One of the most important things to
avoid in a battle. A basic strategy when you have superior numbers is to send troops around both
flanks of the enemy to surround them. Being attacked from all sides is very demoralizing. If an
encircled battalion is
routed they will either be slaughtered or taken prisoner. A good
encirclement maneuver can capture a great deal of soldiers and supplies.
This can also apply at a larger scale with countries. Germany has several times worried about being encircled by it's enemies in Europe. At this scale the threat is a
two front war.