Retrograde is defined as which of the following?

• A. Organized movement away from the enemy
• B. Immediate attack
• C. Penetration along the line
• D. Unrelated to enemy

Answer: (A)

Retrograde operations are an organized withdrawal or repositioning of forces away from the enemy to preserve combat power and buy time or space for reorganization. In defense, this means moving back in a controlled way rather than attacking, so you can avoid sustaining heavy losses or getting encircled and can set up a better defense later. This makes the best choice the organized movement away from the enemy. Immediate attack would be an offensive action, penetration along the line is a forward offensive maneuver, and being unrelated to the enemy doesn’t describe a purposeful military action.