Guerrilla Warfare: Home

Guerilla Warfare is defined as operations carried on by small independent forces, generally in the rear of the enemy, with the objective of harassing, delaying, and disrupting military operations of the enemy. The term is sometimes limited to the military operations and tactics of small forces whose objective is to inflict casualties and damage upon the enemy rather than to seize or defend terrain; these operations are characterized by the extensive use of surprise and the emphasis on avoidance of casualties. The term also includes organized and directed passive resistance, espionage, assassination, sabotage, and propaganda, and, in some cases, ordinary combat. Guerilla warfare ordinarily is carried on by irregular, or partisan, forces; however, regular military forces which have been cut off behind enemy lines or which have infiltrated into enemy rear areas may use guerilla tactics.