Principles of Generalship

When discussing the incompetence of conventional generals, it necessitates that we give our readers an acceptable description of a competent general.

A combat general should have B2 (Brains and Brawn)--Breaker McCoy

Principles of Generalship

• Peace is an abnormal and temporary condition.
• In most battles/wars the victory is not brought about the fact that the defeated has suffered the most casualties.
• In war, other things being equal, it is the simplest weapon, plan or organization which is more likely to succeed.
• Each successive command level controls no more than three to five detachments.
• At least 30% of any unit's force must be devoted to reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance. Every division must include a strong reconnaissance battalion and a separate intelligence battalion.
• Deception is as important as actual operations.
• Every division should have four all-arms maneuver regiments including one to three tank regiments. Two regiments probe for weak spots and two regiments strike at the enemies' weakest point.
• With higher rates of advance there is an increase in the number of captured enemy vehicles, artillery and tanks.
• At a tempo of 20-50 kilometers per day the overall losses in personnel is over three times less and in tanks 1.5 times less than with slower tempos.
• Every division will include one or more antitank battalions to defend against enemy tank breakthroughs.
• A strong sapper battalion will be part of every division and will consist of assault companies for breaking through defenses and mobile obstacle detachments for halting enemy breakthroughs.
• Bridging and construction engineer companies assigned to a division will be separate from sapper companies.
• Ammunition and fuel will be top priority resupply items, most of which will be allocated to units achieving success.
• Reserves, artillery support and air support is allocated mainly to units achieving success.
• Every advance will be preceded by an advance detachment and reconnaissance element.
• A division will be combat ready with 2,000 tons of ammunition
• A division is expected to fight for three to five days without rest. Any damaged equipment, which cannot be repaired by cannibalizing by the division repair and refitting battalion, will be left for removal by higher headquarters. After a division is burned out, it is withdrawn and then refurbished and brought back up to strength. If a division is too depleted for reformation, all commanders are withdrawn and deputies continue to lead the unit in combat until the last man.
• Only uncomplicated and reliable equipment can be successful in war. Such equipment and weapons should be produced cheaply and in great numbers. Designers will always select the simplest possible of all the choices open to them.
• If accuracy is paid for by complexity of design, that is the wrong path. Quantity is the better way to exert pressure.
• Weapons and equipment are produced with the most simplicity and robustness. It is better to have many less perfect fighting vehicles than a few almost perfect ones.
• Monkey models, or simplified models of tanks and other equipment will be produced for export. If possible chips will be hidden in them which will facilitate tracking and sabotage. Radioactive substances, which will debilitate the users, may be used for hulls and rounds.
• Monkey models greatly simplified versions of weapons and equipment are better than no weapons or equipment at all.
• Tanks are the primary means of offensive warfare and no antitank weapon is able to stop tanks. Tanks can bypass strong antitank defenses striking rapidly at weak points. The one vehicle, which combines movement, firepower, and armor is the tank.
• Victory in war is achieved by advancing and seizing the initiative.
• Defensive activity is only for economy of force reasons or as a prelude to the offensive.
• Defense is essentially a battle against tanks. Every soldier and every weapons system must be capable of attacking tanks.
• An armored fighting vehicle which is incapable of taking on tanks is useless.
• All artillery, antiaircraft and other supporting weapons capable of direct fire must be supplied with antitank shells and be capable of employing flat trajectory fire against tanks.
• Antitank guns should be towed, with low silhouette, the most powerful caliber possible and employed en masse to stop tanks attacks.
• Powerful assault guns in battalion strength must be available to modern armies.
• The best available weapons in the world should be copied and utilized .It takes too long to develop new models.
• Armed helicopters should be viewed as flying tanks.
• Mortars are cheap, easy to produce, simple, it takes only a few minutes to teach soldiers to use them and they are extremely lethal.
• Self-propelled 160mm-240mm caliber mortars must be available.
• Great effort must be made to prevent the wrong type of ammunition being sent to the wrong weapons. Simplicity and diversity of unusual calibers will facilitate precise identification.
• The specifications of many weapons must be kept secret.
• Top general must act under pseudonyms and spend time with bogus units in order to facilitate deception.
• The most aggressive and successful fighters must be supported and protected by the remainder.
• Individuals who prove unable to function in regular units will be reassigned to disciplinary and penal battalions.
• Generals must use the methods and tools of maneuver warfighting.
  

From the book, Warlord. Available at QuikManeuvers.com