Which offensive operation is primarily focused on gaining information and establishing contact with the enemy?

The primary focus of a Movement to Contact is to gain information about the enemy's position and establish contact with them. This type of operation is designed to close with the enemy in order to develop a clearer understanding of their capabilities, intentions, and situation. By actively seeking to make contact, units can assess the enemy’s strength and composition, which is crucial for planning subsequent operations.

Movement to Contact typically occurs when the friendly forces lack detailed intelligence on the enemy and must advance into an area where they may encounter enemy forces. This operation allows commanders to gather vital information and create opportunities for further actions, be it offensive or defensive in nature.

The other operations listed tend to have more specific objectives, like pursuing a retreating enemy, exploiting a breach in defenses, or attacking with the intent to inflict maximum damage and seize territory. While these operations may indeed involve some level of information gathering, their primary focus is not on establishing contact but rather on achieving specific tactical outcomes based on prior intelligence. Thus, Movement to Contact stands out as the operation explicitly directed at gaining contact and information on the enemy.