Field Artillery Fire Support for Counterinsurgency Operations: Combat Power or Counterproductive?
Abstract
This monograph attempts to answer the following question: Should field artillery be used as a counterinsurgency weapon? The monograph first defines the terms insurgency, counterinsurgency, and artillery fire support, and explains the three phases of an insurgency as conceptualized by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-Tung) and General Vo-Nguyen Giap. Second, the study reviews the United States Army's historical reliance upon artillery fire support. Third, in order to reveal the effectiveness of artillery fire support, it examines two counterinsurgency battles--one with and one without artillery fire support. Finally, the monograph relates the advantages and disadvantages of field artillery fire support. It concludes that, although field artillery may be a combat power detractor when used against a phase one and two insurgency, it is a necessary combat power multiplier against a phase three insurgency. Ways of expanding field artillery's effectiveness as a counterinsurgency weapon are detailed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 22, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA191782
Entities
People
- Edward E. Hoffer
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College