Reverse slope defence

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A reverse slope defence is a positioning technique characterised by the location of defensive forces on a slope of a hill, ridge, or mountain that descends away from the enemy. It is one of several time tested techniques that may be used as part or all of a unit defense. The hill (or mountain, or ridge) interrupts the enemy's line of sight and hinders the effectiveness of enemy ballistic weapons. Typically, the reversed slope is defended from the bottom.

A battalion rarely conducts a reverse slope defence along its entire front; however, there may be situations where subordinate units and weapon systems may be employed on the reverse slope. This may be a wise choice when enemy forces have superior long range or indirect fire power, such as artillery. The defensive force uses the hill to limit enemy observation reducing the effectiveness of long range enemy fire. It may even succeed in deceiving the enemy as to the true location and organisation of the main defensive positions, saving the main positions from artillery preparation fires. As the enemy advances and crests the high ground he may bear surprise fires from the forces below.

There are several famous historical examples where a reverse sloped defence was applied with success.

Perhaps the most famous proponent of the tactic was the Duke of Wellington who used it repeatedly to defeat the French tactic of attacking in massed columns during the Napoleonic wars. By placing the ridge between his own army and his opponents, and having his troops lie down, Wellington was able to surprise the French by having his troops leap up at the last moment and deliver volleys of musketry at point-blank range. So often were the French beaten in this manner that it came to be famously said that they came on in the old style and were driven off in the old style.

After the capture of Carentan by American paratroopers, German troops opted for a counter offensive to recapture the strategically vital town, at D-Day plus 7 (14th of June 1944). The 2nd battalion of the 502nd paratrooper infantry regiment assisted the 2nd bat of the 506th PIR in stopping the enemy advance South-West of Carentan. The terrain offered them the opportunity of a reversed slope defence and two squads of the 502nd lined up along the hedgerows, at the bottom of a hill, which official documents refer to as Hill 30. Soldiers who fought at this place later called it the Bloody Gulch. The Americans suffered heavy casualties fighting the 17. Waffen-SS Panzergrenadiers and remnants of the 6. Fallschirmjägerregiment (6th paratrooper regiment) led the attack. The Americans were outnumbered and being hit with armour and heavy weapons, but the reverse incline enabled them to direct all their firepower simultaneously at the enemy units as they appeared one-by-one over the top of the hill. Their position gave them enough advantage to hold their ground until they where relieved by armour, thereby saving Carentan from a counter-invasion.