What impact does "surprise" have on an offense during engagement?

Surprise plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of an offensive operation. When forces successfully implement surprise in engagement, they catch the enemy off guard, disrupting their anticipation and immediate responses. This unexpectedness can lead to confusion, disorganization, and poor decision-making on the part of the enemy, which allows the attacking force to exploit vulnerabilities and achieve decisive tactical advantages.

This disruption of enemy expectations means that the opposing forces are less able to respond cohesively to the attack, potentially leading to routs or significant losses. The attacking force can capitalize on this moment by maneuvering freely, applying pressure where the enemy is least prepared, and overwhelming them before they can regroup or devise an effective counteraction. Therefore, the impact of surprise in an offensive engagement is significant, as it fundamentally alters the dynamics of how both sides can operate in combat.