Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why have commanders tried to outflank or encircle enemy armies?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

tactics Sumerian phalanx, a block of foot soldiers depicted standing shield-to-shield, presenting spears, and advancing in a dense mass, detail from the Stele of the Vultures, limestone bas-relief, c. 2450 bce; in the Louvre Museum, Paris.

Commanders have historically utilized flanking and encirclement maneuvers as a primary method to place an enemy in a tactical dilemma, forcing them into a situation where they are effectively "damned if they do and damned if they do not".1

By executing these maneuvers, a commander achieves two critical objectives:
* Division of Forces: The enemy is compelled to split their attention and resources to address threats from multiple directions.1
* Directional Conflict: The enemy is forced to face in two directions simultaneously, which disrupts their defensive cohesion and command structure.1

These tactics are fundamental applications of guile in warfare, designed to overcome an opponent by creating a paradoxical situation that the enemy cannot easily resolve. By forcing the opponent to react to threats on their flanks or rear, a commander can neutralize the enemy's ability to maintain a unified front, thereby increasing the likelihood of victory through the application of force and strategic positioning.1