Additional Military Readings

Commenter Redleg on our Defence of Duffer's Drift post:

Here is the modern version of "the Defense of Duffers Drift". It is entitled "Infantry Combat: The Rifle Platoon An Interactive Exercise in Small-Unit Tactics and Leadership". It is available through Amazon.com.

You are asked to make choices at the end of each chapter. You are then told what chapter you have to read next based on your choice. There are some valuable lessons to be learned here, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITH NO COMBAT ARMS MILITARY EXPERIENCE.

There are two others available -- one for the armor company and one for the infantry company. I feel the one for the infantry platoon is the most pertinent and would be the most beneficial to this situation though.

I found this book of value when I was in the Army.

Many thanks, Redleg.

Two other suggestions:

1) From Small Wars Journal, the Duffer's Drift dream concept applied to counterinsurgency in Iraq -- The Defense of Jisr al-Doreaa.

2) All of Poole's works, starting with The Tiger's Way: A U.S. Private's Best Chance For Survival.

As you do your reading and thinking, don't forget the Z axis either -- the threat of air observation/interdiction, which freedom forces will face in abundance and which American-authored tactical manuals neglect (i.e., .mil air supremacy is assumed). However, as Sean and I opined in the Duffer's comments:

Sean: Very instructive, and first rate. However, one must allow for the "aero-plane", musn't one? Oh, and tanks. And night vision devices. And smart bombs. And satellite pictures. And robotic devices. And oh, well, you know. Things a bit more complicated these days,eh,wot? More's the pity.

CA: Sean:

You correctly point out one of our largest vulnerabilities.

However, as wise folks have counseled me, all of the modern toys depend on:

- POL (fuels and lubricants)

- specialists (toy operators)

- data connectivity/nodes (if the ones and zeros can't get to or from, the toys no worky)

- other logistics (everyone has to eat, drink, crap, bathe, get ammo, med supplies, batteries, et cetera ad infinitum).

Thinking about interdiction on those points of vulnerability will help blunt the toys.