Vanguard [DE]

The vanguard (sometimes abbreviated to van and also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force.
In naval warfare the van is the advance ship, or fleet, that will make the initial engagement with an enemy fleet.
The vanguard derives from the traditional division of a medieval army into three battles or wards; the... plus