Lessons of Allied Interoperability: A Portent for the Future
Abstract
Every important conflict of the twentieth century involving the United States has been an allied effort. Any similar conflict in the foreseeable future will undoubtedly follow this pattern. While allied experiences date from the time of ancient Greece and Rome, one need search no farther than World War II for portents of value to the nation's present and future leadership concerned with allied interoperability. Today, the focus is upon Europe and NATO. The most graphic and relevant experiences of allied interoperability in World War II emerged from this same geographical area. Historians have concentrated upon the highest levels of allied coalition warfare, neglecting functional, pragmatic issues at the operational level. The campaigns of North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Russia provide case studies in the problems and challenges of allied interoperability on the battlefield. Standard, accepted Department of Defense/ NATO definitions of 'interoperability' remain inadequate. The term must encompass virtually every aspect of military operations so as to incorporate the subtleties and innuendoes inherent in any integrated force. The lessons of World War II in Europe provide a matrix for analysis of command and control, logistics, operations, education, training, and doctrine within which can be ascertained interoperability components like 'software' procedures, SOPs, and handbooks, as well as 'hardware' of weapons and equipment. The fundamental lesson or moral emerging from World War II experience with value for the future is simply: plan, train, organize for allied inter-operability - or have it anyway.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 10, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA060103
Entities
People
- Benjamin F. Cooling
- John A. Hixson
Organizations
- United States Army War College