“‘Can’t be help, Tribune. Consider this an important lesson of soldiering. The first casualty of war is the plan.’” (Scarrow, 2015, p.93). Reference Scarrow, S. (2015) Britannia. London: Headline Publishing Group.
First Casualty: The Plan
Military Operations: Pursuing Utopia!
“Normally, there is no ideal solution to military problems; every course has its advantages and disadvantages. One must select that which seems best from the most varied aspects and then pursue it resolutely and accept the consequences. Any compromise is bad.” (Rommel, 1953, p.201). Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel (the Desert Fox), World War I junior officer… Read More
Military Gamble or Strategical/Tactical Boldness
“It is my experience that bold decisions give the best promise of success. But one must differentiate between strategical or tactical boldness and a military gamble. A bold operation is one in which success is not a certainty but which in case of failure leaves one with sufficient forces in hand to cope with whatever… Read More
Prepared Positions: Motorised vs Non-motorised
“Non-motorised infantry divisions are only of value against a motorised and armoured enemy when occupying prepared positions. If these positions are pierced or outflanked, a withdrawal will leave them helpless victims of the motorised enemy, with nothing else to do but hold on in their positions to the last round.” (Rommel, 1953, p198). Field-Marshal Erwin… Read More
Desert Warfare: Decisive Factors
“Given equal leadership, equal training, equal supply conditions and air force, the primary decisive factors in desert warfare are the number and manoeuvrability of the tanks and the range of their guns; after that comes the number of field-guns and their range; and then, finally, the number of anti-tank guns, their range and calibre. If… Read More
Tactical Tricks: Training for Dash & Caution
“The high casualties suffered by my assault forces were primarily caused by their lack of training. Even in the smallest action, there are always tactical tricks which can be used to save casualties, and these must be made known to the men. It frequently happened that dash was used where caution was really needed, with,… Read More
Manpower & Position Warfare vs Material & Mobile Warfare
“In this assault we lost more than 1,200 men killed, wounded and missing. This shows sharply how the curve of casualties rises when one reverts from mobile to position warfare. In mobile action, what counts is material, as the essential complement to the soldier. The finest fighting man has no value in mobile warfare without… Read More
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 