Practices of War

Defining Terms

Strategy Deals with both the preparation for and the waging of war Most often is defined as the art of projecting and directing campaigns

Strategy The Grand Strategy Sometimes known as the “higher strategy” The art of employing all the resources of a nation or coalition of nations to achieve the objects of war (and peace)

Tactics The art of executing plans and handling troops in battle Divided into two categories: Minor tactics refers to maneuvering small units Operational art refers to maneuvering large-scale units

To make the separation more distinct… Strategy is the prelude to the battlefield Tactics are the actions on the battlefield

Examples of Tactics Envelopment Double envelopment An attack on the enemy’s flank toward his rear, usually accompanied by an attack on his front Double envelopment An attack on both flanks of the enemy while his center is held in check

Examples of Tactics Turning movement A wide enveloping maneuver, passing around the side of the enemy’s main forces and attacking him from the rear

Examples of Tactics Main effort Secondary effort Penetration An attack on the enemy’s front by driving a wedge into it or piercing it completely Main effort Concentrating on the critical point in the enemy’s position Secondary effort Pinning down the remainder of the enemy or moving against a secondary objective to obtain an important less critical result

German Blitzkrieg

Logistics The art of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of forces Deployment of military forces & equipment to the theater of operations Involves the services necessary to feed, clothe, supply, transport, and house the troops

Logistics An aspect of logistics are establishing lines of communication Railways, waterways, roads, and air routes to reinforce and supply the troops

An old saying goes, “Amateurs study tactics, armchair generals study strategy, but professionals study logistics” To what extent do you agree with this premise?

Defining Military History-some terms Theater of operations This is the combat zone as well as the supply and administration area directly connected with the military operations Military art can be said to involve strategy, logistics, operational art and tactics Modern technology and new weaponry continue to shape military art Clausewitz said, “War admittedly has its own grammar, but not its own logic.”

Quick review Define and distinguish the difference between the following terms Strategy and tactics Grand strategy and operational art Envelopment, turning movement, and double envelopment Penetration, main and secondary effort Logistics, lines of communication, and theater of operations