The Operational Culminating Point Can You See It Coming?
Abstract
This study analyzes 3 operational machanized forces in the offense to determine if there are common recurring characteristics that foretell that a unit is approaching its culminating point. They are: the German defeat at El Alamein, 1942; the Soviet defeat at Kharkov, 1943; and the German defeat at the Battle of the Bulge, 1944. FM 100-5 cites the Clausewitzian concept of the operational art. A commander who is familiar with possible indicators and who understands historical examples of the culminating point has an advantage in making the necessary decisions in time to prevent his force from passing its culminating point or to allow him to take advantage of an enemy's. The study provides an understanding of the culminating point concept, its relationship to implementation of doctrine, and some guides to alert of possible approaching culminating points. Two broad categories recur: those events known to or caused by the attacker to himself and those brought about the enemy. The overwhelming majority of events or traits which help bring about the culminating point are of the former; the attacker hastens his own culminating point more so than does the enemy. A commander's overconfidence and stubborn commitment to a flawed course of action was found to contribute most directly to his eventual inability to defend.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA174327
Entities
People
- James D. Coomler
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College