NationStates Jolt Archive

Well there was a thread on greatest military tacticians, but what about tactics? Say what ya think.

1.German Blitskrieg(cant spell it)-This was truly a revolutionary tactic, other nation shad never seen the use of tanks and planes that were used here and using this tactic, Germany conquered Poland in less then a month.

2.Roman Legions-Also revolutionary, at the time war was fought in massive hords running at each other but the creation of the Roman Legion formation revolutionized warfare.

3.British Battalion Marching-Created around the time of Napolean, this was basically lining up 2 lines of troops, that way when a troop fell there was a fresh troop behind him to fill the gap and prevent the battle lines from falling back. However this tactic was also there downfall as they had a hell of a time doing this in the US during the War of 1812 and Revolutionary War.

4.Genghis Khan-I call it this becuase I dont know if the particuler tactic had a name but it was devolped by Ghenghis Khan against the romans were he would charge the roman legion with his horse archers, run around in circles firing, then run away cuasing the roman legions to chase them to there demise or stay put and keep getting hit with arrows.

5.And number 5 is.......Roman Turtle Formation-Not only was this a great tactic but so freaking cool looking, this is when Roman shield were placed together to crate a giant shiled over marching troops to prevent them from being hit with arrows.

It would be the Greek phalanx

Elephant Cavalry. Nothing like a bunch of stampeding things to cheer up a person. Need proof? Look at the Mugalification of India. Oh, and kamikaze pilots. It's a good trade.

This is a tough one. Military tactics vary with the age in which they were used, the terrain, the capabilities of the opposing forces, the objectives of the operation, the politics of the countries involved, the weather, and even the personalities of the various commanders.

Having been in special operations, I have a preference for clandestine and "black" ops. Covert insertion via HALO ( High Altitude, Low Opening parachute ops, for those of you not familiar with the term, or who think it's a simulation game ), amphibious insertion, low-level helicopter insertion, etc. Specific individual "snatch" operations are the trickiest, IMHO. SpecOps are best suited for low intensity or "asymmetric" conflict.

For conventional tactics, the terrain is highly important. For open country, such as most of the Middle East, single or double envelopment with massed armor works best, especially if your air cover rules. In heavily wooded landscapes like Germany's Black Forest, mechanized infantry which can dismount and sweep through using travelling overwatch is best. In mountainous and/or cold regions, the specialized mountain divisions are best, especially when used in conjunction with close air support on call. Jungles are the worst, for many reasons, with ground troops slogging through from one secure base to the next.

There was an amazing battle on the Italian peninsular between Hannibal and a Roman army, the whole campaign had been brilliant. He was only undone by the Fabian tactics (I think) and a lack of support from home.

Some of Caesar's battles are worth remembering, Pharsalus, Munda from the civil war, plus the whole Germanic campaign too.

Best Tactic..Hmm I will have to put my money on ...
The Airborne used in World War 2. Why?!?!?
Simply beautiful, you drop troops in, while under fire, behind enemy lines. These troops are trained well enough so that they can stay alive, survive[edit: survive against being found and stuff], group together again, and hit key military places. These troops cause a lot of trouble for you, the enemy. Why? You gotta hunt down and kill/capture each man or else you have a minor problem on your hand(s).

*snip*
Having been in special operations, I have a preference for clandestine and "black" ops. Covert insertion via HALO ( High Altitude, Low Opening parachute ops, for those of you not familiar with the term, or who think it's a simulation game ), amphibious insertion, low-level helicopter insertion, etc. Specific individual "snatch" operations are the trickiest, IMHO. SpecOps are best suited for low intensity or "asymmetric" conflict.
*snip*

If I was not a chirstian and all that fun crap, you would be one of my dieties.

Blitzkrieging, it destroys most in it's site, and it absolutely destroys enemy morale.

At the time a lot can be said for US Civil War confederates - their generals seemed to be smarts - constantly moving alot faster - so many successful battles where they where out manned 3 - 1 and should have been out gunned

If I was not a chirstian and all that fun crap, you would be one of my dieties.
ROFLMAO!!!! Son, I definitely AIN'T no "diety!" Hahahahaha! I don't want no one bowing and scraping for me, although there are a few female types I could tolerate that from! :D

Thanks anyway. :)

[QUOTE=Terronian]Well there was a thread on greatest military tacticians, but what about tactics? Say what ya think.

1.German Blitskrieg(cant spell it)-This was truly a revolutionary tactic, other nation shad never seen the use of tanks and planes that were used here and using this tactic, Germany conquered Poland in less then a month.

2.Roman Legions-Also revolutionary, at the time war was fought in massive hords running at each other but the creation of the Roman Legion formation revolutionized warfare.

3.British Battalion Marching-Created around the time of Napolean, this was basically lining up 2 lines of troops, that way when a troop fell there was a fresh troop behind him to fill the gap and prevent the battle lines from falling back. However this tactic was also there downfall as they had a hell of a time doing this in the US during the War of 1812 and Revolutionary War.

4.Genghis Khan-I call it this becuase I dont know if the particuler tactic had a name but it was devolped by Ghenghis Khan against the romans were he would charge the roman legion with his horse archers, run around in circles firing, then run away cuasing the roman legions to chase them to there demise or stay put and keep getting hit with arrows.

i think you mean attila the hun. they the mongols and huns both come from the steppes and have alot in common , except 1000 years apart , that and mongols withdrew back into their homelands , as the huns stayed in europe.

i would call his tactics sun tzu tactics though not everything he did sun tzu would have done.

Combined Arms.

The best historical tatic (in my opinion) has been guerilla warfare. Historically, the strong dictates the rules of war, and the loser follows suit. When the weaker force breaks from the "preordained" battle plan the stronger force has to totally revamp their war plan. I think it is one of the few tactics that doesn't depend on technology to be successful.

