Changes in Tactics and Strategy

Early Medieval Warfare: 500-1066

Shield walls: This was a common tactic used, wherein soldiers would form a line, holding their shields side-by-side to defend against archers and charging enemies.
Charging: After the initial archery and javelin attack, armies would typically engage in a ferocious and often disorganised charge.

Feudal levy: The Normans implemented a system where vassals would provide knights for the army, often trained in castle grounds.
Castles as strongholds: Castles served as bases for controlling territories. Siege warfare became more common.
Cavalry charge: The charge of heavily-armoured knights became a decisive factor in many battles.

Use of gunpowder: The introduction of cannons and handheld firearms led to new tactics, including the use of ‘pike and shot’ formations.
Linear tactics: Soldiers were organised in tight formations to maximise the effectiveness of their firearms.

Trench warfare: The First World War was characterised by static trench warfare, where opposing sides were separated by ‘no man’s land’.
Combined operations: In the Second World War, advances in technology led to a blend of naval, air, and land forces working together.
Blitzkrieg (“Lightning War”): This was a strategy used by the Germans during the Second World War, involving fast, concentrated attacks aimed at quickly defeating the enemy.
Nuclear deterrent: The development of nuclear weapons has significantly impacted the strategy and tactics of warfare, creating a mutual deterrence situation.