DTIC ADA522148: Crossing the Line of Departure. Battle Command on the Move A Historical Perspective

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Battle Command on the Move
A Historical Perspective
Combat Studies Institute Press
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
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Crossing the Line

of Departure

Battle Command on the Move

A Historical Perspective

by John J. McGrath

Combat Studies Institute Press
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
McGrath, John J., 1956­
Crossing the line of departure : battle command on the move ; a historical perspective / by John J.
McGrath.
p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

1. Offensive (Military science)--History. 2. Command of troops--History. 3. Command and control
systems--History. I. Title.
U162.M36 2006
355.3’3041--dc22
2006004990
Foreword
John McGrath’s Crossing the Line of Departure is a wide-ranging historical overview of
that most difficult aspect of military leadership, the art of battle command. McGrath leads
the reader through case studies beginning with Alexander the Great leading up to the recent
war in Iraq. Among others, he analyzes Napoleon’s technique, French and British practices
in World War I, the German experience with “Blitzkreig” in World War II, and the Soviet
approach to battle command. McGrath also extends his historical analysis to the present day
by presenting a description of battle command theory in the “Modular Army” and the Infor­
mation Age. Through it all, he finds that the key to successful command in battle, particularly
in mobile operations, is found in the successful interplay between technology and personal
technique.
Unlike some pundits today, McGrath does not conclude that information age technology
is likely to shift the balance between these poles in favor of technology dependence. The
commander’s personal sense of where to be on the battlefield, where to locate and how to use
his headquarters staffs, and how to communicate with his subordinates have been—and re­
main today—crucial elements of successful battle command. A 21st century commander has
use of technology beyond the comprehension of an Alexander, a Napoleon, or a Guderian; but
he will continue to grapple with the same issues of personal presence and technique that they
mastered so well.
Crossing the Line of Departure brings to the fore insights, trends, and leadership qualities
needed for successful battle command. While possessing knowledge of these traits does not
guarantee success on the battlefield, their absence will almost assuredly bring defeat. We at
the Combat Studies Institute believe that McGrath’s monograph, by casting light on the art
and science of battle command through the ages, will be a useful tool for commanders and
staffs as they prepare for future operations. CSI—The Past is Prologue.
Timothy R. Reese
Colonel, Armor
Director, Combat Studies Institute
i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to thank the Combat Studies Institute and the United States Army for providing the
opportunity to do important historical research in support of victory in the Global War on Ter­
ror.
This is my second collaboration with CSI editor Michael Brooks, without whom this work
would not have seen publication. I also wish to thank Research and Publications Team Chief
LTC Steve Clay for his support in the completion of this project as well as past CSI col­
leagues LTC Brian DeToy and Robin Kern, who all had key roles in this project at earlier
stages.
Finally I’d like to acknowledge friends and family whose constant support have greatly as­
sisted in completing this project. Debi Bush is the person in Kansas I’ve known the longest.
My son William has two prairie visits under his belt away from our home area of Massachu­
setts. Son Andrew and daughter Barbara have been unable to visit but provided long distance
support. Dr. Robert Wright, enjoying his retirement in sunny, shark-infested Florida, has
always provided guidance and support.
Hopefully this work, in some small way, will help support the soldiers and officers of the
United States Army worldwide in their vigorous pursuit of victory in the Global War on Ter­
rorism. This work is dedicated to these soldiers and to those who will not be coming home.
John J. McGrath
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
3 February 2006
iii

CONTENTS

TABLE OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ix

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... xiii

Battle Command on the Move and Army Doctrine .................................................... xiv

Summary ..................................................................................................................... xvi

BATTLE COMMAND IN THE AGE OF

THE HORSE (Antiquity to Napoleon)......................................................................1

Ancient Times .................................................................................................................1

Genghis Khan and Mobile Leadership............................................................................2

Napoleon and Battle Command on the Move .................................................................7

Summary .......................................................................................................................16

THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE TO 1861 .........................................................................21

The Yorktown Maneuver, 1781 .....................................................................................21

Advance On Mexico City, 1847. ...................................................................................26

Summary .......................................................................................................................29

MOBILE BATTLE COMMAND IN THE AMERICAN

CIVIL WAR AND AFTER .......................................................................................33

Grant’s Move on Petersburg, June 1864 .......................................................................34

The Appomattox Campaign, 1865 ................................................................................44

Mobile Command in the Indian Wars

1865-1890 and Beyond.............................................................................................53

Summary .......................................................................................................................64

BATTLE COMMAND IN THE INDUSTRIAL AGE ...........................................................75

World War I Battle Command .......................................................................................75

France 1914: Lack of Command and Control

Defeats a German Mobile Operation ........................................................................77

Development of New Style Infantry Tactics .................................................................84

v
World War II and Korean War

Infantry Battle Command ...........................................................................................87

Summary .........................................................................................................................90

ARMORED AND AIRBORNE MOBILE OPERATIONS

BATTLE COMMAND 1939-45 .................................................................................95

Blitzkrieg Command and Control-German

Theory and Practice for Command of

Mobile Units Conducting Mobile Operations. ...........................................................95

US Army World War II Mobile Operations

Battle Command Theory and Practice ......................................................................102

The First Modern US Army Mobile

Campaign-Brittany, August 1944 .............................................................................104

Summary .......................................................................................................................112

BATTLE COMMAND IN VIETNAM 1965-72. ..................................................................119

Command and Control by Helicopter ...........................................................................119

Operation PEGASUS: Battle Command on

the Move in Airmobile Operations ...........................................................................120

Summary .......................................................................................................................134

BATTLE COMMAND IN THE 1973 ARAB-ISRAELI WAR .............................................139

The Battle of El Firdan..................................................................................................139

The Battle of the Chinese Farm/Suez Crossing ............................................................155

Summary .......................................................................................................................175

THE SOVIET APPROACH TO MOBILE BATTLE COMMAND ......................................183

Battle Command on the Move By the Numbers ...........................................................183

Artillery Offensive ........................................................................................................185

The Soviet Approach in Other Armies ..........................................................................186

Summary .......................................................................................................................187

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