MA-20 Evolution of Warfare The Nature of War

MA-20 Evolution of WarfareMA-20 Evolution of WarfareThe Nature of WarThe Nature of War

Man and War Man and War LtCol MitchellLtCol Mitchell

HOW WE’RE GOING TO EXAMINE THE “EVOLUTION OF WARFARE”

USE MCDP-1 (MARINE CORPS WARFIGHTING DOCTRINE) AS A TOOL TO ANALYSE PAST BATTLES, CAMPAIGNS & WARS

USE INTERNAL & EXTERNAL THREADS OF HISTORICAL CONTINUITY IN WAR AS A MEANS TO ANALYZE EFFECTS ON CONFLICT

USE PRINCIPLES OF WAR

“Everything in war is simple, but the simplest thing is difficult.

The difficulties accumulate and end by producing a kind

of friction that is inconceivable unless one has experienced

war.”

— Carl von Clausewitz

“In war the chief incalculable is the human will.”

— B. H. Liddell Hart

“Positions are seldom lost because they have been destroyed,

but almost invariably because the leader has decided in his

own mind that the position cannot be held.”

— A. A. Vandegrift

NATURE OF WAR

What is the definition of “WAR” ?WAR

• “Open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations.”

• “Any conflict between rival groups by force of arms or other means,…recognized as a legal conflict.” (Preston and Wise)

• “An act of force to compel the enemy to do our will” (Clausewitz)

WAR

• Spectrum of conflict– Level of commitment (and destruction)– Driven by policy and culture

Limited War MOOTW Total war

NATURE of WAR

• Friction

• Disorder

• Uncertainty

• Fluidity

• Complexity

• Human Dimension– FEAR– Physical, mental, moral forces

NATURE of WAR

Is War more Art or Science?

• SCIENCE– Logistics– Troops– Weapons systems– Enemy capabilities– Planning

• ART– Leadership– Courage– Tactics – Enemy analysis– Execution

Origins of war

• Group discussions of what constitutes warfare.

• War – “A violent clash of interests between or among organized groups characterized by the use of military force.” (MCDP-1)

• Warfare – The waging of war against an enemy; armed conflict. Acts undertaken to destroy or undermine the strength of another.

• Is warfare a natural state of Man?• Mans evolution that contributed to the conduct of war.

Domestication and Agriculture

NATURE OF WAR

HISTORICAL THREADS OF CONTINUITY

ART OF WAR IS EVER-CHANGING

EACH WAR IS DIFFERENT

CHANGE COMES ABOUT IN TWO WAYS

•EVOLUTIONARY

•REVOLUTIONARY

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES

HISTORICAL THREADS OF CONTINUITY

MILITARY LEADERS MUST BE

STUDENTS OF THE ART AND

SCIENCE OF WAR

ADAPT TO CHANGE

ADAPT OR FAIL…

FAILURE TO LET GO OF THE PAST

INTERNAL THREADS MILITARY PROFESSIONALISM

TACTICS

OPERATIONS

STRATEGY

LOGISTICS & ADMINISTRATION

GENERALSHIP

MILITARY THEORY & DOCTRINE

MILITARY PROFESSIONALISM

WHAT IS A PROFESSION “An occupation or a calling that

requires specialized knowledge of a given field of human activity.”

MILITARY PROFESSIONALISM IS: “Conduct, aims and qualities of

members seeking to create or striving to perfect a profession whose public service is the conduct of war.”

TACTICS SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES SMALLER

UNITS USE TO WIN BATTLES AND ENGAGEMENTS ENGAGEMENT – Small tactical conflict,

usually between maneuver forces BATTLE – A series of related tactical

engagements. Battles last longer than engagements & usually involve larger forces

OPERATIONS

PLANNING AND CONDUCT OF

CAMPAIGNS DESIGNED TO DEFEAT

AN ENEMY IN A SPECIFIC SPACE AND

TIME WITH SIMULTANEOUS AND

SEQUENTIAL BATTLES The Commander projects thoughts

forward in both time and space

OPERATIONS

LINK BETWEEN STRATEGY &

TACTICS

USE AVAILABLE MILITARY

RESOURCES TO ATTAIN OBJECTIVES

IN A SPECIFIC THEATER OF WAR

STRATEGY

THE LONG-RANGE PLANS AND POLICIES FOR DISTRIBUTING AND APPLYING RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

ATTAINMENT OF THE POLITICAL OBJECTIVES OF WAR THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF FORCE OR THE THREAT OF FORCE

