What is a principle task of an attack in infantry operations?

In infantry operations, a principle task of an attack is to prevent enemy maneuver. This involves disrupting the enemy's ability to move freely, which is crucial for maintaining the initiative in combat. By preventing the enemy from maneuvering, infantry forces can impose their will on the battlefield, control vital terrain, and diminish the enemy's operational capacity. This creates opportunities for the attacking force to exploit weaknesses and achieve its objectives, whether they be to seize territory, destroy enemy forces, or create overall strategic advantages.

Establishing a supply line, while important for sustained operations, is not a direct task associated with the execution of an attack. Retreating effectively pertains more to defensive operations and preserving forces than to the offensive action of attacking. Fortifying positions is a defensive action, aimed at strengthening a location against an enemy assault, rather than actively engaging the enemy in an attack. Thus, the focus on preventing enemy maneuver is key to the success of an attack in infantry operations.