Which tactic is described as the typical MAIN EFFORT that strikes deep at C2 nodes, supply, reserves, and artillery, isolating enemy units for destruction?

• A. Envelopment
• B. Raid
• C. Penetration
• D. Pursuit

Answer: (C)

Penetration is the main effort aimed at breaking into the enemy’s depth by striking at critical nodes such as command and control, logistics, reserves, and artillery. By hitting these levers, the attacker disrupts how the defender plans, fights, and resupplies, creating a breach that other forces can exploit. The idea is to shatter cohesion at the point of attack, then push through that opening to isolate and destroy isolated units before they can recover or reinforce. This deep strike breaks the defender’s ability to coordinate a unified response, melts the defender’s tempo, and leaves pockets of resistance exposed and easier to defeat.

Envelopment involves surrounding the enemy’s flanks rather than punching straight through into deep depth, so it isn’t described as the typical main effort aimed at breaking C2 and logistics. A raid is a brief, targeted strike with limited objectives, not a sustained deep penetration designed to disrupt depth-level nodes. Pursuit occurs after a breach or retirement, focusing on defeating retreating forces, not initiating the main breakthrough itself.