Final answer:
In the given sentence, 'extricate' means to retreat, which is withdrawing from an entangled position with the enemy. The correct answer is 1) Retreat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term extricate in the context of the sentence 'The front line troops began to extricate from the enemy' means to free oneself from a constraint or difficulty. In this scenario, it refers to the troops withdrawing from an entangled position with the enemy. Therefore, the correct answer is 1) Retreat. When military forces extricate themselves, they are typically engaged in a tactical maneuver to disengage from combat with the enemy and move to a safer location. This action could be due to several possible tactical reasons such as avoiding encirclement, reducing casualties, or regrouping to a more defensible position. The provided passages discuss various military strategies and outcomes when facing an enemy. Such strategic movements are essential in the art of warfare, where the decision to advance, retreat, or defend can significantly affect the outcome of an engagement.