09/23/2003 Entry: ""
Posted by Maynard @ 11:39 AM MST
A history lesson with your morning OJ
Brendan Miniter over at Opinion Journal has an article today with a very unusual statement:
The tactics developed during the Civil War dominated war-fighting strategies through World War I.
Bull.
The tactics developed in the Civil War were mostly ignored in World War 1, those being flanking maneuvers, infrastructure utilization, and strategic warfare. Every one of these tactics was completely overlooked in World War 1 and didn't see full manifestation until World War 2.
In WW1, trench warfare was the primary means of combat, whereas in WW2 it was tank & infantry maneuvers. In the Civil War you saw both flanking maneuvers and trench/seige warfare, but the real advances against the South were made with movement-based tactics.
In WW1, very little use was made of the nation's infrastructure, such as railroads, to move troops and supplies. The method was pioneered by the South in the Civil War.
In WW1, practically no attacks were made against the belligerent's ability to create the materiel of war. Two words for you: Sherman's March. And three more: 8th Air Force.
WW1 took so long because the belligerent's refused to adopt the lessons of American warfare and instead stuck with what they thought was "innovative". At the beginning of the war it was thought that the bayonet was the most useful instrument an infantryman had for instilling fear in his enemy. A General named Pickett could have instructed otherwise. Our ability to change our tactics based on what works and what doesn't, coupled with our love affair with new technology, makes us the most potent force on Earth.
Replies: 
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Flanking tactics were used with great effect at the battle of Marne where the French sixth army when with 150000 men attacked the right flank of the advancing germans to split the german army up to slow down the advance on paris. Without this manouver from the French WW1 would probably have been won by the germans. Oh and less of the belligerent if your so bothered about somthing your accusing the Triple Entente of doing then why didnt America go and help. So stop critisizing about a war you were not in. I rest my case!
Posted by Toastie @ 06/03/2004 05:10 AM MST
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