Coup de main

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A coup de main (French pronunciation: [ku mɛ̃], plural: coups de main, 'blow with the hand')[1][a] is a swift attack that relies on speed and surprise to accomplish its objectives in a single blow.

Definition

The United States Department of Defense defines it as "An offensive operation that capitalizes on surprise and simultaneous execution of supporting operations to achieve success in one swift stroke."[3]

The term coup de main originally meant "by direct assault rather than by artillery".[4]

Examples

The first airborne assault by the Allies in World War II, during the invasion of Normandy, on Pegasus Bridge, is sometimes referred to as Operation Coup de Main though the actual code name for the British airborne attack was Operation Tonga.[5][6]

Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse.[7]

During the

Marshal Soult
.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ In French, coup de main can also mean "a helping hand" (informal language)[2] or "know-how" by common usage[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "coup de main". dictionary.com. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  2. ^ "coup de main - English translation". Linguee. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  3. DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. Archived from the original
    on 2016-03-03.
  4. . Chez les Libraires associés. p. 291.
  5. ^ Perry, Mike (9 December 2012). "Operation Tonga". SOFREP. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  6. .
  7. ^ White, Kristopher D. (9 January 2018). "Bloody Horror of Upton's Charge". American Battlefield Trust.

External links