'Maneuver Warfare' Revisited: A Plea for Balance,
Abstract
This paper is a plea for balance in the current pursuit of understanding of the concept and the teaching of 'Maneuver Warfare'. It specifically addresses the need for a more complete analysis of some of the more common historical examples which are commonly offered as examples of the supremecy of 'Maneuver Warfare'. The paper in no way disagrees with the desireability of conducting the kinds of operations associated with the ill-defined concepts offered by advocates of 'Maneuver Warfare' but suggests that the desireable results of historical battles may be too readily ascribed to the dynamic, offensive actions of the victorious side. Secondly, the paper points out the lack of utility and applicability of some common 'buzzwords' being used in today's Army. Specifically assailed is the concept of 'turning within a decision cycle'. The paper describes the reasons that this commonly used phrase has little applicability to ground warfare. Finally, the paper mentions the tendancy for the 'Maneuver Warfare' camp to cloud discussion of doctrine in a kind of intellectualism and elitism which has no use in forming the necessary consensus demanded by doctrine. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA170250
Entities
People
- Mark R. Hamilton
Organizations
- United States Army War College