LOGISTICS & ADMINISTRATION

Logistics is the providing, movement and

maintenance of all services and resources

necessary to sustain military forces

Administration is the management of all

services & resources necessary to sustain

military forces

LOGISTICS Design Development Acquisition Storage Movement Distribution Maintenance Evacuation &

disposal of material

Movement, evacuation, & hospitalization of personnel

Facilities Civilian Labor Services


THEORY – The body of ideas that

concern war, especially the

organization & training for & the

conduct of war Those whose thoughts about war have

influenced considerable numbers of

soldiers are known as military theorists


DOCTRINE – The authoritative

fundamental principles by which military

forces guide their actions in support of

objectives

Doctrine is generally disseminated through

manuals, regulations, circulars, & handbooks

that prescribe standardized procedures &

organizations


After examination & acceptance

by highly experienced

professionals, theory becomes

doctrine

Sound Judgment

Solutions to every critical situation

cannot be found in doctrine

GENERALSHIP

EXERCISING THE QUALITIES &

ATTRIBUTES NECESSARY TO

COMMAND MAJOR UNITS Involved in each thread of continuity

Deep understanding of the value of

morale and esprit to the profession

NAPOLEON SAID:

“KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHER SPHERES OF WAR IS ONLY ACQUIRED THROUGH THE STUDY OF THE WARS & BATTLES OF GREAT CAPTAINS (MEANING: LEADERS OF BATTLES) & BY EXPERIENCE.”

NAPOLEON SAID: “EVERYTHING DEPENDS UPON THE:

CHARACTER OF THE GENERAL• QUALITIES & FAULTS

NATURE OF THE TROOPS RANGE OF WEAPONS SEASON THOUSAND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE

NEVER THE SAME

EXTERNAL THREADS POLITICAL FACTORS

SOCIAL FACTORS

ECONOMIC FACTORS

TECHNOLOGY

EXTERNAL FACTORS

POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND

ECONOMIC FACTORS PROVIDE

THE FOUNDATIONS OF

NATIONAL POWER

TECHNOLOGY OFTEN PROVIDES

THE LIMITS TO NATIONAL

POWER

POLITICAL FACTORS

IDEAS & ACTIONS OF

GOVERNMENTS OR ORGANIZED

GROUPS THAT AFFECT THE

ACTIVITIES OF WHOLE

SOCIETIES

POLITICAL FACTORS

Determine the composition &

strength of the military

Establish goals & policies for

which wars are fought

Have major influence upon the

military profession

POLITICAL FACTORS

Until middle of 19th Century, most

heads of state were usually the

military commanders as well

Democratic societies of today have

political policies quite removed from

military capabilities & goals

POLITICAL FACTORS

In Democratic Societies –

Military profession influences legislation &

administrative decisions regarding national

security

Consequences of military actions on the

international balance of power & the

behavior of foreign states

SOCIAL FACTORS POPULAR ATTITUDES RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS LEVEL OF EDUCATION ROLES OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE

PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS: (DOD) • Planned operations to convey selected information

and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of foreign government, organizations, groups, and individuals. The purpose of psychological operations is to induce or reinforce foreign attitudes and behavior favorable to the originator's objectives. Also called PSYOP. See also perception management.

MASS MEDIA

SOCIAL FACTORS MINORITY QUESTIONS STANDARDS OF MORALITY &

JUSTICE COMBAT PSYCHOLOGY THE WILL OF A PEOPLE TO

RESIST WHAT SOCIAL FACTORS AFFECTED

THE FIGHTING OF THE VIETNAM WAR

ECONOMIC FACTORS PRODUCTION DISTRIBUTION CONSUMPTION

THESE ARE THE MATERIAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ECONOMIES AFFECT WARFARE DIFFERENTLY

ECONOMIC FACTORS ECONOMIC WAR

BOYCOTT

BLOCKADE

• PART OF TOTAL WAR, BUT CAN ALSO

OCCUR WHEN WAR AS A GENERAL

CONDITION DOES NOT EXIST

TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY IS THE USING OF

KNOWLEDGE TO CREATE OR

IMPROVE UPON PRACTICAL

OBJECTS OR METHODS

TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE MILITARY PROFESSION,

TECHNOLOGY LEADS TO PROGRESSIVE ADVANCEMENT IN SUCH AREAS AS: TRANSPORTATION WEAPONRY COMMUNICATIONS CONSTRUCTION METALLURGY FOOD PRODUCTION AND MEDICINE

