Tactics

• Revolutionary wars


  Columns: psychological support, shock effect, suffer high casulties
• Napoleonic wars


  Central Position: Separate his enemy, occupying the centre of the battlefield so he can overcome a divided enemy BATTLE Rivoli

  Manoeuvre sur les derrieres: Move at speed around behind (Out Flank) his enemy, attacking from the unexpected rear BATTLE Marengo

  Decisive Battle: Ensure that the Battle finished the enemy off – they couldn’t live o fight another day
• Small Wars (Crimea)


  British engineers also built the first tactical military railway – 25 mile line from Balaclava harbour to the British trenches

  Tactics had to change to cope with the new tech. The Russians still attacked in column which was hopeless against the new tech –

  BATTLE Charge of the Light Brigade – all powers were slow to learn.
• ACW


  By the end of 1862 the tactics were changing and open order formations were more common

  Trench systems were dug to defend Richmond but fortifications or natural cover were more often used

  Cavalry = reconnaissance. Southern general Stuart used cavalry to raid

  Scorch earth tactics = Sherman $100 mil damage

  Federal veterans were increasingly reluctant to attack so Grant switched to siege tactics. Siege guns, including rail mounted guns failed to end the stalemate (BATTLE of Petersburg)
• Prussia 


  Mission tactics = avoid frontal attack – small units moved quickly, outflanking the enemy to encircle them then 'ring of fire'

  Dreyse rifle: tactically this was brilliant as it could be loaded lying down in cover BATTLE of Sadowa
• WW1


  Tunnelling (Vimy Ridge) - Mines (Messines) - Storm Troopers (Spring Offensive) - Platoons (100 Days)

  Generalissimo, Ferdinand Foch - united command

  The big 1918 attacks of the 100 days made heavy use of coordinated infantry, tanks, aircraft with artillery support
• WW2 


  Waiting: Commanders like Montgomery, Eisenhower waited until ready BATTLE El Alamein, D Day

  Huge numbers: The Russians worked to swamp the Germans with men and tanks (T34s) in the East BATTLE Battle of Kursk German tanks defeated

  Air: Air Superiority was crucial for the Allies at BATTLE D Day for reconnaissance and destruction of the railways and roads to stop reinforcements and supplies
• WW2 2


  Tactical brilliance: Montgomery with Market Garden and the German BATTLE of the Bulge

  Eisenhower’s steady advance on a wide front with the large Allied resources overwhelmed determined German resistance

  BATTLE D Day = Greatest tactical success of WW2 (Planning, manpower, deception and tech)