Coriantumr’s military strategy was at the same time boldly brilliant and fatally flawed. He had made great progress in attacking the center of the enemy’s territory but by doing so had become surrounded. Following Mormon’s example of how to be a student of military history, we can turn to other military campaigns which have made the same mortal mistake.
The most obvious is the Battle of the Bulge, which occurred as the Allied forces closed towards Germany near the end of WWII. In an incredibly bold move, Hitler ordered an all out offensive in the middle of the Allied line at Ardennes. His offensive was very successful, pushing Allies forces back for miles, costing thousands of Allied lives, and placing doubt and frustration into the hearts of many soldiers. But Hitler had made the mistake of getting his forces surrounded on all but one side. From a strategic standpoint Eisenhower saw this attack as Mormon viewed Coriantumr’s—as a terrible mistake (See Citizen Soldier, by Stephen Ambrose). There are few military situations worse than being surrounded by the enemy. After the failure of the German forces to hold the line on three sides, their army was methodically pushed back to Berlin.