•The legacy of Napoleon, Clausewitz, and Jomini’s tactical
regularity and the continued use of large stereotyped formations for
tactical assault, together with the mobilization of large armies and
massing of enormous supplies through a narrow logistics network, “telegraphed”
any punch hence minimized the possibility of exploiting ambiguity, deception, and mobility to
generate surprise for a decisive edge.
•In this sense, technology was being used as a crude
club that generated frightful and debilitating
casualties on all sides during the:
–American
Civil War (1861-65)
–Austro-Prussian
War (1866)
–Franco-Prussian
War (1870)
–Boer War
(1899-1902)
–Russo-Japanese
War (1904-05)
–World War
I (1914-18)
•Point
•Evolution of tactics did not keep pace with increased
weapons lethality developed and produced by 19th century
technology.
•? Raises
question ?
•Why were the 19th century and early 20th century
commanders unable to evolve better tactics to avoid over a half
century of debilitating casualties?