David and Goliath - Can Airborne Infantry Defend Against Armor in Central Europe?

Abstract

This study examines the viability of the 82d Airborne Division's Antiarmor Defense Concept in the Central European environment. An overview of the Airborne Antiarmor Defense (AAD) concept is provided. This monograph compares the AAD with concepts for infantry defense against armor expoused by B.H. Liddell Hart such as the dynamic and archipelago defenses. This monograph examines the historical perspective of five select battles where a predominantly infantry force was successful in defending against armor and then seeks to determine those factors that resulted in victory. The battles examined are Medenine, El Alamein, Targul Frumos, Kursk, and Sicily. Throughout the historical review there are analyses of the relationship between the AAD and Liddell Hart's indirect approach. Doctrinal, training, and materiel implications pertaining to infantry defense (using the AAD) against armor complete the report. It is concluded that, while the 82d Airborne Div. Antiarmor Defense Concept will work in Central Europe, there are some doctrinal and training deficiencies which need to be noted.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 17, 1986
Accession Number
ADA179364

Entities

People

  • Joseph O. Rodriguez Jr

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anti-Tank Guns
  • Anti-Tank Missiles
  • Anti-Tank Weapons
  • Armored Vehicles
  • Army
  • Artillery
  • Central Europe
  • Classification
  • Guided Missiles
  • Handbooks
  • Launchers
  • New York
  • Rifles
  • Rocket Launchers
  • Rocket Propelled Grenades
  • Schools
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Marksmanship and Weaponry.
  • Materials Science.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies