Friction in War: Clausewitz and CMBB

[onodoken]

Gentlemen:

Throughout the forums we keep reading, why a crew did this, or a squad of infantry did that or a vehicle ran away when it was not suppose to or why (my favorite) a German 37mm “doorknocker” took out a KV-1 with an AP round. Anyone with military experience knows that plans undoubtedly never occur exactly as planned and that units, individuals and hardware may react very differently under various circumstances. Keep in mind that although CMBB is an excellent, if not the best wargame made, it cannot “simulate” cannibalism in Stalingrad or the strange sudden death syndrome of German soldiers that died due to a strange shrinkage of their hearts as well as other oddities of war and particularly on the eastern front.

Below is an extract of a college paper I did years ago and part of a research conducted on one of military histories greatest thinker: Carl Von Clausewitz. This is a rather “short” explanation of the concept of FRICTION, which is basically an explanation of why things do not always go the way we planned them. The Combat Mission engine does a great job of simulating the “unsimulationable”. All analysis is from Carl Von Clausewitz: On War, I hope you find it useful.

Definition of Friction.

Clausewitz defines friction of war as the random and unpredictable events within a given conflict that cannot be foreseen. The basic definition of friction does not apply to Clausewitz; it is rather a series of events that inherently complicate even the simplest of tasks. Furthermore Clausewitz describes friction in war as the only concept that distinguishes war in theoretical terms from the experience of real war. Thus in theory the friction cannot be simulated as individuals within the war contribute their own unique friction, each making constant contact with the element of chance. Friction can be best described as an unseen “force” that turns what seems ordinary and simple into a series of complicated events.

How friction affects war.

The effects of friction in war are the center of Clausewitz friction theory. The military structure, although rigid and complex, can be easily understood and adopted. However friction brings into this structure the elements of chance (Weather, mistakes, miscalculations etc.) that cannot be foreseen, therefore the commander must correct these errors as they arise, thus affecting war at the tactical and strategic levels.

Other effects are seen on the individuals and how they form a part of the friction. Personnel are the primary element in the military complex therefore making them an important part of friction. The actions they execute, or failure to do so, play an important role when considering friction. Military hardware causes friction as it relates to technology, equipment can, and will break down…

Friction also creates particular problems in strategic planning, making commanders aware of possible problems in seamlessly simple tasks that may involve supply, command and control among many. Although friction cannot be placed into the planning formula it must certainly be discussed in the form of alternate instructions and other contingency plans…

Friction as it relates to the three elements of war.

The three elements of war are, according to Clausewitz, violence, chance and politics.

In violence friction becomes apparent as it relates directly to people and the friction that the individual exerts on the particular action. It is because of the element of chance, and how it relates to friction, that cannot be easily measured in relation to planning because it involves abstract things such as morale, will and other factors that cannot be neatly categorized. In friction, as it relates to politics, Clausewitz disassociates the military from the government making it an integral part of politics…

How may friction be overcome?

The commanding general must posses a complete understanding of friction. Clausewitz compares it to a “sense of warfare” that must be obtained from actual war. Clausewitz provides a single element for the reduction of friction in his book “On War”, and is simply stated as, combat experience. However Clausewitz offers an alternative to real combat experience in the form of (Good) officers that have served in war(s), and who can instruct the ones that have not have being involved in real combat, in the intricacies and factors of combat that are particular to a conflict…

Conclusion

…although friction may be perceived as an abstraction (as it probably is) it is nonetheless an important part of strategic and military thought. Friction exercises the mind of the commander into thinking the "Unthinkable", and adapting to new developments that may arise in the ever changing battlefield in order to achieve the objectives of combat.

[ November 28, 2002, 01:59 PM: Message edited by: onodoken ]

[Bruno Weiss]

Friction!

Hell I thought it was just on account of the two opposing forces didn't much like each other.

[Guest konrad]

Originally posted by Bruno Weiss:

[QB]Friction!

i was always sure :there is no bugs in CMBB.all anomalies its a friction(specially behavior of infantry)

really i'm serious:there is no bugs in my copy of CMBB!!

[-E]

That explains a lot of this I got from a buddy who pulled it off the net somewhere...

The Differential Theory of US Armed Forces (Snake Model) upon encountering a snake in the Area of Operations (AO)

· 1. Infantry: Snake smells them, leaves area.

· 2. Airborne: Lands on and kills the snake.

· 3. Armor: Runs over snake, laughs, and looks for more snakes.

· 4. Aviation: Has Global Positioning Satellite coordinates to snake. Can't find snake. Returns to base for refuel, crew rest and manicure.

· 5. Ranger: Plays with snake, then eats it.

