In military tactics, what does "Delay" typically accomplish?

In military tactics, the concept of "Delay" serves the strategic purpose of trading space for time while inflicting damage on the enemy. This approach involves slowing down the enemy's advance while minimizing your own losses and potentially weakening their forces through attrition. By establishing a defensive position and employing tactics that disrupt or impede the enemy's movement, a delayed operation can buy critical time for friendly forces to regroup, reinforce, or prepare for a later engagement.

The effectiveness of a delay lies in the ability to inflict damage — whether through direct engagements, ambushes, or harassing tactics — all while maintaining the flexibility to withdraw strategically if necessary. This allows for a more calculated response based on the changing dynamics of the battlefield, thus preserving the strength and combat readiness of the delaying force.

In contrast, engaging in a full offensive attack typically does not align with the objectives of a delaying action, which prioritizes not overextending forces. Launching an instantaneous counterstrike or retreating without losing ground have different tactical implications and do not emphasize the concept of trading space for time, which is at the core of delaying tactics.