Exploit Tactical Successes or…

“Tactical successes must be ruthlessly exploited. A routed enemy who, on the day of his flight, can be rounded up without much effort, may reappear on the morrow restored to his full fighting power.” (Rommel, 1953, p.398). Field-Marshal Erwin Rommel (the Desert Fox), World War I junior officer and World War II General, considered a… Read More

Synergy: Strategy & Tactics…

“The best strategic plan is useless if it cannot be executed tactically.” (Rommel, 1953, p.389). 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, P.… Read More

Relationships: Tactical Adaptation & Operational Performance

Research Paper Title Tactical Adaptation in Combined Arms Warfare. Abstract What is the true nature of tactical adaptation in combined arms warfare, and what is its relationship with operational performance? This analysis tests the hypothesis that wartime tactical adaptation delivers advantages that decisively cause operational victory or prevent operational defeat, and does not simply limit the costs of… 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

Stay on Target!

“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

A Commander’s Battlefield Knowledge: Leading from the Front or In the Rear with the Gear?

“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

Character-Education Programmes: Linking Performance Virtues & Moral Virtues

Discussion Paper Title Moral Dilemma. Headline Attempts to bolster virtuous traits in the young are on the rise. But no one knows whether they actually works, says Christian B. Miller (writing in the New Scientist). Article It is a common refrain down the ages: the young of today lack the backbone of earlier generations. In… Read More