Key Battles/Conflicts 7101-7103 Flashcards
Leuctra *
(7101-1)
“Start point for military history” Dr. Rudd
“By all means Epaminondas should have got his ass kicked, the key is a leader who can make an executable plan with an inferior force and win.”
“Tactics is about seeking/creating a difference then exploiting that difference”
Thebes (Epaminondas) vs. Sparta
Context: Spartans had seized Thebes. Athens liberated with displaced Thebans
Spartans had numerical advantage and used phalanx – cavalry was used to scout. ~11k
Epaminondas used cavalry as fighting force
Epaminondas drew up Thebans in oblique order to deny the Spartans the ability to simultaneously smash into the Theban lines. It also allowed the Thebans to focus on the Spartan right
Epamonindas made his left (direct across from Spartan strenght) was made deeper]
Epamonindas cavalrhy charged against Spartan cavalry – chased off field
Theban sacred band led Thebes’ deep left
Envelopment
“In essence Epaminondas resorted to a formation known today as the oblique order, which, while not a maneuver in itself, paved the way for a further advance in the art of war, such as deliberate maneuver against a flank…No finer illustration of the successful application of the principles of Mass and Economy of Force is to be found in ancient military history.
Leuthen *
(7101-1)
“Leuthen not about Leuthen”
Austrians (70k) vs. Frederick (36k)
Key Point - Value of knowledge of terrain. “Should make you obsessed with recon” Dr. Rudd
Approaches the French (Charles & Daun) right flank (feint) – French focus on defending there. Frederick moves to the south (French left flank) unseen behind hills. Charles thought they may not want to fight.
Attacked the Austrian “Elbow” at Sagshcutz (FLANK ATTACK)
Uses “Oblique order”
“For a short time, the issue at that key point was in doubt. But superior fires soon told on the stunned defenders and their shocked commanders… Charles’left wing collapsed and rolled back across the hill.” 124
“The battle is in itself a complete lesson in tactics – deception, maneuver, inspiration, and reslove – gathered together inot a volume on generalship, with no one chapter missing.”
Frederick, “Those who cannot survive disaster do not deserve success.”
Note: Feints have to be believable
Chaeronea *
(7101-1)
Phillip leads Macedonians against Greeks (including Thebans)
PENETRATION - Philip creates a gap, Alexander exploits
Alexander leads from the front - his person is C2 (where do we C2 from at operational level?)
Greeks were weaker – used the tactical defense – strong position to deny Macedonian CG “Hammer-and-anvil” - denied flanks by tying into high ground on left flank and river on right flank
Philip has part of his line – the phalanx withdraw, creates an oblique with an opening at the Greek Center – Alexander leads his cavalry into the newly created / exposed flank and achieves decisive victory
“Both sides had numbered about 30k, but the combined arms of Philip had created a weak spot – an enemy flank – where none had been.
Cannae
(7101-1)
Hannibal provokes Romans on a day when Varro is in charge (knows his enemy) - Hannibal feints toward Roman small camp to draw out the Romans.
Hannibal masses Gallic cavalry (8k) on his left. He economizes with 2k Numidian cavalry on right
Can Numidians hold on long enough for the cavalry on the left to crush their opposing Romans?
Similar to Marathon – Wings were strengthened & the center was weak
“As the light troops moved forward to open the battle, Hannibal advanced his weakened center until it formed a salient toward the enemy, while the wings, well back, stood fast. The Romans charged forward and struck the Carthaginian center. As Varro had hoped, the weight of the maniples was too great for the Gauls, who were pressed back steadily. If this center had broken, the day would have been lost; but Hannibal earlier had rehearsed his subordinates in the battle tactics to be employed, and consequently, even though hard pressed, they did not panic. Additionally, Hannibal had posted both himself and his younger brother Mago at the center to command personally that portion of the line where leadership and example were most required.”58 REHEARSALS & PERSONAL LEADERSHIP
Varro keeps pushing more mass into the center losing his mobility.
The Cavalry on the flank beat the Romans and attack the Legions in the rear – the Romans, cheering for victory now are trapped & slaughtered.
