An attack designed to hold the enemy in position, to deceive the enemy as to where the main attack is being made, to prevent the enemy from reinforcing the elements opposing the main attack, and/or to cause the enemy to commit the reserves prematurely at an indecisive location.
HOLDING ATTACK
Meaning of HOLDING ATTACK in English
DOD English dictionary of military terms. Английский словарь военных терминов DOD. 2012