Military Historians- what do you think was the most brilliant single military ma

Question:Since maybe the Napoleanic Wars. And it can be from any nation's army in any battle or war.

For example the assault on Brecourt Manor in WWII or the assault on Bunker Hill, etc. Or again, any nation's maneuver. Please be specific and tell me why you believe it to be so amazing. Thanks!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Since maybe the Napoleanic Wars. And it can be from any nation's army in any battle or war.

For example the assault on Brecourt Manor in WWII or the assault on Bunker Hill, etc. Or again, any nation's maneuver. Please be specific and tell me why you believe it to be so amazing. Thanks!

The most brilliant campaign in the Civil War was Jackson's Valley Campaign in 1862. This engaged the Union forces piece meal, involving long, rapid marches that used the terrain to conceal his movements. This campaign is studied in War Colleges to this day.

However for a single battle, Lee's conduct of the Battle of Chancellorsville is usually considered the most brilliant battle of the Civil War. Faced with forces outnumbering his, with substantial forces remanining on his front at Fredericksburg, Lee had to react to Hooker crossing the Rappahannock well to his left, threatening to attack his army from the flank unless he withdrew.

Lee left Early to face Sedgwick at Fredericksburg, maneuvering his remaining 40,000 men westward until they attacked the advance of Hooker's 70,000 troops. Hooker's attack faltered, then withdrew into defensive positions.

That night, Lee divided his undersized forces yet again, sending Stonewall Jackson with 28,000 men around the Union right while Lee's remaining 12,000 engaged the attention of Hooker's 70,000 with activity in his front. Late in the afternoon, Jackson attacked and routed two Union Corps, pushing Hooker's forces back on the Chancellor house. Instead of Hooker attacking Lee in the flank, the most advantageous position, he had been flanked by a force inferior in numbers!

Jackson was wounded by his own forces after conducting a reconnaisance for a night attack. Stuart led his forces the next day in the continued attacks on Hooker's beleagured forces, who withdrew back toward the river crossings.

The decision by Hooker to withdraw enabled Lee to redeploy his forces back towards Freericksburg when the forces there at last crossed the river. When those forces were engaged, then withdrew back across the river, and Hooker's forces returned to the north bank across from Fredericksburg, Lee had once again defeated his Union opponent, responding decisevely by what is often described as "breaking the principles of war" by dividing rather than concentrating his forces in the face of the enemy. By so doing, Lee had defeated an enemy force about twice his force's size.

Hitlers blitkrieg, (lightning war), against Poland, (and later most of the rest of Europe), in 1939. The German forces concentrated infantary, mobile aromour, (tanks and armoured cars), and air-power, (notably the JU87 'Stuka' dive-bomber), in a spearhead, which literally smashed through the Polish defence.
Although the Poles were disadvantaged, (they relied heavily on outdated tactics and cavalry), no-one can deny that the Germans achieved an absolutely stunning victory in a military sense. I personally do not believe any armed force has achieved anything like it before or since. (Bear in mind both Gulf conflicts were fought by coalitions).

The Battle of Belmont Missouri in 1861, Gen Ulysses Grant defeated Gen Gideon J. Pillow and three months later, as a consequence of this, Gen Grant and Captain Andrew H. Foote seized the fortresses of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River and Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River, those battles change the curse of the American Civil War.

I would say either Rourke's Drift buring the Boer Wars when about 355 british and African natives defended against abou 4500 Zulu warriors. The British dug themselves in until their lines broke. Then Private Alfred Henry Hook defended with is bayonet while Private John Williams cut through an internal wall to bring injured people to safety. Both were awarded the Victtorian Cross. It shows extroardinary bravry in how few men can hold off many if they have courage and more advanced weaponry. There is a movie about it called Zulu.

Alexander the Great's strategy in his Battle of Guagamela.