United states military academy learning from Lightning
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- Excellence
- III: Fall Gelb
- An Operational Throw of the Dice
- Race to the Meuse
- Lightning at Sedan
- The Drive to the Channel
SuccessWhile not nearly as ambiguous as the preceding two terms, success is devoid of meaning unless it is given context. When discussed here success is meant to denote the achievement of objectives, the realization of desired ends. On the tactical level, this usually entails the destruction of a particular enemy unit or the seizure of a particular piece of terrain within such constraints of time and method that would render the action operationally useful. Operational success is defined in much the same sense, except of course the objectives in view take on a larger scope and their achievement is aimed at subordinate or overarching strategic aims. When dealing with success on a strategic level, it is important to remember that war is not something autonomous but an instrument of policy whose original motive is a political objective.44 In light of this fact, so succinctly put in the oft quoted phrase, “War is the continuation of politics by other means,” strategic success is defined as the achievement of a nation’s motivating political object in such a manner that its achievement is not rendered meaningless by excessive destruction or waste. Naturally, at any level of warfare, what constitutes excessive waste, time, destruction, or expenditure of any resource whatsoever is highly dependent on the nature and import of the object to be gained. The important thing to remember is that the achievement of an aim cannot be said to signify success if the cost of its achievement is out of all proportion to its utility.45 ExcellenceIn discussing excellence, it is important to clearly delineate it from, and explain its relationship to success. Success, as shown above is a results oriented method of evaluation. Excellence is concerned with something less apparent and more fundamental. Excellence refers to the conduct of the fighting forces, their relative condition, the difficulties under which they labored, and the manner in which they fought.46 The Wehrmacht lost World War II and the lives of millions of their countrymen. In the course of the conflict however, they struggled for years against overwhelming numerical and material odds. They scored impressive victories in the earlier parts of the war. The German Army consistently inflicted casualties at a much higher rate than it sustained, even in the midst of the long retreat to Berlin. German units reduced to less than 20% of combat strength would continue to offer stiff resistance, even to the point of annihilation.47 These high marks of performance, even in defeat, constitute the excellence that is the object of this study. III: Fall Gelb“Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves, their horsemen press proudly on, Yea their horsemen come from afar; they shall fly like an eagle swift to devour” Habakkuk 1:8 The German invasion of France and the Low Countries in 1940 stands out as one of the most successful operations of World War II. In this campaign more than in any other the Germans embarked upon, success across the three levels of warfare was achieved in the teeth of considerable odds. For that reason, this campaign is selected as the model for this study. An Operational Throw of the DiceWhen first contemplating how to proceed in the West after the Allied declaration of war, the German General Staff developed an operational plan that bore a striking resemblance to the famous Schlieffen Plan of World War I.48 Realizing that this plan lacked any hope of surprise the “Sickle Cut” operational template, forwarded first by General Manstien, was finally agreed upon.49 Combining a massive feint in the Low Countries with a decisive thrust across the River Meuse at Sedan by massed panzer division, the plan sought to encircle the bulk of Allied armies and pin them to the Channel Coast.50 Despite the significant risk involved, the plan was adopted because, in the words of the Chief of the German General Staff, “Even if it had only 10% chance of success…It alone will lead to the enemy’s annihilation.”51 The “Sickle Cut” plan, now officially called Fall Gelb, was put into motion on 10 May 1940. 52 Race to the MeuseThe success of the “Sickle Cut” maneuver relied almost entirely on the ability of the massive mechanized force collected in Panzergruppe Kleist, achieving a river crossing at Sedan before the Allies caught on to operational deception. General Heinz Guderian, commander of the XIX Panzer Corps which spearheaded the offensive drummed into his soldiers the slogan, “In three days to the Meuse, on the fourth day, across the Meuse!”53 As the main effort was simulated with dramatic fashion in the Low Countries, Panzergruppe Kleist raced headlong towards Sedan. The Panzergruppe attacked through four countries in the span of 3 days Lightning at SedanOn the afternoon of the 13th, the attack of the XIX Panzer Corps on the French defenses at Sedan commenced.54 Under extensive air cover from the Luftwaffe which suppressed French artillery, all elements of Guderian’s command forced successful crossings of the Meuse and expanded their toeholds throughout the evening. 55 Despite sustained Allied air attacks on the 14th, German bridges constructed over the Meuse remained intact and reserves poured through the bridgehead.56 The Drive to the ChannelRealizing an opportunity to overrun oncoming French units before they could mount a coordinated defense, Guderian ordered the 1st and 2nd Panzer Divisions west during the 14th and 15th of May in spite of orders to remain at the Sedan bridgehead.57 Guderian’s XIX Panzer Corps and the rest of Panzergruppe Kleist exploited success and continued the attack until they reached the Channel coast and completed the encirclement of the 1.7 million Allied soldiers in the Low Countries and northern France. Guderian argued many times with the High Command that he be allowed to continue, and at one point was even temporarily relieved of his command. However, he largely maintained his operational freedom.58 Only a halt order from Hitler himself on 24 May prevented the Panzers from attacking, and in likelihood seizing Dunkirk ahead of the retreating Allies.59 Despite the resulting escape of the bulk of the British Expeditionary Force, the German Army had sealed one of the greatest victories in military history. Directory: dmi -> siteassets -> sitepages sitepages -> West Point, New York 10996-5000 15 December 2004 Effective 9 March 2005 dmi -> A brief Social History of Game Play dmi -> Who plays, how much, and why? A behavioral player census of a virtual world dmi -> Root motion, function, scale-degree sitepages -> Registering your vehicle in the State of New York… Download 174.98 Kb. Share with your friends:
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