Bridge head - bridge head

During a river crossing attack, this refers to the area secured on the opposite bank by the crossing force to establish a foothold necessary for subsequent operations. Originally, it referred to a fortified position built at the foot of a bridge when fighting across a river. During an amphibious operation, the area secured on the coast by the landing force is called a beach head. In an airborne operation, it is called an air head. These terms are sometimes used together to refer to an area that has been occupied and secured as a corner of the enemy's front line and will be used as a base for future advances, but as operational terms they are distinct. A bridgehead is completed by eliminating sustained enemy artillery fire and securing an area large enough for smooth supply operations.

[Haruo Fujii]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

渡河攻撃の際、渡河部隊がその後の作戦に必要な地歩を確立するため、対岸に確保する地域をいう。もとは川を挟んで戦うとき、橋のたもとに堅固に築いた陣地のことであった。上陸作戦の際、上陸部隊が海岸に確保する地域のことは海岸堡beach headとよぶ。空挺作戦のときは空挺堡air headという。これらをあわせて、敵の戦線の一角を占領確保し、その後の前進拠点とする地域をさすこともあるが、作戦用語としては区別されている。橋頭堡は、敵砲兵の持続射撃を排除し、補給などがスムーズに実施できるだけの地域を確保して完成する。

［藤井治夫］

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