Page:USMC MCDP 1-3 - Tactics.djvu/29

Tactics -  MCDP 1-3 the opposing Roman cavalry and swung completely around the Roman rear to attack the Roman cavalry on the other flank. The Roman cavalry fled the field.

The Carthaginian heavy cavalry then turned back to assault the rear of the dense Roman infantry who had pressed back Hannibal's thin center line. At the same time, Hannibal wheeled his right and left wings into the flanks of the Roman center. The Romans were boxed in, unable to maneuver or use their weapons effectively. (See B in figure on page 21.) Between 50,000 and 60,000 Romans died that day as Varro's army was destroyed.

Understanding decisiveness

What do these examples tell us about achieving a decision?

First, achieving a decision is important. An indecisive battle wastes the lives of those who fight and die in it. It wastes the efforts of those who survive as well. All the costs — the deaths, the wounds, the sweat and effort, the equipment destroyed or used up, the supplies expended — are suffered for little gain. Such battles have no meaning except for the comparative losses and perhaps an incremental gain for one side or the other.