Bridgehead

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

A bridgehead is literally a military fortification that protects the end of a bridge that is closest to the enemy. The term has been generalized to mean any kind of defended area that is extended into hostile territory, in particular the area on the farside of a defended river bank or a segment of coastline initially seized by an amphibious assault.

A bridgehead typically exists for only a few days, the invading forces either being thrown back or expanding the bridgehead to create a lodgement area before breaking out into open country as happened when the U.S. 9th Armored Division seized the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen in 1945 during World War II. In some cases, such as during the Gallipoli Campaign in World War I, a bridgehead may exist for months.

The term has also come to be used in a figurative sense, for instance in business, where a marketing "bridgehead" might be a specialized use of a new product in a particular market segment, in preparation for selling it against entrenched competitors across an entire market.

[edit] See also

• Airhead
• Beachhead
• Lodgement