diversionary attack

An attack wherein a force attacks, or threatens to attack, a target other than the main target for the purpose of drawing enemy defenses away from the main effort. See also demonstration.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

diversionary attack - an attack calculated to draw enemy defense away from the point of the principal attack diversion diversionary landing - an amphibious diversionary attack attack, onrush, onset, onslaught - (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons); "the attack began at dawn"