What are the 5 Basic Military Strategies Everyone Should Know?

Military strategy is an essential aspect of warfare that involves the planning and execution of various tactics to achieve a desired outcome. There are five basic military strategies that have been widely used throughout history, and they are central to understanding the art of war. These strategies include attack by fire, attack by shock, attack by ambush, attack by ruse, and defense to defeat. In this article, we will explore each of these strategies in detail and provide examples of how they have been used in historical battles. By understanding these basic military strategies, you can gain insight into the tactics and techniques used by military leaders throughout history.

Introduction to Military Strategies

Importance of Military Strategies

Military strategies play a crucial role in modern warfare, as they help to determine the outcome of battles and wars. In today’s complex and dynamic battlefield environment, military strategies are essential for military commanders to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and achieve their objectives.

Here are some of the reasons why military strategies are so important:

• Understanding the battlefield environment: Military strategies provide a framework for military commanders to understand the battlefield environment, including the terrain, weather, and enemy forces. This information helps military commanders to make informed decisions about how to deploy their forces and achieve their objectives.
• Resource allocation: Military strategies help military commanders to allocate resources effectively, including personnel, equipment, and supplies. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of their forces and the enemy’s forces, military commanders can make informed decisions about how to deploy their resources to achieve their objectives.
• Achieving objectives: Military strategies help military commanders to achieve their objectives, whether it’s capturing territory, defeating enemy forces, or protecting friendly forces. By developing a comprehensive military strategy, military commanders can ensure that their forces are organized, trained, and equipped to achieve their objectives.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Military strategies help military commanders to be flexible and adaptable in response to changing circumstances on the battlefield. By being able to adjust their strategies in response to new information or unexpected events, military commanders can ensure that their forces are able to adapt to changing circumstances and achieve their objectives.
• Preserving civilian lives: Military strategies can also help to preserve civilian lives, by ensuring that military operations are conducted in a manner that minimizes civilian casualties. By taking a strategic approach to military operations, military commanders can ensure that their forces are able to achieve their objectives while also minimizing the risk to civilian lives.

Overall, military strategies are essential for military commanders to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, achieve their objectives, and preserve civilian lives. In the following sections, we will explore the five basic military strategies that everyone should know.

Brief History of Military Strategies

• Early military strategies used in ancient times
  • Ancient Chinese warfare
    • The Art of War by Sun Tzu
    • Battle of Red Cliffs
  • Ancient Greek warfare
    • Spartan military tactics
    • The Persian Wars
• Evolution of military strategies over the centuries
  • Medieval warfare
    • Chivalry and knightly tactics
    • The Crusades
  • Renaissance warfare
    • Gunpowder revolution
    • The Thirty Years’ War
• The impact of technology on modern military strategies
  • Industrial Revolution
    • The rise of professional armies
    • The development of modern weaponry
  • The Cold War
    • Nuclear deterrence
    • Strategic bombing
  • The post-Cold War era
    • The rise of asymmetric warfare
    • The role of intelligence in modern warfare

Types of Military Strategies

When it comes to military strategies, there are several types that can be employed by military forces. These types of strategies include offensive strategies, defensive strategies, diplomatic strategies, economic strategies, and informational strategies.

Offensive Strategies

Offensive strategies are military strategies that involve attacking the enemy. This type of strategy is designed to weaken the enemy’s military capabilities and to gain territory or resources. Offensive strategies can involve the use of ground troops, air power, or naval forces, and may involve the use of special forces or other elite units.

Defensive Strategies

Defensive strategies are military strategies that involve protecting one’s own territory or resources from enemy attack. This type of strategy is designed to prevent the enemy from gaining ground or resources, and may involve the use of fortifications, trench warfare, or other tactics to slow down or stop the enemy’s advance.

Diplomatic Strategies

Diplomatic strategies are military strategies that involve using diplomacy to achieve military objectives. This type of strategy may involve negotiating with other countries or organizations to achieve common goals, or using economic or political pressure to achieve military objectives.

Economic Strategies

Economic strategies are military strategies that involve using economic resources to achieve military objectives. This type of strategy may involve using economic sanctions to weaken an enemy’s economy, or using economic incentives to gain support from other countries or organizations.

Informational Strategies

Informational strategies are military strategies that involve using information to gain an advantage over the enemy. This type of strategy may involve gathering intelligence on the enemy’s military capabilities, using propaganda to influence public opinion, or using electronic warfare to disrupt the enemy’s communications or other systems.

The 5 Basic Military Strategies

Strategy 1: The Blitzkrieg

Overview of the Blitzkrieg strategy

The Blitzkrieg strategy is a military tactic that emphasizes speed, surprise, and mobility. It involves using air and ground forces to quickly overwhelm an enemy, disrupting their command and control structures and breaking through their defenses. The Blitzkrieg strategy was first used by the German military during World War II, and it played a significant role in their early victories.

How it was used in World War II

During World War II, the German military used the Blitzkrieg strategy to great effect. They would use their air force to bomb enemy targets and disrupt their communication and transportation networks, while their ground forces would quickly advance and surround enemy units. This allowed the Germans to quickly conquer large areas of territory and catch their enemies off guard.

Its strengths and weaknesses

One of the main strengths of the Blitzkrieg strategy is its ability to quickly achieve decisive victories. By using speed and surprise, the German military was able to overwhelm their enemies and gain a significant advantage on the battlefield. However, the Blitzkrieg strategy also had its weaknesses. It relied heavily on the use of tanks and other mechanized vehicles, which made it vulnerable to enemy anti-tank weapons and defenses. Additionally, the strategy was heavily dependent on good weather conditions, which could limit its effectiveness in certain situations.

