text: Chapter 7
  Pursuit
  This chapter discusses pursuit and its general considerations. It then discusses
  organization of forces, control measures, planning, and the execution of a pursuit.
  GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR A PURSUIT
  7-1. A pursuit is a type of offensive operation to catch or cut off a disorganized hostile force attempting to
  escape, with the aim of destroying it. Pursuit operations begin when an enemy force loses internal cohesion
  and is unable to mount an organized defense. A pursuit leaves enemy forces trapped, unprepared, unable to
  defend, and faced with the options of surrender or destruction. Pursuits include the rapid shifting of units,
  continuous day and night movements, hasty attacks, containment of bypassed enemy forces, large numbers
  of prisoners, and a willingness to forgo some synchronization to maintain pressure on a fleeing enemy.
  Pursuits require swift maneuver and attacks by friendly forces to strike the enemy force’s most vulnerable
  areas. A successful pursuit requires flexible forces, initiative by commanders at all echelons, and a high
  tempo during execution.
  7-2. A pursuit focuses on the complete destruction of fleeing enemy force. Attriting hostile forces on their
  LOCs does not effectively ensure the destruction of an enemy force. Units in a pursuit try to combine direct
  pressure against fleeing forces with an enveloping or encircling maneuver to prevent the enemy force from
  fleeing. This fixes the enemy force in positions where the enemy force can be defeated in detail. If it becomes
  apparent that enemy resistance has broken down entirely, and the enemy is fleeing the battlefield, any
  offensive operation can transition to a pursuit.
  7-3. Conducting a pursuit requires a deliberate decision by a commander, as friendly forces face increased
  risk of becoming isolated and encircled by the enemy. Typically, corps and division commanders order
  subordinate units to conduct a pursuit. Once the pursuit begins, the subordinate unit maintains contact with
  the enemy forces and pursues fleeing enemy forces without further orders. The unit maintains the pursuit as
  long as the enemy force appears disorganized. The attacker risks becoming disorganized if they move too
  quickly. To sustain the pursuit, units must be prepared for increased physical and mental effort.
  7-4. Units must be aware of any approaching culmination points. Enemy forces are usually displacing back
  to their supply bases, and potentially their own forces, while friendly forces become less effective as they
  expend resources faster than they can replace them. Reasons to stop a pursuit may include—
  * The presence of reorganized enemy forces.
  * Increased enemy resistance.
  * Fatigue.
  * A lack of supplies.
  * Inability to secure flanks.
  * A diversion of friendly units to security missions.
  * The need to contain bypassed enemy units.
  * Inability to maintain adequate contact with adjacent friendly units.
  The unit staff should develop a decision support template that depicts decision points, timelines associated
  with the movement of forces and the flow of the operation, and other relevant information before the unit
  reaches an unidentified culmination point.