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Scorched earth is a military tactic which involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy whilst withdrawing from an area. The name refers to the practice of burning crops to deny the enemy food sources. The practice may be carried out by an army in enemy territory, or by an army in its own home territory. An example of the latter occurred in World War II when the Soviet Red Army salted their own lands as the Nazis forced them to retreat back through it, preventing the Nazis from growing crops on it. This example also illustrates another important aspect to consider about scorched earth tactics: when the Soviets reclaimed the territory, they were equally unable to use it.

The tactic can also be used aggressively to cripple an enemy's ability to operate and fight in their own territory. General Sherman's March to the Sea during the American Civil War is a well known example.

During the Napoleonic Wars, scorched earth policies were successfully employed in both Spain (see Peninsular War) and Russia (see Patriotic War). Contrary to popular opinion maintained mainly by the Tolstoy novel War and PeaceWar and Peace Voyna i mir ) is an epic novel of Russian history and society by Leo Tolstoy, first published from 1865 to 1869, which tells the story of Russia during the Napoleonic Era. The Russian words for 'peace' and 'world' are homonyms, so the novel', in Russia the tactic was first proposed not by Mikhail Illarionovich KutuzovMikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov, Prince of Smolensk ( 16th September 1745 28th April 1813 Gregorian Calendar, 5th September 1745 16th April 1813 Julian Calendar) served as a Russian Field Marshal. He bore the full Russian surname of "Golenishchev-Kutuzov" ; but Michael Andreas Barclay de TollyMichael Andreas Barclay de Tolly called by the Russians Mikhail Bogdanovich, Prince Barclay de Tolly ( ( 1761 1818), Russian field marshal, was born in Livonia, a descendant of a Scottish family which had settled in Russia in the 17th century. He entered.

1 Wars which have involved scorched earth tactics

• The rebellion against Julius CaesarAlternative meanings: Julius Caesar (disambiguation). Gaius Julius Caesar ( Latin: C·IVLIVS·C·F·C·N·CAESAR) ( July 13, 100 BC March 15, 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader whose conquest of Gallia Comata extended the Roman world all the way t by VercingetorixVercingetorix ( 72 BC 46 BC), chieftain of the Arverni, led the great Gallic revolt against the Romans in 53- 52 BC. His name in Gaulish means "over-king" ver-rix of warriors cingetos . As described in Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars Rome had secured dominati
• The Napoleonic Wars in Russia and Spain.
• The BritishThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a state in Western Europe, usually known simply as the United Kingdom the UK Britain or less accurately as Great Britain . The UK was formed by a series of Acts of Union which united the formerly used scorched earth techniques against the AfrikanerAfrikaner s are white South Africans predominantly of Calvinist Dutch, German, French Huguenot and Belgian descent who speak Afrikaans. Some settlers from other parts of Europe (e. Scandinavia and Britain) also joined the ranks of the Afrikaners. Non-Euros during the Boer Wars.
• During the American Civil War, General Sherman burned and plundered the countryside on his way from Atlanta to the sea.
• In skirmishes with Indian settlers in the Great Plains, American soldiers used scorched earth tactics to destroy Indian food supplies and territories.
• During World War II, the Soviets employed a highly effective scorched earth policy to counter the Nazi invasion (see Great Patriotic War).
• The Nazis used a scorched earth strategy against the Finns during the Lapland War, part of World War II.
• The Soviet invasion of Afganistan, when the Afganis burned their oil fields to prevent the advance of the Soviet army and the use of them by the Soviet army.
• The United States' policy during the Vietnam War, such as Operation Ranch Hand.
• The retreating Iraqi Forces set ablaze the oil fields in Kuwait as they were driven back by the enemy troops.