Blackhorse

Major Jeffrey Cowan, USAF summarizes Colonel Boyd's theory on maneuver warfare in his well written Master of Military Studies thesis, located here: http://www.defense-and-society.org/FCS_Folder/boyd_thesis.htm Of particular interest is Major Cowan's summation concerning Boyd's thoughts on attrition and maneuver warfare. "Boyd contended that maneuver warfare could be used at all three levels of war: strategic, operational and tactical, but in reality it is largely applied operationally. Boyd did not imply that maneuver warfare was a substitute for attrition warfare on the tactical level, because at the tactical level there will be a significant amount of attrition warfare encountered. Boyd explained that attrition would be the result of maneuver, and so would " … uncover, create, and exploit many vulnerabilities and weaknesses, hence many opportunities, to pull an adversary apart and isolate remnants for mop-up or absorption." [This message has been edited by Blackhorse (edited 10-15-2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Henri: consider the case where Rommel had his tank commanders wave white handkerchiefs as his tank battalion rolled unmolested right through French lines... this is maneuver warfare in its purest form: if it follows rules for combat, it is not maneuver warfare! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Innovative? Yes. Audacious, bold, daring, and ballsy as hell? Yes. Maneuver warfare in its purest form? No...How do you come up with that? Is anything audacious considered maneuver warfare? I ask you, where was Rommel going? What was his mission? Was he racing to the Meuse River Crossing? Was that crossing considered an objective of his and was this hanky- waving fake surrendering a means to get to the objective? If so, I hardly see it as anything more than traditional warfare carried out by a very creative commander.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Henri: You are not alone in not getting the point, and yes, CM DOES model well the type of maneuver that you and FM-1---5 describe. Henri<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Henri, There's no need to talk down to me. My point about not getting your point stems from some confusing sentences in your original post. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Henri: I responded that it was something like the use of fire and movement to dirupt, dislocate and destroy the enemy, and others posted their own definitions.But this is not satsifactory, andI went back to the books. Before I go on, I think that this is an important issue for Combat Mission - whether or not the principles of maneuver warfare can be applied in this game <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You further stated <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Henri: according to Leonhard, although the US military in the 70's adopted the concept for its Airland Battle Doctrine, it bifurcated back to attrition warfare concepts, only the Marines sticking to the ideas. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Followed by the confusing[ part <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Henri: let me finish with an example of why attrition warfare is difficult to accomplish in Combat Mission;<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> To me it seemed a contradiction. Were you saying CM couldn't model maneuver warfare? Were you saying it couldn't model attrition warfare? What exactly were you saying and what was your point? And Henri, I do get it. I first read Lind back in 1990. I believed the maneuver warfare he described was brilliant and forward thinking. In fact, I required the Maneuver Warfare Handbook as reading for all my lieutenants and held multiple OPD (Officer Professional Development sessions) concerning the topics raised in the MWH. In recent times, I have passed the concept of the Boyd Cycle and the OODA loop on to some members of this board. I think you might be surprised at how much of what Lind describes actually does exist at the lowest levels in the Army. In your Leonard quote, Leonhard is describing the Army of the 70's. Sorry, but the Army of the 70's adopted attrition warfare as its mantra. It wasn't until the early 80s that some paradigm breakers developed the concept of Airland Battle. This was buoyed by weapons systems that made Airland a feasible doctrine. Add to this a marked upswing in funding for individual and collective training and the opening of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California and you have en environment ripe for change. By the way, the NTC became the premier training environment for the new Airland Battle doctrine. I guarantee you Airland Battle was a radical departure from the old attrition of the 70s. Was it perfect? Probably not, that is why the Army has improved upon it and continued to develop and build upon its current doctrine. So, I ask again, what is your point with this particular post on the CM board? Are you saying CM does not model maneuver warfare as described by Lind? If that is your point, I can only ask you this. Why doesn't it for you? In my opinion CM can model anything you want it to. You just have to set the conditions. For example, in CM battles, the player is missing some vital components, those being mission statement and intent from higher. In some CM battles, a player must take objectives. You being that player, you wouldn't understand why you have to take those objectives and why you can't just run around willy nilly kicking tail and taking names to gain fame and fortune. If you had your higher commander's mission and intent and his higher commander's mission and intent you might see how your mission fits in with the big picture. Perhaps that flag you are attacking is the planned location of the Divarty to support an attack the following day by an adjacent unit. In the current CM system, you just don't know. You have to mentally create reasons for attacking flags. Sometimes these reasons are obvious, sometimes they're not. My response to this is either do away with flags (can be done easily in CM already using the parameters for battles) or to define logical reasons for attacking flags. I'm currently in a multi-battle PBEM operation and there is NOT a flag in sight. We deliberately set it up so there were no flags (were you aware you could do that?). This operation covers three days and has a map the size of Texas. My mission is to destroy the enemy's first echelon defense to allow follow-on attacks to attack into the heart of Germany. I am attacking with a Battalion (+). Where in that situation is there a problem?