TECHNOLOGY (EXAMPLES)

LASARS ACCOUSTIC WPNS – MOTION SICKNESS, NAUSEA,

DIARRHEA, INTERNAL ORGANS RESONATE VORTEX WPN – SENDS SHOCK WAVE ELECTROMAGNETIC WPN – PRODUCES SEIZURE LOW FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC WPNS –

CAUSES BRAIN TO RELEASE CHEMICALS BRINGING ON SLEEP, RELEASE OF HISTAMINES

MICROWAVE WPNS – PAIN, BURNS

TECHNOLOGY HAS AN INFLUENCE UPON:

STRATEGY

TACTICS

LOGISTICS

MILITARY THEORY AND DOCTRINE

GENERALSHIP

THREADS OF CONTINUITY

OFFER A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

THAT SEEKS TO PROVIDE A MEANS

TO RECONSTRUCT AT LEAST THE

GENERAL OUTLINE OF THE MILITARY

PAST USE DOCTRINE, “THREADS,” &

PRINCIPLES TO EVALUATE WARFARE

THREADS OF CONTINUITY

PATTON

“THE PURPOSE OF HISTORY IS TO

LEARN HOW HUMAN BEINGS

REACT WHEN EXPOSED TO THE

DANGER OF WOUNDS OR

DEATH, & HOW HIGH RANKING

INDIVIDUALS REACT WHEN

SUBMITTED TO THE ONEROUS

RESPONSIBILITY OF

CONDUCTING WAR OR THE

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.”

PRINCIPLES OF WAR MASS

OBJECTIVE

OFFENSIVE

SECURITY

ECONOMY OF

FORCE

MANEUVER

UNITY OF

COMMAND

SURPRISE

SIMPLICITY

PRINCIPLES OF WAR

FIELD MARSHALL EARL WARELL “DON’T TREAT THE SO-CALLED

PRINCIPLE OF WAR AS HOLY WRIT, LIKE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. THEY ARE MERELY COMMON SENSE MAXIMS. MERELY TO MEMORIZE THE MAXIM “CUT YOUR COAT ACCORDING TO YOUR CLOTH” DOES NOT INSTRUCT ONE HOW TO BE A TAILOR.”

MASS

CONCENTRATE

COMBAT POWER

AT THE DECISIVE

PLACE AND TIME

MASS: GOOD EXAMPLE RUSSIAN ARTILLERY

GERMANS FEARED RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE DUE TO MASSED USE OF ARTILLERY AT POINT OF DECISION

FOCUS ARTILLERY REGIMENT/DIVISION ON ONE GRID SQUARE• PHYSICALLY & PSCHOLOGICALLY

DISLOCATE YOUR ENEMY

MASS: BAD EXAMPLE BATTLE OF SOMME, SUMMER OF 1916, WWI

HUGE CONCENTRATION OF ARTILLERY TO BATTER GERMAN DEFENSES OVER 20-MILE FRONT

1,400 GUNS SPREAD OUT OVER THAT DISTANCE NOT ENOUGH MASS FOR TRENCH WARFARE

• MORE FOCUS & MASS SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED AT POINT OF DECISION, CREATING A GAP IN LINE

20,000 DEAD OF THE 120,000 ATTACKING, 57,000 BECAME

CASUALTIES

OBJECTIVE

Directs military

operations toward a

defined and attainable

objective that contributes

to strategic, operational,

or tactical aims

OFFENSIVE

Dictates that we act rather than react and dictate the time, place, purpose, scope, intensity, and pace of operations. The initiative must be seized, retained, and fully exploited.

