original_query: What were Vauban's greatest innovations in the field of offensive operations?
query: What were Vauban's greatest innovations in the field of offensive operations?
answer: Vauban's greatest innovations were in offensive siege operations, particularly the development and practical application of the 'siege parallel'. This involved digging three parallel trenches in front of the walls, connecting perpendicular assault trenches, using the excavated earth to create embankments protecting attackers and bringing them close to the assault point.  This allowed many troops to participate simultaneously in assaults, overcoming previous chokepoints and failures. Artillery could be moved into the trenches to target the base of walls at close range.