Training Information: Key Canadian Military Terms

Ambush: carrying out a surprise attack on an enemy that passes a concealed position

Artillery barrage: a line or barrier of exploding artillery shells, created by continuous and co-ordinated fire of a large number of guns

Advance in file: advancing in a single file formation, each soldier following the one in front

Advance in lines: advancing in a series of wide lines stretching across the battlefield.

Counterattack: as an enemy attack dies out, you launch your own attack before the enemy can restore their defensive position

Enfilade: a unit is "enfiladed" when enemy fire can be directed along the long axis of the unit. For instance, a trench is enfiladed if the enemy can fire down the length of the trench or along an entire line of attackers

Fighting withdrawal: pulling back military forces while maintaining contact with the enemy

Flanking maneuver: to attack an enemy or an enemy unit from the side, or to maneuver to do so. Often using cavalry units to achieve greater speed for the maneuver

Frontal assault or frontal attack: an attack directed at the front of an enemy force

Observer/Spotter: individual soldiers located in positions where they can see the effects of artillery fire and report targets and corrections

Patrolling/Reconnaissance: cavalry squadrons sent out ahead of the main force to identify terrain, land features and locate the enemy

Pickets: sentries or advance troops specifically tasked with early warning of contact with the enemy. A soldier who has this job is on "picket duty", and may also be referred to as a "lookout."

Pincer maneuver - attacking and surrounding an enemy by flanking attacks on both sides rather than by frontal assault. Often using cavalry units to achieve greater speed for the maneuver

Reserve: units held back from an initial attack to be used to reinforce initial attacks, to continue the attack, or to prepare defensive positions in case of a failed attack