What is the purpose of Depth in military operations?

The purpose of depth in military operations relates closely to the concept of achieving definitive results through extended operations. Depth allows military forces to extend their reach beyond the immediate battlefield, enabling them to engage the enemy at multiple points and disrupting their operational effectiveness. This creates opportunities for decisive maneuvers and tactics that can turn the tide of war.

By employing depth, commanders can maintain pressure on the enemy, effectively complicating their decision-making and resource allocation. This can lead to the target's confusion and disorganization, ultimately resulting in a favorable outcome for the forces applying depth in their strategy. The utilization of depth also supports a range of operational objectives, including strategic targeting and the exploitation of vulnerabilities in the enemy's defenses, ensuring that the operations are not only about immediate gains but also about longer-term success.