Historical clue formulations

• Blindside, say — 2024-05-15
• Certain surprise party? — 2023-07-01
• Sneak attack — 2022-08-10
• General plan? — 2019-08-02
• Military tactic — 2012-11-22
• Plot feature in many a western — 2007-06-13
• Military surprise — 2004-09-15
• Waylay — 2002-12-08
• Lurker's plan, perhaps — 2001-11-02
• Surprise attack — 1996-06-17