Final answer:
The three phases of offensive combat refer to combined uses of direct and indirect methods of attack in military strategy, or specific historical campaigns such as the third phase of the Allied offensive during World War II, led by American generals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three phases of offensive combat can be defined by different historical contexts and tactical approaches. In a general sense, offensive combat in military strategy involves a series of maneuvers that are derived from two fundamental methods of attack: the direct and the indirect. However, when describing a particular historical period, such as World War II, the three phases can be specific campaigns or series of operations.
For instance, the third phase of the Allied offensive from mid-1943 until September 1945 comprised American-led campaigns, including General Douglas MacArthur's Southwest Pacific Campaign and Admiral Chester Nimitz's Central Pacific Campaign. These campaigns encompassed a variety of military actions, such as amphibious operations, island hopping, and decisive naval engagements like the Battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf.