Eli5: Why is Urban warfare feared as the most difficult form of warfare for a military to conduct?
In: 1719
One of the most disadvantagous natural terrains a military can be in is a canyon or valley. You are surrounded on all sides by vantage points and can’t see beyond the canyon rim. Not only that but any attempt to push back an ambush would mean assaulting uphill at a massive disadvantage.
Urban centers are like sprawling artificial canyons. Essentially, any army wishing to take an urban area either needs to reduce it to rubble or go building to building and clear each one. The first choice has the potential for a massive amount of civilian death and the second one has a the potential for a massive amount of soldier’s dying.
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