MCRP 12-10B.1, page 72

Chapter 3 Defensive Operations The essence of defensive tactics is to place the enemy into a position that permits his/her destruction through the intelligent use of terrain and firepower. 3001. Introduction. In urban combat, the defender possesses key advantages over the attacker. The defender can shape the battlespace to his/her advantage by maximizing the natural restrictions and obstacles found in the urban environment. ROE for the attacker can add to the defender’s advantage by placing restrictions on the application of force by the attacker. Knowledge of the terrain and time available for preparing defensive positions are advantages which may enable the defender to successfully resist a numerically superior force. A spirited and stubborn defense may persuade an attacker to abandon the attack. In some battles, urban defenders can be credited with repelling or decisively delaying an attacker which ultimately influenced the course of the war in their favor. Marines may be called upon to defend a port city, an embassy located on or near a coastline, a transportation link, or the capital of a foreign government. They may also be tasked to defend from an urban area in an economy-of-force role in order to support operations elsewhere. In combat, offensive and defensive operations are inseparable. Marines need to be capable of conducting both offensive and defensive operations in an urban environment. The fundamentals of defense do not change in an urban environment. The defenders of a city, however, usually have detailed knowledge of the terrain. This will allow them to establish an extensive defensive network that is designed to force an attacker to expend exorbitant amounts of time, supplies, equipment, and manpower. Commanders need to recognize both the advantages and disadvantages of defensive operations in an urban environment. 3002. Decision to Defend a. Reasons for Defending Built-Up Areas. Historically, the following are some of the reasons for defending built-up areas: (1) Denial of Important Strategy/Political Objectives. Capitals and cultural centers can be defended strictly for psychological or national morale purposes even if they do not offer a tactical advantage to the defender. Defending a city can cause an attacker to commit a significant amount of his/her forces which reduces his/her capability to attack elsewhere. The defense of a city can delay the overall offensive capability of the attacker. (2) Retention of Key Economic Centers. In many countries, the entire nation’s economic well-being may be tied to a few key cities. These key cities usually contain the country’s primary industrial, transportation, and communications base. The capture of these key centers could result in the overthrow of the current government, or deny that 3-1