The Utility of the Operational Pause in Sequencing Battles to Achieve an Operational Advantage,
Abstract
That warfare is an uneven cycle of activity is undisputed. the most violent and active periods of war are inevitably followed by pauses in operations. Clausewitz recognized this phenomenon and devoted substantial comment in his famous treatise on war on the subject of suspension of activity in war. Operational pauses are acknowledged in FM 100-5 as well in discussions on the culminating point of operations. Given that operational pauses are inherent in warfare, are they to be considered merely delays in accomplishing one's mission or are they of some utility in the practice of operational art? the purpose of this monograph is to determine how operational pauses may be used to one's advantage in campaign planning. A number of historical cases are examined to determine where, when,and why operational pauses have been executed in the past. analysis of these cases indicate that the most apparent reasons for a pause are weather, shift in the main power of a force reaching culmination. Keywords: Military doctrine; North Africa; France; Eastern Front.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA185491
Entities
People
- David M. Cowan
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College