Which type of defensive operation is focused on terrain and is used when forces available have less mobility than the enemy?

• A. Retrograde
• B. Security
• C. Area Defense
• D. Mobile Defense

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is using fixed positions and the landscape to stop an attacker when your forces can’t match the enemy’s speed. In an area defense, you hold and defend a defined piece of terrain with prepared positions, obstacles, and mutually supporting fires. The terrain itself shapes how the fight goes, letting you channel, slow, and exhaust the attacker and deny him the freedom to maneuver. You focus on sustaining your forces and using strongpoints to cover approaches, rather than trying to pursue or outpace the enemy. This approach is ideal when mobility is at a premium for your side, so you rely on terrain and steady defense to win time and reduce the enemy’s momentum.