Encirclement
A force or target is isolated and surrounded by enemy forces. This situation creates a highly dangerous environment for the encircled group. At the strategic level, they cannot receive supplies or reinforcements. On the tactical level, units face attacks from several sides simultaneously. Since retreat becomes impossible unless relieved or able to break out, the force must fight to the death or surrender. A special kind of encirclement exists called a siege. In that case, the encircled forces are enveloped in a fortified position with long-lasting supplies and strong defenses. Sieges have taken place in almost all eras of warfare.
Generals such as Alexander the Great employed encirclement strategies throughout history. Sun Tzu, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Spartacus, Khalid bin Waleed, Genghis Khan, Yi Sun Shin, von Wallenstein, Nader Shah, Shaka Zulu, Napoleon, von Moltke, Heinz Guderian, von Rundstedt, von Manstein, Zhukov, Patton, and Soleimani also utilized these tactics. These commanders span centuries of military evolution. Their names appear on lists of famous leaders who mastered the art of surrounding enemies. The scope of their influence ranges from ancient battles to modern conflicts. Each leader adapted the concept to fit their specific era and available technology.
Sun Tzu and other military thinkers suggest an army should not be completely encircled. Instead, they recommend giving some room for escape. Otherwise, the "encircled" army's men will lift their morale and fight to the death. It is better to allow them to consider the possibility of a retreat. Once the enemy retreats, it can be pursued and captured or destroyed with far less risk to the pursuing forces than a fight to the death. This philosophy appears in Section VII: Maneuvering, line 36 of The Art of War. The psychological impact of total versus partial encirclement determines whether an enemy fights desperately or flees in disarray.
The main form of encircling is the double pincer executed by attacks on the flanks of a battle. Mobile forces such as light infantry, cavalry, tanks, or armored personnel carriers attempt to force a breakthrough. They utilize speed to join behind the back of the enemy force and complete the ring while the main enemy force is stalled by probing attacks. The encirclement of the German Sixth Army in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942 serves as a typical example. During the Winter War, Finland used pocket tactics against the Soviet Union called motti. In the context of war, motti describes a tactic that the Finns used to immobilize, segment, surround, and destroy Soviet troops that were many times as large as them. If there is a natural obstacle like ocean or mountains on one side, only one pincer is needed because the function of the second arm is taken over by the natural obstacle.
A third and rare type of encirclement ensues from a breakthrough in an area of the enemy front. Exploiting that with mobile forces diverging in two or more directions behind the enemy line creates a threat that severely hampers the defender's options. Full encirclement rarely follows, but this attack pattern is centerpiece to blitzkrieg operations. Because of the extreme difficulty, it cannot be executed unless the offensive force has vast superiority in technology, organization, or sheer numbers. The Barbarossa campaign of 1941 saw some examples. The danger to the encircling force is that it is itself cut off from its logistical base. If the encircled force stands firm or maintains a supply route, the encircling force can be thrown into confusion. Rommel's Dash to the Wire in 1941 and the Demyansk Pocket in 1942 illustrate this risk. Comprehensive destruction occurs during campaigns like the Burma campaign in 1944.
The Battle of Ai occurred in 1272 BC as one early example of encirclement. The Battle of Thermopylae took place in 480 BC. Hannibal defeated Roman forces at Cannae in 216 BC. The Battle of the Abas happened in 65 BC. Walaja fell in 633 AD while Mohi was fought in 1241. Ekeren occurred in 1703 and Fraustadt in 1706. Kirkuk saw action in 1733 and Kars in 1745. Maymyo was contested in 1768 before Ulm Campaign began in 1805. Ocaña followed in 1809 and Fort Sumter in 1861. Isandlwana happened in 1879 and Tannenberg in 1914. Lodz and Second Masurian Lakes were battles in 1914 and 1915 respectively. Magdhaba, Rafa, Gaza, Beersheba, and Megiddo occurred between 1916 and 1918. Suomussalmi took place from 1939 to 1940 during the Winter War. Kiev, Smolensk, Białystok, Minsk, Velikiye Luki, Hong Kong, Stalingrad, Korsun-Cherkassy, Kamenets-Podolsky, Bagration, Mons Pocket, Bastogne, Ruhr Pocket, Berlin, Six-Day War, Khorramshahr, Mogadishu, Misrata, Aleppo, Ilovaisk, Tikrit, Afrin, Jabara Valley, Mariupol, and Velyka Novosilka represent later conflicts ranging from 1941 through 2025.
Common questions
What is the definition of encirclement in military strategy?
Encirclement occurs when a force or target is isolated and surrounded by enemy forces. This situation creates a highly dangerous environment for the encircled group because they cannot receive supplies or reinforcements at the strategic level.
Which historical generals used encirclement strategies throughout history?
Generals such as Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Zhukov, Patton, and Soleimani utilized these tactics. These commanders span centuries of military evolution from ancient battles to modern conflicts.
How does Sun Tzu recommend handling an army that is completely encircled?
Sun Tzu suggests that an army should not be completely encircled but rather given some room for escape. Allowing retreat prevents the encircled men from fighting to the death and reduces risk to pursuing forces.
When did the Battle of Stalingrad take place during World War II?
The encirclement of the German Sixth Army occurred in 1942 during the Battle of Stalingrad. This event serves as a typical example of double pincer attacks executed by mobile forces.
What are examples of early battles involving encirclement before the Common Era?
The Battle of Ai occurred in 1272 BC while the Battle of Thermopylae took place in 480 BC. Hannibal defeated Roman forces at Cannae in 216 BC and the Battle of the Abas happened in 65 BC.