The organising of the Riders makes some sense. Given that communication over
long distances would be very difficult (their technology was limited),
empowering a military commander in time of war to have complete authority,
second only to the king, over his geographic location and troops stationed in
that area would generally be a good plan. This would allow crucial decisions to
be made in a time of crisis without requiring a lengthy request for orders to
go through. The problem that it creates, however, is that when two commanders
accustomed to having final authority need to collaborate in order to form an
effective command, disputes and differences of opinion are not easily resolved.
I have a hunch that Tolkien probably encountered situations like this during
the Great War.
In my opinion, Elfhelm had a much better grasp of the tactical situation at
hand. Cavalry is at a severe disadvatage to infantry when on the defensive.
Their greatest asset, mobility, is hampered by being forced to defend a
specific location. Without their mobility providing a strike and withdraw
capability, they become vulnerable to the generally heavier armour and weapons
of the infantry.
Elfhelm also seems to have understood the strategic advantages of abandoning
the fords. If the Riders had escaped the Fords of Isen and moved into the
plains they would have been able to do more damage to Saruman's troops while
taking fewer casualties and could have still considerably slowed their march
into Rohan. By providing the distraction of a powerful cavalry force menacing
the flanks and supply lines of Saruman's army, their opponents would have been
forced to move more slowly and cautiously and to attempt to consolidate
territory of no value simply to protect their lines of communication and avoid
strikes on their
rear.
--------
"'Nine times seven,' thought Shuman with deep satisfaction, 'is sixty-three, and I don't need a computer to tell me so. The computer is in my own head.'
And it was amazing the feeling of power that gave him."
