Let us know which tactics, strategies, military maxims etc. you would like to cover in future. :-) Also, support us via patreon, every single dollar is essential in making our production sustainable: www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals :-)

-Studies military history -Can't win a single multiplayer batte in Total War -Resorts to Paradox games

i am watching this in case i had an army

Epaminondas was all around badass! Invincible military leader, olympic champion wrestler, excellent hoplite soldier, civil leader, orator and pythagoran philsopher. Greatest of greeks any time like Cicero later said. Amazing character!

Here are my two cents about the Oblique Order used by Frederic and why it "usually" worked with him. First of all, the army. A manoeuver like the Oblique Order requires a very disciplined army, who was drilled a lot and who obeyed every order. The oblique orders would allow Frederic to cover his retreat with the troops left behind (since only his right flank would be lost) or send the said reserves to reinforce the right flank and push the enemy to the breaking point. He was lucky, as he inherited a powerful and brand new army from his father, the Sergeant-King, wich really was the strong point of an otherwise quite poor state such as Prussia. During an oblique-order type of attack, the "refused wing" (the one that doesn't attack or whatever you call it in english) must be able to act as soon as possible,to cover the retreat or attack the enemy. Either way, the enemy must be blocked in order to succeed. Secondly, your opponent must stay put, and in order to achieve that you need to use the terrain to your advantage. The other army won't move to support its left/right flank if he doesn't see you coming. It takes time to reform 30 000 men in a 5 kilometers wide and uneven field, time you'll have to shove him out of important positions. If you don't know the terrain you're gonna use, you're screwed. You need to precisely know how it looks like, not only in terms of heights to cover your troops but also on the ground (is it dry or wet, will it stay still enough to bring reinforcments even after 30 000 men and horses/cannons went through it, just think a football field before and after the game and multiply it by 3000). And remember, maps are really rare at the time, especially the precise ones, so you need to use your light cavalry efficiently, otherwise you're blind and exposed to bad surpsies, wich can cause a panic and mass rout. Frederik knew the terrain at Leuthen, that's why his oblique attack worked there. Let's look at the failures now, especially at Kunerdsorf. He had already suffered a defeat at Kolin, but Kunersdorf is a complete rout. He got cocky, and sent his army on a oblique attack, at night in the middle of August (very, very hot) through a forest (no flashlights), in order to end up in marshes and have to change once more his troops organisation in the morning. So he basically attacked then a strong russian position with a winded army. Nothing could have been worse.

I am always impressed by this series. But I leave the audience with some euphemisms: No plan survives contact Work the plan but you are not married to the plan The enemy gets a voice and a vote The enemy doesn't care what you are going to do it only worries what it is going to do. Never stop the enemy when they are making a mistake.

Hmm that Philip II of Macedon sounds interesting ;)

I am now going to use Oblique Order in my Total War games. Imagine just a bunch of those Norse raiders shredding one side to a crisp!!

I've been watching your videos for a while and just wanted to say how fantastic they are. I'm very interested in military history, especially ancient and medieval battle tactics, so this new series is exactly what I look for. Plus, my Total War dominance has been incredible thanks to your detailed accounts of decisive battles!

French classical author Montaigne cited Epaminondas as among the 3 greatest men to have lived. His simple, yet incredibly smart and revolutionary tactic changed the course of History and ended Spartan hegemony over Greece in favor of a Theban one.

Thank god youtube channels like this exist. I was recently scrolling through the History Channel and could not believe how dumbed down that channel has become.

I don't know how anyone can dislike your videos! You guys bring back the old history channel vibe BUT with way better quality! And that smooth voice!

You know a good day is inevitable when these talented guys post a new video

That feeling remained when you did not finish school, but English was already useful to you. Thank you very much for the information!

Nice job! A video on Chinese tactics could be cool. Get us all hyped up for Three Kingdoms.

Man I just love these videos! I won't mention anything in particular that stood out, lest I end up dismissing or not giving the required praise or merit from the rest of the video. This video was near true perfection!

Great video! I really like how you brought up Epaminondas, one of history's greatest generals. His decision to create the refused flank is one of the most important military tactics to have ever existed, as it helped determine the Battles of Bunker Hill and Gettysburg, along with various other engagements.

This is One of the top ten KZfaq channels.

Good job on yet another great video! Sometimes it’s new and crazy ideas that determine the battle as seen here.

