A few random observations, after a note that I hope that Rumil will eventually consider broadening the subjects to battles of the First and Second Ages(especially the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, which has some interesting parallels to problems the French and Russians had in 1914 vis-a-vis the German Empire).
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My impression is that for JRRT the Rohirrim were the heavy cavalry of Middle-earth.
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An interesting speculation is how skilled and numerous were the archers of the Rohirrim. In the chapter "The Uruk-hai":
Quote:
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A few of the riders appeared to be bowmen, skilled at shooting from a running horse.
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(note
a few )
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Given that the Dunlendings were distant relatives, it seems remarkably foolish of the Rohirrim to alienate them.
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I especially like the suggestion above of "trading space for time", which would play into both the strengths of the Rohirrim and minimize a key weakness, the need of
time to mass their forces. Plus, it would move the field of action into ones more advantageous, that is, open fields or strongholds, as opposed to a fairly open ford situation. (shades of Stalin insisting on defending the extreme western borders of Russia?)