Military Tactics and Strategy - Divide and Conquer - Divide and Rule

Military Tactics
• Advancing • Retreating • Flanking Maneuver • Pincer Movement (pinch) • Feint
• Rotating your Forces (cycling) • Blitzkrieg • Breakthru • Leapfrogging
• Divide & Conquer • Center Peel • Infiltration • Encirclement • Breakout
• Bait & Bleed (camping) • Fabian Strategy

DIVIDE & CONQUER | Military Tactics

Divide: to seperate into parts; split up; sever_[20]
Conquer: gaining mastery over someone/something by physical, mental, or moral force_[20½]

Divide and Conquer

Divide and conquer is an approach to a problem or task, attempting to achieve an objective by breaking it into smaller parts. Often it is used to separate a force that would be stronger if united, or to cause confusion amongst rival factions. Divide and conquer has applications in many areas, from political science to economic and military strategy. _[21]

At times enemy forces may be stronger as a whole, force them to split up by dividing your forces and attacking on mulitple fronts.

In regard to military tactics, the divide and conquer can occur in several ways, the easiest being to divide your own forces so that your opponents must counter.

Another method is through force concentration attacks such as the Breakthru and Blitzkrieg, which can divide two armies by driving a wedge between them.

The divide and conquer can be used to isolate portions of an enemy force, hopefully making them easier to defeat. Making your enemies fight on multiple fronts can also cause confusion, and logisitical challenges with supply._[20¾]

Counter Tactics
DIVIDE AND CONQUER CAN BE VULNERABLE TO FORCE CONCENTRATION ATTACKS, OR HAVING PART OF THEIR FORCES FLANKED

• Reconnaissance
It's a good idea place supply around your base and use some form of reconnaissance at all times, so that you have a reasonable degree of intel regarding the size and location of enemy forces. A variety of special ops, a spare supply truck, or a stray regiment can all accomplish this task. If you are informed of battlefield conditions you'll be prepared for the enemy wherever they may attack.

• Breakthru/Blitzkrieg
By spreading their forces, the divide and conquer can be vulnerable to large concentrated attacks. Find the weakest group of enemy troops and overwhelm them.

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• Flanking Maneuver
Use of the divide and conquer opens the door for all types of maneuver warfare; for both the attacking and defending forces. Look for a weakness in their strategy, and isolate a group of enemy troops by cutting off their path of retreat.

• Pincer Movement (pinch)
The divide and conquer is a harrassing, probing series of attacks in more than one location. Lure the enemy in with a feint or false retreat, then collapse your flanks and encircle them.

• Oblique order
The oblique order is a formation that is heavily stacked on one flank, but strong enough to hold off attacks across the line. Think of it as the Blitzkrieg of flank attacks.

In Axis and Allies RTS
DIVIDE AND CONQUER OPENS UP THE BATTLEFIELD, OFFERING MORE ROOM AND SPACING FOR A VARIETY OF TACTICAL MANEUVERS

Operational Tactics: Dividing your forces can create confusion amongst your enemies, and their allies.

• Confusion principle
Dividing your forces and attacking on multiple fronts can be confusing for your opponents, both individually and on an operational level. Enemy commanders must coordinate who will counter each new threat, as well as logistically support these troops with supply. Fighting on multiple fronts can also be difficult to micro, with the victor usually being whomever can command their troops more effectively.

• Flanking Maneuver
Dividing your attack forces offers the ability to outmaneuver your opponent, and can be particularly effective if your troop movements are undetected by the enemy.

• Pincer Movement (pinch)
The pincer movement requires you to divide you forces in at least 3 groups, with adequate spacing so that each flank can hook around the enemy; attacking it from the rear.

• Hammer and Anvil
The hammer and anvil is like the pincer movement in reverse. The flanks attack first, infiltrating enemy territory to capture a location behind enemy lines, becoming the "anvil". As enemy forces turn to counter the threat, the main force attacks, acting as the "hammer". Any opposing forces are now caught in-between the "hammer and anvil".

• Oblique order
The Oblique Order concentrates the majority of forces on one flank, and uses the remainder to hold the enemy line.

• Terrain
Terrain is very important in maneuver warfare, as impassable terrain such as mountains and water can help you encircle your enemies; with a much smaller force than in open terrain.

"Whether to concentrate or to divide your troops, must be decided by circumstances."
^{Sun Tzu, the Art of War [maneuvering]}

"If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them."
^{Sun Tzu, the Art of War [laying plans]}

"It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two."
^{Sun Tzu, the Art of War [attack by stratagem]}

DIVIDE & CONQUER | Military Tactics

Divide and Conquer (1943) was the third film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, dealing with the Nazi conquest of Western Europe in 1940. The film begins immediately after the fall of Poland. Of the two major Western Allies of 1940, the United Kingdom is first to be mentioned. The role of the Royal Navy in blockading Germany is highlighted, in that it means that Germany must overcome British resistance in order to clear the way for its world conquest.
^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divide_and_Conquer_(newsreel)}

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REFERENCES | Military Tactics

Divide & Conquer

[20] Definition: Divide - Websters New World Dictionary 1984 pg411
[20½] Definition: Conquer - Websters New World Dictionary 1984 pg301
[20¾]

http://changingminds.org/disciplines/warfare/principles/division.htm
[21]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divide_and_rule
[21¼]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divide_and_rule

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"All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved."

^{Sun Tzu, the Art of War}

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