What does it mean to create a "surprise action" in tactical operations?

Creating a "surprise action" in tactical operations primarily refers to the element of involving an unexpected engagement with enemy targets. This tactic is designed to catch the adversary off guard, disrupt their plans, and create an advantage for your forces. When a military unit executes a surprise action, it aims to achieve tactical superiority by leveraging the element of surprise, which can lead to significant psychological and operational impacts on the enemy.

By engaging enemy targets unexpectedly, forces can exploit vulnerabilities in the enemy's defenses and command structure, leading to a more favorable outcome in the encounter. This approach is crucial in tactical planning as it can shift the momentum of an operation in favor of the force executing the surprise, often resulting in minimal casualties for one's own troops while maximizing disruption to enemy operations.

In contrast, misleading allies or delaying operations until reinforcements arrive typically detracts from the immediate goal of seizing a tactical advantage through surprise. Gathering supplies without notice may also be strategic, but it doesn't fall under the category of directly impacting enemy forces in a surprise engagement. Hence, the focus of a surprise action is most accurately encapsulated by the idea of engaging enemy targets unexpectedly.