Fighting the Big War with the Small Hammer: Operational Planning for the Medium Force – Case Studies and Tempo Analysis of World War II German Army Battle of Mortain, Defeat at Argentan-Falaise Gap

Nonfiction, History, Military, Strategy, World War II
Cover of the book Fighting the Big War with the Small Hammer: Operational Planning for the Medium Force – Case Studies and Tempo Analysis of World War II German Army Battle of Mortain, Defeat at Argentan-Falaise Gap by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781370681983
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: February 8, 2017
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781370681983
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: February 8, 2017
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. The asymmetry of medium versus heavy operations creates a problem for the medium force. This problem is relevant because the strategic direction of the United States encourages the growth of medium forces. This means the study of medium versus heavy operations becomes a concern should an existential war occur. This monograph addresses the elements of operational art that are most critical during medium versus heavy operations. Section one uses an aggregate caliber calculation to compare US and German divisional combat power. Sections two and three use the contemporary US Army definition and description of operational art to analyze the American defense at Mortain and the Allied defeat of two German armies at Falaise-Argentan. The American success defending at Mortain and encircling the Germans at Falaise-Argentan illustrates the importance of tempo, transitions, and phasing. The Allied tempo all along the Normandy Front prevented the Germans from massing the required combat power to make an effective attack against the Americans at Mortain. Furthermore, the Allied tempo caused a deep salient to form around two German Armies extending from Mortain to Falaise and Argentan. However, the Americans reduced their tempo at Argentan and transitioned poorly to close the encirclement. This allowed the Germans to hold open the gap for an additional five days and gave the Germans the space required to conduct a breakout. Given these historical examples, the most critical elements of operational art are tempo, transitions, and phasing during medium versus heavy operations. Operational planners should use phasing to focus assets in a way that enables tempo.

Acronyms * Introduction * Section One: The Case for Medium in World War II * The Search for a Functional Definition of Medium Forces * The Medium Applied in World War II * Avoiding the Medium versus Heavy Fight * Conclusion * Section Two: The Battle of Mortain * Methodology and Criteria: Tempo Related to Mass * Overview: The Battle of Mortain * Analysis: Mortain, Tempo, and Operational Art * Conclusion * Section Three: Argentan-Falaise * Methodology and Criteria: OODA Loop and Tempo * Overview: German Defeat at Argentan-Falaise Gap * Analysis: Argentan-Falaise, Tempo, and Operational Art * Analysis: Argentan-Falaise, Transitions, and Operational Art * Conclusion * Conclusion * Recommendations

In December 1944, I Company, 23rd Infantry Regiment defended east of Elensborn, Belgium against a German attack in the opening blows of the Battle of the Bulge. I Company stood against seven German infantry assaults that day. Then it happened. Five Tiger tanks appeared and lumbered toward I Company's position with infantry support. Captain Charles MacDonald, I Company's Commander, requested a Sherman tank platoon to intervene against the enemy armor. While waiting for an answer, he tried to stop the Tigers with artillery, but without a direct hit, the Tigers kept coming. The Tigers poured round after round of 88mm destruction on I Company. MacDonald's Battalion Commander responded that the Sherman tank platoon refused to close with the Tigers, because it was suicide for the lightly armored tanks. The Battalion Commander agreed with their judgment. Neither I Company nor the 23rd Regiment possessed a way to stop the Tigers. MacDonald's defense folded.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. The asymmetry of medium versus heavy operations creates a problem for the medium force. This problem is relevant because the strategic direction of the United States encourages the growth of medium forces. This means the study of medium versus heavy operations becomes a concern should an existential war occur. This monograph addresses the elements of operational art that are most critical during medium versus heavy operations. Section one uses an aggregate caliber calculation to compare US and German divisional combat power. Sections two and three use the contemporary US Army definition and description of operational art to analyze the American defense at Mortain and the Allied defeat of two German armies at Falaise-Argentan. The American success defending at Mortain and encircling the Germans at Falaise-Argentan illustrates the importance of tempo, transitions, and phasing. The Allied tempo all along the Normandy Front prevented the Germans from massing the required combat power to make an effective attack against the Americans at Mortain. Furthermore, the Allied tempo caused a deep salient to form around two German Armies extending from Mortain to Falaise and Argentan. However, the Americans reduced their tempo at Argentan and transitioned poorly to close the encirclement. This allowed the Germans to hold open the gap for an additional five days and gave the Germans the space required to conduct a breakout. Given these historical examples, the most critical elements of operational art are tempo, transitions, and phasing during medium versus heavy operations. Operational planners should use phasing to focus assets in a way that enables tempo.

