Which type of smoke is used on the battlefield to mask friendly forces, positions, and activities?

The type of smoke used on the battlefield to mask friendly forces, positions, and activities is screening smoke. This smoke is specifically designed to create a visual barrier that conceals the movement and location of friendly troops from enemy observation. Screening smoke helps protect units during maneuvers by obscuring them from sight, allowing for safer tactical movements and reducing the risk of enemy targeting.

In contrast, while obscuring smoke may also provide some level of concealment, it is more broadly applied for various purposes, including obscuring enemy line of sight. Signaling smoke is primarily used for communication purposes on the battlefield, such as signaling the position of units or specific intent, rather than for masking. Deception smoke is intended to mislead the enemy regarding the location or movement of forces but doesn't serve the primary purpose of protecting friendly positions in the same way as screening smoke does.