What is Withdrawal (military)?
[[File:French retreat in 1812 by Pryanishnikov.jpg |thumb|right|300px|{{Center|[[France|French]] retreat from [[Russia]] in 1812}}]] {{War}} A [[military]] '''withdrawal''' or '''retreat''' is a type of military operation. It generally means pulling back [[Military force|forces]] while maintaining contact with the [[enemy]]. There are several reasons why a military force would retreat. A force might pull back to occupy [[ground]] that is easier to [[defend]]. A retreat may be used to lead an enemy into an [[ambush]]. It may be moving back as quickly as possible in order to save your army from [[wikt:defeat|defeat]]. A withdrawal or retreat can be [[risk]]y. It requires [[discipline]] to keep forces organized and not turn a retreat into a [[rout]]. Care must also be taken so a retreat does not damage a force's [[morale]]. == Tactical withdrawal == A withdrawal may be necessary when a defending force is outmatched or on disadvantageous ground. But it is usually important to cause as much damage to an enemy as possible. In such a case, the retreating force may employ a number of tactics and [[strategy|strategies]]. These are to slow an enemy's progress. This could include setting [[Land mine|mines]] or [[booby trap]]s during or before withdrawal. Sometimes [[ambush]] by a small force can slow or stop an enemy advance. Also, leading the enemy into prepared [[Barrage (artillery)|artillery barrages]], or the use of [[scorched earth]] tactics. == Rout == In [[warfare]], the long-term strategy is the defeat of the enemy. An effective [[Military tactics|tactical]] method is to [[Demoralization (warfare)|demoralize]] the enemy. This is usually done by defeating their army. This is also done by routing them from the [[battlefield]]. Once a force had become [[wikt:disorganized|disorganized]] it loses its ability to fight as a unit. The victors can chase down the fleeing [[soldier]]s. The victors can also attempt to cause as many [[Casualty (person)|casualties]] as possible. They also may try to take as many [[Prisoner of