Hallo,
just to settle a dispute.
Although often found in papers like regulations, was it so in the field that when a 3 rank unit in line delivered fire that the 1st rank usually kneeled and the 3rd rank fired over their heads?
AFAIK neeling was seldom used by formed units, except for squares. and with that the 3rd ranks fire caused more problems then benefit and so wasn't used much if at all.
With regards