That was fantastic, its crazy how far tactics can change History. I especially loved how it was shown that this tactic proved worthy many years later. Then again I can listen to Devin read an encyclopedia! Great work guys, one of my favs for Thursdays!

Yes! Finally, somebody pronounced the damn thing Hop-li-tey! I played Rome and Rome II and the Hoplites' cries are always "Hop-li-teys", but I didn't find any history channels to pronounce them that way. I'm not saying that the English pronunciation is wrong, the Greek way just sounds more satisfying for me for some reasons xD

Really enjoying these more in depth videos on soldiers and tactics. Definitely didn't get this kind of stuff in History class!

It's a very good idea to link your content like that, for sure it makes the whole channel even more relevant!

Such a great video, loved seeing Frederick the Great once again :).

Brilliant. I read about this tactic a few years ago but never really understood it. Glad to see someone finally make a video explaining it. Thanks.

The Music you paired with this video is great. Please continue to use it... Love this video series and keep them coming!! Looking forward to the Philip The Great series.

Can't wait to vote for a new NLP series guys! You rock on having Devin explain tactics in this channel, and I also can't wait for new content, KnG!

I love history as well as your voice it's like watching an ASMR history.

Great as always. I was kinda hoping for a mention of Battle of Kircholm as a variation of the oblique order (old polish order). But since you asked for suggestions, maybe you could cover the Hannibal's Cannae maneuver and how later commanders tried to copy/use it?

Worth pointing out that phalanx drift was why the place on the right was traditionally taken up by the king and his guard as the place of honour. They were the best troops and so much more likely to arrest it

Good work!

Love this series!!! Keep it up!!!

This channel keeps getting better and better.

Great video!!!! I sent one of your videos to my teacher because it was so good!

You are the best ! Not even I ( as a Greek ) didn't know many things covered in this video . Just amazing ! :-)

Interesting video and I think the tactic using oblique order will be more effective if one flank is well protected by natural obstacles just like how Julius Ceasar used against Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus.

Really enjoy this content, very glad I stumbled on this channel!

Eid mubarak in advance for those who will celebrate Eid tomorrow

1:11 also known as the Corinthian war .....The Spartans were forced to retreat from Minor Asia , where they were fighting the Persians and looting the rich province of Lydia . They basically fought against the second Athenian Alliance and a lot of their former allies , who decided to change sides . The Persians did give money to Athens specifically , so that they could rebuild their walls , which were brought down by the Spartans after the Peloponnesian war was over . The Corinthian war ended with a treaty that recognised the subjugation of Ionia by the Persians .

Just awesome as always guys. Some ideas for the future that I think would make a great story but are covered a bit less: Admiral Yi's exploits in Korea. The fourth Anglo-Mysore war. Tipu Sultan & the first firing of rockets in battle, what more can you ask for? Battle of Morgarten due to the tactical changes it ushered in.

Lovely video as always - it seems like you have a different narrator on this one. I'm curious - is there a sound bank that you use for sound effects?

What you all are doing is great. I know you don't do it for free but still, thanks for your work! Love the use of Total War games to supplement each lesson.

Wow this old style was so cool

Very good videos. Keep up the good work. You are doing the world a big service here

its great how you guys have so many plans for the future

Always insightful.

absolutely brilliant! it's a miniaturized ancient variable of Napoleon's favored tactic of "Defeat in detail" smash the most elite, lynch-pin unit/units that are the metaphorical heart & literal leaders of an army & the rest will either flee, or be crippled edit: lmao I should have watched the whole video, you guys clearly saw the comparison to Napoleon as well. Well shit, I guess I'm not as observant and Brilliant as I thought lmao :/

Lovely comparisions, very nice video. More tactics videos!!!

Attacking from a defensive position and Naval battle tactics would be great to see !

Excellent video as usual ! I agree with all the informations you gave about the greek warfare in here :) can't wait to see what you will show us about Philip II, you will have lots to say. As my main research subject I appreciate the fact you will actually talk about this king.

I used it to great success in Empire or Napoleon Total War online. One of the few ways I know how to attack a position.

This video is simply phenomenal

cool video! i really really like the equivalence between different historical periods' warfare

This is already a higher level. In order to make such videos, you need to know the world history very well. Greetings, K&G!!!!

Great job guys! Thanks for making my work day more interesting!

