Army behind the new frontlines

I think you may be referring to the concept of an "army behind the new frontlines" in the context of military strategy and tactics.

In military theory, the idea of an "army behind the new frontlines" refers to a situation where a military force is positioned behind a new, advanced line of defense or a new front, often in response to an enemy's breakthrough or penetration of the original defensive line.

This concept is often associated with the concept of "elastic defense" or "deep defense," where the defending force deliberately allows the enemy to break through the initial defensive line, but then counter-attacks from a new, more secure position behind the new frontlines.

The idea is to create a "layered" defense, where the enemy is forced to advance through multiple layers of defense, each one designed to slow down or stop their advance. By doing so, the defending force can conserve its strength, wear down the enemy, and ultimately gain the initiative.

In modern warfare, this concept is often applied in the context of urban warfare, where defenders may deliberately allow the enemy to penetrate the city, but then counter-attack from behind the new frontlines, using the city's infrastructure and terrain to their advantage.

Some examples of armies behind the new frontlines include:

  1. The Soviet Union's defense of Stalingrad during World War II, where the Red Army deliberately allowed the German Sixth Army to penetrate the city, but then counter-attacked from behind the new frontlines, ultimately encircling and destroying the German forces.
  2. The Israeli Defense Forces' defense of Jerusalem during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, where Israeli forces deliberately allowed the Arab armies to approach the city, but then counter-attacked from behind the new frontlines, using the city's terrain and infrastructure to their advantage.
  3. The US Marine Corps' defense of Hue City during the Vietnam War, where US Marines deliberately allowed the North Vietnamese Army to penetrate the city, but then counter-attacked from behind the new frontlines, using the city's infrastructure and terrain to their advantage.

Overall, the concept of an "army behind the new frontlines" is a key aspect of modern military strategy and tactics, allowing defenders to adapt to changing circumstances and gain the initiative in the face of an enemy's advance.