OFFENSIVE ALWAYS PLAN TO REGAIN THE

OFFENSIVE, FOR IT’S ONLY ON THE OFFENSIVE WHERE WE HOPE TO IMPOSE OUR WILL

RESORT TO DEFENSE WHEN WEAKNESS COMPELS YOU

EVEN IN THE DEFENSE YOU CAN ASSUME AN OFFENSIVE CHARACTER THE DECISIVE ELEMENT OF THE DEFENSE

IS THE COUNTERATTACK

SECURITY

NEVER PERMIT THE ENEMY TO ACQUIRE

AN UNEXPECTED ADVANTAGE

FLANKS

RECONNAISSANCE/INTELLIGENCE

REAR AREAS

ECONOMY OF FORCE

ALLOCATE MINIMUM ESSENTIAL

COMBAT POWER TO SECONDARY

EFFORTS

OCCUPATION FORCES

REAR AREAS

MANEUVER

PLACE THE ENEMY IN A

POSITION OF DISADVANTAGE

THROUGH THE FLEXIBLE

APPLICATION OF COMBAT

POWER

UNITY OF COMMAND

FOR EVERY OBJECTIVE, ENSURE UNITY

OF EFFORT UNDER ONE RESPONSIBLE

COMMANDER

GOOD – SCHWARTZKOPF/DESERT STORM

BAD – GRENADA (MAU, RANGERS, AIRBORNE)

POOR INTEROPERABILITY

SURPRISESTRIKE THE ENEMY AT A TIME OR

PLACE, OR IN A MANNER, FOR WHICH

THEY ARE UNPREPARED

*ENEMY BECOMES AWARE TOO LATE TO

REACT EFFECTIVELY

*NORMANDY WAS A SURPRISE FOR ROMMEL/WHY?

SIMPLICITY

STRIVE TO PREPARE CLEAR,

UNCOMPLICATED PLANS AND

CLEAR, CONCISE ORDERS TO

ENSURE THOROUGH

UNDERSTANDING

PRINCIPLES OF WAR

USE THE PRINCIPLES OF WAR TO

EVALUATE DEFINING

ENGAGEMENTS, BATTLES, AND

CAMPAIGNS THROUGHOUT THE

HISTORY OF WARFARE

LEVELS OF WAR

STRATEGIC OPERATIONAL TACTICAL

LEVELS OF WAR War is a national undertaking

Must be coordinated from policy level to the basic execution level

Principles of War are appropriate to all levels of war

The application of the Principles of War involves different perspectives at each level of war

STRATEGIC LEVEL OF WAR PERSPECTIVE IS WORLDWIDE &

LONG-RANGE NATION OR GROUP OF NATIONS

DETERMINES NATIONAL OR ALLIANCE OBJECTIVES

DEVELOPS AND USES NATIONAL RESOURCES TO ACCOMPLISH OBJECTIVES

STRATEGIC LEVEL OF WAR STRATEGY GUIDES OPERATIONS:

