text: Fighting for Intelligence During Large-Scale Combat Operations
  Table 8-4. IPOE and information requirements associated with each defensive operation type
  (continued)
  Retrograde
  The intelligence staff leads the rest of the staff in analyzing the terrain, including ground and air avenues of approach, to determine the best
  routes for both the friendly force retrograde and the likely enemy exploitation or pursuit operation. Besides IPOE and information requirements,
  conducting a retrograde operation includes considering the following requirements:
  • Identify possible routes friendly forces can use to conduct retrograde operations.
  • Identify possible hasty defensive positions in zone that facilitate attrition of the enemy.
  • Identify possible pursuit routes enemy forces may use.
  • Identify blocking points enemy forces may use to prevent the retrograde.
  • Determine how enemy forces can exploit friendly retrograde operations (consider local, regional, and international audiences).
  ATP Army techniques publication IPOE intelligence preparation of the operational environment
  OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS (FRIENDLY)
  8-73. The enemy employs two types of defenses:
  ⚫ A maneuver defense trades terrain for the opportunity to destroy portions of an opponent’s
  formation and render the opponent’s combat system ineffective.
  ⚫ In an area defense, the enemy denies key areas to friendly forces.
  8-74. In most situations against a peer or superior opponent, enemy forces are willing to surrender terrain to
  preserve their major combat forces since the loss of those forces threatens the survival of the enemy’s state
  or regime. Figure 8-5 depicts a notional enemy maneuver defense.
  Figure 8-5. Notional enemy maneuver defense
  8-75. During friendly offensive operations, enemy forces in the defense attempt to disrupt friendly activities
  by employing precision fires, other long-range fires, and nonlethal capabilities (like cyberspace and EW).
  Therefore, friendly forces strive to conduct the necessary movements, prepare logistical support, and set other
  conditions while the enemy attempts to prevent friendly forces from effectively synchronizing adequate
  combat power. The four basic friendly offensive operations are movement to contact, attack, exploitation,
  and pursuit. Successful offenses apply the following characteristics (see ADP 3-90):
  ⚫ Audacity—the ability to assume risk to create opportunity with bold action.
  ⚫ Concentration—orchestrating forces or effects to create and exploit opportunity. (Concentrating
  effects is referred to as mass.)