One example I'm talking about is rank and file lining up two groups of soldiers in front of each other and shooting each other, but not targeting officers.
This is something I've always been curious about. I understand to some extent that it was based on class. What I'm curious about is were officers actually not targeted at all? What about when they entered melee/hand to hand fighting? Were there any groups that actually did target officers? What were the consequences if a private was seen targeting an enemy officer? What about being over run and defeated, were captured officers kept safe?
Basically I'm curious if this is a big Hollywood lie or there's truth to it.
Thanks!
When it comes to infantry regiments, there was no punishment for fighting and killing officers, sometimes it would even be encouraged since they were leading and maintaining the unit cohesion.
When a battle happens, it happens and there is nothing to stop you from killing an enemy officer. Vice versa, there's nothing from an officer from killing you, and especially if it comes to a melee fight. So it's kill or be killed. Further, the randomness of combat doesn't care about a person's death since even a musket can be randomly inaccurate and never shoot the intended target.
So, in general, officers were fair and open targets.