Defensive zone

A defensive zone is a previously prepared area of terrain allocated for defense to a military formation, where its forces and means are located, a fire system is organized, engineering barriers and fortifications are erected.^[1][2]

The Gurkha divisions are preparing defensive positions, July 1915

The defensive zone from the front is limited by the front line, from the flanks – by demarcation lines with neighboring units, and from the rear – by the depth of the battle formation or operational formation of the troops involved.^[1][2] The spatial dimensions of the defense zone are determined by the combat capabilities of the military formation protecting it.^[1]

As a rule, when conducting positional defense, the defense zone is set up in order to consolidate on important lines and repel offensive actions of the enemy.^[1][2] When using tactics of maneuverable defense, it serves to defeat the enemy by arranging fire bags and consistently holding a number of lines echeloned in depth.^[1]