Prussian Infantry Subofficer, 1745

Line infantry were led by subofficer who gave precise orders ensuring that lines acted in a coordinated manner.

The line infantry were armed with musket, bayonet and sword, and were highly effective both in coordinated firing and in close combat. Formations consisted of 2 to 5 rows which advanced in closed formation.

 It took an infantryman 20 seconds to reload the musket so he had time to fire only two or three salvos before fixing his bayonet and engaging in close combat.