What does an area defense aim to achieve?

An area defense aims to deny the enemy tactical terrain, which is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable position on the battlefield. This strategy involves organizing forces to defend specific areas or positions against an enemy assault, focusing on preventing the enemy from gaining access to advantageous ground that could enhance their operational capability. By denying the enemy tactical terrain, the defending force can preserve its own strength and influence in the area, often relying on well-planned fortifications and defensive positions.

Controlling key terrain features and blocking all enemy advancements are elements that can support an area defense, but they are not the primary focus. The idea is to strategically target the enemy's capacity to maneuver and control the battlefield rather than to encompass all aspects of defense comprehensively. Surrounding enemy forces typically pertains to encirclement tactics, which can be utilized in specific scenarios but does not encapsulate the fundamental objectives of an area defense strategy.