Acronyms * Introduction * Section One: The Case for Medium in World War II * The Search for a Functional Definition of Medium Forces * The Medium Applied in World War II * Avoiding the Medium versus Heavy Fight * Conclusion * Section Two: The Battle of Mortain * Methodology and Criteria: Tempo Related to Mass * Overview: The Battle of Mortain * Analysis: Mortain, Tempo, and Operational Art * Conclusion * Section Three: Argentan-Falaise * Methodology and Criteria: OODA Loop and Tempo * Overview: German Defeat at Argentan-Falaise Gap * Analysis: Argentan-Falaise, Tempo, and Operational Art * Analysis: Argentan-Falaise, Transitions, and Operational Art * Conclusion * Conclusion * Recommendations

In December 1944, I Company, 23rd Infantry Regiment defended east of Elensborn, Belgium against a German attack in the opening blows of the Battle of the Bulge. I Company stood against seven German infantry assaults that day. Then it happened. Five Tiger tanks appeared and lumbered toward I Company's position with infantry support. Captain Charles MacDonald, I Company's Commander, requested a Sherman tank platoon to intervene against the enemy armor. While waiting for an answer, he tried to stop the Tigers with artillery, but without a direct hit, the Tigers kept coming. The Tigers poured round after round of 88mm destruction on I Company. MacDonald's Battalion Commander responded that the Sherman tank platoon refused to close with the Tigers, because it was suicide for the lightly armored tanks. The Battalion Commander agreed with their judgment. Neither I Company nor the 23rd Regiment possessed a way to stop the Tigers. MacDonald's defense folded.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book Air Power History from Infancy, World Wars, to the Present, Pioneers, USAF and Foreign Air Forces: A Companion for Aspirant Air Warriors: A Handbook for Personal Professional Study by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century FEMA Study Course: Breaking The Disaster Cycle: Future Directions in Natural Hazard Mitigation - History of Disaster Policy, Mitigation, Ethics, Studies, Plans by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Air Force Doctrine Document 3-17: Air Mobility Operations - Airlift, Air Reserve Component, Air National Guard (ANG), Air Refueling, Aeromedical Evacuation, Maximum on Ground (MOG) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Air Force Strategy Study 2020-2030: Power Projection, Freedom of Action in Air, Space, and Cyberspace, Global Situational Awareness, Military Support for Civil Authorities by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Report of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident: The Tragedy of Mission 51-L in 1986 - Volume 5 Hearings Part One by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Low-Intensity Conflict in the Third World: Middle East, Soviets, Russia, Latin America, South Africa, Southeast Asia, United States Policy and Strategic Planning by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Rise of the Fighter Generals: The Problem of Air Force Leadership 1945-1982 - Twining, LeMay, Norstad, Jones, Davis, McPeak, Arnold, Doolittle, Momyer by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Naval Aviation in World War I: Official Reference Source, Naval Aircraft, the Flying Bomb, Hewitt and Elmer Sperry, War Against the U-Boat, Navy's First Ace, Training at MIT and Yale by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Central Asia After 2014: Uyghurs, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Withdrawal from Afghanistan, Sino-Russian Relationship, China's Military by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Cordon of Steel: The U.S. Navy and the Cuban Missile Crisis - President John F. Kennedy, Nikita Khrushchev, Admiral Dennison, U-2, Fidel Castro, SS-4 Sandal and SS-5 Skean Soviet Missiles by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Femme Fatale: Examination of the Role of Women in Combat and the Policy Implications for Future American Military Operations - World War II Female Fighters, Soviet Fliers, Islamic Terrorists, Shahida by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Inside the International Space Station (ISS): NASA Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) Astronaut Training Manual by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Space Shuttle NASA Mission Reports: 1991 Missions, STS-37, STS-39, STS-40, STS-43, STS-48, STS-44 by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Nanoscience Technologies Applications, Transitions and Innovations - Nanostrands, Optical, Transistors by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Naval Air Training: Air to Air Intercept Procedures Workbook - Pursuit, Radar, Displays and Flight Path Visualization, Intercept Geometry Fundamentals, Counterturn, Missiles by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy