A many-on-many stochastic duel model for a mountain battle

Abstract

Terrain plays a major role in mountain battle. The advancing (attacking) force is usually restricted to move in a single column—along a narrow, winding, and steep road. The defending force, on the other hand, which is static, can select its positions such that most of its firepower can be effective against the front unit(s) of the attacking force. This combat situation is modeled as a special type of the many-on-many stochastic duel. This duel is a series of many-on-one subduels where at each such subduel the defending force units simultaneously engage the single exposed front unit of the attacking force. This special type of many-on-many stochastic duel demonstrates the possibility of practical applications of stochastic duel theory.