What is the role of the depth defense group in the PLA counterattack?

• A. It serves as the immediate front-line blocking force.
• B. It coordinates air defense.
• C. It performs logistics and sustains front-line units.
• D. It acts as the decisive reserve, ready to counterattack after the penetration.

Answer: (D)

The depth defense group is built to be the decisive reserve held back from the initial lines, ready to counterattack after the enemy penetrates. Its role is to mass forces at the right moment to restore the defense, blunt the attacker’s momentum, and regain initiative. This contrasts with frontline blocking forces that stand at the immediate boundary, and with units focused on air defense coordination or logistics support—the former is about preventing a breach at the front, the middle is about sustaining operations, and the latter about keeping the force supplied. By serving as the counterattack force after penetration, the depth defense group ensures that a breach doesn’t collapse the defense and that counterblows can be launched to regain the initiative.