Military step
The term refers to the synchronous unison leg movement of two or more.
The preparation can be done in series or in line. The march tempo is measured in ground movements of the left leg per minute.
The lockstep is mainly used by the military to practice discipline at drill and demonstration of unity in parades. Also civil bands operate at public parades of equal step. With it it is possible to move a large group of people in a confined space.
Historically detected the lockstep is already for Greek antiquity, where he served the gain of the attack force of the hoplite phalanx. In the first book of his main work De re militarized the Roman military theorist Vegetius describes the importance of the direct step.
National traditions
Germany
The lockstep was first introduced in Germany by Prince Leopold I of Anhalt -Dessau in the Prussian army.
In the army now a cadence of 114 steps / min and a step length of 80 cm are required. You start with the left foot to the command: " Keeping pace - March" is held to the command: "Department - Stop! " Where the stop is a command execution, when the right foot is on the ground. Then, the left foot is moved forward.
The Prussian goose-step (but there called goose-step ) was maintained after the Second World War only by the NVA. Marching this was the traditional pace of 114 steps / min.
Austria
When the Austrian army be " in step - march " and " ( the respective formation - Group / train / company ) - stop " is used, as with any command consists of the command from an Annunciation ( will be long and stretched spoken ) and a execution part ( is short and concise spoken).
Switzerland
In the Swiss army lockstep are presented in the Zugschule. The command is " Forward - march ". As with any command consists of the command from an Annunciation ( train, company ) and an execution part ( is short and concise spoken). The step cadence is 120 steps per minute.
Other Nations
In Britain, the step length and step count / min depending on Regimentsart and music that is played at the march varies. There are the standard quick march with 120 step / min, Light Infantry regiments use here 140 step / min and Highland regiments 112 step / min.
In France, 110 step / min can be used by default. Only the Foreign Legion used an extremely slow pace - and marching in parade and march-past therefore last.
The Marschiertempo used by default in the U.S., the Quick March. This looks a pace of 120 steps / min ago at a stride length of 30 inches (about 75 centimeters).
A Prussian goose step related lockstep use today still the armed forces of many communist or former communist countries, such as Russia, China or North Korea. In the former Soviet Union or Russia 120 step / min are common.
Lockstep and resonance effects
The rhythm of the feet evenly aufstampfenden can generate significant oscillations if the step frequency exceeds the resonance frequency in extreme cases, can bring a bridge to collapse (see resonance catastrophe ); Therefore, pursuant to § 27 para 6 of the German Highway Code is prohibited on the bridges lockstep.