What is the Final Protective Line (FPL) designed to do?

The Final Protective Line (FPL) is strategically designed to employ grazing fires across a unit's front for defense. It serves as a predetermined line that an enemy must cross or threat must engage in order to encounter effective fire from defensive positions, typically established to protect troops from enemy advancement. Grazing fire is characterized by having a muzzle trajectory that is low enough to engage targets along the ground, which maximizes the effectiveness of the fire in preventing enemy forces from overcoming defensive positions.

Additionally, by focusing on the area of the FPL, machine gunners can deliver concentrated, lethal fire on opposing forces, disrupting their movements and maintaining the defensive stance of the unit. This aspect is key for ensuring that defensive positions are effectively utilized, often being established during defensive planning to provide a last line of fire before the troops withdraw or face direct infantry attack. The successful implementation of an FPL is critical for maintaining control over the battlefield and ensures the safety and effectiveness of troops stationed behind it.