DOUBLE ENVELOPMENT
Issus
(7101-1)
Darius vs Alexander
Armies pass each other accidentally – Alexander’s withdraw cut off
Persians 5 to 1 advantage – used narrow terrain to have significant depth
Darius ME = cavalry, Darius thinks Alexander’s ME = phalanx, but that was wrong
Alexander places some troops at right angles to his right wing (refused his flank). Parmenion on left flank tied into the sea. Alexander orders center and left to advance slowly – to delay serious engagement until Alexander could crush the Persian left
“Alexander, seeing that Darius intended to keep his infantry on the far side of the river, perceived that the persian had made a mistake in keeping his center on one side of the river while crossing the cavalry over it. If this Persian center were to be disabled, no efforts made by the persian right could save it. Alexander’s problem then was how to break this center. He felt this could best be done by striking the Persian left and then taking the center in flank. 33
The outcome of the battle was in doubt until Alexander was able to clear the Persian left and wheel his cavalry to strike the Greek mercenaries in flank and rout them. Darius, seeing his left wing collapsing, turned and fled in panic.
“Alexander’s victory on the Pinarus underscored the ‘training, dash and high morale which make the Companions the finest cavalry in history’”
Granicus
(7101-1)
Alexander crosses Hellespont, invades Persia
Persians – mostly cavalry, 40k + 5k Greek hoplite mercenary
Alexander: 40k – 30k infantry, 5k cavalry, +others
Persians line up behind Granicus river with Cavalry in front – tactical error b/c limited mobility of cavalry, but they may have just wanted to kill Alexander and didn’t actually think they would win
Aexander immediately attacks with oblique formation
Offensive wing on right commanded by Alexander, Defensive wing on left commanded by Parmenion
1) Pierce the enemy;s left flank by a daring attack of the Macedonain cavalry
2) Turn the cavalry to the left andd rol up the enemy line
3) Simultaneously bring the phalanx covered by cavalry on the left forward in echelon to engage the enemy
Alexander doesn’t go straight against EN Left – b/c that is where they strenghtened their line anticipating Alexander to attack. (AVOIDS SURFACE, LOOKS FOR GAP)
Marathon
(7101-1)
Darius wanted to punish Athens, “Master, don’t forget Athens”
Miltiades leads Greeks ~10000 - Strong defensive position anchored by hills
Spartans celebrating Carneian Festival of Appolo
Armies facing each other for as much as 8 days
Persians leave 30k at Marathon and send 20k on ship to go to Athens (including cavalry)
Miltiades decides to take advantage
**Griess does not state the cavalry embarked – maybe they did. THe battle took place on Miltiades’ day to command (10 generals took turns)
Envelopment
Athenians and Plateans make their Right and Left flanks strong / deep to prevent the Persians from flanking. Lengthened line to prevent numerically superior Persians from flanking them. Caused Greek center to be thin
“The risk was apparent. Could the flank forces succeed before the weak center was entirely overcome?”
Miltiades has Athenians sprint last 100m to limit effectiveness of Persian archers
Greek center is about to break. Greeek flanks are winning. Greeks hold on in center long enough for flanks to win and begin to attack Persian flank / rear
6400 Persians die, 192 Greeks die
Rossbach *
(7101-1)
Frederick (22k) vs. French (54k)
At end of campaigning season, Frederick needs to strike blow against the German/French forces under Soubise & Hildburghausen. French/Germans put up defenses, Frederick pulls back slightly thinking he missed an opportunity. French / German think this is a withdraw / rearward move at the end of the campaigning season. They decide to “pursue” Frederick, but Frederick was not withdrawing. The next day Frederick ambushes.
“French infantry and cvalry followed, interspersed with artillery and German infantry. The movement was ponderous and confused…There was no attempt to push an adequate screen up to the higher ground beyond Rossbach to survey Prussian moves and prevent Frederick from seeing theirs…Frederick watched this amateur generalship with disbelief.
Tasks young cavalry commader Seydlitz. “No violence done by man can ever surpass the brutality of the Rossbach death ride…It was a masterful combined performance. The iron bracelet of guns around the slopes of Janus…
“It was a contest between an agile army with brains and a clumsy army without any.”121
French have to admit they were whipped by a force half their size - prompts French mil reform for next 20 years
Zorndorf
(7101-1)
1758 (Part of Seven Years’ War) - Russians (Count Fermor) vs. Prussians (Frederick the Great)
After Rossbach & Leuthen (Prussian victories)
Tactically inconclusive
Zorndorf has been described as the most terrible of the battles of the Seven Years War. Keith’s warning to Frederick on the fighting qualities of the Russian soldiers was fully born out. Frederick considered the hero of the battle to be Seydlitz for his devastating attack from the left wing.
During the battle, Frederick famously took a regimental standard and led an attack himself, rallying his troops.
