An ambush, or a surprise attack,[1] is a long-established military tactic. It is a surprise attack from a hidden position against an enemy.[2] The enemy may be moving or have stopped. An ambush uses the element of surprise to confuse the enemy soldiers long enough to be successful.
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Unlike other surprise attacks, the point of an ambush is not to gain territory.[2] Instead, it may be used to harass an enemy. It may also be used to capture or destroy key assets (people, equipment, supplies, etc.).[2]
In history
changeOne of the earliest recorded use of the ambush was in 9 AD in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. The Germanic leader Arminius ambushed three Roman legions thaï were under the command of Varus. The 20,000 Roman soldiers were strung out in a long line of march through the densely-wooded forest.[3] The Romans fought for days but in the end were completely destroyed.[3]
The Germanics had not only a military victory but also a psychological victory over the Romans.[3]
Related pages
changeReferences
change- ↑ Harrap's essential English Dictionary, eds. Elaine Higgleton; Anne Seaton (New Delhi: Allied Chambers (India), Ltd., 1996), p. 32
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rick Baillergeon; John Sutherland. "Tactics 101 088: The Ambush, Part 1 – Fundamentals". Armchair General L.L.C. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Rob Johnson (24 April 2010). "Ten of the greatest battlefield tactics". Daily Mail. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