ESTABLISHES AIMS ALLOCATES RESOURCES

• TANGIBLE – MATERIAL & PERSONNEL• INTANGIBLE – POLITICAL & PUBLIC SUPPORT

IMPOSES CONDITIONS• MAY BE POLITICAL CONCERNS THAT LIMIT

USE OF FORCE, ETC.• MAY BE SOCIAL CONCERNS

OPERATIONAL LEVEL OF WAR

PERSPECTIVE IS THEATER WIDE

JOINT, COMBINED, OR COALITION FORCES

MANEUVER WITH OBJECTIVE OF ACHIEVING

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

ASSISTS THE TACTICAL LEVEL BY BRINGING

COHERENCE, OTHERWISE WARFARE WOULD BE A

SERIES OF DISCONNECTED & UNFOCUSED TACTICAL

ACTIONS

ASSISTS THE STRATEGIC LEVEL BY EFFECTIVELY &

ECONOMICALLY ACHIEVING THE AIM OF STRATEGY

TACTICAL LEVEL OF WAR: THE WORLD OF COMBAT

PERSPECTIVE IS ONE OF A BATTLE

OR ENGAGEMENT WHEREBY YOU

EXECUTE A PLAN OF MOVEMENT

WITH FIRE SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE

AN OBJECTIVE

PERSPECTIVE IS EXECUTING YOUR

PIECE OF THE PIE, WHILE

MAINTAINING THE OVERALL

OPERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

LEVELS OF WAR

WE WILL EXAMINE WAR FROM

THESE THREE PERSPECTIVES, OR

LEVELS OF WAR

FORMS OF WAR STRATEGY

EXHAUSTION – A strategy which

seeks the gradual erosion of an

enemy nation’s will or means to

resist

GERMANY/WWII

VIETNAM/USA


ATTRITION – A strategy which

seeks the gradual erosion of the

combat power of the enemy’s armed

forces


ANNIHILATION – A strategy which

seeks the immediate destruction of

the combat power of the enemy’s

armed forces

CATEGORIES OF OPERATIONS

OFFENSIVE – Operations designed

to achieve one’s purpose by

attacking the enemy


DEFENSIVE – Operations designed

to cause an enemy’s attack to fail


JOINT – Military operations involving

more than one service


COMBINED – Military operations

involving the armed services of

more than one allied nation

OPERATIONAL DESIGN

CENTER OF GRAVITY – An armed

combatant is a complex organism or

system. It depends upon smooth

and reliable component part(s)

interaction, as well as the will of the

commander.

OPERATIONAL DESIGN

CENTER OF GRAVITY (Cont’d) –

Some components are more vital

than others to the smooth & reliable

operation of the whole.

OPERATIONAL DESIGN

CENTER OF GRAVITY (Cont’d) – If

these component(s) are damaged or

destroyed, their loss unbalances the

entire structure, producing cascading

deterioration in cohesion and

effectiveness. This may lead to complete

failure.

CLAUSEWITZ

“The Center of Gravity is the

hub of all power and movement,

on which everything depends.”

OPERATIONAL DESIGN Line of Operation – Directional

orientation of a force in relation to the enemy. The Line of Operation connects the force with its base of operations and its objective Interior Lines – The ability to reinforce

one’s separated units faster than one’s opponent, due to central position, superior mobility, or both

OPERATIONAL DESIGN Culminating Point – That point in

any offensive operation where the strength of the attacker no longer significantly exceeds that of the defender, and beyond which continued offensive operations risk overextension, counterattack, and defeat

OPERATIONAL DESIGN Culminating Point:

You want to achieve your decisive objective(s) before reaching the culminating point

May occur because supplies can’t keep up with operating forces

May occur because lines of communication are under attack

OPERATIONAL DESIGN As we study warfare, think about

how commanders and their armies planned and executed their operations. Did they: Have an enemy Center of Gravity in

mind. What was the Center of Gravity for each participant in a conflict?

What were their lines of operation? Was their a planned “culminating

point?”

WHAT IS MANEUVER

A PLANNED AND CONTROLLED TACTICAL, OPERATIONAL, STRATEGIC MOVEMENT OF TROOPS, WARSHIPS, AIRCRAFT, ETC., OR THE EMPLOYMENT OF FORCES TO SECURE AN ADVANTAGE—OR LEVERAGE—OVER THE ENEMY TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION

FORMS OF MANEUVER

FRONTAL ATTACK: Offensive

action that strikes the enemy across

a broad front and over the most

direct approaches

FORMS OF MANEUVER

PENETRATION: An offensive action

that breaks through the enemy on a

narrow front and seizes deep

objectives to destroy the coherence

of his defense

FORMS OF MANEUVER

ENVELOPMENT: An offensive

action that passes around or over

enemy defenses to seize objectives

on his flank or rear.

FORMS OF MANEUVER

TURNING MOVEMENT: An envelopment

that forces the enemy to abandon his

position defenses, divert major forces and

fight in two directions simultaneously Attacker attempts to avoid defense

Attacker wants to secure terrain deep in the

enemy’s rear and along lines of

communication

FORMS OF MANEUVER

INFILTRATION: The covert

movement of all or part of the

attacking force through enemy lines

to a favorable position in their rear

TYPES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT – An

offensive operation whose purpose

is to gain or reestablish contact with

the enemy


HASTY ATTACK – A planned

offensive action made without pause

in the forward momentum of a force

upon initial contact with the enemy


DELIBERATE ATTACK – A

thoroughly planned and coordinated

offensive action whose purpose is to

initiate the forward momentum of

friendly forces in contact with a

prepared enemy

MAIN & SUPPORTING ATTACKS

MAIN ATTACK – An offensive action

constituting the commander’s

principal effort to achieve his purpose

ONE UNIT THAT IS ASSIGNED PRIMARY

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACCOMPLISHING

THE FOCUS OF EFFORT

MAIN & SUPPORTING ATTACKS

SUPPORTING ATTACK – An offensive action, separate from the main attack, intended by the commander to facilitate the main attack Deception