Completely agree. I'm playing it PBEM against Wesreidau(Yanks), and we're having a blast. That guy makes some fine scenarios.

The principles of war are: Objective, Offensive, Mass, Economy of Force, Maneuver, Unity of Command, Security, Surprise, and Simplicity. As defined in FM 100-5 (Operations) "Maneuver is the movement of forces in relation to the enemy to gain positional advantage. Effective maneuver keeps the enemy off balance and protects the force. It is used to exploit successes, to preserve freedom of action, and to reduce vulnerability. It continually poses new problems for the enemy by rendering his actions ineffective, eventually leading to defeat. At all levels of war, successful application of maneuver requires agility of thought, plans, operations, and organizations. It requires designating and then shifting points of main effort and then considering application of the principles of mass and economy of force. At the operational level, maneuver is the means by which the commander determines where and when to fight by setting the terms of battle, declining battle, or acting to take advantage of tactical actions. Maneuver is dynamic warfare and rejects predictable patterns of operations." FM 100-5 further addresses maneuver under the section entitled "Combat Power". The dynamics of Combat Power are Maneuver, Firepower, Protection, and Leadership. "Maneuver is the movement of combat forces to gain positional advantage, usually in order to deliver -or threaten delivery of- direct and indirect fires. Maneuver is the means of positioning forces at decisive points to achieve surprise, psychological shock, physical momentum, massed effects, and moral dominance. Successful maneuver requires anticipation and mental agility. Commanders may achieve the effects of maneuver without movement by allowing the enemy to move into a disadvantageous position. Moving and positioning units during deployment to a theater and within a theater prior to operations are forms of maneuver if this movement gains a positional advantage and can influence the outcomes of battles and campaigns. Maneuver is rarely effective without firepower and protection. Maneuver keeps the enemy off balance, protecting the force. Maneuver continually poses new problems for the enemy, rendering his reactions ineffective, and eventually leading to his defeat. The positional advantages and staying power gained by ground maneuver forces are unique and cannot be replaced by other means…Maneuver and firepower are inseperable and complementary dynamics of combat. Although one might dominate a phase of the battle, the synchronized effects of both characterize all operations. Their joint use makes the destruction of larger enemy forces feasible and enhances the protection of a friendly force." I'm not sure what your point is Henri, but in my opinion, CM models these particular definitions of maneuver quite well. So well in fact that I recommend CM to almost every junior officer I talk to as a simple, inexpensive professional development tool.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Croda: Hey, while we're on the subject of quotes, let me add one from (uh-oh, brain fart) FDR, I believe. It's a favorite of mine: <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Close. It actually belongs to Teddy Roosevelt.

Great work Dean. I love it. You even fixed my only gripe with the interface (you brightened up the eliminated) It seems I have more and more of those these days thanks to Wesreidau, Tankdawg, Fionn, and Wittmann.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wilhammer: Found the guy's battalion; http://www.acu.edu/academics/history/12ad/23atbx/1stpg23.htm <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Great link! It's interesting that our Army's LTG Monty Meigs' father was a battalion commander in WWII and was killed in action against he Germans. That daring rescue article is pretty neat too.

Those are some damn fine scenarios!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TankDawg: Hi, Trying to reach Maj. Chris Carnes (aka Blackhorse). Think we might be on TDY but has not responded for 2 weeks - usually he hits the list once a day and is great with email replies. Anyone heard from him? Thanks, <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Lt. Newell, I'm right here. How'd your move go? If you've been trying to reach me via email, please resend. I experienced some technical difficulties while I upgraded my computer and lost some email messages during the past week. Allons, Blackhorse

Absolutely beautiful! Now then, would it be possible to get gridded terrain?

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Major Tom: Here in Canada we see it as a priviledge and an honour to serve in UN missions. Why? Instead of being like the US and only wanting to invade or 'liberate' countries for money, the UN does it more often to keep the peace and lower world suffering under tyranical leaders.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Oh great, Another "The USA is the Great Satan" argument. If you hate us so much, boycott us. Do without the goods or products from the Evil Empire. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Major Tom: Try living in Europe for a while! You have less disposible income to by more luxury items, but, your nation has a much better social conscience! Unfortunately anything like this is labled 'communist talk'. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Is that the same Europe we helped save from Nazism??? Spare me the rubbish. To quote that much hated American icon Bugs Bunny, "What a maroon".

