(*) An offensive operation carried out in conjunction with a main attack and designed to achieve one or more of the following: a. deceive the enemy; b. destroy or pin down enemy forces which could interfere with the main attack; c. control ground whose occupation by the enemy will hinder the main attack; or d. force the enemy to commit reserves prematurely or in an indecisive area.
SUPPORTING ATTACK
Meaning of SUPPORTING ATTACK in English
DOD English dictionary of military terms. Английский словарь военных терминов DOD. 2012