What form of maneuver allows an attacking force to bypass the main defenses of the enemy?

The correct answer, envelopment, refers to a tactical maneuver where forces move around the enemy's flanks to attack from the rear or the sides, effectively bypassing the main defenses. This technique leverages mobility and positioning to create a situation where the enemy is caught off guard and unable to effectively respond. By avoiding a direct confrontation with fortified positions, the attacking force can exploit weaknesses in the enemy's defense, often leading to a route or significant disruption.

In contrast, a frontal assault involves directly attacking the enemy's front line, which can be highly costly and is typically less effective against strong defenses. A flanking maneuver, while it also seeks to bypass main defenses, is often oriented specifically towards one side of the enemy rather than encompassing a full envelopment, which commits to a wider operational maneuver. A defensive breakthrough involves overcoming an enemy's prepared defenses but does not specifically encapsulate the tactic of bypassing them entirely, focusing instead on directly penetrating those defenses.