Peaceful penetration

Peaceful penetration was the term coined describe the tactics employed by Australian troops to gradually capture sections of the German front line during the lull between the end of the German spring offensive of 1918, and the launch of the Allies own offensive in August. Small patrols and raiding parties would seize isolated German positions with surprise actions, unheralded by the usual hallmarks of attacks and larger scale trench raids such as artillery bombardments. In addition to the local tactical advantage that resulted from these operations they also yield considerable intelligence about the condition of the German forces, their morale, and their future plans, that was vital in the preparation of the Allied offensive. Peaceful penetration was also referred to as "nibbling" or "winkling".