What does 'mass and concentration' imply in defensive operations?

In defensive operations, "mass and concentration" refers to the strategy of focusing forces and fires at critical points of attack. This principle relies on the idea that by concentrating your combat power at key locations, you can effectively repel an enemy assault by overwhelming them where they are most vulnerable.

This approach allows you to maximize the effectiveness of your resources, delivering a concentrated response to a specific threat rather than spreading your forces thinly across a broader area. It capitalizes on the element of surprise and the ability to achieve localized superiority against the attacking enemy forces, ultimately increasing the likelihood of a successful defense.

The other options do not align with the core concept of "mass and concentration." Defending every point with equal strength would dilute your resources and prevent you from effectively countering a concentrated attack. Dispersing units evenly throughout the battlefield similarly would not capitalize on your strengths and could lead to ineffective defenses as well. Relying on reserves exclusively for counterattack may limit your immediate response capabilities and misses the opportunity to engage effectively in the defense when the enemy is attacking.

Thus, the emphasis in defensive operations is firmly placed on targeting your efforts where they can achieve the most impact, which is captured well in the selection focusing on critical points of attack.