The oblique order uses angled, weighted attacks to mass force against an enemy flank while keeping his remaining forces fixed in place. Used by the Thebans against the Spartans at Leuctra in 371 BC, and a favourite tactic of Frederick the Great of Prussia. This tag highlights battles demonstrating asymmetrical deployment and doctrinal innovation.
This article explains how machine guns are employed on the battlefield, including the key concepts of cone of fire, beaten zone, grazing fire, enfilade fire, and mutually supporting machine-gun positions. The article forms part of the Tactical Innovations in Warfare series.
The Battle of Chotusitz (17 May 1742) was Frederick the Great’s hardest-won early victory — a chaotic, bloody battle that secured Silesia but exposed deep weaknesses in Prussian command and coordination. Frederick’s maintenance of a fresh reserve to be committed at the decisive moment was a lesson that stayed with him as a commander.
The Battle of Fontenoy, fought on 11 May 1745, was a major battle during the War of the Austrian Succession. A French army of ~50,000 under Marshal Maurice de Saxe against a coalition force of ~50,000 British, Dutch, Hanoverian, and Austrian troops led by the Duke of Cumberland. The result was a decisive French victory!.
The Battle of Leuthen, 5 December 1757, is one of the great battles of history, students of military history would consider it somewhat of a pilgrimage to visit this site. After defeating a Fench/Imperial Army of almost twice its size at the Battle of Rossbach a month earlier, Frederick’s Army had marched 275km in 12 days to confront the Austrian Army in Silesia. Frederick’s 33,000 troops faced Prince Charles of Lorraine and his 65,000 Austrian troops near the village of Leuthen.