Original scientific paper
MOBILE WAR
Miroslav Goluža
; Vojno učilištu “Petar Zrinski”
Abstract
Ever since 1945 have western military analysts carefully analyzed the doctrine of maneuver warfare employed by their defeated opponent. Americans were clear that the Warsaw pact is superior in Europe both in manpower and in mechanization available. It was also evident that the doctrine based on fire power domination, which they had been using up to then, is no longer appropriate. Also, the military failure in Vietnam made them actively reconsider the doctrine that was based on materiel and fire support. So, it was as late as the beginning of the 1980’s that William S. Lind started to use the term ‘maneuver warfare’. Maneuver warfare was especially interesting for small nations when in situations of extremely asymmetric strategic environment. It offers the weaker side a mighty weapon and the opportunity to win fast with relatively few losses. So the best example of maneuver warfare can be found in Israeli military practice after the Second World War until 1973. In unfavorable conditions that the Israelis facing, maneuver warfare turned out to be the only solution. Small nations can hardly afford to lead a war aiming at wearing out the enemy. Maneuver warfare is also a more humane form of war since it allows the war objectives to be achieved faster with fewer casualties and less destruction.
Keywords
Reichswehr; Hans von Seeckt; maneuver warfare; military training; military education; chaos of war
Hrčak ID:
41752
URI
Publication date:
22.6.2007.
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