Flanker

in cavalry manœuvres, the most active men and horses are selected to do the duty of flankers. The men of course must be perfect masters of their horses. One complete file of each four must be a file of flankers; it does not signify which file, but if it can conveniently be done, the centre file should be taken, as in that case neither the flank men, nor the telling off of the squadron or division will be affected. When you manœuvre by whole squadrons, six or eight flankers are sufficient in general for the whole squadron. The word of command, when the flankers come out to the front, is flankers forward . In flanking, a great deal depends upon the officer or serjeant; he must be extremely active, and not only attend to the movements of the division from which he is detached, but likewise to his flankers. As horses frequently refuse to quit the ranks and hang back obstinately, the men indiscriminately should be often called out of the ranks one by one, and practised as flankers. To Flanker , in French flanquer . To fortify the walls of a city with bulwarks or countermines.