What is a key strategy when making initial contact with the enemy?

Making initial contact with the enemy using the smallest force possible is a key strategy because it allows for the assessment of the enemy's strength and capabilities without committing significant resources right away. This approach helps to gather intelligence about the enemy's position, readiness, and tactics while minimizing exposure and risking unnecessary casualties of larger units. By using a smaller element, a commander can maintain flexibility and react to the situation as it develops, ensuring that they can adjust their strategy based on real-time information and possibly exploit weaknesses in the enemy's defenses.

Using overwhelming force immediately may lead to unintended consequences, such as alerting the entire enemy force or escalating the engagement before sufficient information has been gathered. Deploying all units at once can create confusion and dilute the effectiveness of the overall attack, and engaging from a distance might not provide the necessary intelligence on the enemy's response or strength, which can be key to formulating a successful operational plan.