It would be the Greek phalanx
I second the phalanx. You kill your foe but a man behind him takes his place. You kill him and someone takes his place. Sooner or later you are impaled. Fighting a phalanx must have really sucked.

ROFLMAO!!!! Son, I definitely AIN'T no "diety!" Hahahahaha! I don't want no one bowing and scraping for me, although there are a few female types I could tolerate that from! :D

Thanks anyway. :)
bowing and scraping must be some kind of antiquated and sexual code with which i am unfamiliar. you old coot. :D

ROFLMAO!!!! Son, I definitely AIN'T no "diety!" Hahahahaha! I don't want no one bowing and scraping for me, although there are a few female types I could tolerate that from! :D

Thanks anyway. :)

Hah no problem, I respect men and women who hav been in Spec Ops (1) My brother is working to be one, as well as a friend of mine. (2) I have read two or three books on what it was like. I can not even imagine how much crazier it would be if I was actually living the story, forget reading it. (3) Spec Ops seems to always be by itself. (4) HALO jumps just seem so awesome.

Another tactic I thought of is very wasteful but super efficient. It is the tactic used in the Vietnam war while American military was given the A-ok on air superiority. The American Air Force bombed, bombed, and bomed again anything and everything that might have been an enemy. Napalm was alright, but I prefer just the massive amounts of regular bombs. In fact whole jungles became moonscapes because of our bombing.

best tactic is to avoid the enemy at large and hit economic targets and supply fast. feed off the enemy and weaken him down until you can just send forces that greatly outnumber him.

or you could just skip the first part if you already greatly outnumber him.

but dont mistake me , dont rely on numbers. the more skilled the better
being that we arnt fighting a conventional war. in the middle east
id say target arms dealers and such

but this is just basic tactics

There was an amazing battle on the Italian peninsular between Hannibal and a Roman army, the whole campaign had been brilliant. He was only undone by the Fabian tactics (I think) and a lack of support from home.

Some of Caesar's battles are worth remembering, Pharsalus, Munda from the civil war, plus the whole Germanic campaign too.

yea the fabius guy he didnt want to engage the enemy in a battle but rather harass them until they were worn down. but then the senate or men in charge or whatever thought he was taking too long , and disbanded him , then took the army and fought in a battle against the carthaginians and lost again.

yes i may have made some errors in this i know. but i dont care

The British Battalion March or whatever where it's in two lines... that wasn't so that there was someone to take the place of the fallen more than it was so that the first line can fire, then kneel down and reload while the second line fires.

I say the greatest military tactic would have to be the one that the Chinese implimented in Korea in the first few months of their intervention. Leading American forces into confined areas with Chinese forces arrayed in a V shape, then the V closes around them once they have over-extended themselves and countered the American superiority in arms and training. Only the 1st Marine division at the Chosin Resevoir did relatively well against this Chinese tactic.

Best Tactic..Hmm I will have to put my money on ...
The Airborne used in World War 2. Why?!?!?
Simply beautiful, you drop troops in, while under fire, behind enemy lines. These troops are trained well enough so that they can stay alive, survive, group together again, and hit key military places. These troops cause a lot of trouble for you, the enemy. Why? You gotta hunt down and kill/capture each man or else you have a minor problem on your hand(s).

which weakens the line

Oh, and not to mention the tactics used by the Germans in East Africa in 1914-18.

*snip*
I say the greatest military tactic would have to be the one that the Chinese implimented in Korea in the first few months of their intervention. Leading American forces into confined areas with Chinese forces arrayed in a V shape, then the V closes around them once they have over-extended themselves and countered the American superiority in arms and training. Only the 1st Marine division at the Chosin Resevoir did relatively well against this Chinese tactic.
Holy crap, that is a deadly tactic, but it relies to much on superiority of forces.


Which weakens the line? the enemies front?

Holy crap, that is a deadly tactic, but it relies to much on superiority of forces.


Which weakens the line? the enemies front?

ya

bowing and scraping must be some kind of antiquated and sexual code with which i am unfamiliar. you old coot. :D
You jus' gonna keep on until I hafta grab you by the scruff of the neck and jap slap ya until yer grandchildren's ears will ache, ain't ya! Heh! :D

You jus' gonna keep on until I hafta grab you by the scruff of the neck and jap slap ya until yer grandchildren's ears will ache, ain't ya! Heh! :D
that was the plan. i've been working out my scruff, so it'll be all toned for ya.

I say the greatest military tactic would have to be the one that the Chinese implimented in Korea in the first few months of their intervention. Leading American forces into confined areas with Chinese forces arrayed in a V shape, then the V closes around them once they have over-extended themselves and countered the American superiority in arms and training. Only the 1st Marine division at the Chosin Resevoir did relatively well against this Chinese tactic.
That was just double-envelopment used as an ambush tactic. The major problem for the UN forces ( not Americans per se ), was the expectation that China wouldn't enter the war. The Chinese had mapped out the battleground in minute detail, and planned where every soldier would move. Had the UN forces figured this out, the Chinese would have been toast.

that was the plan. i've been working out my scruff, so it'll be all toned for ya.
ROFLMAO!! You dweeb! :D

Some of my personal 'favorites'

Alexander the Great at Gaugamela - calvary strike into the center of the Persian army after having drawn out their calvary)

Hannibal at Cannae - wipes out two legions [if I remember correctly, might have been more]

Subotai/Mongols at Liegnitz - false retreat leads to complete destruction of last major force in the way of Mongol invasion of Europe. Only the death of Ogedai Khan stops it.

ROFLMAO!! You dweeb! :D
you know it. bitch. :D












if you kill me, i'll be so damn pissed.