Frontal assault

Frontal assault

The military tactic of frontal assault is a direct, hostile movement of forces towards enemy forces in a large number, in an attempt to overwhelm the enemy. This is often referred to as a "suicide strike," because it is often a commander's last resort when he has run out of strategies.

Before the 19th century, a frontal assault against a thin line could be effective when conducted by horse cavalry. However, as the accuracy and range of firearms increased, this procedure proved increasingly suicidal. Cavalry charges against deeply-regimented infantry formations were also frequently repulsed as exemplified by the Battle of the Golden Spurs in Flanders in 1302.

As an example, this style of combat was used heavily in the American Civil War. The type of militaries used as well as the terrain lent themselves to direct frontal assault, and most of the battles of the Civil War were fought in this manner. However, this style of combat was rapidly becoming out-classed due to the increased accuracy of rifles. Near the end of the war, the failed Pickett's Charge demonstrated just how disastrous frontal assaults against fortified positions could be.

Frontal assaults were also the cause of massive casualties in the trench warfare of World War I. In many cases, frontal assaults were made by thousands of men towards trenches defended by machine gun emplacements, artillery and barbed wire with predictable and tragic results.

Battles with Notably Successful Frontal Assaults

*Battle of Bunker Hill - after two failed attempts British army succeeds in capturing heights
*Battle of Chattanooga - Union army storms Missionary Ridge after flank attacks are stalled
*Battle of Pea Ridge - Union army routes Confederate forces in a frontal assault on the second day
*Battle of Spotsylvania - Union army captures "Mule Shoe Salient"

Battles with Notably Unsuccessful Frontal Assaults

*Battle of Gettysburg - Pickett's Charge aims at the Union center and is repulsed
*Battle of Fredericksburg - Union army fails to take Marye's Heights
*Siege of Vicksburg - failure of frontal assaults force Grant into siege operations

ee also

* Military science
* Rush (computer and video games)


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  • frontal — front|al [ˈfrʌntl] adj [only before noun] formal 1.) at or relating to the front part of something ▪ the frontal armour of the new tanks 2.) frontal attack/assault a) a direct attack on the front of an army ▪ The minefields make an all out… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • frontal — [[t]frʌ̱nt(ə)l[/t]] 1) ADJ: usu ADJ n Frontal means relating to or involving the front of something, for example the front of an army, a vehicle, or the brain. [FORMAL] Military leaders are not expecting a frontal assault by the rebels... He… …   English dictionary

  • frontal — fron|tal [ frʌntl ] adjective FORMAL 1. ) at, in, or on the front part of something: In this position the troops would be vulnerable to a frontal attack. a ) relating to the front part of the head or brain 2. ) direct and severe: a frontal… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • frontal — UK [ˈfrʌnt(ə)l] / US adjective formal 1) a) at, in, or on the front part of something In this position the troops would be vulnerable to a frontal attack. b) relating to the front part of the head or brain 2) direct and severe a frontal assault… …   English dictionary

  • frontal — I. noun Date: 14th century 1. [Middle English frontel, from Medieval Latin frontellum, diminutive of Latin front , frons] a cloth hanging over the front of an altar 2. facade 1 II. adjective Etymology: New Latin frontalis, from Latin front ,… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • assault — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun 1 crime of attacking sb ADJECTIVE ▪ brutal, ferocious, savage, vicious, violent ▪ armed ▪ criminal …   Collocations dictionary

  • Assault gun — An assault gun is a gun or howitzer mounted on a motor vehicle or armored chassis, designed for use in the direct fire role in support of infantry when attacking other infantry or fortified positions.Historically the custom built fully armored… …   Wikipedia

  • assault — Synonyms and related words: abuse, aggravated assault, aggression, ambush, amphibious attack, armed assault, assail, assailing, assailment, attack, banzai attack, barbarize, batter, battering, battery, bear, bear upon, beat up, beating, berating …   Moby Thesaurus

  • frontal — adj. Frontal is used with these nouns: ↑assault, ↑attack Frontal is used after these nouns: ↑altar …   Collocations dictionary

  • frontal attack — head on offensive, direct attack, assault from the front …   English contemporary dictionary

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