At about what point in history did small unit tactics replace large unit tactics as the main style of warfare?
My question is essentially: at what point did the predominant style of combat in western warfare transition from the large unit tactics of the early modern, Napoleonic, and American Civil War style where tens of thousands of men engage each other in single mass-combats, to the much more small unit tactics of WWII, Vietnam, and Iraq? Also, does Napoleonic style combat have any more practical applications in today's world?
I figure it to be in the Revolutionary War because they would always fight in a line then Guerilla Warefare aka stick and move, was introduced as a quicky easy method to dispatch a large number of enemies.
 |
 Native American Style Trinket Jewelry Pill Box Small MB6577 $15.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 Native American Style Trinket Jewelry Pill Box Small MB6578 $15.99 Time Remaining: 3d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 Maui Style Wood Jewelry Box Small w Hawaii Islands $8.99 Time Remaining: 6d 19m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 Chinese Style Jewelry Boxes 3 Sizes BUY MORE SAVE $2.99 Time Remaining: 8d 13h 29m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 Set of 4 Brass Jewelry Box Small CLAW FEET w Screws French Lion Paw Style $19.95 Time Remaining: 10d 8h 52m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 GORGEOUS VICTORIAN STYLE SMALL JEWELRY BOX W BEAUTIFUL RED ROSES PEARL LIKE $19.98 Time Remaining: 12d 6h 30m Buy It Now for only: $19.98 |