Keep the crews but give them ZERO ammo and ZERO weapons. You bail out from a smoking wreck and you don't have time to grab anything.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by David Aitken: This is inconclusive - it seems to be map-specific. British Vickers in All Or Nothing has problem. American MGs in Riesberg don't. German MG42's in Last Defence don't. Hope this helps. David <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Ahh good catch. Yup, All or Nothing...65,410 rds. Yikes.

Hmm. No problems here and I have 3 PBEM games going started in 1.03 and upgraded to 1.04 midway through (yeah yeah, I know, it advises against it).

load the file using 1.03 save game exit CM upgrade to 1.04 start CM select play game find the game you saved in the scenario listings select the game select email type in your password continue playing the game using the new 1.04

refer to page 16 of the manual. Top of the page for the ctrl thing. refer to page 31 for the other stuff

Did you upgrade in the middle of the operation? I so, that is most likely the culprit.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 1CavMan: 1st Cav M1 Tanks 88-94, Va NG NBC 94-98<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> 1Cavman. What unit were you with in the 1st Cav?

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by M Hofbauer: I am however puzzled that there is no news coverage on that in american news? It has been the main story in all news broadcasts since the weekend.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> It's all over the news here in the US and has been for quite some time. I'm not sure why people are saying it's not getting any coverage.

It looks like you've adopted the Verlinden method of weathering. When can you do the rest of the Allied tanks?

I'm sure it's the same guy. He is all over this board. You ever know Chuck Clark at Fort Hood?

Ditto

Hello Minnesota Joe. First thing to do is go here www.goarmy.com You can't go wrong with the Army. Here are a few of the incentives we offer. What's interesting is now you can get all the incentives, not just one. 1. $50,000 for college 2. Up to $20,000 sign-up bonus 3. Repay up to $65,000 in student loans 4. 75% tuition assistance while you are in, so you can start working on that degree for when you retire. Each installation has an education center where college courses are taught. 5. PAYS (PArtnership for Youth Success is a new program where you enlist and are guaranteed a job with industry after your enlisment is up. Companies include General Dynamics, Pepsi and additional ones signing on this month. There will be quite a few once PAYS is fully implemented. 6. Station of choice. Depending on when you sign up, you get to choose your first duty assignment. And quite a few more that your local recruiter can explain to you. The Army also offers a program called CONAP which stands for Concurrent Appointment. This is similar to PAYS but instead applies to colleges. In this program, you are guaranteed admission to a college after your enlistment ends. There are many colleges involved with this program, and quite a few soldiers whoi had borderline grades have gotten into good colleges through this program. Again, ask your local recruiter for details. Having listed the recruiting incentives let me now tell you a little about the Army. First of all, it is a great way of life. I've been in the Army for over 14 years and love it just as much as I loved it on day #1. The Army is fun, exciting, and rewarding. In the Army you'll get the chance to work with some of the highest quality, most professional people you will ever meet. You will develop lifelong frienships with some truly incredible people, and you will know what it is like to be part of a great team. Honor, integrity, loyalty and comraderie are all words that fully describe life in the Army. You will be serving to defend the wonderful people of this great nation. It just doesn't get any better than that. You will get a chance to see the world as well as the United States. Travel is a by-product of service in the Army (I have travelled all over Europe as a tourist and have been able to visit almost every state). Armor as a branch is great. It is called the Combat Arm of Decision, and it's called that because Armor tends to add the decisive effect on the battlefield. If you go Armor, you will be trained at Fort Knox, KY and could be stationed at almost any Army post after you complete training. In Armor you will become part of a very tight-knit team called your tank crew. As the new guy on a tank you will start off as loader and progress to driver, then gunner, and finally tank commander. After you are a tank commander, you will become a platoon-sergeant (the top non-commissioned officer in a platoon of 4 tanks), and then First Sergeant (the top non-commissioned officer in a company of 14 tanks). After First Sergeant, you can become a Sergeant Major. This is the highest rank a non-commissioned officer can achieve. This will most likely bring you to the 25 year mark in your career, with you being able to go to 35 years of service at the rank of Sergeant Major. Be a member of one of the greatest organizations in the world. Be a vital link in the defense of our great nation. Be all you can be.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Germanboy: Dr. Marino has moved on to the Teachers College at Columbia it seems, and he will receive the following email from me. If that is an innocent confusion, I am sure it will be cleared up. If not, well one less fraud to worry about in academia. The professor Skorzeny claims to study with at Laval exists and seems to be an expert on the Soviet Union in the 1930s-50s and international relations. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Watching this one is almost going to be as good as watching a CM replay. Andreas... You Da Man! The real Skorzeny would be proud. That was bloody brilliant.