Reducing the myriad experiences of the fog of war to a few memorable principles is often grounds for criticisms of overgeneralization and subjectiveness. However difficult, incomplete or impossible, it remains an important task of doctrine writers.
The Canadian Chiefs of Staff Committee has adopted ten Principles of War to guide the Canadian Forces in operations. These principles are considered timeless, and applicable at all levels of command from Section to Army Group. Such principles do not by any means guarantee victory. They are not laws of nature but simply terms for guidance.
Over the next month I will post each one of these principles so that we may discuss them, and possibly challenge them. They were collected and formed with the experiences of the first and second world wars close at heart. Often you will see references to “modern war.” Through our discussions I hope to see whether or not this label remains applicable to the conflicts we see today, or if we have seen the dawn of “post-modern war.” Specifically I am referring to all our collaborations on xGW.
So stay tuned for the next few weeks, as we explore the lessons learned from the fog of war.
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ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 1. Selection and Maintenance of the Aim added these pithy words on May 21 08 at 10:06 pm[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 2. Maintenance of Morale added these pithy words on May 23 08 at 6:22 am[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 3. Offensive Action added these pithy words on May 25 08 at 12:14 pm[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 4. Security added these pithy words on Jun 01 08 at 1:27 am[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 5. Surprise added these pithy words on Jun 11 08 at 2:05 am[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 6. Concentration of force added these pithy words on Jun 13 08 at 1:05 am[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 7. Economy of Effort added these pithy words on Jun 22 08 at 5:40 am[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 8. Flexibility added these pithy words on Jun 28 08 at 1:15 am[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 9. Co-operation added these pithy words on Jul 02 08 at 2:35 pm[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
ComingAnarchy.com » Blog Archive » The Principles of War: 10. Administration added these pithy words on Jul 06 08 at 9:02 am[...] post is part of the Principles of War series. See the introductory post or browse all posts with the principles of war [...]
IJ added these pithy words on 20 May 08 at 8:54 amVery topical. Wikipedia has some information about it. We are told that the aim of the nation’s military is fundamental. But the priorities of nations change regularly, not least with each incoming administration. And internationally Nato suffers from national governments having different aims; even the EU can’t persuade its nations to agree to a common foreign policy. An infinite number of aims means lots of scope for clashes.
Moreover public support for the aim is crucial – a government might want its military to pursue a risky and expensive foreign policy but that can only continue surely in the short-term.
Bottom line? The military is the handmaiden of foreign policy. A comparison of the foreign policy of nations would also be useful – for starters, which nations support the United Nations as head of the world’s political order? Territorial disputes and peacekeeping statistics mentioned here in the past suggest the UN has little support from many quarters.
Ralph Hitchens added these pithy words on 20 May 08 at 2:54 pmHmmm… We talking about big war, or war at the practical level? Things like concentration, economy of force, etc. Should be interesting. I think U.S. Grant once said that the principles of war were simple enough to be scribbled on the back of an envelope, which always seemed right to me.
Benjamin Walthrop added these pithy words on 20 May 08 at 4:36 pmThis may be a very interesting discussion. I look forward to other’s thoughts on if things are really “different this time.” My hope is that the answer is yes, and we can fundamentally challenge the priciples of war. I am skeptical and am eager to be convinced that I am wrong.
Younghusband added these pithy words on 20 May 08 at 4:44 pmRalph, as noted most of the ten come out of the experience of WWII, so some of the principles you mention will make an appearance. The principles are similar to those mentioned in the wikipedia article IJ links to. I am glad so many of you are interested in this series. I welcome all of your comments.
von Kaufman-Turkstansky added these pithy words on 20 May 08 at 8:47 pmAnd who will be posting the 48 Laws of Power?
Don’t mind me. I am looking forward to YH’s posts too.
zenpundit added these pithy words on 21 May 08 at 2:57 amI’m looking forward to this as well. It would be a good idea for the American military as well; it’s hard to master the fundamentals if no time is ever really spent on knowing the fundament.
IJ added these pithy words on 21 May 08 at 8:36 amFurther to the above, recent developments in Europe.
Aircraft carriers may become the catalyst for effective defence policy in Europe. Sharing is on the cards. It is reported that, in general, Britain and France are worried about the cost of independent defence, lack of public support and European ineffectiveness in the present arrangements. But no word yet on merging hugely expensive nuclear forces.
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