discuss the importance of landscape in crafting battle strategy for both the french and the english

Question

The French and Indian War 1754-1763

Answer 1

In military strategy landscapes are very important. Armies use landscapes to determine how they will deploy their troops and where strategic ambushes or defensive positions could be implemented in a certain theater of combat. The French and English both during the time frame of 1754-1763 were still utilizing Napoleonic strategies. The key principle was being that both sides engaged one another head on amassed in a flat and open battlefield. Therefore the most important thing in strategy would be to pick a perfect spot; IE and open field. Even more so would be to be the first one to take up position there so that all the troops would be fresh for the fight. The down side would play for the last one to reach the battlefield and have to engage with little to no rest. The British mainly believed in fighting a "gentlemen's" war in which fighting was done as fair as possible. The French and Natives used Guerrilla Warfare. To that end being able to use landscapes to provide cover and await in ambush until within range of the opposing force benefited them sufficiently. Then a rapid and aggressive assault would ensue ever so briefly creating mass havoc, as well as casualties and then in the panic that would ensue would thus facilitate a quick withdrawal and disappearance.