Prague
(7101-1)
“The indecisive victory”
Charles (Bavaria) had to decide to 1) Attack before Frederick’s forces joined up 2) Defend outside the city of Prague on favorable terrain, 3) Retreating into the city or 4) Abandoning Prague altogether
Frederick joins his forces, reconnoiters
Incorrectly assesses the ground in front of Charles as “green meadows” - it was actually muck/swamp
“Shot and grape tore at the desperate Prussians as Browne (Bavarian) at last found his chance to strike. The Austrians swarmed from their cannon-covered hill and met the dripping Prussians rising from the muck. In these straits, only valor could retrieve what error had all but thrown away”…Schwerin rallies with a flag – shot down…
A gap opened in Austrian lines – Frederick’s subordinate (Manstein) initially exploits it - Frederick sees the opportunity (like Alexander) and takes advantage.
Note: sometimes this is mission command sometimes this is “rogue subordinate”
“Orders should create parameters for initiative” - Dr. Rudd
Browne (competent Bavarian had been wounded – resulting in a loss of coordination) Charles (Bavarian incompetent leader) had a seizure at the critical moment.
Gaugamela
(7101-1)
Persians – a ton of forces, but 40k trained cavalry and only 4k trained infantry
Alexander – 40k infantry, 7k cavalry
Persians choose flat, open plains of Gaugamela to take advantage of mobility
Darius thinks there may be a night attack, so he keeps his force up all night
Length of Persian front was double Alexander’s
Alexander assumes defensive posture and oblique order to draw Persians in then when the fighting opened a gap, he planned to exploit / penetrate the gap with companion cavalry
Alexander drove a wedge “Penetration of opportunity”
Blenheim
(7101-1)
Marlborough & Eugene
Blenheim not about Blenheim
Marlborough & Eugene attack flanks, French weaken center - Marlborough exploits
Blenheim important because Marlborough out-thought his adversary
What counts is can we make it work? - Dr. Rudd
4 ways to kill an army “Not doctrinal, FMFM Morris”
7101-2
1) With a siege (Yorktown, Petersburg – Civil War)
2) In a battle of annihilation
3) With pursuit
4) Erosion over time (Western front last 3 months of War)
Can combine multiple
2 Ways to end a siege
7101-3
1) Starve/bomb them out
2) Direct Assault
American Invasion of Canada 1775-1776
Disaster for Schuyler & Arnold
“Amazing that it came so close to success”
Delay by Schuyler lacked appreciation for weather
Route selection by Arnold lacked appreciation of terrain
Both expeditions lost about 1/3 of force before contact with enemy
Battle of Quebec
Schuyler and Arnold Get to Quebec too late.
Brit Guy Carleton had time to prepare defense and stock up to outlast a siege.
Winter has set in, Quebec is besieged (3ish months), but ineffective.
Montgomery & Arnold come up with complicated plan to create diversion, breach city, and storm through. Montgomery is killed, Arnold is wounded, Daniel Morgan takes over, but it is unsuccessful. >500 US casualties to ~20 Brit casualties.
Lexington & Concord
Successful preparation for rapid mobilization on the part of the colonials
Key considerations - force and space - redcoats marched significant distance & were harried on the entire return trip.
Siege of Boston
- Boston is roughly 1 mile square. Full of buildings, etc and up to 11k troops
- Brits decide to roll back part of defenses at bunker / breed hill
- Brits had Naval power (mobile firepower) that the Americans could not match
NGF given does not make a huge difference in the battle
Washington assumes command 2 July 1775. Henry Knox gathers artillery from Ticonderoga. In March 1776, Washington occupies Dorchester Heights - making Boston untenable.
An agreement is reached to allow Brits to evacuate in exchange for not burning the city down.
Saratoga Campaign
Germain as British common commander doesn’t force Burgoyne & Howe to act in concert
Colonists end up “yarding” Burgoyne
Saratoga is an example of
Breed’s Hill / Bunker Hill
Colonists take advantage of terrain.
British are able to use water as maneuver. It seems like they should be able to effectively employ naval guns to blast colonists out, but impatience / pride lead to an aggressive frontal COA that is costly.
Battle for New York in US Revolutionary War
Washington makes a number of mistakes and gives the British a number of opportunities to cut off and capture his army.
Howe outmaneuvers Washinton and nearly captures the American army on multiple occasions.
Washington appears indecisive though he eventually escapes with his army after Lee arrives and tells him the position is not tenable.
