Similarly, they have sometimes suggested deliberately putting their own forces in such a situation, for example by burning boats or bridges that could tempt them to retreat. Sun Tzu wrote: 'To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape'. Some military thinkers have cautioned against putting an opposing force into a last stand situation, recognising that trapped men will fight harder. The Shangani Patrol - The last stand of Major Allan Wilson, Matabeleland, 4 December 1893. One situation is that retreat by the defending force would lead to immediate defeat, usually due to the surrounding geography or shortage of supplies or support, as happened to the Royalist infantry on Wadborough Hill after the Battle of Naseby. This usually arises from strategic or moral considerations, such as staying and fighting to buy time for wounded soldiers or civilians to get to a safe place, leading defenders to conclude that their sacrifice is essential to the greater success of their campaign or cause, as happened at the end of the Battle of Saragarhi.

A 'last stand' is a last resort tactic, and is chosen because the defending force realizes or believes the benefits of fighting outweigh the benefits of retreat or surrender.

Last stand call of duty