Main Attack

Main Attack 

the attack by the main contingent of troops (or fleet forces) in a direction significant for the destruction of the enemy, and the emergence into the final target area of the operation (battle). The choice of direction for the main attack and the correct allocation of forces for carrying it out constitute the basis of the commanding officer’s (commander’s) decisions and largely predetermine the success of the operation. The direction of the main attack is determined by the assigned task and the conditions of the situation and depends on the position of one’s own troops and the enemy’s and their quantitative and qualitative composition and interrelations, the definition of the front line, and the character of the environment. The direction that takes the attacking group to weak and vulnerable places in the enemy’s defense is considered the most advantageous.

P. K. ALTUKHOV and S. F. BEGUNOV