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Penetration of the center: This involves exploiting a gap in the enemy line to drive directly to the enemy's command or base.Two ways of accomplishing this are separating enemy forces then using a reserve to exploit the gap (e.g., Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC)) or having fast, elite forces smash at a weak spot (or an area where your elites are at their best in striking power) and using reserves ...
A siege (Latin: sedere, lit. 'to sit') [1] is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition, or by well-prepared assault. Siege warfare (also called siegecrafts or poliorcetics) is a form of constant, low-intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static, defensive position.
Medieval warfare is the warfare of the Middle Ages. Technological, cultural, and social advancements had forced a severe transformation in the character of warfare from antiquity , changing military tactics and the role of cavalry and artillery (see military history ).
Sapping became necessary as a response to the development and spread of trace Italienne in defensive architecture in the 1500s. The Italian style star fort bastion made siege warfare and sapping the modus operandi of military operations in the late medieval and first decades of the early modern period of warfare. [5]
Lists of battles Before 301 301–1300 1301–1600 1601–1800 1801–1900 1901–2000 2001–current Naval Sieges See also Part of a series on War (outline) History Prehistoric Ancient Post-classical Castles Early modern Military revolution Pike and shot Napoleonic warfare Late modern Industrial warfare Fourth-gen warfare Military Organization Command and control Defense ministry Army Navy ...
First siege engine recorded to be used, soon adopted by Sparta. [1] Catapult: 500 BC Greece: A signature siege engine, used until World War I. [2] Lithobolos: 5th Century BC Magadha, India: Siege engines that propel a stone along a flat track with two rigid bow arms powered by torsion. Invented by the Kingdom of Magadha. Siege ladder: 6th ...
Toward the end of the Middle Ages, the development of cannon made revolutionary changes to siege warfare throughout Europe, with many castles becoming susceptible to artillery fire. The primary aims in castle wall construction were height and thickness, but these became obsolete because they could be damaged by cannonballs. [ 47 ]
Escalade consists of attacking soldiers advancing to the base of a wall, setting ladders, and climbing to engage the defending forces. Though very simple and direct, it was also one of the most dangerous options available; escalade would generally be conducted in the face of arrow fire from the battlements, and the defenders would naturally attempt to push ladders away from the wall.