“Unfortunately, a few forts and strong points continued to hold out all night, and our attacking force foolishly allowed itself to be drawn into a fight for these points before pushing on with its main attack. It is a great mistake to allow oneself to be diverted from the main line of one’s plan by… Read More
“It is of the utmost importance to the commander to have a good knowledge of the battlefield and of his own and his enemy’s positions on the ground. It is often not a question of which of the opposing commanders is the higher qualified mentally, or which has the greater experience, but which of them… Read More
“One thing particularly evident had been the tendency of certain commanders to permit themselves unnecessary delays for refuelling and restocking with ammunition, or for a leisurely overhaul of their vehicles, even when an immediate attack offered prospects of success. The sole criterion for a commander in carrying out a given operation must be the time… Read More
“It is impossible to take the correct decisions without accurate knowledge of the situation.” (Rommel, 1953, p.117). Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel (the Desert Fox), World War I junior officer and World War II General, considered a brilliant military commander; adored by his troops and feared by his enemies. Reference Rommel, E., Liddel Hart, B.H. (ed) & Findlay,… Read More
“When, after a great victory which has brought the destruction of the enemy, the pursuit is abandoned on the quartermaster’s advice, history almost invariably finds the decision to be wrong and points to the tremendous chances which have been missed. In face of such judgement there are, of course, always academic soldiers quick to produce… Read More
“The reason for giving up the pursuit is almost always the quartermaster’s growing difficulty in spanning the lengthened supply routes with his available transport. As the commander usually pays great attention to his quartermaster and allows the latter’s estimate of the supply possibilities to determine his strategic plan, it has become the habit for quartermaster… Read More
“When a commander has won a decisive victory – and Wavell’s victory over the Italians was devastating – it is generally wrong for him to be satisfied with too narrow a strategic aim. For that is the time to exploit success. It is during pursuit, when the beaten enemy is still dispirited and disorganised, that… Read More
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 