Strategy 2: The Defensive

The defensive strategy is a military strategy that involves a military force preparing for and defending against an attack by an enemy force. This strategy is often used when a military force is outnumbered or outgunned, and it involves preparing fortifications, laying mines, and positioning troops to repel an attack.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the defensive strategy was during the siege of Troy, where the Trojans fortified their city and repelled attacks by the Greeks. During the Middle Ages, castles and fortresses were built to defend against enemy attacks, and during the American Civil War, the Confederate army used earthworks and trenches to defend against Union attacks.

The defensive strategy has several strengths, including the ability to wear down an attacking force by using fortifications and delaying tactics. It also allows a military force to conserve resources and wait for a more favorable opportunity to counterattack. However, the defensive strategy also has several weaknesses, including the potential for a stalemate, where neither side can gain a decisive advantage. Additionally, if the defensive strategy is not executed properly, it can result in the loss of territory or the death of troops.

Strategy 3: The Flanking Maneuver

Overview of the Flanking Maneuver strategy

The Flanking Maneuver is a military strategy that involves attacking an enemy force from the side or rear, with the aim of isolating and defeating a portion of the enemy’s forces. This strategy is often used when the enemy is entrenched in a strong defensive position, and a direct frontal assault would result in heavy casualties.

How it was used in various wars

The Flanking Maneuver has been used in many wars throughout history, including the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II. One of the most famous examples of this strategy was the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War, where Union forces successfully flanked the Confederate lines and turned their defenses.

One of the main strengths of the Flanking Maneuver is that it can catch the enemy off guard and isolate a portion of their forces, which can then be defeated in detail. This can result in a decisive victory for the attacking force. However, this strategy also has its weaknesses. If the flanking force is not successful, the attacking force can become isolated and vulnerable to counterattack. Additionally, this strategy requires good intelligence and communication to be successful, as the attacking force must be able to coordinate their movements and strike at the right time.

Strategy 4: The Pincer Movement

Overview of the Pincer Movement strategy

The Pincer Movement is a military strategy that involves surrounding an enemy force by attacking it from two different directions. This tactic is also known as the “double envelopment” or “double-threat” strategy. It is often used when an army is attempting to encircle and defeat a larger enemy force.

The Pincer Movement has been used in many wars throughout history, including the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II. One of the most famous examples of this strategy was during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II, where the German army attempted to surround and defeat Soviet forces in the city.

One of the main strengths of the Pincer Movement is that it can be very effective at breaking the enemy’s lines and encircling their forces. This can lead to a rapid defeat of the enemy, as they are surrounded and cut off from supplies and reinforcements.

However, the Pincer Movement also has several weaknesses. One of the main weaknesses is that it requires precise coordination between multiple units, which can be difficult to achieve in the heat of battle. Additionally, the enemy may be able to anticipate the strategy and take steps to avoid being surrounded, such as by retreating or breaking through the encirclement.

Strategy 5: The Guerilla Tactics

Overview of the Guerilla Tactics strategy

Guerilla tactics refer to small, mobile, and flexible military units that engage in unconventional warfare. These tactics are characterized by hit-and-run strategies, ambushes, sabotage, and the exploitation of terrain and weather conditions. The main objective of guerrilla tactics is to wear down the enemy’s resources and morale while maintaining the support of the local population.

Guerilla tactics have been used in various wars throughout history, including the American Revolution, the Vietnam War, and the Afghanistan War. In the American Revolution, guerilla tactics were employed by the Continental Army against the British, who were better equipped and trained. In the Vietnam War, the Viet Cong used guerrilla tactics to fight against the United States and its allies. In the Afghanistan War, the Taliban used guerrilla tactics to resist the invasion of coalition forces.

Guerilla tactics have several strengths, including their ability to exploit the terrain and weather conditions, their ability to disrupt supply lines, and their ability to cause psychological damage to the enemy. They also have the advantage of requiring fewer resources than conventional warfare. However, guerrilla tactics also have several weaknesses, including their lack of a centralized command structure, their difficulty in holding territory, and their reliance on the support of the local population. Guerrilla tactics can also lead to civilian casualties, which can turn the local population against the guerrilla fighters.

FAQs

1. What are the 5 basic military strategies?

The 5 basic military strategies are:
1. Offensive strategy: This strategy involves taking the initiative and attacking the enemy force.
2. Defensive strategy: This strategy involves protecting one’s own forces and territory from enemy attacks.
3. Flanking strategy: This strategy involves attacking the enemy’s weak points and outflanking their defenses.
4. Envelopment strategy: This strategy involves surrounding the enemy’s forces and cutting off their lines of communication.
5. Retreat strategy: This strategy involves withdrawing from a dangerous or disadvantageous position to a more favorable one.

2. What is the difference between offensive and defensive strategy?

Offensive strategy involves taking the initiative and attacking the enemy force, while defensive strategy involves protecting one’s own forces and territory from enemy attacks. An offensive strategy is generally more aggressive and seeks to gain territory or destroy the enemy’s forces, while a defensive strategy is more focused on preserving one’s own forces and territory.

3. What is a flanking strategy?

A flanking strategy involves attacking the enemy’s weak points and outflanking their defenses. This strategy aims to get around the enemy’s strong points and attack them from a vulnerable angle. A successful flanking maneuver can lead to the enemy’s defeat and the capture of their territory.

4. What is an envelopment strategy?

An envelopment strategy involves surrounding the enemy’s forces and cutting off their lines of communication. This strategy aims to isolate the enemy and prevent them from receiving reinforcements or supplies. If successful, an envelopment can lead to the enemy’s surrender or destruction.

5. What is a retreat strategy?

A retreat strategy involves withdrawing from a dangerous or disadvantageous position to a more favorable one. This strategy may be used when an enemy is overwhelmingly superior or when the terrain is unfavorable. A successful retreat can allow a force to regroup and reorganize for future battles.