TACTICS: Frontal Attack & Penetration

As we established the last couple of days, there are five forms of maneuver, plus movement formations and movement techniques. The formations and techniques are the bricks and mortar of the formations.

Here then is a review of the first two Forms of Maneuver that we will look at – Frontal Attack and Penetration. As always, italics added for our emphasis (and commentary), and […] indicates we cut out stuff we thought was fluff. And, as always: you’re smarter reading the reg yourself to be exactly sure.

The major takeaways:

Basic Framework

FM 3-90 looks at each form of maneuver with a consistent framework:

• Organization of forces

• Control measures

• Planning

• Execution

Frontal Attack

A form of maneuver in which an attacking force seeks to destroy a weaker enemy force or fix a larger enemy force in place over a broad front.

Units normally employ a frontal attack to—

• Clear enemy security forces.

• Overwhelm a shattered enemy force during an exploitation or pursuit.

• Fix enemy forces in place as part of another operation.

• Conduct a reconnaissance in force.

A frontal attack is necessary when assailable flanks do not exist.

Frontal attack maintains continuous pressure along the entire front until a breach occurs or the attacking forces succeed in pushing the enemy forces back. Consequently, units rarely conduct frontal attack when they lack overwhelming combat power unless fixing the enemy is vital to a larger operation’s success.

Units executing a frontal attack organize into a security force, a main body, and a reserve. There is no unique TASKORG.

Penetration

A form of maneuver in which a force attacks on a narrow front.

Destroying the continuity of a defense enables the enemy force’s subsequent isolation and defeat in detail.

The penetration extends from the enemy force’s disruption zone through the battle zone into the enemy support zone.

Units employ a penetration when-

• Weak spots are identified in enemy defenses through reconnaissance, surveillance, and security operations.

• Conditions do not permit an envelopment, such as the enemy having no assailable flank.

Penetrations organize into:

• breach force

• support force

• assault force

• a reserve.

These elements exist for each location the force is required to penetrate. Note that FM 3-90 goes into detail about this organization (see below).

Diving deep in the doctrinal details:

FRONTAL ATTACK

2-27. A frontal attack is a form of maneuver in which an attacking force seeks to destroy a weaker enemy force or fix a larger enemy force in place over a broad front. As depicted in figure 2-14 on page 2-14 an attacking force uses a frontal attack to overrun a weak enemy force. They normally employ a frontal attack to—

• Clear enemy security forces.

• Overwhelm a shattered enemy force during an exploitation or pursuit.

• Fix enemy forces in place as part of another operation.

• Conduct a reconnaissance in force.

PENETRATION

2-36. A penetration is a form of maneuver in which a force attacks on a narrow front. Destroying the continuity of a defense enables the enemy force’s subsequent isolation and defeat in detail. The penetration extends from the enemy force’s disruption zone through the battle zone into the enemy support zone. Units employ a penetration when

• Weak spots are identified in enemy defenses through reconnaissance, surveillance, and security operations.

• Conditions do not permit an envelopment, such as the enemy having no assailable flank.

Organization of Forces 2-37. Penetrating a defensive position requires overwhelming combat power at the point of penetration and combat superiority to continue the momentum of the attack. Units allocate combat power and designate control measures to fix enemy reserves and long-range weapons in their current locations and to isolate enemy forces within the area selected for penetration. Penetrations organize into a breach force, support force, assault force, and a reserve. These elements exist for each location the force is required to penetrate. Units should not withhold combat power from the initial penetration to conduct additional penetrations unless there is sufficient combat power to ensure the success of the initial penetration.

Breach Force 2-38. The breach force is responsible for executing the initial penetration of the enemy’s defense. The breach force. The breach force is typically the main effort until the breach is complete. Depending on the situation the breach force may also be responsible for widening the gaps of the initial penetration.

Support Force 2-39. The support force is responsible for fixing defending enemy forces along a broad front to allow the breach and assault forces to penetrate along a narrow front. The support force is a supporting effort to the breach and assault forces.

Assault Force 2-40. The assault force is responsible for seizing the penetration objectives on the far side of the penetration. It is typically the main effort. Depending on the situation the assault force may have a follow-and-support mission to the breach force.

Reserve 2-41. The use of the reserve avoids diverting the assault element from attacking the final objective of the penetration. Units assign subordinate units the tactical mission tasks of follow-and-support or follow-and-assume to ensure rapid exploitation of initial success. See paragraphs 2-51 through 2-57 for how these forces execute a penetration.

Want to more expertise on forms of maneuver? Penetrate tactical doctrine with a read of FM 3-90 here.