Breaking the will to fight

[remnant]

A deadly military strategy involves not focusing on winning the war in the initial stages which is not possible, but breaking the opponent's will to fight. This may involve overwhelming aerial or ground bombardments. It may also involve commando attacks on the enemy's tactical headquarters or other sensitive zones which is least expected. The element of suprise is key here since this is more of psychological warfare involving hitting the enemy at the strongest point.

 

[Susimi]

The Russians targeted the moral of the German soldiers during WWII by flying night bombing sorties over the enemy lines and airfields in out dated bi-plane Po-2 aircraft. They became known as the night witches. Little real damage was done but the psychological damage was great, because they kept the Germans awake and didn't allow them to sleep.

 

[vash]

The best ways to break the will of enemies are to
1. Cut off their communication
2. Cut off their supply router or repeatedly destroy their supply convoy
3. Make them believe they have lost the way (easy to do so when their communication to the higher level command structure was cut off)
4. Surround them and cut off escape router
5. Cause massive casualty to them without them being able to fight back

 

[Susimi]

In regards to encircling the enemy, it amazes me how the personnel in the Kurland Pocket held out and kept on fighting until the surrender. I mean they were completely cut off, were being slowly driven towards the sea day by day yet they kept on fighting and put up a bloody good fight in face of almost certain defeat. Pretty incredible.