· 6. Field Artillery: Kills snake with massive Time On Target barrage with three Forward Artillery Brigades in support. Kills several hundred civilians as unavoidable collateral damage. Mission is considered a success and all participants (i.e., cooks, mechanics and clerks) are awarded Silver Stars.

· 7. Special Forces: Makes contact with snake, ignores all State Department directives and Theater Commander Rules of Engagement by building rapport with snake and winning its heart and mind. Trains it to kill other snakes. Files enormous travel settlement upon return.

· 8. Combat Engineer: Studies snake. Prepares in-depth doctrinal thesis in obscure 5 series Field Manual about how to defeat snake using countermobility assets. Complains that maneuver forces don't understand how to properly conduct doctrinal counter-snake ops.

· 9. Navy SEAL: Expends all ammunition and calls for naval gunfire support in failed attempt to kill snake. Snake bites SEAL and retreats to safety. Hollywood makes fantasy film in which SEALS kill Muslim extremist snakes.

· 10. Navy: Fires off 50 cruise missiles from various types of ships, kills snake and makes presentation to Senate Appropriations Committee on how Naval forces are the most cost-effective means of anti-snake force projection.

· 11. Marine: Kills snake by accident while looking for souvenirs. Local civilians demand removal of all US forces from Area of Operations.

· 12. Marine Recon: Follows snake, gets lost.

· 13. Combat Controllers: Guides snake elsewhere.

· 14. Para-Rescue Jumper: Wounds snake in initial encounter, then works feverishly to save snake's life.

· 15. Supply: (NOTICE: Your anti-snake equipment is on backorder.)

· 16. Transport pilot: Receives call for anti-snake equipment, and delivers two weeks after due date.

· 17. F-15 pilot: Misidentifies snake as enemy Mil-24 Hind helicopter and engages with missiles. Crew chief paints snake kill on aircraft.

· 18. F-16 pilot: Finds snake, drops two CBU-87 cluster bombs, and misses snake target, but gets direct hit on Embassy 100 KM East of snake due to weather (Too Hot also Too Cold, Was Clear but too overcast, Too dry with Rain, Unlimited ceiling with low cloud cover etc...) Claims that purchasing multimillion dollar, high-tech snake-killing device will enable it in the future to kill all snakes and achieve a revolution in military affairs.

· 19. AH-64 Apache pilot: Unable to locate snake, snakes don't show well on infrared. Infrared only operable in desert AO's without power lines or SAM's.

· 20. HH-53 Jolly Green pilot: Finds snake on fourth pass after snake builds bonfire, pops smoke, lays out flares to mark Landing Zone. Rotor wash blows snake into fire.

· 21. B-52 pilot: Pulls ARCLIGHT mission on snake, kills snake and every other living thing within two miles of target.

· 22. Missile crew: Lays in target coordinates to snake in 20 seconds, but can't receive authorization from National Command Authority to use nuclear weapons.

· 23. Intelligence officer: Snake? What snake? Only four of 35 indicators of snake activity are currently active. We assess the potential for snake activity as LOW.

· 24. Judge Advocate General (JAG): Snake declines to bite, citing professional courtesy.

· 25. Military Police: Handcuffs snake's head to its tail, reads it its Miranda rights, then proceeds to beat snake to a pulp with night stick.

[Bruceov]

Please telkl me more about the "shrinkage of german hearts" Is that true?

[Londoner]

Nice post mate. One of the interesting things about friction is that it can be applied to almost any human activity. The company I'm working for at the moment sends people on managment courses which give seminars on Clausewitz and the concept of friction.

[onodoken]

There was a particular medical problem that MD’s encountered during the Stalingrad siege. Soldiers would suddenly die with no apparent reason (as they casually spoke or ate etc.). Forensic examinations of the bodies revealed that their hearts had "shrunk and shriveled". It was a medical oddity in Stalingrad that had not been seen before and it was linked to lack of proteins (i.e. starvation).

[Andreas]

Originally posted by Londoner:

Nice post mate. One of the interesting things about friction is that it can be applied to almost any human activity. The company I'm working for at the moment sends people on managment courses which give seminars on Clausewitz and the concept of friction.

Indeed, isn't it friction that gives her carpet burns?

Seriously though, nice post Onoken

[Determinant]

Originally posted by Andreas:

Indeed, isn't it friction that gives her carpet burns?

[russellmz]

honestly, i would have thought friction would be the easiest concept to understand in any subject regarding war.

ex) stepping out of shower then phone rings. you are dripping wet so you got to dry off quickly to avoid puddles. then run to phone and try to get it before answering machine picks up. you fail, so you have to get the guy not to hang up/leave message but you also have to shut off answering machine at same time. then you need to get pencil, paper, and not drop your towel, and etc...