The Star Army's ten thousands of fighters were all standing shoulder to shoulder, creating a battle line about two kilometers long. The army positioned itself on the south side of the Surabaya City as on the north and the east sides of the city were the seas. The plan was to drag as many zombies to the south while Alex's group from the Madura Island on the north will cross the sea by ship.
Although it looked like the army was standing in a simple line, it's actually a carefully prepared defensive formation. Farell, as the commander, has used this tactic several times before. The strategy was similar to the tactics used by the British against the Zulus and other technologically inferior tribes. Essentially, several lines of soldiers are formed behind one another. This tactic is effective in keeping the fighters' endurance against the endless wave of zombies.