forward in a triangular formation. This V-shaped arrangement began as a successful military strategy in ancient times when infantry units would move forward in wedge formations to smash through an enemy's lines...
formation.
The inverted wedge is particularly effective for encircling
Encirclement
Encirclement is a military term for the situation when a force or target is isolated and surrounded by enemy forces. The German term for this is Kesselschlacht ; a comparable English term might be "in the bag"....
an enemy force, village, or other strategic objective. The leading units envelop the objective to the right and left, while the remaining unit is free to search, attack, or support one or both of the leading units as the situation requires. Arguably the most famous use of the inverted wedge was by Hannibal at the Battle of Cannae
Battle of Cannae
The Battle of Cannae was a major battle of the Second Punic War, which took place on August 2, 216 BC near the town of Cannae in Apulia in southeast Italy. The army of Carthage under Hannibal decisively defeated a numerically superior army of the Roman Republic under command of the consuls Lucius...
, where he completely surrounded the numerically superior Roman force.
The inverted wedge formation is used ceremonially by cadets at the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
each year at the acceptance parade in the fall, when the new fourth-class cadets (freshmen) join the Cadet Wing. The formation is reversed at the spring's graduation parade, when the soon-to-be commissioned first-class cadets (seniors) leave the Cadet Wing in the flying wedge
Flying wedge
A flying wedge is a configuration created from a body moving forward in a triangular formation. This V-shaped arrangement began as a successful military strategy in ancient times when infantry units would move forward in wedge formations to smash through an enemy's lines...
formation.