text: Chapter 5
  * Defending in noncontiguous assigned areas has different requirements. To mass overwhelming
  combat power in the main effort might require friendly forces to adopt economy of force measures
  in some assigned areas while temporarily abandoning others in order to concentrate sufficient
  combat power.
  5-135. The second technique when transitioning to the offense is to use the currently defending forces to
  attack. This technique generally has these advantages:
  * Speed of execution:
   Units do not have to move from an assembly area or potentially other assigned areas.
   Units do not have to conduct a forward passage of line.
   Units already have a common operational picture that includes knowledge of the enemy
  force’s patterns of operation.
  * Increased likelihood of catching enemy forces by surprise. Units move less and so avoid
  potentially alerting enemy forces to potential offensive operations.
  5-136. Potential disadvantages of this technique are that the attacking force generally lacks stamina and
  sustainment, specifically ammunition. The attacking force must be quickly replaced if friendly offensive
  actions are not to culminate quickly.
  Preparing a Counterattack
  5-137. The keys to preparing a successful counterattack are surprise, control, and coordinated fires. Surprise
  allows a counterattacking force to seize control of a situation. If total surprise is not possible, it must be so
  nearly complete that the targeted enemy force does not expect the attack until it is too late to react effectively.
  Thorough planning and preparation help achieve surprise. Units adjust the positioning of their information
  collection assets and the missions given those assets to determine the location and targets for their
  counterattacks.
  5-138. Control of a counterattack begins with a unit’s plan. Commanders conduct their leader’s
  reconnaissance with key personnel to confirm or modify their counterattack plans. They modify their plans
  and disseminate those changes to subordinate leaders and other affected organizations as necessary. If
  possible, each counterattack force element reconnoiters its planned axis of advance and the routes it takes.
  Units maintain close control during movement to and occupation of hide positions and the information
  collection process. This control is necessary so enemy forces do not detect the presence of counterattacking
  forces before they can initiate their counterattacks. Leaders enforce camouflage, noise, and light discipline.
  5-139. Units coordinate their fire support by adjusting the planned positions of weapon systems to obtain
  maximum effectiveness against targets in the planned objectives, and they request support from assets not
  typically available to their echelon. Units coordinate all fires, including those of supporting artillery and
  mortars. They use these fires to isolate a targeted enemy force in planned locations or engagement areas while
  preventing its escape or reinforcement. These fires inflict maximum damage quickly before enemy forces
  can respond to the counterattack.
  Executing a Counterattack
  5-140. Units conduct counterattacks in the same way they conduct any other attack. Subordinates initiate
  local counterattacks with available forces when those actions fit within their higher echelon commander’s
  intent. A local counterattack should be swift and violent. Units exploit enemy disorganization, such as the
  confusion that temporarily exists in an attacking force after it seizes a defended position. A rapidly mounted
  local counterattack may yield better results than a more deliberate counterattack executed by a higher echelon
  because of the speed at which forces can launch them.
  5-141. Units may conduct local counterattacks to retain or seize positions on the flanks of a strong enemy
  penetration. This prevents enemy forces from widening the penetration while forces from other defending
  units engage the penetrating enemy forces. Holding these flanks can also prevent the sacrifice of positional
  depth because the limited gap in the defensive position prevents an attacking enemy force from fully
  exploiting its success.