Tactical Pursuit and the Moral Domain: Why Armies Lack the Will to Pursue.
Abstract
This monograph discusses the moral factors of warfare as they apply to the tactical pursuit. Throughout Western military history, there have been battles in which a victorious army had the opportunity to pursue, but chose to allow the enemy to escape. In many cases, the victors did not conduct an energetic pursuit because they lacked the will to do so. The monograph first reviews some non-moral reasons why battlefield victors choose not to pursue. The monograph then examines the factors that influence man's will in wartime. Next, the monograph looks at the moral reasons why vigorous pursuits did not happen after Gettysburg, El Alamein, and the Desert Storm ground offensive. Lastly, the monograph offers recommendations for today's U.S. Army in addressing the problems of the tactical pursuit and the moral domain. The monograph concludes that in many cases armies do not conduct vigorous tactical pursuits because their leaders and soldiers lack the will to pursue. This lack of will allows the enemy to escape and fight again. Leaders must understand and address the influences that deter this will so that the U.S. Army can fully exploit its battlefield victories.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 17, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA288947
Entities
People
- Frank J. Abbott
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College