What is Envelopment?
[[File:Battle of Marathon Greek Double Envelopment.png|right|300px]] {{War}} '''Envelopment''' is the military [[wikt:tactic|tactic]] of attacking the [[enemy]]'s [[wikt:flank|flank]] or [[wikt:rear|rear]].<ref name=goodbad>{{cite web |url=http://goodbadstrategy.com/wp-content/downloads/FM100-5_Envelopment.pdf |title=Forms of Maneuver |website=FM 100-5 Operations, US Department of the Army |publisher=Good Strategy Bad Strategy |access-date=23 August 2016 |archive-date=10 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010190811/http://goodbadstrategy.com/wp-content/downloads/FM100-5_Envelopment.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> This is done while keeping the enemy's attention [[wikt:focus|focus]]ed on his front by the use of [[wikt:diversion|diversion]]ary attacks.<ref name=goodbad/> The envelopment makes the enemy fight in a direction they are the least prepared for.<ref name=globalsecurity>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-71-2/chap3.htm |title=Offensive Operations |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=23 August 2016}}</ref> The maneuver requires a flank that can be attacked. Unlike a [[flanking maneuver]], which uses the enemy's forward movement to create an attackable flank, envelopment depends on the enemy's [[Defense (military)|defensive position]], any [[wikt:obstacle|obstacle]]s and the [[terrain]].<ref name=globalsecurity/> The envelopment has both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include being able to capture or defeat all or part of an opposing army.<ref name=tacticstut>{{cite web |url=http://www.theartofbattle.com/tactics-tutorial/ |title=Tactics Tutorial |publisher=Palmer History Group |access-date=23 August 2016 |archive-date=29 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829085344/http://www.theartofbattle.com/tactics-tutorial/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It offers less risk than other offensive maneuvers.<ref name=tacticstut/> Disadvantages include the possibility of an enemy [[counterattack]] on the weakened center or o