Why is flanking so effective?

Flanking is useful because a force’s fighting strength is typically concentrated in its front, therefore to circumvent an opposing force’s front and attack its flank is to concentrate one’s own offense in the area where the enemy is least able to concentrate defense.

What is a siege in war?

(siːdʒ ˈwɔːˌfɛə) noun. military. the use of offensive operations carried out to capture a fortified place by surrounding it, severing its communications and supply lines, and deploying weapons against it.

What are the major developments of gunpowder in ancient China?

Major developments: Gunpowder is utilized in Chinese warfare and an assortment of gunpowder weapons appear. Fire arrows utilizing gunpowder as an incendiary appear in the early 900s and possibly rocket arrows as well by the end of the century. The gunpowder slow match is used for igniting flame throwers.

What is the ancestor of gunpowder?

The ancestor of firearms, the fire lance, also appears, but its usage in the 10th century is uncertain and no textual evidence for it exists during this period. Fire arrows utilizing gunpowder are used by Southern Wu troops during the siege of Yuzhang.

Did the Song dynasty use gunpowder?

In Europe gunpowder is mentioned in textual sources by Roger Bacon, in his Opus Majus. Battle of Xiangyang: Fire lances are used by a Song riverine relief force to repel boarders. Reusable fire lance barrels made of metal are employed by the Song army.

What are the ingredients of gunpowder?

The ingredients of gunpowder are recorded in the Baopuzi, also known as The Master Who Embraces Simplicity, by Taoist philosopher Ge Hong, who lived in the Jin dynasty (266–420). It describes experiments to create gold with heated saltpeter, pine resin, and charcoal among other carbon materials, resulting in a purple powder and arsenic vapours.

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