The Infantry Division (Light): Did We Read the History Book?

Abstract

In April 1982 the leadership of the United States Army announced that its two standard infantry divisions would be reduced to approximately 10,000 soldiers, restructured Light Infantry Divisions and that three additional Light Divisions would be created. This paper traces the Army's development and testing of Light divisions during the World War II period. The 1980s version of the Light Division is compared with its 1960 forerunner and it appears that many of the deficiencies which caused the earlier division to be rejected exist in the Modern Light Division. Questions remain as to the tactical and strategic value of having Light Infantry divisions in the Army's force structure. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 23, 1987
Accession Number
ADA182783

Entities

People

  • Gerald E. Thompson

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

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  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

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  • Artillery
  • Central Europe
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  • Europe
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  • Second World War
  • Security
  • Target Designators
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  • Training
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

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