text: Retrograde
  Intelligence in a Delay
  11-40. When conducting a delay operation, commanders may not get the most effective use of supporting
  intelligence assets. They echelon organic and supporting information collection systems rearward to maintain
  partial coverage of the assigned area during the delay. This increases the importance of effective collection
  management. However, commanders must rely on the dissemination of intelligence from higher echelons
  and combat information, such as that from manned and unmanned aircraft systems, to make up for the
  degradation in collection when systems displace.
  Effects of Terrain in a Delay
  11-41. Commanders take advantage of the terrain when planning how to position forces and conduct
  operations. They select terrain that favors friendly actions and hampers enemy actions. The terrain dictates
  where a delaying force can orient on a moving enemy force and ambush it. During a delay, restrictive terrain
  facilitates shorter displacements initiated at closer range to enemy forces. Commanders conducting
  operations in restrictive terrain select locations that restrict the enemy force’s movement and prevent the
  enemy force from massing its combat power. On the other hand, flat or open terrain requires earlier
  displacements at greater distances to stay in front of the advancing enemy force. In open terrain, the most
  important consideration in selecting a position is a good, long-range field of fire.
  11-42. In restricted terrain, positions tend to be closer together. In open terrain, delay positions are often far
  apart. In selecting positions, commanders consider natural and manmade obstacles, particularly when the
  enemy force has numerous armored combat systems.
  11-43. Commanders identify routes that reinforcements, artillery units, command posts, and sustainment
  elements will use and keep under their control and free of obstacles. Alternate routes should be available so
  that a friendly force can bypass closed or contaminated choke points.
  11-44. Disengaging from an enemy force while displacing from one position to the next has challenges.
  The unit’s disengagement plans include—
  * The maneuver concept of operations for tactical elements after disengagement, which includes the
  movement routes for each small unit.
  * Fires to suppress enemy forces and cover the unit’s movement.
  * Electromagnetic warfare activities to disrupt enemy command and control at critical moments.
  * Obscurants to conceal the unit’s movement, conduct a military deception operation, or cover
  passage points.
  * Contact points and passage points if moving through friendly lines.
  * Disengagement start times.
  * The earliest time for functional and multifunctional support and sustainment elements to move.
  * Designated units responsible for closing lanes through obstacles and executing reserved obstacles.
  Movement and Maneuver in a Delay
  11-45. A delay is one of the most difficult tasks to execute. The primary reason is that the delaying force
  must engage attacking enemy forces to slow their movement, yet not become decisively engaged. In certain
  situations, commanders may direct a decisive engagement to prevent an enemy force from prematurely
  crossing a delay line or to risk a part of the force to avoid jeopardizing the entire delaying force. The delaying
  unit maintains continuous coordination with any flank units as it displaces rearward.
  11-46. Armored and Stryker-equipped forces, supported by lethal and nonlethal capabilities, are highly
  suitable for delay operations in most terrain. Their organic firepower allows them to engage enemy forces
  effectively at long ranges, and their mobility allows them to move quickly between subsequent positions or
  to a flank. These same characteristics also allow these forces as a reserve to launch rapid counterattacks to
  extract delaying forces from untenable situations.
  11-47. Dismounted infantry forces are especially suited to conduct delays in restricted and severely
  restricted terrain. They take advantage of such terrain, reinforced by the use of obstacles, to hinder the
  mobility of enemy combat systems and their supporting tactical vehicles. Dismounted infantry forces can