PRACTICES OF WAR DEFINING TERMS Defining Terms Strategy

Defining Terms • Strategy • Grand Strategy • Tactics • Single envelopment • Double

• Deals with both the preparation for and the waging of war •

• The Grand Strategy – Sometimes known as the “higher strategy” Strategy –

Tactics • The art of executing plans and handling troops in battle • Divided

To make the separation more distinct… – Strategy is the prelude to the battlefield

Examples of Tactics • Envelopment – An attack on the enemy’s flank toward his

Examples of Tactics • Turning movement – A wide enveloping maneuver, passing around the

Examples of Tactics • Penetration – An attack on the enemy’s front by driving

Logistics • The art of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of

Logistics • An aspect of logistics are establishing lines of communication – Railways, waterways,

Defining Military History. Additional terms • Theater of operations – This is the combat

An old saying goes, “Amateurs study tactics, armchair generals study strategy, but professionals study

Quick review • Define and distinguish the difference between the following terms – Strategy

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PRACTICES OF WAR

DEFINING TERMS

Defining Terms • Strategy • Grand Strategy • Tactics • Single envelopment • Double envelopment • Penetration maneuver • Turning movement • Logistics • Lines of Communication • Main effort • Secondary effort • Theater of Operations

• 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” 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 – 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 • 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 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 What are the pros and cons of each?

Defining Military History. Additional terms • Theater of operations – This is the combat zone as well as the supply and administration area directly connected with the military operations • Campaign – A series of planned movements carried out by one or several armies in a specific area

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

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