text: Chapter 5
  destroy an enemy force, restore the original position, or block an enemy penetration. In sustained defensive
  actions, units counterattack toward limited objectives, such as regaining lost battle positions (BPs). Once
  launched, counterattacks become their echelon’s main effort. (Figure 5-9 illustrates projected major
  counterattacks.)
  Figure 5-9. Example of counterattacks
  5-125. It is difficult for enemy forces to fight a defensive battle in response to friendly counterattacks after
  they reach their culminating point because—
  * Defensive preparations are hasty.
  * Enemy forces are not adequately organized for defense.
  * Reorganizing for a defense requires more time than the friendly commander allows.
  * Enemy forces have reduced combat power, and they are dispersed across the battlefield.
  * Enemy forces are physically fatigued.
  5-126. Units plan and conduct counterattacks to attack enemy forces when and where enemy forces are
  most vulnerable. This is often when an enemy force is attempting to overcome friendly defensive positions.
  Normally, enemy forces attempt to retain a reserve or striking force to reinforce these vulnerabilities, once
  opposing units commit their counterattack forces. Commanders assign terrain objectives to counterattacking
  forces even when their counterattacks are force oriented to control the maneuver of their counterattacking
  forces. Units normally assign attack by fire positions when counterattacking using primarily direct and
  indirect fires.
  5-127. The two methods of counterattacks are major and local. Local counterattacks are attacks to retake
  positions lost to enemy action or to exploit targets of opportunity. A major counterattack seizes the initiative
  from an enemy force through offensive action after an enemy force launches an attack. Units also conduct