Double envelopment, commonly called a pincer movement, is a tactic in which an attacking force strikes both flanks of an enemy formation simultaneously to encircle and destroy it rather than merely defeat it frontally. Though discussed as early as Sun Tzu (who cautioned against it) and arguably attempted at Marathon, its most famous and best-documented execution is Hannibal's victory at Cannae in 216 BC, the first pincer movement recorded in full tactical detail, by the historian Polybius. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Core ClaimWeaken the center deliberately to draw the enemy into a bulging advance, then close veteran flank infantry and cavalry around its rear to encircle and annihilate it. 2 Classification
Domain (Land, Sea, Air, Cyber) Connections
Associated With
Source Wikipedia: Battle of Cannae
Cannae (216 BC) is called the first successful use of the pincer movement recorded in detail; this entry generalizes the tactic beyond that single battle.
Source Wikipedia: Pincer movement
Critiqued Here
Developed By
Sun Tzu discussed but cautioned against the tactic centuries earlier, and a version was arguably attempted at Marathon in 490 BC; Cannae is the first double envelopment recorded in full tactical detail, by Polybius, and gives the maneuver its common nickname.
Source Wikipedia: Pincer movement
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Battle of Cannae
Wikipediabattle narrative, encirclement phase
Hannibal ordered his African infantry to turn inwards and advance against the Roman flanks, creating an encirclement in one of the earliest known examples of a pincer movement
- A ground-battle tactic, per the entity's own sourced description.
View the Source 2. Wikipedia: Pincer movement
Wikipediadefinition / Cannae section
a military maneuver in which forces simultaneously attack both flanks (sides) of an enemy formation...cite it as the first successful use of the pincer movement that was recorded in detail, by the Greek historian Polybius
definition
forces simultaneously attack both flanks (sides) of an enemy formation
Cannae section
cite it as the first successful use of the pincer movement that was recorded in detail, by the Greek historian Polybius
- Associated With: Pincer Movement (General Envelopment Tactic)
Associated With: Sun Tzu, History section
Sun Tzu, in The Art of War (traditionally dated to the 6th century BC), speculated on the maneuver but advised against trying it
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.