Defiladed

Defiladed is a military term describing a position or area that is protected from enemy observation or direct fire by natural or artificial cover. This cover can take various forms, such as the crest of a hill, a trench, a building, or a specially constructed berm. The principle of defilade is to keep troops or equipment out of the line of sight of an enemy, thereby reducing their vulnerability.

Achieving defilade involves positioning oneself so that the terrain or structures between the protected entity and the enemy are higher than the line of sight. This means that even if an enemy soldier can see the general area, they cannot directly target the defiladed position. For example, a soldier dug into a trench is in defilade because the earth walls of the trench block incoming fire and observation from above or at ground level.

The concept is crucial in battlefield tactics for both offensive and defensive operations. Troops might advance under defilade, using the landscape to move closer to an objective without being easily detected or engaged. Conversely, defensive positions are often established in defilade to maximize their survivability and allow defenders to observe and engage the enemy while remaining protected. Understanding and utilizing defilade is a fundamental aspect of military fieldcraft and tactical positioning.