Which form of maneuver involves surrounding the enemy to cut off their retreat?

The form of maneuver that involves surrounding the enemy to cut off their retreat is known as envelopment. Envelopment is a tactical approach where forces work to encircle the enemy's position, creating a situation where the adversary is unable to escape. This maneuver typically targets the enemy's flanks or rear, enabling forces to force the enemy into a position where they can no longer maneuver effectively. By effectively cutting off their withdrawal routes, encirclement can lead to the enemy being effectively neutralized, captured, or forced to surrender.

In contrast, flanking primarily focuses on attacking the sides of an enemy formation rather than surrounding it entirely. Pursuit refers to the act of chasing a retreating enemy force to prevent them from regrouping or escaping, while infiltration involves penetrating enemy lines secretly or stealthily to disrupt their operations from within. Therefore, envelopment distinctly captures the essence of surrounding an enemy to cut off their retreat.