Military Tactics & Operations Vocabulary

to attack the side of an enemy position

“The cavalry flanked the enemy line.”

wearing down an opponent through sustained losses

“The war of attrition exhausted both armies.”

an attack by troops from a defensive position

“The garrison made a sortie at dawn.”

a two-pronged attack converging on the enemy

“The pincer movement encircled the defenders.”

observation to gather military information

“Reconnaissance revealed enemy positions.”

a level in a hierarchy or a staggered formation

“The upper echelons made the decision.”

a bulge in a battle line projecting into enemy territory

“The salient was vulnerable on three sides.”

a deceptive attack to distract from the main assault

“The feint drew defenders away from the breach.”

gunfire directed along the length of a target

“The machine gun enfiladed the trench.”

a swift, overwhelming military attack

“The blitzkrieg conquered Poland in weeks.”