ATTACK' (Fr. attaque, the same in deriva tion as ATTACHMENT ) . A military operation against an enemy. It may apply to any action which brings one body of troops in battle in con tact. with another, but is more generally applied to a distinct military operation by which an ene my's position is assailed. Smokeless powder, magazine rifles, machine and rapid-fire guns, im proved breechloading field and horse artillery guns, scientifically trained and more intelligent troops, have practically reduced the method of attack to a science. While there is in every sys tem of tactics a clearly defined outline of 'attack formation,' its actual order or method will de pend altogether on the general character and contour of ground to be fought over and the military genius of the officer in command. Gen erally speaking, the attacking infantry force is divided into three bodies—firing line, supports, and reserves. Before the beginning of the actual attack, a reconnaissance is generally made by the cavalry and horse-artillery, and the position and strength of the defending forces discovered, together with all other information possible. If the defending forces have been compelled to oc cupy or have made the mistake of selecting a position which is open to attack on one or both flanks, the attack will be so arranged as to threaten them on the flanks as well as in front, a feint being made to cover the real point of attack, which will invariably be made wherever the defenders develop the greatest weakness. Any commanding, eminence will be seized if pos sible by the attacking force, the heaviest ord nance placed there, and the defenders' position thoroughly shelled. The prelude to nearly every Modern attack is an artillery duel, more or less prolonged. Once the infantry are within the artillery zone of fire, or actual contact with the defenders is made, cavalry cease to be much of a direct factor. The necessity frequently arising of reinforcing some distant part of the firing line, however, has, among other causes, brought into existence mounted infantry. (See CAVALRY; and MOUNTED INFANTRY.) These troops have the mobility of cavalry, are practically infantry, and can reinforce speedily in circumstances that would be generally impossible to a marching in fantry regiment.
The extended battle front made necessary by modern arms makes the handling of troops under fire both difficult and dangerous. The firing line is extended, followed by its supports, who are in as close a formation as circumstances will ad mit, while the reserves are still farther behind. The casualties of the firing line are made up from the supports. In the final charge, which is
made by the firing line, reinforced by the entire supports and whatever of the reserve circum stances have rendered necessary, the defenders' position is rushed with the bayonet. In the event of failure, the reserves cover the retreat of the charging line, on the advance if possible, or in any event covering the point d'appui. If successful, the reserve force com pletes the final rout of the defenders, prevents their reorganization, and, assisted by the cavalry (who are harassing the fleeing troops on the flanks and endeavoring to head them off), try to secure their guns, transport, stores, and muni tions of war.
The modern attack is the point in which all minor `actions' merge, the successful carrying out of which is frequently the decisive blow of the campaign. The danger and losses incurred in such an undertaking will depend largely on the skill the defenders have shown in their selec tion of a position. or the extent to which nature' has favored them. A recent example is the suc cessful attack on the Spanish lines at Santiago, Cuba, by the American forces under General Shafter_in the Spanish-American War of MS, an action where the Spaniards had every advan tage of position and cover. Examples of good and bad positions may be found in the Anglo Boer War of 1S99-190•. Ladysmith, 'whose defense was necessary on account of the valu able stores located there, sustained one of the most terrible sieges of modern times. The position (which was forced upon the British General White) was directly under the fire of the Boer artillery, and could have been taken eventually had the Boers been as skillful as they were courageous. The position chosen by the Boers at the battle of \lodder River had every possible natural advantage, and was very clever ly selected. One of their flanks and their front, were protected by a swift-flowing and swollen river, which afforded few if any fording-places, while the other flank rested on an impassable range of mountains. Their front also had a practically impregnable character, owing to the steep kopjes. Held by trained troops, the posi tion would have been impregnable, as the Brit ish had to advance along an open plain and were exposed to the formidable fire of the Boers. The position was eventually taken, after repeated failures, with terrible losses. The time generally selected for attack is at dawn, if possible, to surprise the enemy, but principally to escape the danger of the intervening fire zones. See BAT TLE; TACTICS, MILITARY.