
In
military tactics
Military tactics encompasses the art of organizing and employing fighting forces on or near the battlefield. They involve the application of four battlefield functions which are closely related – kinetic or firepower, Mobility (military), mobil ...
, a strongpoint is a key point in a
defensive fighting position which anchors the overall
defense line. This may include
redoubts,
bunkers,
pillboxes,
trenches or
fortress
A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere'' ...
es, alone or in combination; the primary requirement is that it should not be easily overrun or avoided.
A blocking position in good defensive terrain commanding the
lines of communication, such as high ground, is preferred. Examples from history include
Thermopylae, where the ancient Greeks held back a much larger Persian army, and
Monte Cassino, which anchored the
Winter Line in Italy in
World War II.
References
Fortifications by type
Military history articles needing attention to supporting materials
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