Coup de main

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Coup de main is a swift attack that relies on speed and surprise to accomplish its objectives in a single blow. 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. [1]

The literal translation from French means a stroke or blow of the hand. However, in French a "coup de main" (un coup de main) means "a helping hand" and does not carry the negative connotations of the English "coup de main."

The very first airborne assault in the Battle of Normandy, on Pegasus Bridge, is an example of a "coup de main" operation, and is sometimes referred to as Operation Coup de Main, though this is incorrect -- the capture of Pegasus Bridge did not have a code-name. [2]