Losses on Long Island, Fort Lee/Fort Washington (should have been abandoned but indecision led to loss of garrison), Harlem Heights, & White Plains
Trenton
Bold move by Washington
British are spread out in picket-type encampments over the winter - Washington crosses Delaware & surprises forces at Trenton
Washington crosses Delaware to attack Hessian post at dawn. Bad weather and another minor raid (uncoordinated) helped lead to Hessian surprise. “Sensational victory”
Result: 150 Hessians killed, 900 captured
Princeton
“Princeton is not about Princeton” - it is about threatening a LOC.
Washington had 3 options after Trenton – Retreat across the river to safety. Link up with Cadwalader, or defend (bunker hill style) at Trenton. Cornwallis leaves from Princeton with a force - Washington defends successfully on Jan 2 – nightfall ends Brit attacks. Rather than just withdraw from Trenton, he decides to move and attack small garrison left at Princeton. Meeting engagement outside Princeton
Result: Brits lose 50% - about 450 at Princeton. Washington crosses back to winter quarters at Morristown.
Brandywine
Quick narrative: Howe lands at Head of Elk MD on Aug 25 – moving to Philadelphia. Washington gave up war of posts strategy (likely political pressure to try to defend Philly)
▪ “Washington defending – didn’t know about Jeffries Ford - “Howe divided his army – a sign that he held Washington’s battlefield acumen in low esteem – and ordered General Knyphausen, with about 6800 British and Germans to assault the rebels’ enter at Chadd’s Ford. That was a diversion. Howe was to march with 8500 to Jeffries Ford where he would cross. If all went well Sullivan would be taken by surprise and the British would turn Washington’s right flank…247
▪ Howe waiting until sunlight resulted in only 3 hrs of sunlight for flank attack before sunset ended the battle
Howe outmaneuvered Washington after the battle and had a clear way to Philly
Germantown
Washington wanted a Trenton like action to take back momentum/narrative. Comes up with a complex plan – Greene late. Doesn’t achieve surprise b/c of Tories. Wasted efforts at Chew House. Gen Stephen fired on other Am units. Men on American side stopped fighting.
○ Result: Loss for Americans, but showed themselves well. Had to leave before Brit rein from Philly arrive. Washington considers attacking Philly – Greene convinced him to not attack into Philly. "Greene understood that to attack Philadelphia was to walk into a death trap."
US Revolution War in the South 77-78
The British see potential to win in the South after frustrations in the North. They believe there are more loyalists in the South.
- Need a base - Clinton initially faiils to take Charleston
- Brits “get Savannah on the cheap”
- When they attack Charleston again, they go 40 miles south - Rudd’s view “This is the most perfect set piece amphibious operation to take place in North America…it deserves much more study…very masterful on part of Clinton.” - rolls up Ft Johnson from landward
Political pressure to defend Charleston - fear (valid) that South Carolina won’t fight if Charleston is abandoned.
5600 Americans surrender (3rd highest behind Harper’s Ferry & Philippines)
US Revolutionary War in the South 79-80
- Brits thought that if they got Charleston, they would secure NC too
- Clinton adopts Southern Strategy
○ Re-take South Carolina, pacify Georgia, defeat/destroy rebel army - Washington not interested in the south
- American perspective - “Lose Charleston…and all of SC & GA will be gone, with NC next in Clinton’s cross hairs. Lose those three states, he added and the massive indebtedness of the US, as well as the cost for caring for hordes of Southern refugees, would have to be borne by the remaining 10 states…creeks & cherokees would likely take to war path…” Lincoln’s perspective
- Brits began focusing on using loyalists
- 9000 loyalist tories serving in British Army in 1779-1780. At the same time, 18,700 men on rolls of continental army
- Cornwallis & Clinton hated each other – Cornwallis asked Clinton to “not consult me”
- Waxhaws Massacre / Tarleton’s Quarter 436
- Greene – split army - imposing cost & making life hard for enemy
○ “compels my adversary to divide his, and holds him in doubt as to his own line of conduct…bold and daring plan, and one that was filled with colossal risk”
- Clinton adopts Southern Strategy
US Revolutionary War in the South 81
- Arnold invades VA. Jefferson narrowly escapes
- 481 – Morgan planning for Cowpens – 3 lines. Skirmishers, Militia, Regulars. Militia fire 3 shots tehn fall back
○ 486, “Dear, good americans, have mercy on us! It has not been our fault, that we have SKIVERED so many (American Soldiers)” - Morgan beats Tarleton, but not strong enough to fight Cornwallis
- Morgan & Greene move north to VAa
- 492-3 Morgan & Greene cross the Dan River. Brits don’t have boats to cross
- Henry Lee -(Light Horce Harry Lee) beats Tories at Pyle’s Massacre – makes loyalists not want to fight
- Rochambeau tells de Grasse a note to bring the fleet to the Chesapeake, not to NYC
- “Rochambeau was not alone in questioning Washington’s judgment, not to mention his strategic acumen, given his intractable obsession with New Yrk.