Fixing the enemy in position

Seizing key terrain

KHE SANH DIVERTED ATTENTION OF U.S. COMMAND PRIOR

TO TET OFFENSIVE


EXPLOITATION – An offensive

action, the purpose of which is to

prevent the enemy from

reconstituting his defense or

conducting an orderly withdrawal

NAPOLEON’S RETREAT FROM RUSSIA


PURSUIT – An offensive action, the

purpose of which is to intercept and

annihilate a retreating enemy which

has lost its ability to effectively react

TYPES OF DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

MOBILE DEFENSE – A defense that

employs a combination of offensive,

defensive, and delaying action to

defeat an enemy attack

CAUSE THE ENEMY TO REACH THE

CULMINATING POINT TOO EARLY

TYPES OF DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

AREA DEFENSE – A defense which

is conducted to deny the enemy

access to specific terrain for a

specified time

“SAVING PRIVATE RYAN” – THE BRIDGE

RETROGRADE OPERATIONS

DELAY – A retrograde operation whose

purpose is to gain time for friendly forces

to reestablish the defense, cover a

defending or withdrawing unit, protect a

friendly unit’s flank, or to participate in an

economy of force effort THE SPARTANS AT THERMOPYLAE


WITHDRAWAL – A retrograde

operation, the purpose of which is

to remove subordinate units from

combat, adjust defensive positions,

or relocate the entire force

MARINES AT THE CHOSIN RESEVOIR


RETIREMENT – A rearward

movement away from the enemy by

a force not in contact


RETREAT – Any movement away

from the enemy that is forced by the

enemy. Normally very disorderly in

nature

“This isn’t a retreat; this is an

attack in another direction.”

ADDITIONAL TERMS CAMPAIGN – A series of related

military operations intended to accomplish a common objective, usually within a given space & time

GUERILLA WARFARE – Mil. & Paramil. Operations conducted in hostile territory by irregular and primarily indigenous forces

ADDITIONAL TERMS COMBAT POWER – A unit’s fighting

ability. An abstraction that represents one’s judgment of a unit’s fighting ability. A unit’s combat power is not constant Combat power can be increased by the

manner in which a unit is deployed

ADDITIONAL TERMS COMBAT POWER – Factors making

up a unit’s combat power are: Size Weaponry Esprit Leadership Training Discipline Other qualities

ADDITIONAL TERMS

INSURGENCY – An organized movement aimed at the overthrow of a constituted government through use of subversion and armed conflict

INTELLIGENCE – Product resulting from collection, evaluation, and analysis of all available information about opposing forces or nations

ADDITIONAL TERMS

LIMITED WAR – A war prosecuted

by a belligerent who voluntarily

exercises restraints on means,

objective, geographical area, or time

ADDITIONAL TERMS

LINES OF COMMUNICATION – The

land, sea and/or air routes that

connect a military force with its base

of operations and along which

logistical support is provided

BATTLE OF BASTOGNE/WWII

ADDITIONAL TERMS

NATIONAL OBJECTIVES – The

fundamental aims, goals, or purposes

of a nation towards which a policy is

directed and efforts and resources of

the nation (or alliance) are applied

ADDITIONAL TERMS

NATIONAL POLICY – A broad course

of action or statements of guidance

adopted by the government (or

alliance) at a national level in pursuit

of national objectives

ADDITIONAL TERMS

RESERVE – A combat element

intentionally withheld from action by

the commander so as to be available

for commitment at the decisive

moment of a battle

ADDITIONAL TERMS

STRATEGIC CONSUMPTION – The loss of

available combat strength due to

diversions and irreplaceable casualties

imposed by the expansion of one’s base of

operations

Guarding lines of communication

Garrisoning key positions in the rear

ADDITIONAL TERMS

SUPPORTING DISTANCE – Distance by which

two or more forces can be separated while

retaining the ability to reinforce each other before

anyone can be defeated individually.

Terrain

Relative mobility

Relative strength

ADDITIONAL TERMS

TOTAL WAR – A war conducted by a

belligerent in which few restraints on

means, objective, geographic area,

or time are exercised and in which

the involvement of all resources of

the society are normally commited

THE END

Documents

MA-20 Evolution of Warfare The Nature of War