Scorched-earth defense
The scorched-earth defense is a form of risk arbitrage and anti-takeover strategy.
Operation Waldfest
The German plan was to destroy all villages in front of this protective wall to eliminate any shelter for Allied forces in the upcoming winter. The local population was to be evacuated and the male population aged between 15 and 60 was to be deported to Germany as forced labour. This policy of scorched earth had previously been predominately applied in eastern Europe but not on the Western front.