Talk:Rearguard
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A reserve is not a rearguard[edit]
In the modern era a rearguard is tasked with protecting a retreating army, or possibly a small one advancing through hostile territory where the enemy closes in behind the force. It is not a description for a reserve force that aids an attack by mopping up strong points. For that reason I have removed the following unsourced text (WP:PROVIT).
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In the inter-war period German commanders (in particular Heinz Guderian) developed the doctrine of blitzkrieg. In this military doctrine the rear guard troops (mainly dismounted infantry) were tasked to eliminate the remaining enemy groups after Panzer and motorized troops had broken through the enemy positions.
During and after World War II the Soviets developed the doctrine of the echelons, influenced by blitzkrieg. Instead of sending all the troops to the attack, they divided the force in various parts according to the mission: for example, in a division-launched attack, one regiment would overrun enemy defenses, the second exploited the breach in enemy lines, and the third, the rear guard, being less highly trained, were assigned to mop up the enemy pockets of resistance and guard the supply lines.
To counter Soviet maneuvre groups, NATO created a number of quickly-deployable units (the bulk of NATO special forces) that were assigned roles that could be considered those of a rear guard. |