List of military tactics - Definition and Overview

This page contains a list of military tactics:

Offensive tactics

• Reconnaissance
• Patrolling
• Ambush
• Skirmish
• Rapid dominance
  • Human wave attack
  • Shock and Awe
  • Blitzkrieg
• Planned attack
  • Use of Supporting Fire
    • Fire and movement or "pepperpotting"
    • Indirect Fire Support
  • Flying wedge (used by Alexander the Great)
  • the "refuse" (cavalry formation)
  • Frontal assault
  • Penetration or infiltration
  • Pincer movement
  • Flank attack
• Concentration of effort
• Dispersal or spacing
• Severing or disrupting lines of communication and supply
  • Control MSR (Main supply routes)
• Envelopment tactics
  • Circumvallation
  • Finnish Motti tactics
  • Siege
• Rapid deployment
  • Capturing key points
  • Airborne operations
  • Raiding
• Exploiting prevailing weather
• Exploiting night
• Disrupting Communications
  • Electronic counter measures e.g Jamming

Defensive tactics

• Basic Principles
  • Depth
  • Mutual Support (e.g by crossfire)
  • All-round defence
• Fighting withdrawal
  • Reserved demolitions
  • Scorched earth
  • Booby traps
• Use of fortifications
  • Strongpoints
  • Obstacles
    • Wire
    • Anti-tank defences
    • Minefields
  • Trench warfare
• Counter attack
  • Counter battery fire
• Maintenance of a reserve
  • QRF (quick-reaction force)
• Use of terrain advantage
  • Height
  • Protection
  • Natural barriers - e.g. rivers
• Overwatch

Deception

• Deception and misdirection
  • for example, by using camouflage
  • or stealth
  • disinformation
  • feint or diversionary attacks
  • Electronic warfare
• Use of surprise
  • Parthian shot

See also:

• Military science
• Military strategy