- 508 Cornwallis wants to go into Virginia after Guilford Courthouse
- Greene goes to SC with 1300 vs. 8000 Brits in SC & GA – but they were all spread out. Greene could beat in detail
- Cornwallis sought decisive victory – thought he could force it in VA. Clinton mad, but doesn’t do anything.
○ Cornwallis planned to “dislodge” Lafayette from Richmond - Clinton thinks best chance for a decisive victory is in the battle for New York
- Within 90 days after Greene entered South Carolina, every major British installation in the backcountry was in rebel hands. 517
- Greene confines British to only Savannah & Charleston
- 481 – Morgan planning for Cowpens – 3 lines. Skirmishers, Militia, Regulars. Militia fire 3 shots tehn fall back
Charleston (US Revolution)
- Need a base - Clinton initially faiils to take Charleston
- Brits “get Savannah on the cheap”
- When they attack Charleston again, they go 40 miles south - Rudd’s view “This is the most perfect set piece amphibious operation to take place in North America…it deserves much more study…very masterful on part of Clinton.” - rolls up Ft Johnson from landward
Political pressure to defend Charleston - fear (valid) that South Carolina won’t fight if Charleston is abandoned.
5600 Americans surrender (3rd highest behind Harper’s Ferry & Philippines)
Camden
Camden – Aug 16, 1780
○ Gates appointed to lead in the south after Lincoln’s surrencer at Charleston
○ Forms his 2 regiments of regulars on R flank, and the militia on left & center. Militia break almost immediately. De Kalb’s regular regiments fight well, but flanked by Brit cavalry.
800 continentals killed and wounded, another 1000 captured. Gates fled to Charlotte during the battle.
Cowpens
Cowpens – Jan 17 1781
○ Cornwallis’s loss of Ferguson forced him to abort his invasion of NC and pull back to SC
○ Nathaniel Greene splits his force – half, under Daniel Morgan
○ Morgan turned to fight Tarleton who was pursuing him
▪ 3 lines – 1) skirmishing sharpshooters 2) Pickens’ SC militia, 3) Continentals
▪ Expected (and communicated) 3 good volleys from militia
▪ Effective, simple plan. Well executed
○ Tarleton’s force 300 killed, 525 captured
King’s Mountain
King’s Mountain – Oct 7, 1780
○ Gates thought GA & S Carolina now under control
○ Frontier raids were a threat
○ Brit Maj Ferguson went to suppress raiders with American loyalists
○ ~1000 Colonials beat Ferguson (who didn’t dig in) at King’s Mountain. 600 Tory / loyalist prisoners
Guilford Courthouse
Guilford Court House – March 15, 1781
○ Cornwallis chases Morgan’s army to avenge Cowpens. Morgan retreats north.
