Military Tactics and Strategy - Leapfrogging - Bounding Overwatch

Military Tactics
• Advancing • Retreating • Flanking Maneuver • Pincer Movement (pinch) • Feint
• Rotating your Forces (cycling) • Blitzkrieg • Breakthru • Leapfrogging
• Divide & Conquer • Center Peel • Infiltration • Encirclement • Breakout
• Bait & Bleed (camping) • Fabian Strategy

LEAPFROGGING | Military Tactics

Leapfrogging: To move or progress in jumps or stages_[18]

Leapfrogging
Born mostly as an infantry tactic, where two or more groups make a slow advance forward; with each taking taking turns advancing and securing a defensive position, before the other advances.

Leapfrog entrenchment refers to a technique used to slowly advance your troops, by grouping them into two (or more) divisions; and always keeping one group entrenched as they "leapfrog" each other forward. The greatest advantage comes when one of your divisions needs to retreat, there is an entrenched division behind them to repel a counter attack.

One of the most benefitial aspects leapfrogging offers is that one group can lay down suppressing cover fire, as the other group advances. When the advancing group has secured a position, the groups switch roles and the trailing group moves forward, "leapfrogging" the position of the lead group.

Leapfrogging can also be useful in assisting in a tactical withdrawal, the most desirable form of retreating._[19]

Leapfrogging is also known as bounding overwatch, which first saw use during WW2. Advances in infantry firepower, such as submachine guns and assault rifles, meant that for the first time small infantry squads could lay down effective cover fire. _[19¼]

Leapfrogging is also a term used to describe the "island hopping" strategy employed by the Allies against Japan during World War II. It involved invading the most strategically important islands in striking range of Japan, and also effectively starved the unattacked islands by denying them supplies. _[19½]

Counter Tactics
LEAPFROGGING IS A SLOW ADVANCE FORWARD, WHICH ALLOWS A WISE COMMANDER SOME TIME TO COUNTER THIS TACTIC

• Entrenchment
Hardened "entrenched" defenses can hold off an attack force much larger than it's own, or may make the enemy reconsider advancing at this time and place altogether.

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• Flanking Maneuver
Cutting off the path of retreat for the advancing enemy will usually halt their offensive, and possibly even offer a chance to get some "kills".

• Pincer Movement (pinch)
The ultimate counter tactic against an overly agressive enemy, the Pincer Movement has been used for over 2000 years; to encircle invading forces.

• Infiltration
Use a small force or special operations to infiltrate enemy territory, to destroy or interrupt their supply lines; or attack vital base structures.

In Axis and Allies RTS
IN MANY WAYS, THIS TACTIC IS THE POLAR OPPOSITE TO BLITZKRIEG, OFTEN USED IN A&A TO SLOWLY ADVANCE A LARGE ARMORED FORCE.

• Supporting Forces
Your advance will have a much greater chance at success if your main attack force is supported by a secondary force, or airpower. Some examples include supporting Recon with Mortars, AT-Mech with Arty Tanks, Arty Tanks with Airpower, and so on...

• Zone of Supply
To have a successful offensive push you must expand your zone of supply as you advance. Zone of supply is important in many ways, but most importantly, your regiments will heal and be resupplied while in zone of supply. Also has positive effects on morale, combat effectiveness, and more. Any place on the map that has been "lit up with supply" also serves as a warning zone for potential enemy attacks
^{(enemy troops will show up in the minimap of any supplied area)}

• Operational Coordination
Operational Tactics are tactics and maneuvers coordinated with your allies, and when executed successfully, are usually more decisive in terms of victory; than tactics that occur in head-to-head isolation play.

"Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous."
^{Sun Tzu, the Art of War [maneuvering]}

"The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers."
^{Sun Tzu, the Art of War [energy]}

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REFERENCES | Military Tactics

Leapfrogging

[18] Definition: Leapfrog - Websters New World Dictionary 1984 pg802
[19]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leapfrogging_(infantry)
[19¼]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounding_overwatch
[19½]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leapfrogging_(strategy)
[19¾]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suppressive_fire

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"All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved."

^{Sun Tzu, the Art of War}

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