Military Police Operations in World War II: Extending the Division's Operational Reach
Abstract
The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) commenced in October 2001. The US Army changed their paradigm from conventional warfare between states to counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The US Army Military Police Corps adapted their doctrine and organization in response to anomalies in the GWOT at the expense of conventional capabilities. As the US Army transitions from a counter-insurgency paradigm back to the paradigm of large-scale combat operations, military police must adapt their doctrine and organization to remain relevant and ready. The historical case study of Operation Overlord in World War II is an example of how military police supported large-scale combat operation. First Army and Third Army executed a forcible entry operation against heavy German opposition on the beaches of Normandy in the summer of 1944. Military police extended the division's operational reach in World War II through traffic control, prisoner of war operations, and pilferage prevention. These three missions are critical in future large-scale combat operations as the US Army responds to the trends of urban warfare and strategic competitor's investment in anti-access and area-defense technology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 05, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1071037
Entities
People
- Christopher A. Evans
Organizations
- School of Advanced Military Studies