Night combat is combat that occurs during the hours of darkness. It is distinguished from daytime combat by lower visibility and its reversed relation to the Circadian cycle. Typically combat at night is favorable to the attacker, with offensive tactics being focused on exploiting the advantages to maximum effect. Defensive night tactics mainly focus on negating the advantages given by the night to the attacker.

Classical Antuiquity

Night battles were rare in ancient times. Night logistics were mostly limited to the carrying of torches, or navigation by what little light was provided by the stars or moon.

Offensive Tactics

The decision to engage at night or continue an engagement at night is usually made by the attacking force. Combat continued at night is aimed at exploiting an advantage gained from an attack during the day or similarly denying the defending force the opportunity to regroup or reinforce. Combat initiated at night can either be aimed to gain an advantage (such as territory or prisoners) which is then held during the following day or to harass and demoralize the enemy before disengaging prior to sunrise. The latter case is considered a raid

Raid (military)

Raid, also known as depredation, is a military tactic or operational warfare mission which has a specific purpose and is not normally intended to capture and hold terrain, but instead finish with the raiding force quickly retreating to a previous defended position prior to the enemy forces being...

.

Historically, night combat involves greater risk and reward compared to similar battles in the day time. Victories can be crushing, with the defending side taken completely by surprise and hardly a shot fired in response to an attack. Alternatively, defeats can be disastrous with huge casualties resulting from attacking armies floundering around chaotically while they themselves are ambushed in pitch darkness.

Perhaps the most important deciding factor in a battle at night is preparation. This includes training

Military education and training

Military education and training is a process which intends to establish and improve the capabilities of military personnel in their respective roles....

, reconnaissance, and planning. As with any military operation, leadership is important in both the high ranking officers and the low level squad and unit leaders.

Training

Training is important in any military operation, but it is especially invaluable in night combat. Soldiers must be psychologically prepared to fight at night. In addition, soldiers must know the mechanics of night combat.

Operation at night is unusual and therefore unfamiliar. This adds to the fear and confusion inherent in fighting at night. Even the simplest of night training routines, those that are simply mirrors of daytime training routines, can greatly alleviate the panic involved in night combat and therefore the likelihood to rout. Experienced German World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

commanders recommended that half of training be done at night in order to counteract the dulling of senses that city-dwelling soldiers have experienced, thus producing effective night fighters.