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Vorfeldtaktik

English translation: advance/strategic foothold tactics

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Vorfeldtaktik
English translation:advance/strategic foothold tactics
Entered by: IngePreiss

18:42 Apr 23, 2014
German to English translations [PRO]
History
German term or phrase: Vorfeldtaktik
The term appears in a text about the Romans at the Limes. I do not find any equivalent in English. I do not even find the term in German in Google :-(.

Here the explanation of the term:

Wenn man einen neuen (feindlichen) Landesteil erobert, gibt es die Taktik, dass man sich noch etwas weiter ins feindliche Landesinnere wagt (hier mit römischer Befestigung), um schon im „Vorfeld“ einen „Fuß in der Tür zu haben“ und den Feinden andererseits klar macht, dass man auch hier schon wachsam ist.

I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

Inge
IngePreiss
Germany
Local time: 00:00
advance/strategic foothold tactics
Explanation:
Perhaps this might work? See example below:

"Cartier had earlier abandoned this advance foothold because ofthe harshness of the past winter and the hostility from the Iroquois."
Selected response from:

Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 18:00
Grading comment
Thanks to you all for your comments, advance foothold tactics is definitely the appropriate term in this case. Thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3advance/strategic foothold tactics
Michael Martin, MA
3probing tactics
Lancashireman


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
advance/strategic foothold tactics


Explanation:
Perhaps this might work? See example below:

"Cartier had earlier abandoned this advance foothold because ofthe harshness of the past winter and the hostility from the Iroquois."


    Reference: http://books.google.com/books?id=DkgGVTOr2EsC&pg=PA80&lpg=PA...
Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 18:00
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 74
Grading comment
Thanks to you all for your comments, advance foothold tactics is definitely the appropriate term in this case. Thanks!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Wendy Streitparth: Or maybe forward foothold....
12 mins
  -> Thanks, Wendy!
agree  David Hollywood: I think "foothold" is the way to go
8 hrs
  -> Thanks, David!
agree  BrigitteHilgner: "foodhold tactics", leave out "strategy". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactic_(method)
10 hrs
  -> Agree. No need to use both "strategy" and "tactics" in one expression
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
probing tactics


Explanation:
Patrols, however, both large and small, constantly probed the enemy's defenses.
http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/winterline/winter-I-r...

... the cries of "On to Richmond," Where the troops were not divided by water, they probed the enemy with reconnaissance, resulting in an occasional skirmish.
http://tinyurl.com/leo2omn

Arriving at Lee's Mills, Keyes was surprised to encounter defenses manned by Major General Lafayette McLaw's division. Though he probed the enemy lines, Keyes did not press the attack and instead engaged the Confederates with his artillery.
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/CivilWarEast1862/p/Ameri...

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Note added at 1 hr (2014-04-23 20:08:25 GMT)
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PS A dictionary will reveal the difference between 'strategy/strategic' and 'tactics/tactical'.

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Note added at 3 hrs (2014-04-23 22:17:44 GMT)
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Regarding the definition given by your contact at the institution ("hier mit römischer Befestigung"), this would be called an outpost or (in modern warfare) a forward base.

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:00
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 252

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  David Hollywood: I like "probing" too but not sure if it's le mot juste here
7 hrs
  -> Brigitte recommends 'foodhold tactics'. What do you think of that, David?
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