Feigned Retreat was a tactic used by Genghis Khan and William the Conqueror.
Description[]
This tactic involved a unit or army baiting the enemy into attacking or chasing them with the intent to either lure them onto better terrain or into an ambush.
Examples[]
Genghis Khan[]
Genghis Khan applied this tactic during the Battle of Kalka River where a force of 2,000 Mongol horsemen agitated a force of 80,000 Rus and Kipchaks into attacking them and kept them focused on trying to pursue them by constantly launching hit-and-run attacks and denying them the opportunity for a battle. The pursuit lasted for 9 days and stretched for 200 miles which left the Rus and Kipchaks disorganized, tired, and blindly determined which led to them being trapped and defeated by a waiting army of 18,000 Mongolians in an ambush on the banks of the Kalka River.
William the Conqueror[]
This tactic was also applied by William the Conqueror during the Battle of Hastings. William's initial uphill attack was foiled by the Anglo-Saxon shield wall formation. By feigning retreats, he deceived them into breaking their shield wall formation and coming off the high ground which allowed his forces to inflict significant casualties on the pursuing English forces. With their ranks thinned out and their shield wall reduced in effectiveness, William ordered his archers to fire on the rear of the Anglo-Saxon army which succeeded in inflicting further casualties and mortally wounding king Harold Godwinson, clinching the victory for the Norms.
On The Show[]
Genghis Khan's Feigned Retreat was pitted against Hannibal's Double Envelopment tactic for the X-Factor of Battlefield Tactics. The edge was given to Genghis Khan for his tactical ability in luring away and weakening the enemy.
The Feigned Retreat was also used by William the Conqueror and pitted against Joan of Arc's Audacity for the X-Factor of Battlefield Tactics. The edge was given to William for the greater tactical significance of his victory at Hastings.
Trivia[]
- The Feigned Retreat is the only battlefield tactic to be used twice by different warriors. It also the only tactic to both times receive the edge.
- Genghis Khan never actually applied the tactic during the Battle of Kalka River due to the fact that he was never at the battle in the first place. The battle (as well as the tactic) was thought and used by his two generals at the battle; Jebe and Subutai.
Gallery[]
William the Conqueror[]
Genghis Khan[]
