Skirmisher

Skirmishers are infantry or cavalry soldiers stationed ahead or alongside a larger body of friendly troops. They are usually placed in a skirmish line to harass the enemy.

History

Pre-modern

In ancient and medieval warfare, skirmishers typically carried bows, javelins, slings, and sometimes light shields. Acting as light infantry with their light arms and minimal armour, they could run ahead of the main battle line, release a volley of arrows, slingshots or javelins, and retreat behind their main battle line before the clash of the opposing main forces. The aims of skirmishing were to disrupt enemy formations by causing casualties before the main battle, and to tempt the opposing infantry into attacking prematurely, throwing their organization into disarray. Skirmishers could also be effectively used to surround opposing soldiers in the absence of friendly cavalry.

Once preliminary skirmishing was over, skirmishers participated in the main battle by shooting into the enemy formation, or joined in melée combat with daggers or short swords. Alternatively, they could act as ammunition bearers or stretcher-bearers. Due to their mobility, skirmishers were also valuable for reconnaissance, especially in wooded or urban areas.

Skirmish Paintball

Skirmish Paintball is a paintball arena company in the United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, and Australia. Paintball venues operated under the Skirmish trademark are privately owned.

General

Skirmish Paintball UK was founded in 1984, and celebrated their 25 year anniversary in 2009. The company runs 27 sites in the UK, all belonging to the UK Paintball Sports Federation (UKPSF). Skirmish Paintball is open to play for anyone aged over 11, and caters to group bookings - including bachelor or bachelorette parties, corporate, school or college events.

Skirmish Paintball sites allow players to hire equipment such as camouflage suits, or pyrotechnics - including simulated hand grenades and smoke bombs. Several sites across the UK also provide both Laser tag and Airsoft facilities, playable in the same paintball arenas already existing on the sites - along with rental of related playing gear.

History

The Skirmish paintball name was originally trademarked by Kit Peters, Martin & Simon Peniston-Bird, and as the brand name got bigger, the license fee for the rights of the name "Skirmish" is now purchased individually by the private owners of the separate Skirmish sites across the UK.