Casualty Estimates for Contingencies. Volume 1. Report.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compile and analyze data on personnel casualties that have occurred in minor contingency operations since 1945 in order to provide estimates of casualty rates which would be of use to planners of future minor contingency operations. The original guidance stated that only minor contingency operations which occurred from 1956 to 1985 in which the US or a US ally took part would be addressed. Operations in Europe, Northeast Asia, and Vietnam were excluded specifically. Later the gfuidance was changed to allow the study to cover the period 1945 to 1985. The goal of the study was to provide casualty rate matrices in which circumstantial factors and personnel factors would be arrayed to provide specific planning guidance. The circumstantial factors to be addressed included the following: weather; terrain; type of units involved; method of initial entry into the operational area; operational posture; surprise; air superiority; and opposition to initial entry. Personnel categories to be addressed included the following: officer enlisted breakout; grade; skill; location on battlefield; and combat versus support. The idea was to provide a series of matrices which would forecast the probable casualties for, say, a parachute assault by an airborne unit into a hot climate, rough terrain objective, by grade an skill.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA183255
Entities
People
- Brian R. Bader
- C. C. Johnson
- John R. Brinkerhoff
- Trevor N. Dupuy