I needed this for my total warhammer playthrough

good video , the oblique formation is a variation of the wedge formation . in the wedge the majority of the army is in the middle not in one of the flanks . the wedge is more used in cavalry" the macedonians are the first who used it " but it can be used in infantry

Very well, for our music project we will be doing a song on Pelopidas - the right-hand man of Epaminondas.

This kinda shows how history is important to learn from and exploit to ones advantage. Alot of things stays the same also in warfare even if equipment changes and distances get bigger.

Yet again another quality video. Good Job!!!!!!

As a fan of history as well as strategy games (currently total war warhammer 2 lol) I love these strategy videos. I really like seeing the same tactics used in varied circumstances and time periods, as it shows better how the tactic can be used in a variety if situations. I think I would just like to see a little more emphasis on that

Very nice job. The Spartan battle was very interesting because it showed their lack of flexibility.They could only march head on? They could have blunted the attack by simply orienting the phalanx to march diagonally across the field and then advance as they always did. This would have forced the extra large phalanx to respond to a powerful 2 sided attack.It is a warning to not be too married to one tactic.

I've been using that tactic for a while in total war but never knew it's name thank you

Nice new intro! :) I was very pleasantly caught off guard by it

this is my favorite video no gaming channel i look forward to this every Thursday keep up the great work i can not offer money but i still wanted u to know u guys are awesome :)

Nice video. I should remember this video in the future. My thanks to those who made this video a reality.

Well done again!

you know there are some very exciting moments in persian history:battle of carrhae,invasion of egypt,campagins of safavid empire,multiple canpagins of Nader shah including the invasion of india and battle of karnal.you could cover these. but anyway you're doing great. thank u so much.

NOW THIS IS WHAT AM TALKING ABOUT. Great as usual *Kings and Generals*

Great vid

I must admit to loving the battle of Leuctra, though the excellent fantasy read of "Lion of Macedon" by David Gemmel , which is a good read. But overall a good analysis of the battle tactics of the time , and Epaminondas was a bit of a military genius for his age , lifting thebes , until his demise later against Sparta. But ultimately the phalanx had the problem of discipline, for it was its discipline that kept it together , and kept It in the fighting , but the same discipline , prevented battlefield manvevoiurs . This was a thing of course , the romans would learn from , again making there own system of changes :D

Brilliant Video! Splendid work once again

those teachings are reserved

We want kings and generals to cover the blitzkrieg tactics

Great idea for a series.

Thank you !! Keep the great work

Amazing nuanced stuff once again!

Hannibal tactics and strategies, please!

Another excellent video! Nice!!

interesting video I might use this.

Nice work :) again !!!

I think I remember this battle being covered in an episode of Time Commanders.

Very nice description of Epaminondas’ strategy. I am eager to see about Philip and Alexander innovations. One comment though. The plural of phalanx is phalanges and not phalanxes. That from a Greek and a physician (finger bones are also called phalanges)

Love your channel ! 😍

Love the channel, is unique and useful, but I really don't get this video. Can't link the problem of move to the right of the phalanx, with the advantage of putting all your forces in one side.

It's really odd that you released this video. Just yesterday I was thinking about the tactic of "refusing the right." You read my mind.

Great video. I liked the previous intro better though

I’m always really surprised by how hard people think drilling troops is. High schoolers literally learn to march :)

A great work as always

10:03 huh... no bs you actually watched em. I haven't seen anyone pull that hat trick (or at least I've never noticed)..."here's my account history"..."see I didn't watch this one so you would notice the pattern!" It worked. Clever cause I'm always like pshh riiight... you watch the Great Brilliant Audible... ya shut me down b4 I even started :) -Jake

Great video like always

Can you guys do some more modern tactics like ww1, ww2 or cold war tactics?

After the battle of Leuctra, one could expect to see the spartans learn something from that defeat but they are too stubborn. Yes, this is the only way they know how to fight but if you want to prevent your enemy from winning another battle, you have to adapt to the situation and find a solution to deal with the problem.

Awesome work you are awesome man

The Spartans could have easily countered the Oblique order by withdrawing their right flank and letting the heavier Theban force be drawn in into an encirclement. I think people still remember the defeat-in-detail and concentration-of-force video about Napoleon. Same principle seems to apply here.

love your videos

Wellesley also used the oblique order at Salamanca.

This was great! keep it up!

Really interesting, good work!

Yes the guy with the awesome voice is back!