text: Retrograde
  support their decisions and identify enemy COAs. Based on an analysis of ongoing events and a prediction
  of how the battle will unfold, commanders can direct one subordinate element to maneuver in a manner
  designed to draw the advancing enemy force into a position of disadvantage.
  Executing a Delay
  11-55. The complexity of a delay requires the subordinate elements of a force to execute different, yet
  complementary, actions. In a delay, attacks, area defenses, mobile defenses, and other actions may occur in
  any sequence or simultaneously. For example, commanders may elect to assign one force the task of securing
  a key road intersection for a set amount of time, while another force can attack the enemy flank. Therefore,
  the enemy force must deploy into a hasty defense, which delays any further enemy attacks.
  11-56. Intelligence preparation of the battlefield defines enemy COAs. Initially, intelligence assets attempt
  to determine if enemy forces recognize the delay. Subsequently, they focus on how enemy forces react to the
  delay. Information collection assets monitor enemy attempts to envelop the flanks or strike the rear of the
  rearward moving friendly force. They also focus on actions of any enemy airborne, air assault, and attack
  aviation units that may try to interdict the movement of the friendly force. Commanders conducting delays
  attempt to detect the enemy force’s advance early to adjust the scheme of maneuver and concentrate sufficient
  combat power to delay the enemy force effectively.
  11-57. The security force fixes, defeats, and destroys the enemy force’s reconnaissance and security
  elements without risk of becoming decisively engaged. It directs fires at the approaching enemy force as far
  forward of the delay positions as possible. Engaging a moving enemy force at long ranges inflicts more
  casualties on an attacking enemy force before it can engage the delaying force; it also slows the enemy force’s
  tempo of operations. The more a delaying force can eliminate an enemy force’s reconnaissance assets, the
  more likely the enemy force will move with caution.
  11-58. Once the security force makes contact with the enemy force, it maintains contact. As an enemy force
  approaches, it moves by bounds back to the flanks of the defending units, keeping the enemy force under
  constant observation. This prevents the enemy force from finding gaps between delaying units and attacking
  the exposed flanks of delaying units. The security force uses covered, concealed, and coordinated routes to
  avoid enemy and friendly fires.
  11-59. Recovering security assets may be more difficult if the security force needs to pass through the range
  of the delaying force. Recovery should be to the flanks of delay positions and not through friendly
  engagement areas or TRPs unless a tactical situation makes such movement necessary. Security forces move
  so that they do not reveal the locations of other friendly elements.
  11-60. The main body uses various techniques to execute the delay. These include ambushes,
  counterattacks, spoiling attacks, artillery raids, electromagnetic warfare, and close air support. Commanders
  of delaying forces preserve the force’s freedom to maneuver by engaging enemy forces with sufficient force
  to stop their advance temporarily. The delaying forces use obstacles and defensive positions in depth to slow
  and canalize enemy forces and exploit the mobility of their combat systems to confuse and defeat them. Once
  a delay starts, units displace rapidly between positions. Whenever possible, commanders grasp any
  opportunity to seize the initiative, even if only temporarily. Delaying forces may conduct counterattacks from
  unexpected directions to confuse enemy commanders.
  11-61. In a delay, commanders use lethal and nonlethal capabilities to delay enemy forces, inflict casualties,
  and assist the friendly force in gaining a mobility advantage over enemy forces. Lethal and nonlethal effects
  continue throughout the delay. These assets can disrupt the enemy’s follow-on forces and restrict the
  immediate battle to the enemy’s committed forces. Fixed- and rotary-wing assets can engage enemy forces
  before they come in range of other supporting lethal and nonlethal assets.
  11-62. Effects generated by lethal and nonlethal assets support direct fire engagements to prevent an enemy
  force from conducting an attack on the delay position. Lethal and nonlethal assets separate enemy formations
  by attacking an enemy force when it concentrates near choke points and in engagement areas. Integrating
  fires and obstacles makes it difficult for an enemy force to maneuver through engagement areas. The delaying
  force disrupts an enemy’s momentum by forcing deployment and by inflicting casualties. Lethal and
  nonlethal capabilities assist delaying forces by—