bridgehead
Secured crossing position
A bridgehead is a fortified position on the enemy's side of a river or other obstacle, established by troops crossing over to secure passage for forces following behind.
The term extends to any initial foothold in hostile territory: The landing established a bridgehead on the coast.
Figuratively, a bridgehead is any secured starting position for further advance: The company's new office serves as a bridgehead into the Asian market.
Secured landing zone
- toeholdSlight initial advantage
- salientNotably prominent
- enclaveSurrounded distinct territory
- positionLocation or stance
anchor · grip · establish · secure · entrench · penetration · incursion · lodgment
Rocket departure platform
- springboardFlexible platform for jumping
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- starting pointPlace of commencement
- gatewayPoint of access
stepping stone · platform · base · entry point · opening · opportunity · leverage · catalyst
At the sides of
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
- pincerGrasping claw organ
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
logistics · deployment · operation · offensive · counterattack · reinforcement · supply line · crossing
Reinforced subterranean stronghold
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- garrisonStationed military force
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- emplacementPrepared weapon position
entrenchment · outpost · redoubt · barricade · perimeter · defensive · strongpoint · pillbox
beachhead
Secured landing zone
position · anchor · grip · establish · secure · entrench · penetration · incursion · lodgment · perimeter
launchpad
Rocket departure platform
- springboardFlexible platform for jumping
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- starting pointPlace of commencement
gateway · stepping stone · platform · base · entry point · opening · opportunity · leverage · catalyst · beginning
flanking
At the sides of
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
- pincerGrasping claw organ
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
tactics · logistics · deployment · operation · offensive · counterattack · reinforcement · supply line · crossing · amphibious
bunker
Reinforced subterranean stronghold
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- garrisonStationed military force
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
emplacement · entrenchment · outpost · redoubt · barricade · perimeter · defensive · strongpoint · pillbox · foxhole
- advantagesedge, leverage, upper hand, leg up, dominance
- battle terrainhigh ground, choke point, chokepoint, ridge, hill
- Battlefrontsfront line, front lines, frontline, Eastern Front, Western Front
- strategic locationschokepoint, strait, mountain pass, isthmus, beachhead
- tactical positionsdefensive position, forward position, sniper position, prone position, fallback position
- tactical victoryambush, flanking maneuver, surprise attack, encirclement, breakthrough
bridgeheadretreat
Sanctuary or withdrawal
withdrawal · fallback position · rearguard · defensive perimeter · staging area
bridgeheadevacuation zone
Designated unsafe departure region
pullback · rout · capitulation · surrender · abandonment
bridgeheadfallback position
Alternative if preferred fails
rear echelon · defensive line · staging area · home base · safe zone