○ Cornwallis burns his wagons to travel faster
○ Morgan & Greene reunite on Feb 7
○ 550 Continentals reinforce Greene – 4400 total
○ 3 lines – NC militia in field, engage & fall back. VA militia in woods, fall back. Continentals in final field. A lot of casualties for Brits
Yorktown
- Sept 28 – Allies march toward Yorktown from Williamsburg
- Brit Def
○ 7 redoubts, 6 batteries - Sept 30 – Cornwallis abandons all redoubts except Fusiliers’ and Redoubts 9 & 10
○ Cornwallis’ decision was based on Clinton’s promise of 5k - Oct 5 – Clinton assembles 7k to ship to relief of Cornwallis
- Oct 6 – preparations for the siege completed – first parallel begun
- Oct 9 – bombardment begins
- OCt 14 – Redoubts 9 & 10
- Oct 16 – Cornwallis tries to cross to Gloucester side by boat. Storm makes it impossible
- Oct 17 – Surrender agreed to
- Oct 18 – commissioners meet up
- Oct 19 – Surrender papers signed
○ Prisoners: 7247 - Oct 19 – 7k relief force sails from NYC to Yorktown
○ Arrives off capes 24 Oct – had it left a week earlier, it might have made a difference
- Brit Def
Movement to Yorktown
- “The people were tired of the war. Its long continuance had bred apathy as to its outcome.” 879
- Washington wants to attack NY & Clinton’s 14,500 defenders
○ Recon with Rochambeau July 21-24 – agree that an attack can’t succeed - 21 Aug – Washington begins move south after measures to deceive / give appearance of siege of NYC. Force of about 2000
- Not until 2 September that Clinton has intel of southward movement – by that time they were ivo Philadelphia
○ 200 miles in 15 days (13.3 miles a day) 884 - Aug 30 – de Grasse arrives with 2 ships of the line & 6 frigates. - He enters Chesapeake bay before Adm Hood & Graves get tehre with 19 ships of the line & 7 frigates
○ French disembark
- Washington wants to attack NY & Clinton’s 14,500 defenders
Napoleon 1796 Italian Campaign
Split Colli & Beaulieu
Piedmont surrenders
Pursue Beaulieu - race & cross at Piacenza (turns Austrians - force withdraw)
Pursue to Liptay / Mantua
Wurmser attacks - splits around Lake Garda - Wurmser E of Garda, Quasdanovich W of Garda
Concentrate on Quasdanovich - force withdraw North
Wurmser wastes time going toward Mantua
Concentrate & defeat Wurmser - Battle of Castiglione - Austrians withdraw
Austrians advance again - end up at Mantua
“By maintenance of the initiative, rapidity of maneuver, concentration of superior forces at the decisive place and time, and vigorous prosecution of the attack and pursuit, he had confounded and overwhelmed his less viable adversaries in Italy….”
Revolutionary War overview map
Ulm
The Battle of Ulm on 16–19 October 1805 was a series of skirmishes, at the end of the Ulm Campaign, which allowed Napoleon I to trap an entire Austrian army under the command of Karl Freiherr Mack von Leiberich with minimal losses and to force its surrender near Ulm.
Austerlitz
Jena
The twin battles of Jena and Auerstedt were fought on 14 October 1806 on the plateau west of the river Saale in today’s Germany, between the forces of Napoleon I of France and Frederick William III of Prussia. The defeat suffered by the Prussian Army subjugated the Kingdom of Prussia to the French Empire until the Sixth Coalition was formed in 1813.
It was at that time, around 1 p.m., that Napoleon decided to make the decisive move. He ordered his flanks to push hard and try to break through the Prussian flanks and encircle the main center army while the French center attempted to crush the Prussian centre. The attacks on the flanks proved to be a success. With its flanks broken, the Prussian army was forced to withdraw and Napoleon had won another battle. In total the Prussian army lost 10,000 men killed or wounded, had 15,000 prisoners of war taken as well as 150 guns.
Spain (Napoleonic Wars)
- Clausewitz is writing for you - someone with experience and who is in uniform
- Why does Napoleon go to Spain / Portugal - Portuguese are violating continental system - that’s the pretext -
- Path: Great Road - Bayonne - Vitoria - Burgos - Madrid
- Brits arrive with 12k to provide backbone to resistance in Portugal
- France “eases in” to Spain - pretext that they are mediating btwn Charles (Dad) & Ferdinand (Son)
○ Spanish respond negatively to Joseeph Bonaparte
○ Dupont (Div Cmdr @ Austerlitz) - loots, has a big baggge train - cut off by Spanish forces - capitualates ivo Bailen - French invincibility shattered - Napoleon brings in A-Team - Spanish Junta Plan
- Napoleon Plan - Trap 2 wings of Spanish army
- Blake escapes
- In Spain army doesn’t concentrate
McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign
Fort Fisher
By the winter of 1865, Fort Fisher guarded the last remaining open port for the Confederacy at Wilmington, North Carolina. Despite failing to take it in December of 1864, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant decided overtake the fort a second time and sent a Union force of nearly 9,000 men under the command of Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry and several ships under the command of Rear Admiral David D. Porter to take the fort and its 1,900 defenders.
On the night of January 12, 1865, General Alfred Terry’s joint Navy and Army forces made it to the shores of Fort Fisher. For the next two days, Federal ships opened fire on the garrison, firing so frequently it was impossible fo the Confederate soldiers stationed inside to repair the damages to the fort. On January 15, the Union army attacked the fort with nearly 2,000 Marines and sailors. Although greatly outnumbered, the Southern soldiers clung tenaciously to their defenses. Meanwhile, Confederate Maj. Gen. William H. C. Whiting pleaded with Braxton Bragg for reinforcements. Bragg refused, not taking the situation at all seriously. Finally, after repeated pleas from Whiting, Bragg sent Alfred Colquitt to the fort with orders to relive Whiting.
