What are the Honours of War?

Introduction The honours of war are a set of privileges that are granted to a defeated army during the surrender ceremony. The honours symbolise the valour of the defeated army, and grew into a custom during the age of early modern warfare. Typically a surrendering garrison was permitted to march out with drums beating and… Read More

What is a Feigned Retreat?

Introduction A feigned retreat is a military tactic, a type of feint, whereby a military force pretends to withdraw or to have been routed, in order to lure an enemy into a position of vulnerability. A feigned retreat is one of the more difficult tactics for a military force to undertake, and requires well-disciplined soldiers.… Read More

What are Encirclement Campaigns?

Introduction Encirclement campaigns were the campaigns launched by forces of the Chinese Nationalist Government against forces of the Communist Party of China during the early stage of the Chinese Civil War. Formulated by German advisors Hans von Seeckt and Alexander von Falkenhausen, the campaigns were launched between the late 1920s to the mid-1930s with the… Read More

What is Encirclement?

Introduction In military terms, an encirclement is the situation in which a force or target is isolated and surrounded by enemy forces. This situation is highly dangerous for the encircled force: at the strategic level, because it cannot receive supplies or reinforcements, and on the tactical level, because the units in the force can be… Read More