What do defenders seek to do with the enemy's forces?

Defenders typically aim to separate and isolate enemy forces for elimination, which serves several strategic purposes. By breaking the enemy's cohesion and isolating units from one another, defenders can reduce the enemy's operational effectiveness and disrupt their ability to coordinate. This tactic not only weakens the enemy's overall combat power but also makes it easier to defeat isolated units in detail, thereby preserving the defender’s force.

Isolation leads to vulnerabilities; cut off from supplies, reinforcements, and support, the isolated units can be more easily targeted and defeated. The psychological aspect also plays a crucial role, as enemy troops may become demoralized when facing a divided and pick-off approach. This strategy exercises a tactical advantage, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining operational tempo and momentum in defensive operations while ensuring that enemy forces cannot support each other effectively.