Battle of Tsushima
- Mahan critical of Rozhestvensky - should have been focused on the battle, not on making it to Vladivostok
○ 279 “A fleet is half beaten already when it goes into battle with one eye upon something else than fighting…”
○ Transports - if beaten, they aren’t needed. If defeat the Japanese, then you can call for them. Don’t travel with them
281 “subordinating them (distractions) to the one thing needful, namely, to be ready to the utmost on the day of battle…”
The final naval battle of the Russo-Japanese War, fought on 27–28 May 1905 in the Tsushima Strait. A devastating defeat for the Imperial Russian Navy, the battle was the only decisive engagement ever fought between modern steel battleship fleets and the first in which wireless telegraphy (radio) played a critically important role. The battle was described by Sir George Clarke as “by far the greatest and the most important naval event since Trafalgar”.
The Russians hoped to reach Vladivostok and establish naval control of the Far East in order to relieve the Imperial Russian Army in Manchuria. The Russian fleet had a large advantage in the number of battleships, but was overall older and slower than the Japanese fleet.
All 11 Russian battleships were lost, out of which seven were sunk and four captured.
The loss of almost every heavy warship of the Baltic Fleet forced Russia to sue for peace, and the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed in September 1905.
Battle of Mukden
Involving 610,000 combat participants and 164,000 combatant casualties, it was the largest modern-era battle fought prior to WWI, and possibly the largest battle in world history at that point. The scale of the battle, particularly in the amount of ordnance being expended, was unprecedented in world history.
In the following days Japanese forces proceeded to assault the right and left flanks of Russian forces surrounding Mukden, along a 50-mile (80 km) front. Approximately half a million men were involved in the fighting. Both sides were well entrenched and were backed by hundreds of artillery pieces. After days of harsh fighting, added pressure from the flanks forced both ends of the Russian defensive line to curve backwards. Seeing they were about to be encircled, the Russians began a general retreat, fighting a series of fierce rearguard actions, which soon deteriorated in the confusion and collapse of Russian forces. On 10 March 1905, after three weeks of fighting, General Kuropatkin decided to withdraw to the north of Mukden. The Russians suffered a estimated 90,000 casualties in the battle.
The retreating Russian Manchurian Army formations disbanded as fighting units, but the Japanese failed to destroy them completely. The Japanese themselves had suffered heavy casualties and were in no condition to pursue. Although the Battle of Mukden was a major defeat for the Russians and was the most decisive land battle ever fought by the Japanese, the final victory still depended on the navy.
Siege of Port Arthur
August 1, 1904 – January 2, 1905) was the longest and most violent land battle of the Russo-Japanese War.
Port Arthur, the deep-water port and Russian naval base at the tip of the Liaodong Peninsula in Manchuria, had been widely regarded as one of the most strongly fortified positions in the world.
General Stoessel withdrew to Port Arthur on July 30, 1904. Facing the Russians was the Japanese Third Army, about 150,000 strong, backed by 474 artillery guns, under the command of General Baron Nogi Maresuke.
After the Battle of Liaoyang in late August, the northern Russian force that might have been able to relieve Port Arthur retreated to Mukden (Shenyang). Major General Anatoly Stessel, commander of the Port Arthur garrison, believed that the purpose of defending the city was lost after the fleet had been destroyed. In general, the Russian defenders were suffering disproportionate casualties each time the Japanese attacked.
The siege of Port Arthur saw the introduction of much technology used in subsequent wars of the 20th century (particularly in World War I) including massive 28 cm howitzers that fired 217-kilogram (478-pound) shells with a range of 8 kilometers (5.0 miles), rapid-firing light howitzers, Maxim machine guns, bolt-action magazine rifles, barbed wire entanglements, electric fences, arc lamp, searchlights, tactical radio signalling (and, in response, the first military use of radio jamming), hand grenades, extensive trench warfare, and the use of modified naval mines as land weapons.
