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For those who are avid history fans, I encourage and recommend reading into military tactical works during the Napoleonic Wars. Classic infantry and cavalry maneuvers.

A favorite of mine was in analyzing Gerdaume's classical infantry assault. What the professional code of the day was to march one's line infantry, fire a volley and reciprocate. Gerdaume's tactical genius called for a 'Cannon ball charge'.

This called for an artillery squadron to concentrate fire on the central column of the enemy infantry line. Saturation of fire was mandated. After the enemy's line showed a gap, one's line infantry was ordered to return 3 volley shots. On the 4th call, the general order to fix bayonet was made.

Full frontal charge.

Given, this tactic did work for Napoleon's forces, however, at the expense of high casualties.



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That is so very true, Tito Rald.

Tactics will never change. Like you said, sir, on the thread on the Roman Empire.
"History repeats itself."

I agree with that jud, sir.



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Notice that the Phalanx formation (20 foot long pikes) were effective against the Roman legions, however, the main weakness of the Phalanx is their unidirectional ability.

A phalanx line was effective in a stright line, their flank and rear were exposed and weakly guarded, and needed the assistance of a light infantry guard or a skirmisher unit.

The Romans, knowing of the formidable Greek and Macedonian Army and their Phalanx-based Army, implemented changes to the Roman military tactics.

The Romans, applied and utilized a javelin and hurled those at an incoming phalanx. Imagine 5000 Roman soldiers throwing a steel-tipped javelin being hurled into the air by strong and muscular Roman soldiers at the direction of a marching Phalanx Line.

A greek Army of say ~70,000 man strong would at least suffer 2000 to 3000 losses just by the javelins alone.

Now, the Romans conceded to the effective power of the Phalanx, but understood the weakness it had on the flank and rear.

The Romans took advantage of this tactical weakness as a strategic maxim. Their tactic was simple. Fire heavy archers a slow-moving phalanx, and unleash the javelins at the enemy line. This way, the morale of the enemy line would be shaken.

Second, send a heavy cavalry force (8-10 squadrons of Heavy calvalry) around the rear of the enemy line. The Romans would send 2000 horses to the enemy's right flank and 2000 horses to the enemy's left flank and another 2000 to the rear.

It would pincer and run through the enmy's undefended sides and rear.
As a result, a heavy Phalanx Army would route.

This is the tactic Rome utilized in the decimation of Greece's formidable armies. The same Armies that the Persian Empire couldn't defeat, Rome annihilated within mere weeks. Greece being annexed into the Roman Empire.


Beautiful isn't it?

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In the 1st century BC, Julius Caesar was captured by pirates. They refused to release him at first, as he was a mere trifling Roman.

Caesar said with blunt authority, "Release me. When I am free of this, I will crucify every single one of you."

Caesar was released, ultimately. And he did keep his promise. He had the pirates crucified. Every single one of them.

Tactical Lesson: Don't underestimate your enemy. As you'll never know his true potential. Be prudent in hearing, and vision.

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I want to also cover the tactical precision of Empereur Napoleon du Bonaparte,

One reason I adore Napoleon's tactical ingenuity is because of his adoption and application of the theories of Jacques Antoine Hippolyte, Comte de Guibert. Which greatly facilitated and strengthened the French military capacity, namely the restoration of the conscriptory after the restoration of the monarchy.

In all of Napoleon's military battles, he won every single one. Except for the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

When Wellington was asked who was the greatest general of all time, he opined, "In ages past, in the now and in ages future, Napoleon."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebfO1tUmsok&feature=channel_page

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A show case of the effectiveness of a total point defense.

I play as Macedon (Black) and the opponent plays as Carthage (white).

Total Point Defense can easily annihilate a heavy full frontal assault.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwY2rCyH_ac&feature=channel_page

 

The Strategy
This is a classic Alexandrian defense:

When Alexander the Great went to war with the Persian Empire, Darius the Great--the Emperor of the Persian Empire, amassed a mighty force to hammer the Greco-Macedonian army led by Alexander into total submission.

But Alexander utilized a Total Point Defense, which broke the Persian Army's back. Leading to a total victory for Alexander. I tried to exert the same tactic that Alexander himself used in the Battle of Gilgamesh.

The strategy is:
1) Place the defensive infantry in a reverse V formation. Infantry units in the front, and infantry line in the diagonal to secure both right and left franks (an excellent tactic to assess cavalry or flank attacks)

2) Place artillery units behind the infantry defense; space it out--reason: to properly exudate firepower and suppression fire on enemy units.
-Burn tactic; attrition damage will be heightened.

3) Employ Archers. Ranged units. Archers are excellent in decimating a slow-moving heavy infantry; as well as perfect for instigating panick on enemy elephants and cavalry.
-If enemy closes in, remove archers from field of battle and place them behind the defense infantry. Continue firing behind the infantry.


The point and strategy is to exert fire power of artillery, and archers on a constant basis. The point is to decrease enemy number; to smash the enemy army's will to push forward.
-With a weakened enemy; the last defense--the infantry phalanx can finish the job.

In case of a large enemy army, continue fire power and secure weak chains on the defense.

Alexandrian Total Defense: Purest form of Attrition War.

This strategy was used by Alexander, Ptolemy, Marcus Aurelius, Napoleon, Rommel, and McClellen.

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In Tribute to the British Grenadiers.

Video taken from Empire: Total War

Song: Royal British Grenadier Anthem


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZliyV8DPnEY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB9nAxeOjjs&feature=related

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