How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

The Wedge

Disciplines > Warfare > Tactics > The Wedge

Action | Analysis | Example | Analogy | See also

Action

A wedge is a relatively small, well-armored, mobile and tightly-bunched group of soldiers that acts like a spear, punching a hole in the shield wall of the opposing side.

To cut through the opposing side, the wedge is often V-shaped, with a relatively narrow front and widening flanks that push open the hole created.

Once through the opposing front-line wall, the troops in the wedge may then cause mayhem amongst enemy soldiers who thought they were well-defended by their battle front. Other troops may also stream through the breech.

Analysis

The wedge works best when it is well-targeted against a weak point. Like a knife, it is often best if it separates rather than pausing to fight.

The modern tank can perform the penetrating function of a wedge and may have been designed with this in time.

Example

Analogy

Take the weakest point of their argument and attack it hard, criticizing and questioning the detail. When the concede that point move quickly on to another weakness.