Defense approach using depth attacks and aggressive maneuver to position the counterattack group against enemy weak points?

• A. Mobile defense
• B. Offense-by-defense
• C. Defense-in-depth
• D. Defense-by-offense

Answer: (D)

Defense-by-offense means weaving offensive action into a defensive posture to seize the initiative and strike where the enemy is most vulnerable. In this approach, depth attacks and aggressive maneuver are used to disrupt the attacker, create exploitable gaps, and position a counterattack group against the enemy’s weak points. The goal is not just to hold ground, but to shape the battlefield so a well-prepared counterstroke can hit with decisive effect. This differs from defense-in-depth, which emphasizes layered lines to absorb and slow the assault, and from mobile defense, which centers on mobility and delaying actions rather than orchestrating a decisive counterattack.