Every War Tactic Explained in 8 Minutes

Military Tactics Overview

Sniper Trap and Salvo Techniques

• The sniper trap involves intentionally wounding an enemy combatant to draw more units into the line of fire, allowing for additional shots.

• The salvo technique aims for a quick surprise attack by firing all cannons simultaneously, minimizing enemy response.

Water Combat and Tank Positioning

• In naval warfare, simultaneous cannon fire helps establish firing ranges due to visible splashes; this was prevalent in WWI and WWII.

• Tanks should position themselves on the back slope of hills or behind cover to minimize exposure, but this limits mobility when transitioning from defense to offense.

Artillery Techniques: Creeping Barrage

• A creeping barrage provides infantry with cover as they advance towards enemy trenches, avoiding direct artillery hits that often fail against fortified positions.

• Coordination between infantry and artillery is crucial to prevent friendly fire during these operations.

Blitzkrieg and Defensive Strategies

Blitzkrieg Tactics

• The German blitzkrieg strategy employs rapid force concentration in an arrow formation with mechanized infantry aimed at breaking through enemy lines rather than attacking directly.

• This tactic disrupts the enemy's stability by continuously shifting front lines, utilizing both artillery and close air support.

Infantry Defense: Fox Holes and Reconnaissance

• Fox holes provide camouflage for two infantry members under threat; variations exist among different nations for ambush effectiveness.

• Recon by fire involves shooting at suspected enemy positions to confirm their presence or absence.

Envelopment Tactics

Single Envelopment and Pincer Movement

• A single envelopment tactic uses one decoy division to distract while another attacks from the rear, disrupting reinforcements.

• Pincer movement tactics involve central units holding ground while flanking wings encircle the enemy, forcing them into a two-front battle.

Flanking Strategies: Oblique Order and Figned Retreat

• The oblique order focuses on one flank while gradually moving another part of the army diagonally to penetrate enemy lines.

• A figned retreat lures enemies into vulnerable positions but can lead to actual retreats if troops lose discipline.

Advanced Tactical Movements

Inverted Wedge Formation

• An inverted wedge allows weaker centers to retreat slowly while flanks push forward, aiming for encirclement of the opponent.

Crossing the T

• This naval tactic involves warships crossing in front of an opposing line, maximizing their firing capabilities against vertically aligned ships.

Asymmetric Warfare Techniques

Bounding Overwatch and Ambushes

• Bounding overwatch splits teams into two parts—one providing cover while the other maneuvers forward—enhancing tactical movement under fire.

• Ambush tactics rely on hidden units launching surprise attacks when conditions are favorable.

Skirmishing and Trench Raiding

• Skirmishers engage in sporadic combat ahead of main forces to delay or weaken enemies' morale.

• Trench raiding involved nighttime assaults on enemy trenches for intelligence gathering or equipment capture.

Swarming & Modern Tactical Approaches

Swarming Technique

• Swarming overwhelms targets using multiple autonomous units in asymmetric warfare scenarios where one side has fewer resources.

Flying Wedge Formation

• The flying wedge formation enhances situational awareness during advances but is primarily historical due to its melee focus.

Strategic Operations

Defeat in Detail

• This strategy divides forces into smaller groups that can sequentially engage larger enemy formations effectively.

Air Interdiction

• Air interdiction targets strategic points not posing immediate threats but altering long-term war dynamics; it differentiates between tactical (immediate impact on battlespace supplies).

Siege Warfare & Urban Combat

Siege Techniques

• Sieges aim at surrounding cities/fortresses to cut off supplies until surrender occurs; fortifications may be built around besieged areas (contration).

Mouse Holing & Air Assault

• Mouse holing allows infantry safer access through buildings instead of open streets; air assaults deploy troops behind enemy lines via helicopters.

Modern Infantry Tactics

Tank Descent & Shoot-and-Scoot

• Tank descent utilizes tanks as mobile platforms until dismounting near engagement zones; shoot-and-scoot emphasizes quick repositioning after artillery strikes.

Marching Fire & Centerpel

• Marching fire maintains suppressive pressure as advancing troops close distance; centerpel aids small groups retreating from larger forces effectively.

Defensive Strategies: Scorched Earth Policy

• Scorched earth tactics involve destroying resources during retreats so that pursuing enemies cannot benefit from them—a notable example being Russia's strategy against Germany during WWII.