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==Origin==
==Origin==
French ''échelon'', [[literally]], rung of a ladder, from Old French ''eschelon'', from eschele ladder, from Late Latin ''scala''
French ''échelon'', [[literally]], rung of a ladder, from Old French ''eschelon'', from eschele ladder, from Late Latin ''scala''
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1796]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_century 1796]
==Definitions==
==Definitions==
*1a (1) : an arrangement of a body of troops with its [[units]] each somewhat to the left or right of the one in the rear like a [[series]] of steps (2) : a formation of units or [[individuals]] resembling such an ''echelon'' <geese flying in echelon> (3) : a flight formation in which each airplane flies at a certain elevation above or below and at a certain distance behind and to the right or left of the airplane ahead
*1a (1) : an arrangement of a body of troops with its [[units]] each somewhat to the left or right of the one in the rear like a [[series]] of steps (2) : a formation of units or [[individuals]] resembling such an ''echelon'' <geese flying in echelon> (3) : a flight formation in which each airplane flies at a certain elevation above or below and at a certain distance behind and to the right or left of the airplane ahead
An '''echelon''' formation is a [[military]] formation in which members are arranged diagonally. Each member is stationed behind and to the right (a 'right echelon'), or behind and to the left ('left echelon'), of the member ahead. The name of the formation comes from the French word ''échelle'', meaning ladder, which [[describes]] the staircase [[effect]] that this formation has when viewed from above or below.
An '''echelon''' formation is a [[military]] formation in which members are arranged diagonally. Each member is stationed behind and to the right (a 'right echelon'), or behind and to the left ('left echelon'), of the member ahead. The name of the formation comes from the French word ''échelle'', meaning ladder, which [[describes]] the staircase [[effect]] that this formation has when viewed from above or below.
Use of the formation dates back to [[ancient]] infantry and cavalry [[warfare]] when attempting to flank an [[enemy]] or to break one wing with overwhelming numbers. One of the earliest uses was at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leuctra Battle of Leuctra] when the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thebes,_Greece Thebans] attacked the Spartan right with a column 48 men deep while their weaker center and right were refused. The echelon formation was also used by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal Hannibal] at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cannae Battle of Cannae], and by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_II_of_Prussia Frederick II of Prussia].
Use of the formation dates back to [[ancient]] infantry and cavalry [[warfare]] when attempting to flank an [[enemy]] or to break one wing with overwhelming numbers. One of the earliest uses was at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leuctra Battle of Leuctra] when the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thebes,_Greece Thebans] attacked the Spartan right with a column 48 men deep while their weaker center and right were refused. The echelon formation was also used by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal Hannibal] at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cannae Battle of Cannae], and by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_II_of_Prussia Frederick II of Prussia].
The [[tactic]] [[persists]] up to the present day, where it is regularly employed by all branches of the [[modern]] armed forces. Tactically, echelon formations are used because of the excellent range of [[vision]] offered to each participant in the formation. In particular, it is commonly employed by armored cavalry because of the large, overlapping fields of fire that it gives to each tank in the formation, and by [[combat]] aircraft, where the close, streamlined flight formation can allow the planes to dramatically reduce fuel consumption by "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfing surfing]" the updraft created by the wingtip [[vortices]] of the aircraft ahead.
The [[tactic]] [[persists]] up to the present day, where it is regularly employed by all branches of the [[modern]] armed forces. Tactically, echelon formations are used because of the excellent range of [[vision]] offered to each participant in the formation. In particular, it is commonly employed by armored cavalry because of the large, overlapping fields of fire that it gives to each tank in the formation, and by [[combat]] aircraft, where the close, streamlined flight formation can allow the planes to dramatically reduce fuel consumption by "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfing surfing]" the updraft created by the wingtip [[vortices]] of the aircraft ahead.
"Echeloning" is the name of a tactic in use by the United Kingdom's Armed forces, mainly the Infantry. It consists of using a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_(military_unit) Company] to attack a set of positions. Once the first platoon in the company has reached its limit of [[exploitation]] (either ammunition has been expended, [[fatigue]] has become high, or casualties are mounting) another platoon "echelons through" it, to continue onto the next position. The [[tactic]] is similar to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leapfrogging_(infantry) leapfrogging].
"Echeloning" is the name of a tactic in use by the United Kingdom's Armed forces, mainly the Infantry. It consists of using a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_(military_unit) Company] to attack a set of positions. Once the first platoon in the company has reached its limit of [[exploitation]] (either ammunition has been expended, [[fatigue]] has become high, or casualties are mounting) another platoon "echelons through" it, to continue onto the next position. The [[tactic]] is similar to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leapfrogging_(infantry) leapfrogging].
Echelon formations are also commonly used by civic, or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_police riot police] to move crowds either to the left or right.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echelon_formation]
Echelon formations are also commonly used by civic, or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riot_police riot police] to move crowds either to the left or right.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echelon_formation]
[[Category: General Reference]]
[[Category: General Reference]]