Difference between revisions of "Delaying action"
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- Conducting military intelligence to batter assess the situation | - Conducting military intelligence to batter assess the situation | ||
| − | - | + | - Obtaining cover |
| − | - | + | - Maneuvering the enemy into a position in which he may be more effectively attacked. Delaying actions can involve drawing an enemy deeper into a territory and then employing [[Scorched earth policy|scorched earth policies]] (burning crops, killing livestock, destroying supplies/buildings) in order to weaken the attacker as the opponents supply lines are stretched thinner and thinner. The Russians employed this strategy against [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] during a winter attack on Russia. |
Delaying actions combined with [[guerrilla warfare]] (hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, sabotage, etc.) can wear down an enemy's resolve and determination to keep on fighting a war. | Delaying actions combined with [[guerrilla warfare]] (hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, sabotage, etc.) can wear down an enemy's resolve and determination to keep on fighting a war. | ||
Revision as of 00:53, December 13, 2015
A delaying action is a military "maneuver in which a defensive force delays the advance of a superior enemy force by withdrawing while inflicting the maximum destruction possible without engaging in decisive combat."[1]
It is employed to avoid being beaten by a superior hostile force and/or to gain time or to improve the situation with reference to[2]:
- Requesting and obtaining additional forces in order to better defend against an attacker
- Conducting military intelligence to batter assess the situation
- Obtaining cover
- Maneuvering the enemy into a position in which he may be more effectively attacked. Delaying actions can involve drawing an enemy deeper into a territory and then employing scorched earth policies (burning crops, killing livestock, destroying supplies/buildings) in order to weaken the attacker as the opponents supply lines are stretched thinner and thinner. The Russians employed this strategy against Napoleon Bonaparte during a winter attack on Russia.
Delaying actions combined with guerrilla warfare (hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, sabotage, etc.) can wear down an enemy's resolve and determination to keep on fighting a war.