WWII Terms

AGL

above ground level

AWOL

absent without leave

Tanks

tanks

Assault Objective

short, violent, well-ordered attack against a local

BAS

battlefield aid station

Base of Fire

a suppressive fire that allows other troops to advance

Battalion

tactical unit, consisting of a headquarters and at least two companies

Beachhead

a designated area on a hostile shore that, when seized or held, ensures the continuous landing of troops

Billet

shelter for troops

Briefing

act of giving specific instructions or information in advance of action

CO

commanding officer

CP

command post; a unit’s headquarters

Casualty

dead, missing, ill, or injured

Checkpoint

place where military police check vehicles or pedestrian traffic

Covering Fire

fire used to protect troops when they are within the range of enemy small arms

DZ

drop zone; area where troops and equipment are airdropped

ETO

European Theater of Operations

88s/105s

types of German cannons, named for the interior diameter of their barrels

Final Solution

the name of the Nazi’s plan to exterminate the Jewish race

Flank

to get around the side of