MCRP 12-10B.1, page 73

government the ability to adequately support combat operations against enemy regular or insurgent forces. (3) Control of Avenues of Approach. Most avenues of approach to large cities are straddled by small towns every few kilometers which must be controlled by defending forces. These areas can be used as battle positions or strongpoints to control the avenues of approach. For the attacker to utilize these avenues of approach he/she must sacrifice speed and expend resources. The defense of these cities or towns may constitute a large part of the overall defense of a city. (4) Economy of Force. The tactical advantages provided by urbanized terrain allows the defender to engage a numerically superior force. The defender can conserve the bulk of his/her combat power so that it is available for use in other operations. (5) Concealment of Forces. Reconnaissance and combat identification is more difficult in an urban environment. CPs, reserves, CSS complexes, and combat forces emplaced in built-up areas are much harder to detect. 3003. Reasons for Not Defending Built-Up Areas. The commander considers the following reasons for deciding not to defend built-up areas. a. Unnecessary to the Defensive or Offensive Plan. If the built-up area is too far forward or back in a unit’s defensive sector, is isolated, or is not astride an enemy’s expected avenue of approach, the commander may choose not to defend it. b. Bypassable. If the nature of nearby terrain allows the enemy to bypass the city, then it will not make a good blocking position. Some built-up areas, mainly smaller ones, are easily bypassed by existing main road and highway systems. A built-up area that can be easily bypassed normally will be, thereby effectively isolating that area’s defenders from the remainder of their forces. c. Inadequate Structures for Defense. Extensive areas of lightly built or flammable structures offer little protection to the defender. Built-up areas near flammable or hazardous industrial areas, such as refineries or chemical plants, also may not lend themselves to successful defense. d. Adjacent Dominating Terrain. If the built-up area is small and dominated by close, prominent terrain, the commander may choose to defend on that terrain rather than in the built-up area. e. Better Fields of Fire Elsewhere. The commander may choose to base all or part of his/ her defense on the better fields of fire that exist outside built-up areas. An example would be an armor-heavy force defending in sectors from multiple, small, built-up areas surrounded by open or farm-type areas. MCWP 3-35 .3 3-2