Logistical Support of the China Relief Expedition
Abstract
This thesis studies the logistical support of United States forces in China during the Boxer Rebellion. The thesis examines the crucial logistical aspects of the operations of Army, Navy and Marie forces during the Boxer Rebellion. When the Boxer Rebellion arose in the Spring of 1900, the safety of the foreign communities in Beijing (Peking) and Tianjin (Tientsin) was threatened. An international force, including Americans, was sent to rescue the foreigners and restore order in China. Initially, our military and political leaders did not have a clear picture of the scope of the Boxer Rebellion. This resulted in the initial force, composed of naval landing parties being out numbered and incapable of accomplishing the mission. The naval landing parties also had limited logistics as they relied only on what was aboard their ships. Additional Army units were sent to China from the Philippines and the United States. These forces eventually rescued the besieged foreigners and restored order to China. Their logistics support is an excellent example of 19th Century logistics doctrine modified to meet the realities of operations in China. American logistics during the Boxer Rebellion also provide insights into the nature of logistics while conducting coalition warfare.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA241148
Entities
People
- William C. Harlow
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College