Flushing (military tactic)

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Flushing (or Flush) is a military tactic whereby grenades,{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-esWO9nOUFAC&dq=%22Flush%22%20grenade%20tactic&pg=PA36 |title=Vietnam Studies, Tactical and Material Innovations |publisher=United States. Army Department |year=1974 |page=36}} smoke, gunfire,{{Cite report |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/umbraco/Surface/Download/Get/11771 |title=BAR Special Report - Urban Operations |publisher=British Army |volume=1 |page=161 |access-date=2024-02-24 |format=PDF}} riot control agent, chemical weapons or various other methods can be used to force opponents out from cover.

Flushing can cause opponents to leave their cover, possibly making them vulnerable to further action, or force them to take up a new position more favorable to the attacker, or disperse enemies completely.{{Cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |title=Vietnam Infantry Tactics |date=2011-06-21 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=9781849085069 |location=United Kingdom |pages=10, 36, 27}} This generally makes it easier for the attacking force to deal with its opponents without unduly increasing the risk to themselves. It is mostly used in urban combat through the use of hand grenades, or in situations where defenders are dug in a fortified position, such as a bunker, behind sandbags, or hiding in buildings.