Offensive Operations Flashcards
What are Offensive Operations
Offensive Operations are combat operations conducted to defeat and destroy enemy forces and seize terrain, resources, and population center. They impose the commander’s will on the enemy.
What are the 6 purposes of an Offensive Operation
Dislocate, Isolate, Disrupt, and Destroy Enemy Forces
Seize Key Terrain
Deprive the Enemy of Resources
Develop Intelligence
Deceive and Divert the enemy
Create a Secure Environment for Stability Operations
What are the characteristics of an Offensive Attack
SCAT
Surprise
Concentration
Audacity
Tempo
Define Surprise
Striking the enemy at a time or place or in a manner for which he is not prepared.
Unpredictability and boldness help gain surprise.
Delay enemy reactions, as it overloads and confuses enemy command and control (C2).
Surprise may also come from an unexpected change in tempo.
Define Concentration
The attacker masses the effects of combat power at the decisive point to achieve the unit’s purpose.
Leaders concentrate the effects of their combat power, while trying not to concentrate forces.
Define Audacity
A simple plan of action, boldly executed.
Understand when and where to take risks.
Audacity inspires Soldiers to overcome adversity and danger.
Define Tempo
Rate of military action relative to the enemy.
Tempo promotes surprise and keeps the enemy off balance.
By increasing tempo, commanders maintain momentum.
Flexibility is a characteristic of the Offense, T or F
F. All plans need to adjust at some point. Commanders maintain flexibility at all times so he can attack identified enemy weaknesses when they are presented. The commander should avoid “fighting the plan” and instead focus on fighting the enemy or attacking identified enemy weakness
How many types of Offensive Operations are there
4
List the types of Offensive Operations
Movement to Contact
Attack
Exploitation
Pursuit
Define Movement to Contact
Offensive operations designed to develop the situation and to establish or regain contact
Techniques:
Search and Attack
Approach and March
Define Search and Attack
Commanders employ this form of movement to contact when the enemy is operating as small, dispersed element, or when the task is to deny the enemy the ability to move within a given area
Define Approach and March
Infantry companies normally use movement to contact as part of a larger force
Define Attacks
An offensive operation that destroys or defeats an enemy force, seizes, and secures terrain or both
Techniques:
Hasty Attack
Deliberate Attack
Special Purpose Attacks
Define Hasty Attack
Exploit a tactical opportunity
Maintain the momentum
Regain the initiative
Prevent the enemy from regaining organization or balance
Gain a favorable position that might be lost with time
Define Deliberate Attack
Highly synchronized operations characterized by detailed planning and preparation
Use simultaneous operations throughout the AO, planned fires, shaping operations, and forward positioning of resources needed to sustain momentum
Define Special Purpose Attack
Requires distinctive methods and require special planning:
Spoiling Attack Counterattack Raid Ambush Feint Demonstration
How many types of maneuvers are there
5
What are the types of Manuvers
Envelopment
Turning movement
Infiltration
Penetration
Frontal Attack
Define Envelopment
Attacking force seeks to avoid the principal enemy defenses by seizing objectives to the enemy rear or flank to destroy the enemy in his current position
Define Turning Movement
Attacking force seeks to avoid the enemy’s principal defensive positions by seizing objectives to the enemy rear and causing the enemy to move out of his current positions or divert major forces to meet the threat
Define Infiltration
Attacking force conducts undetected movement through or into an area occupied by enemy forces to occupy a position of advantage in the enemy rear while exposing only small elements to enemy defensive fires
Define Penetration
Attacking force seeks to rupture the enemy defenses on a narrow front to create both assailable flanks and access to the enemy’s rear
Define Frontal Attack
Attacking force seeks to destroy a weaker force or fix a larger enemy force in place over a broad front
