flank
The extreme left or right of a military formation. The following is an extract:
Flank attack (Mil.), an attack upon the side of an army or body of troops, distinguished from one upon its front or rear.Flank company (Mil.), a certain number of troops drawn up on the right or left of a
battalion; usually grenadiers, light infantry, or
riflemen.Flank defense (Fort.), protection of a work against undue exposure to an enemy's direct fire, by means of the fire from other works, sweeping the ground in its front.Flank en
potence (Mil.), any part of the right or left wing formed at a projecting angle with the line.Flank files, the first men on the right, and the last on the left, of a company, battalion, etc.Flank march, a march made parallel or obliquely to an enemy's position, in order to turn it or to attack him on the
flank.Flank movement, a change of march by an army, or portion of one, in order to turn one or both wings of the enemy, or to take up a new position.
Flanks of a frontier,
salient points in a national boundary, strengthened to protect
the frontier against hostile incursion.Flank patrol, detachments acting independently of the column of an army, but patrolling along its
flanks, to secure it against surprise and to observe the movements of the enemy.