[El Gato]

It is no wonder Americans can not support a war we are winning. These days we don't know the difference between withdrawing to preset occupation areas and retreating.

You have to cut the author some slack. The article appeared in a German paper, and this is a translation.

The original German for that sentence was:

Später rückten die Russen in das Gebiet ein, die Amerikaner zogen weiter nach Westen.

Maybe someone can provide an alternate translation.

We don't know if the translator was American or not, and if she had some knowledge of German military terminology.

[JLS]

Fair enough, I agree then it is likely a translation that was just not clear on that word. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

[Marylander]

Literally, Later the Russians moved into the zone, the Americans pulled further to the West.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Later integration the Russians in the area, the Americans moved further west.