Principles. Deception.: Area Defence
Principles. Deception.: Area Defence
a. Deception. Credible and resourced deception activity can help to deny the enemy
the advantages of understanding, deny intelligence about the defensive plan and
deny the initiative; done effectively it forces the enemy to attack blind into prepared
defences. Effective operations security (OPSEC) and countersurveillance measures
must be in place and offensive activity conducted against enemy reconnaissance. Local
populations informing the enemy of our intent must be used to our advantage or
countered.
b. Offensive action. When in defence, opportunities for offensive action may be limited,
but they must be seized whenever possible. It requires the maintenance of an offensive
mindset and spirit. Examples include spoiling attacks, counter-attacks, ambush and
aggressive patrolling. Without a striking force or reserve to conduct counter-attacks,
the commander has no means with which to wrest the initiative from the enemy.
d. Mutual support. Mutual support is required to increase the strength and flexibility of
a defence. By covering gaps between positions with interlocking and overlapping fire
and having the ability to fire in support of neighbouring forces, the strength of the
defence is increased. Where there is a conflict between the need for depth and the
demands of mutual support, depth is considered more important, and gaps must be
covered by surveillance and indirect fire.
f. Reserves. Reserves are required to meet the unexpected. They may be committed to
exploit success to counter penetration or as a striking force in mobile defence. Reserves
provide a commander with flexibility and balance. Once the reserve is committed, the
commander must reconstitute another as soon as possible.
Area defence
5-05. Purpose. The purpose of area defence is to secure ground and deny it to the enemy.
There may not be a single decisive action but instead be a sustained attrition of the
enemy throughout the depth of their forces. Area defence will be preferred if own-
force mobility is less than that of the enemy. Area defence concentrates combat power
in key positions, which may create undefended or weakly held space elsewhere. This
space needs to be understood and how enemy forces within it may be shaped and
struck. This will be particularly challenging in complex terrain where enemy movement
may be masked and where counter-attacking forces may find it difficult to manoeuvre.
71 NATO uses the following 14 principles: Concentration of force, economy of force, offensive action, security, flexibility,
information gathering and intelligence, use of terrain, disruption, coordination and cohesion, mutual support, depth,
manoeuvre, firepower, use of reserves and deception.