Final answer:
The term 'cover' in a military context refers to the use of terrain and environmental conditions to protect from observation, surveillance, and hostile fire, aiming to maintain surprise and safeguard troops.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term cover can be understood in a military context to mean protection from observation or surveillance, often using terrain and environmental conditions. In warfare, it is crucial for maintaining the element of surprise and safeguarding troops from the enemy. Sun Tzu's ancient military treatise, 'The Art of War', details various terrains such as accessible ground, entangling ground, and hemmed-in ground, all of which provide different challenges and advantages for an army, influencing their ability to cover and conceal themselves.
The concept of cover is also applied during military operations to protect from hostile fire (protection from the effects of fire) and incorporates strategies such as securing strongholds and using natural terrain features. In historical battles, commanders would use cover to avoid direct engagements and to give their forces the upper hand. Referencing the text, practical examples include soldiers using terrain to shield themselves or even in World War II, civilians covering up lights to prevent bombings.
Ultimately, cover involves using environmental and man-made features for defensive purposes, encapsulating tactics that are as relevant today as they were in historical combat scenarios, highlighting its timeless importance in military strategy.