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A penetration is a form of maneuver in which an attacking force seeks to rupture enemy defenses on a narrow front to disrupt the defensive system. A commander employs a penetration when there is no assailable flank, enemy defenses are overextended and weak spots are detected in the enemy’s positions, or time pressures do not permit envelopment.

The success of the penetration depends primarily on a coordinated and synchronized plan—violently executed at a high tempo—against comparatively weak enemy defenses.

The commander’s plan for the penetration normally has three phases: z Breaching the enemy’s main defensive positions. z Widening the gap created to secure the penetration’s flanks. z Seizing the objective and subsequently exploiting the success of the penetration.

Breach is a tactical mission task in which the unit employs all available means to break through or establish a passage through an enemy defense, obstacle, minefield, or fortification. A commander attempts to bypass and avoid obstacles and enemy defensive positions to the maximum extent possible to maintain tempo and momentum. Breaching enemy defenses and obstacle systems is normally the last choice. A breach is a synchronized combined arms operation under the control of the maneuver commander.

The commander narrows the AO of the unit or units conducting the decisive operation—the penetration—by adjusting unit lateral boundaries to the exact point or points where the commander wants to penetrate the enemy’s defenses. This allows the force conducting the penetration to focus overwhelming combat power at that location.

The attacker masses resources and additional units as necessary to ensure completing the penetration through the enemy’s defensive positions.

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