MILITARY STRATEGY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 September 1939, Page 3

MILITARY STRATEGY

LESSONS OF THE GREAT WAR. CHANGED TACTICS THIS TIME. In the Great War masses of men were hurled against strongly constructed defence systems manned by skilful gunners who lay sheltered during the preliminary bombardments, and then, when attacks were launched, were able to take up their position and mdw down the advancing infantry in waves.

Perhaps the most important lesson of military strategy taught by the Great War was the futility of hurling masses of men against impregnable positions where patriotic valour was of no avail against a hail of machinegun fire The-generals on both sides, but particularly on the British and French sides, believed in swift attacks and rapid movement of their armies Even when the war in France developed into a deadlock they still cherished the hope of a break through which would allow classic wheeling movements and the strategic use of cavalry. Their philosophy was the doctrine of attack, no matter what lay in front. Of this fallacy John Brophy, in his book on the World War, “The Five Years,” wrote: —

“This heresy, which was held with great tenacity by almost all the suprerße commanders of the Great War right to the end, was that determination can do the work of intelligence. They believed that the will of the commander, instilled into his men, could successfully send troops to the assault in the face of modern artillery and machine guns.” The costly attacks launched by the British High Command in such offensives as the Somme and Passchendaele resulted in enormous British casualties in France. These were higher than German in the ratio of three to two.

The British generals today, however, are men who .were subordinate officers in 1914-18, and in that capacity came face to face with the harsh reaalities of the new conditions of warfare.

No war, of course, can bo conducted without casualties, but it is certain that the British and French commands, profiting from the costly lessons of 1914-18, will have radically altered some previous conceptions of militarj’ strategy. The French today have an army of 8,000,000 men. prepared and ready and so are in a more advantageous position than in 1914. but nevertheless they will no doubt conserve their man-power until attacks have a reasonable prospect of success

Britain, too. is in a much bolter position than in 1914 as regards manpower. for the British scheme of compulsory service is already in operation, and has lately been extended to bring in classes between 18 and 41. In 1914 Britain had only a small professional army. This played its part with devotion and gallantry in stemming the German advance in August and September, 1914, but the volunteer system, and later conscription, were required to bring it up to the strength necessary to carry the war to a successful conclusion. Britain today is definitely better prepared to meet whatever contingencies the war may bring about.—Written by T. M. B. and first published in' the New Zealand Observer.