Originally Posted by
NutLoose
The reason Russia left a bridge standing was I believe in the hope that they would all withdraw over it.
Isn't that
in Sun Tzu's book?
36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free.
This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object, as Tu Mu puts it, is "to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair." Tu Mu adds pleasantly: "After that, you may crush him."