Transcript FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
MA-20 Evolution of Warfare The Nature of War
Man and War
LtCol 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
NATURE 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
WAR
What is the definition of “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
MOOTW
Limited War
Total war
NATURE of WAR
• Friction • Uncertainty • Fluidity • Complexity • Disorder • 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
NATURE OF WAR
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
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
MILITARY THEORY & DOCTRINE
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
MILITARY THEORY & DOCTRINE
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
MILITARY THEORY & DOCTRINE
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 19 th 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
SURPRISE
STRIKE 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
FORMS OF WAR STRATEGY
ATTRITION – A strategy which seeks the gradual erosion of the combat power of the enemy’s armed forces
FORMS OF WAR STRATEGY
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
CATEGORIES OF OPERATIONS
DEFENSIVE – Operations designed to cause an enemy’s attack to fail
CATEGORIES OF OPERATIONS
JOINT – Military operations involving more than one service
CATEGORIES OF OPERATIONS
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
TYPES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
HASTY ATTACK – A planned offensive action made without pause in the forward momentum of a force upon initial contact with the enemy
TYPES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
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
TYPES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
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
TYPES OF OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
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
RETROGRADE OPERATIONS
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
RETROGRADE OPERATIONS
RETIREMENT – A rearward movement away from the enemy by a force not in contact
RETROGRADE OPERATIONS
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