Envelopment

Envelopment is the military tactic of attacking the enemy's flank or rear.^[1] This is done while keeping the enemy's attention focused on his front by the use of diversionary attacks.^[1] The envelopment makes the enemy fight in a direction they are the least prepared for.^[2] The maneuver requires a flank that can be attacked. Unlike a flanking maneuver, which uses the enemy's forward movement to create an attackable flank, envelopment depends on the enemy's defensive position, any obstacles and the terrain.^[2] The envelopment has both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include being able to capture or defeat all or part of an opposing army.^[3] It offers less risk than other offensive maneuvers.^[3] Disadvantages include the possibility of an enemy counterattack on the weakened center or on the other flank.^[3]

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Forms of Maneuver" (PDF). FM 100-5 Operations, US Department of the Army. Good Strategy Bad Strategy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "Offensive Operations". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} "Tactics Tutorial". Palmer History Group. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.