It seems even if you had bigger numbers, if your army is attacked on multiple sides you lose. Cant soldiers push from a single point strongly to break it? I am thinking of a historic setting, no thecnologically advanced weapons.
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Oddly, it’s one of those things that’s always been true, even when warfare changes radically.
Two big points. One, when you have a large number of men in a terrifying and confusing situation like battle, the main thing that keeps effective and keeps them from freaking out and running is strict order/discipline. This tends to mean everyone facing forward and knowing they could pull back if they needed. Two, armies need a constant flow of supplies and communication, which generally comes from behind.
If an army is surrounded, it’s exposed to attack from directions it can’t easily respond to. You can sort of circle up against all sides but that’s a hard maneuver to pull off under constant attack and confusion, and it limits your movement options badly.) Your men tend to panic knowing that they have nowhere to run. In the case of a longer battle/siege, your men will start to get hungry, thirsty, and low on ammunition soon.
To your second question: Yes, it’s called a breakout, and it’s a top priority when you’re encircled! Unfortunately, it’s also risky. Your men will be attacking hard to break through enemy lines, who are comfortably defending. You’ve pulled men away from the main force which is now weaker and still surrounded. Your enemy holds all the cards, and can keep attacking your fleeing men from all sides, or let some escape and then cut them off (now you have two smaller encircled armies!)
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