Raid (military)

{{short description|Type of military tactics and operational warfare}}

{{short description|Type of military tactics and operational warfare}}

{{About|the military direct action warfare tactic|usages relating to economic plundering|Slave raiding}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}

{{Infobox

{{Infobox

| label5 = Strategy

| label5 = Strategy

| data5 = Operational

| data5 = Operational

}}

}}{{About|the military direct action warfare tactic|usages relating to economic plundering|Slave raiding}}{{war}}

{{war}}

'''Raiding''', also known as '''depredation''', is a [[military tactics|military tactic]] or [[operational warfare]] "[[smash and grab]]" mission which has a specific purpose. Raiders do not capture and hold a location, but quickly retreat to a previous defended position before enemy forces can respond in a coordinated manner or formulate a counter-attack. Raiders must travel swiftly and are generally too lightly equipped and supported to be able to hold ground. A raiding group may consist of [[combatants]] specially trained in this tactic, such as [[commando]]s, or as a special mission assigned to any [[Regular army|regular troops]].The Handbook Of The SAS And Elite Forces. How The Professionals Fight And Win. Edited by Jon E. Lewis. p.312-Tactics And Techniques, Landings And Raids On Enemy Territory. Robinson Publishing Ltd 1997. ISBN 1-85487-675-9 Raids are often a standard tactic in [[irregular warfare]], employed by [[warriors]], [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla fighters]] or other [[irregular military]] forces. Some raids are large, for example the [[Sullivan Expedition]].

'''Raiding''', also known as '''depredation''', is a [[military tactics|military tactic]] or [[operational warfare]] "[[smash and grab]]" mission which has a specific purpose. Raiders do not capture and hold a location, but quickly retreat to a previous defended position before enemy forces can respond in a coordinated manner or formulate a counter-attack. Raiders must travel swiftly and are generally too lightly equipped and supported to be able to hold ground. A raiding group may consist of [[combatants]] specially trained in this tactic, such as [[commando]]s, or as a special mission assigned to any [[Regular army|regular troops]].The Handbook Of The SAS And Elite Forces. How The Professionals Fight And Win. Edited by Jon E. Lewis. p.312-Tactics And Techniques, Landings And Raids On Enemy Territory. Robinson Publishing Ltd 1997. ISBN 1-85487-675-9 Raids are often a standard tactic in [[irregular warfare]], employed by [[warriors]], [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla fighters]] or other [[irregular military]] forces. Some raids are large, for example the [[Sullivan Expedition]].