backsideattack

Backside attack is a term used to describe a tactical maneuver in warfare and related fields in which forces strike an opponent from the rear or from an unprotected flank. The term is largely descriptive rather than a formal doctrine, and in many sources it is synonymous with rear attack or flank attack. In broad usage, a backside attack aims to exploit weaknesses created by the defender's orientation, fatigue after engagement, or disruptions in command and control.

Historically, rear and flank assaults have been decisive in battles from ancient times onward. Armies favored rapid, surprise movements to penetrate weak points, break formations, or cut lines of supply. The success of such maneuvers often depended on reconnaissance, speed, and coordination between converging forces.

In modern maneuver warfare, backside attacks emphasize tempo and surprise, using cover and terrain to get behind or beside an opponent's defensive line. They are often part of larger operations designed to disrupt logistics or to pin the main force while exploitation is carried out elsewhere.

Outside formal military doctrine, the phrase appears in journalism and commentary as a descriptive shorthand for surprise assaults or strategic efforts that target an adversary’s hidden vulnerabilities. Related concepts include flanking maneuvers and rear assaults.