Scorched Earth Strategy

The Scorched Earth Strategy is a military tactic where a defending force destroys anything that could be useful to the enemy—like food, supplies, or infrastructure—as they retreat. The goal is to weaken the advancing force’s ability to sustain itself and limit their resources. This approach can cause hardship for both the enemy and the local population, and is often used in desperate or strategic situations to slow down or hinder an enemy’s progress. While effective in some cases, it can also lead to significant destruction and suffering.