British troops advanced in ranks and columns during the Great War, at barely a walking pace per strict orders. Tommies who went over the top at the Somme, July 1, 1916, were weighted down with 70 pounds of gear on their backs on average. No fooling, they even had to take their winter greatcoats with them on that hot summer day. Emergency rations, lots of extra ammo and grenades, rifle, bayonet, and full pack all added up to a basic inability to run much even if they dared to. Miles of uncut German concertina wire added to their misery as German Maxim guns scythed through their ranks. Casualties that day added up to around 60,000- most in the first 1/2 hour of the attack. Not much bayonet fighting happened...
