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Military terminology

  • EncirclementA force or target is isolated and surrounded by enemy forces. This situation creates a highly dangerous environment for the encircled group.
  • Military capabilityThe Australian Defence Force defines military capability as the ability to achieve a desired effect in a specific operating environment.
  • Salient (military)A salient projects into enemy territory, surrounded on multiple sides by opposing forces. This geographic feature creates immediate tactical vulnerability…
  • Killed in actionThe Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial stands near Colleville-sur-Mer in France. It holds the names of thousands of soldiers declared killed in action.
  • Scorched earthThe phrase scorched earth entered English in 1937. A report on the Second Sino-Japanese War documented its first recorded usage.
  • BlitzkriegThe word blitzkrieg first appeared in a German military periodical called Deutsche Wehr in 1935. It described quick or lightning warfare but had no…