Combat Failure: Nightmare of Armored Units Since World War II
Abstract
This monograph examines the relationship between physical forces prevalent on the modem battlefield and the causes inherent to US armored battalion failure since World War II. Given the complexity of today's battlefield in terms of technology, command and control, and lethality, examining the physical aspects of failure can offer the clearest understanding of unit failure as a whole; after all, physical actions and reactions in battle are more easily analyzed. To determine the relationship between armored failure and physical forces on the battlefield, I first provide some theoretical and contemporary perspectives on the physical aspects of unit failure. Next, the causes and conditions of battlefield failure are identified and examined, followed by a discussion of the processes of failure. After laying a foundation of theory and the processes of failure, historical examples as well as recent armored NTC experiences are examined to determine the decisive causes of failure for US armor units since World War II. Failure, Defeat, Battalion, Physical force, Armor/tanks, World War II, Casualties, Moral force, National training center (NTC).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 18, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA258093
Entities
People
- William R. Moyer
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College