Military Tactics and Strategy - Retreating - Withdrawal

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

RETREATING | Military Tactics

Retreating: withdrawal from a dangerous situation_[3]

Retreating
Here are some basic tactical reasons to Retreat_[4]

To pretend weakness (see Feint)

Create time to observe, recover, and plan

To lead enemy to more favourable terrain

To elude attack & lessen the force of the enemy blow

To delay battle to a more favourable time

To wear out opponent (see cycling)

There are several types of retreating, which we will classify into 4 main groups: Tactical Withdrawal, Disengagement, Breakout, and Rout.

Retreating back to fight within your zone of supply; and/or better terrain, is always a good idea

• Tactical Withdrawal - a tactical withdrawal is the most desirable form of retreating. It is a planned retreat to improve upon current battle conditions; or to gain a tactical advantage. Most commonly used to "buy time" for reinforcements to arrive, lure the enemy into a ambush (Feint), or to relocate the battle to advantageous terrain. _[5]

• Disengagement - disengagement involves retreating forces back, while maintaining contact with the enemy. One perfect example would be the Center Peel _[3¼]

• Breakout - The breakout is an emergency retreat to avoid or escape from an enemy encirclement; keeping in mind that circumstances may dictate the necessity to sacrifice some of your forces, to save the majority.

• Rout - A rout is a chaotic and disorderly retreat of forces from the battlefield, which usually occurs when troops are asked to do too much, are outnumbered, or have been flanked and/or encircled. When a regiment routs, it is as likely to run deeper into trouble; than it is toward safety._[3½] [4¼]

Although retreating commonly has negative connotations, often associated with cowardice or being defeated; it is a necessary and valuable technique for any successful tactician. Just as the snake must recoil (retreat) before it strikes (advance), so must the wise commander.

Uses in History
RETREATING HAS BEEN USED IN NEARLY EVERY BATTLE IN HISTORY THAT DIDNT END AS A BATTLE OF ANNIHILATION.

The Burma Campaign

One example of retreating would be the Burma campaign of WW2, which featured many retreats by both sides over a period of a couple years.

• 1944-45 - WW2 - The Burma Campaign
Track the progress of the Burma Campaign - from the rapid Japanese victories of 1941, to the desperate battles for the Indian towns of Kohima and Imphal. Then follow the course of the Allies as they drive the Japanese forces out of Burma in late 1944 and 1945. _[15¼]

Counter Tactics
UNLESS YOU HAVE PLANNED AHEAD, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO STOP AN ENEMY FROM RETREATING, BUT HERE'S SOME BASIC IDEAS.

• Flanking Maneuver
Flanking a retreating force is one of the best ways to destroy entire divisons of troops; use planning and deceptive tactics to block the enemy path of retreat.

• Infiltration
If you can manage to infiltrate behind enemy lines, disrupt their supply lines and attack them as the make their retreat. Just a couple of spare regiments in their path of retreat can turn and orderly withdrawal into a Rout.

• Secondary Targets
Attacking a secondary target may make your opponent(s) reconsider their retreat. For example, attempt an operational flanking manuever by attacking another enemy that an ally is engaged with.

In Axis and Allies RTS
THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO RETREAT, BOTH PLANNED AND UNPLANNED, BUT HERE'S A FEW BASIC IDEAS:

• Zone of Supply
Whenever possible fight within your zone of supply, which not only offers the chance to heal the instant you retreat, but also offers a better view of the battlefield; greatly reducing the chance of being flanked.

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• Center Peel
Also referred to as the "single retreat", the center peel allows healthy regiments to continue the battle as injured regiments retreat to heal. Peeling off the formation in a diagonal direction will also help you avoid stacking too many units in one spot, if other friendly forces are advancing from behind.

• Leapfrogging
The main benefit of leapfrogging comes when it's time to retreat, as your troops will be supported by a secondary force which have taken up defensive, entrenched positions behind you. This not only provides "cover fire" for retreating forces, but often minimilizes the amount of ground you have to surrender during your withdrawal.

• Using Terrain
One must be aware of the surrounding terrain, avoiding any manuevers where poor terrain may impede or block an effecient retreat. Planning ahead is crucial and may make the difference between a Tactical Withdrawal or a Rout.

• Breakout
The last-chance emergency manuever that attempts to avoid or escape from an enemy encirclement, with the primary goal being to save as many troops as possible.

• Rout
Routing is not a tactic, but is often an indicator of a commanders' poor use of tactics and/or limited tactical knowledge. Other causes can range from being outnumbered, to simply getting your ass kicked.. Routed troops are often killed so avoid the rout at all costs!

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REFERENCES | Military Tactics

Retreating

[03] Definition: Retreat - Websters New World Dictionary 1984 pg1215
[03¼]

http://www.changingminds.org/disciplines/warfare/tactics/retreat.htm
[03½]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rout
[04]

http://www.virtuescience.com/why-retreat.html
[04¼] Source: Axis and Allies RTS Official Manual
[05]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_(military)

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