At the Battle of Bunker Hill, why did William Howe order his men to make a frontal assault in broad daylight? He thought the Continental soldiers would be terrified by the sight of his troops’ red coats. He believed his well-trained soldiers could beat untrained Patriot soldiers under any conditions. He knew that the Patriots did not have enough ammunition to hold off one wave of attackers. He expected German mercenaries to arrive in time to reinforce his troops.