Manila Bay
Though it was not immediately obvious in the dark and smoke, the Spanish fleet suffered severe damage in the early moments of the battle. The American fleet engaged as they thought the depth of the water would allow, first passing the Spanish position from west to east, and then countermarching east to west; a total of five passes along the two and a half mile course. At around 7:30 A.M., Commodore Dewey received an erroneous report that the ships were nearly out of ammunition. He decided to withdraw to assess the situation. To avoid having the Spanish realize his precarious position, Dewey signaled to the fleet that they were to break off the attack to allow the crew time for breakfast. Later, the American press would report this as an example of Dewey’s calmness and confidence under fire. Soon it became clear that the report had been in error.
Then the battle assessments began to be reported back to the Olympia. Surprisingly, no Americans had been killed by the Spanish shells. By 11:16 A.M.Dewey’s fleet resumed the attack. It was clear to the Americans that the Spanish fleet was severely damaged, and they wasted little time in finishing it off. Only nine sailors were injured in the battle. T
The Santiago Blockade
- 250 - US had to maintain superior force at all times to blockade Santiago - hard to do & hurricane risk 252
- 251 - If we lost 10k men, they could be replaced, but if we lost a battleship it could not be replaced
- 253 - Sampson unwilling to risk ships on mines - need an army to force ships out if they won’t come out
- 255 - need to preserve combat power for use where needed “It has been well said that Nelson took more care of his topgallant masts, in ordinary cruising, that he did of his whole fleet when the enemy was to be checked or beaten; and this combination of qualities apparently opposed is found in all strong military characters to the perfection of which both are necessary.”
Santiago
Cervara’s Spanish fleet in the Caribbean
Gallipoli
Hamilton vs. Liman von Sanders (& Kemal)
Hamilton lands to face only one - two of five Ottoman armies. Pretty good plan
Ottomans Countarattack 1 May - 5 August
“Stabilitzed Front” - neither side could gain an advantage
Brits 159 Bns
Ottoman/ German - 157 Bns
ANZAC Breakout - Suvla Bay - August offensive fails & don’t try another
Palestine Campaign - Three Battles to Take Gaza
He employed a diversionary attack at Beersheba to deceive the Ottomans, followed by a rapid and unexpected assault on Gaza. This maneuver allowed the British to capture the city.
Third Gaza was a significant success for Allenby as it opened the way for the British advance into Palestine. Allenby and Lawrence integrated the Arab Revolt into the campaign by coordinating with Arab forces, using their knowledge of the terrain and local support to their advantage.
Case Yellow
Dieppe
“The lesson of greatest importance is the need for overwhelming fire support, including close support
Operation Torch
7103-5
North Africa
Mediterranean is LOC for Britain
3 Task Forces
Western Task Force - Port Lyautey - Patton, Kelly (Navy), Truscott (Northern Group)
Central Task Force
Eastern Task Force - Anderson
Operation Torch Task Org
7103-5
North Africa
Operation Husky
7103-6
Sicily
Operation Husky Task Org
7103-6
Sicily
Operation Avalanche
7103-7
Salerno
German defenders had almost exclusively mobile/armor - couldn’t build defense in depth
“Salerno not about Salerno, Salerno is about Naples” (Naples was too far for adequate air coverage)
10 Corps (Brits under McCreery) go north to Naples
VI Corps (Dawley) land South - R Flank - Right Flank isn’t about terrain - it is about how EN will use terrain (Hwy 18 vs. Hwy 19)
Sele River is boundary - not wide, but steep bank (boundary should’ve been further north)
Big gap between Dawley & McCreery - German attack by 29 Div almost reaches the beach - NGF break up attack
Operation Avalanche Task Org
7103-7
Salerno
Operation Shingle
7103-8
Anzio
Monte Cassino
3 Attempts, then Diadem works
Operation Diadem
4th Monte Cassino
Omaha & Utah
Anvil/Dragoon
McClellan’s Strategic Plan Nov 1861
“HAD MCCLELLAN’S BRILLIANT STRATEGY BEEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED, IT WOULD HAVE ENDED THE CIVIL WAR IN 1862, AS INTENDED.” xviii
“McClellan proposed using the great water highways of the South. Penetrating deep into the Confederacy along the Mississippi, the Tennessee, and the Cumberland rivers, Federal armies could seize the great East-West rail lines connecting the Mississippi Valley with the Atlantic and Gulf seaboard, and with Virginia…disrupt Richmond’s lines…force Confederate army in Virginia to disperse for lack of supplies…to free themselves from this death grip, Southern generals would have to hurl their men against strongly fortified positions which could not be invested while protected by Union warships or gunboats.”
