Pursuit and Attack Related Terms

Question 1

Basic Considerations of Pursuit

Answer 1

1. Leadership
2. Decentralization
3. Mobility
4. Time

Question 2

Planning Considerations of Pursuit

Answer 2

1. Launching of force in proper time.
2. Maximum use of air support.
3. The arrangement for the protection of
   force secondary in the interest of
   speed and risks are acceptable and
   desirable.
4. Good traffic control.
5. Evacuation of casualties.
6. POWs.
7. Sound signal communication.
8. Administration.

Question 3

Attack Related Terms

Answer 3

Attack is the basis of war in which the ultimate success of battle depends. The aim of attack is to destroy or defeat the enemy and ultimately seize and hold the ground.

Question 4

Counter-Attack

Answer 4

It is also an offensive action, launched against an attacking force for a specific purpose such as regaining the lost ground.

Question 5

Local Counter-Attack

Answer 5

1. Organized at brigade level or below to
   evict the enemy force who penetrated
   the defensive sector/area/locality.
2. Dedicated reserves are not available.
3. Troops are generally within defense.
4. Time is of prime importance.

Question 6

Deliberate Counter-Attack

Answer 6

1. Organized above division level.
2. Reserves are earmarked.
3. Troops are from the outside.
4. Involves detailed planning,
   coordination, rehearsal.

Question 7

Diversionary Attack

Answer 7

An attack, where in a force, attacks or threatens to attack a tag other than the main tag for the purpose of drawing the enemy attention away from the main attack.
1. Aims to draw enemy’s attention away
from the main attack.
2. Aims at capturing location which
threatens GTI/VG.

Question 8

Feint Attack

Answer 8

A simulated attack or a show of force on a front, where a decision isn’t sought with the aim of deceiving the enemy.
1. Aim is to deceive the enemy.
2. May entail capture/attack of any
location.
3. At battalion level, it is a properly
planned attack.

Question 9

Holding Attack

Answer 9

An attack designed to hold the enemy in position, to deceive as to where the main attack is being made to prevent him from re-enforcing the elements opposing the attack.
1. Involves physical attacks on obstacles
which prevents the enemy to pull out
any troops form his defense.
2. Aim is to hold the enemy’s position.
3. Prevent the enemy’s re-enforcement.
4. May involve even the capture of or
part of GTI with a view to hold enemy
position.

Question 10

Spoiling Attack

Answer 10

A tactical measure employed to impair or delay enemy attack normally launched from the position in the enemy’s FUP, SL and assembly area.
1. Use of maximum artillery weapons.
2. Use of maximum battalion support
weapons.

Question 11

Attack by Infiltration

Answer 11

The attack taps move by individuals or in small groups to previously designated area in the enemy’s rear for execution for decisive attacks. While exposing only small force to enemy fore during passage through the enemy defenses.

Question 12

Objectives of Infiltration

Answer 12

1. Enemy’s reserves.
2. Enemy’s fore support means.
3. Enemy’s command and
   communication centers.
4. Enemy defense is depth.

Question 13

Aim of Infiltration

Answer 13

It is an important means to gain intelligence, harass the enemy and achieve surprise.

Question 14

Assembly Area

Answer 14

This is an area in which attacking troops assemble prepares to attack. The attacking troops complete their preparation for attack, time spent here may vary from 2-6 hours.
Following actions are taken in the Assembly Area:
1. Marrying up with the supporting arms.
2. Administrational arrangement.
3. Preparation of weapons and
ammunitions.
4. Netting of radio sets.

Question 15

FUP

Answer 15

This is a place where the assaulting troops of all arms deploy immediately before the attack on the enemy and adopt their assault formation.
It should be:
1. Concealed from the enemy.
2. Square and close to the start line.
3. Not to be in the enemy’s DF tasks.
4. FUPs are to be occupied for as short
time as possible.

Question 16

H hour

Answer 16

H hour is the time for the start of an operation when the leading elements of the assault troops cross the assault line for the first phase of the attack. All timings for attack are given in re location to H hours.

Question 17

Start Line (SL)

Answer 17

An imaginary line, normally the forward edge of the up and square to the objective, which is crossed at a fixed time by the leading troops in an attack so as to coordinate the fire plan with the movement plan. It should be recognizable.

Question 18

Start Point

Answer 18

Clearly defined point on a route at which movement commences controlled by the commander.

Question 19

Assault Line

Answer 19

This is the line used to coordinate the final deployment of attacking troops in preparation for the night assault against the enemy’s position. There will be no assault line in a day light attack. Generally, a defense in mountain.

Question 20

Mopping up

Answer 20

An action taken by various components of attacking troops

Question 21

Firm Base

Answer 21

An area of tactical importance, the occupation of which by troops, enable the commander’s plan to be implemented in a wider sense. Aim is to provide a secure launch pad to the attacking troops and if the attack fails, the attacking troops can fall back in the firm base.

Question 22

Penetration

Answer 22

It is a maneuver of offensive operations which is penetrated into the enemy’s defensive position through weak points or narrow fronts.

Question 23

Re-organization

Answer 23

The readjustment within formations or units necessitated by casualties in men and equipment or by the ground, carried out immediately after an action has taken place.

Question 24

Exploitation

Answer 24

The taking of full advantage of success in the battle and following up on the initial gains. The opportunist action taken by the attacker to seize tactical features ahead and in the vicinity of his original task with a view of:
1. Taking advantage of enemy’s failure
to hold features.
2. Upsetting the enemy’s plan for action.

Question 25

Envelopment

Answer 25

It is an offensive action in which the main attack strides the enemy in the rear and cuts off his axis of maintenance or his route of withdrawal. Simultaneously, with holding attack against his forward opposition.

Question 26

Turning Movement

Answer 26

Turning Movement differs from envelopment in the following ways:

1. The turning force bypasses the enemy’s main defenses and does not attempt to attack his main position either from the flank or from the rear, it avoids major engagements enroute.
2. The turning force advances rapidly on to its objective to seize vital areas well in the enemy’s rear.
3. Instead of fighting the enemy in his main position, either the entire force or a major portion of it is drawn out of the prepared defenses and then destroyed on ground of the attacker’s choosing.
4. The turning force will normally be operating independently and will be out of supporting distance from the rest of the force operating in the sector.