Table of Contents
Why is flanking effective?
Flanking is useful because a force’s fighting strength is typically concentrated in its front, therefore to circumvent an opposing force’s front and attack its flank is to concentrate one’s own offense in the area where the enemy is least able to concentrate defense.
What is flank in battle?
In military strategy, flanking is attacking the opponent from the side. It’s effective because the enemy’s strength is usually concentrated at the front. By attacking the side, you’re more likely to hit a weaker spot, one less defended – giving you an advantage.
How were medieval battles really fought?
The most bitter hand-to-hand fighting was done by ‘men-at-arms’. These were nobles and gentry, often wearing suits of elaborate plate armour, and their retainers, who wore quilted ‘jacks’ and helmets. English armies rode to battle but nearly always fought on foot.
How did ancient battles work?
Ancient battles generally had a very low death rate for the victors and large rate for the losers. Wounded victors could simply sit and wait for military doctors to tend to them while wounded losers would lag behind and be cut down or captured.
What is a military flanking maneuver?
In military tactics, a flanking maneuver is a movement of an armed force around an enemy force’s side, or flank, to achieve an advantageous position over it. Flanking can also occur at the operational and strategic levels of warfare. …
What is a flank in the army?
FLANK ATTACK A flank is the right or left side of a military formation and is not oriented toward the enemy. It is usually not as strong in terms of forces or fires as is the front of a military formation. A flank may be created by the attacker with fires or by a successful penetration.
What is flanking the enemy?
In military tactics, a flanking maneuver is a movement of an armed force around an enemy force’s side, or flank, to achieve an advantageous position over it. Flanking can also occur at the operational and strategic levels of warfare.
How were medieval weapons used?
Ranged weapons were developed to attack a group of enemies from a distance. Longbowmen and crossbowmen were highly effective and were often instrumental to winning a battle. This group of weapons include the longbow, the crossbow, and hand cannons. Longbows: During a battle, bowmen did not target a single individual.
What is the best example of a flanking attack in history?
Before even the extreme Spartan right wing had entered the fray, the battle was lost for them. It was Epaminondas greatest triumph and shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility. The Battle of Leuctra has become the archetypal example of a flanking attack since.
What is the most famous flanking maneuver in history?
Battle of Cannae. In 216 BC Hannibal accomplished one of the most famous flanking maneuvers of all history at the Battle of Cannae. Using a double flanking maneuver known as a Pincer movement, Hannibal managed to surround and kill nearly the entirety of a larger Consular Roman Army.
How would you deal with a flanking maneuver in a battle?
This means to effectively deal with a flanking maneuver, the commanding officer would have to very quickly reorganize his troops to form a second front of fire that faced the flanking force, all while under fire. You can probably intuit why this would be difficult at best.
What happened at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC?
Battle of Cannae. Initial deployment and Roman attack (in red) In 216 BC Hannibal accomplished one of the most famous flanking maneuvers of all history at the Battle of Cannae. Using a double flanking maneuver known as a Pincer movement, Hannibal managed to surround and kill nearly the entirety of a larger Consular Roman Army.