lightning war
Swift military offensive
Lightning war is a translation of German *Blitzkrieg*—a military strategy of rapid, concentrated attacks using combined air and ground forces to overwhelm an enemy before they can mount an effective defense.
The term is most associated with Nazi Germany's early World War II campaigns: The lightning war through Poland lasted just five weeks.
Now used more broadly for any swift, decisive military offensive.
German armored fighting vehicle
- combined armsCoordinated use of military branches
- spearheadLead an effort
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
- pincerGrasping claw organ
armored division · breakthrough · mechanized · tank · artillery · barrage · air support · shock tactics
Surrounding enemy forces completely
- pincer movementTwo-pronged tactical encirclement
- flankingAt the sides of
- spearheadLead an effort
- breakthroughSudden important advance
exploitation · pursuit · concentration · surprise · coordination · air superiority · deep penetration · paralysis
Fierce, overwhelming assault
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- attackAggressive act against another
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
strike · incursion · advance · push · thrust · aggression · raid · engagement
Moving with haste
- swiftMoving with speed
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- decisiveQuick to conclude
relentless · accelerated · whirlwind · meteoric · breakneck · quick strike · fast-moving · momentum
panzer
German armored fighting vehicle
- combined armsCoordinated use of military branches
- spearheadLead an effort
- encirclementSurrounding enemy forces completely
pincer · armored division · breakthrough · mechanized · tank · artillery · barrage · air support · shock tactics · Nazi Germany
encirclement
Surrounding enemy forces completely
- pincer movementTwo-pronged tactical encirclement
- flankingAt the sides of
- spearheadLead an effort
breakthrough · exploitation · pursuit · concentration · surprise · coordination · air superiority · deep penetration · paralysis · disruption
onslaught
Fierce, overwhelming assault
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- attackAggressive act against another
bombardment · strike · incursion · advance · push · thrust · aggression · raid · engagement · battle
rapid
Moving with haste
- swiftMoving with speed
- suddenOccurring without prior notice
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
decisive · relentless · accelerated · whirlwind · meteoric · breakneck · quick strike · fast-moving · momentum · tempo
- military tacticstactics, flanking, maneuver, ambush, battle formations
lightning warwar of attrition
Prolonged conflict draining both sides
attrition warfare · trench warfare · total war · siege warfare · stalemate
lightning wardefensive war
Armed resistance to aggression
holding action · containment · guerrilla warfare · insurgency · defense in depth
lightning, light, lights, lighting, lighted, warring, warred, warlike, warrior