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    Ardennes-1944: An Analysis Of The Operational Defense
    Ardennes-1944: An Analysis Of The Operational Defense
    Ardennes-1944: An Analysis Of The Operational Defense
    Ebook65 pages34 minutes

    Ardennes-1944: An Analysis Of The Operational Defense

    By Major Francis M. Cain III

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    This study examines the nature of the defense at the operational level of war by analyzing the Battle of the Bulge in Dec. 1944 using the concepts of blitzkrieg and "web" defense. The monograph begins by discussing the influence of defensive theory on the operational concepts of blitzkrieg and "web" defense. The German concept of blitzkrieg incorporates Clausewitz’s theory of the offense by emphasizing surprise, speed, and concentration at the decisive point. The counter to the blitzkrieg offense is found in COL F.O. Miksche’s concept of "web" defense. The Battle of the Bulge provides an excellent example of a "web" defense pitted against a blitzkrieg offense. The German blitzkrieg in the Ardennes in 1944 failed for many reasons: 1) Army Group B did not concentrate its strength against the most vulnerable section of the Allied line; 2) The rugged Ardennes terrain could be easily defended against attacks by mechanized forces; 3) Key American commanders (Eisenhower, Gerow, and Middleton) quickly recognized the value of holding several key road junctions (St. Vith, Malmedy, Bastogne, Marche, and Rochefort) which dominated movement through the Ardennes; 4) The Allies held the shoulders of the German penetration; 5) The Allies quickly concentrated armored and motorized units to blunt the German penetration; and 6) Army Group B lacked operational reserves and adequate logistic support. The analysis of the Ardennes shows that the defense is indeed the stronger form of war and that a "web" defense can be employed effectively against a blitzkrieg offense...The Allies effectively used a "web" defense to counter these threats. If NATO is to defeat a Soviet attack without resorting to the use of nuclear weapons, it must adopt a viable operational defensive concept. "Web" defense is such a concept.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLucknow Books
    Release dateAug 15, 2014
    ISBN9781782895039
    Ardennes-1944: An Analysis Of The Operational Defense

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      Book preview

      Ardennes-1944 - Major Francis M. Cain III

       This edition is published by PICKLE PARTNERS PUBLISHING—www.picklepartnerspublishing.com

      To join our mailing list for new titles or for issues with our books – picklepublishing@gmail.com

      Or on Facebook

      Text originally published in 1986 under the same title.

      © Pickle Partners Publishing 2013, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

      Publisher’s Note

      Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

      We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

      THE ARDENNES-1944: AN ANALYSIS OF THE OPERATIONAL DEFENSE

      BY

      MAJOR FRANCIS M. CAIN, III

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Contents

      TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

      ABSTRACT 5

      SECTION I — Introduction 6

      SECTION II — THEORY OF OPERATIONAL DEFENSE 8

      Theory of the Offense 8

      Concepts of German Blitzkrieg 8

      Theory of Defense. 9

      Web Defense 11

      SECTION III — THE ARDENNES-1944 13

      SECTION IV — DEFEAT OF THE GERMAN BLITZKRIEG 17

      Failure In The Ardennes 17

      Superiority of the Defence 19

      SECTION V — OPERATIONAL DEFENSE AND AIRLAND BATTLE 20

      Soviet Blitzkrieg Theory 20

      The Ardennes and the Modern Battlefield 21

      SECTION VI — VI. CONCLUSION 23

      APPENDIX A — MAPS 25

      REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 35

      BIBLIOGRAPHY 36

      Periodicals 36

      Books 36

      Unpublished Papers and Manuscripts 36

      ABSTRACT

      The Ardennes - 1944: an analysis of the operational defense, By Major Francis M. Cain III, USA, 51 pages.

      This study examines the nature of the defense at the operational level of war by analysing the battle of the Bulge in December 1944 using the concepts of blitzkrieg and web defense. The monograph begins by discussing the influence of defensive theory on the operational concepts of blitzkrieg and web defense. The German concept of blitzkrieg incorporates Clausewitz’s theory of the offense by emphasizing surprise, speed, and concentration at the decisive point. The counter to the blitzkrieg offense is found in COL F. O. Miksche’s concept of web defense. This concept incorporates Clausewitz’s theory of the defense by emphasizing the advantages of terrain, time, and counterattack.

      The Battle of the Bulge provides an excel Lent example of a web defense pitted against a blitzkrieg offense. The German blitzkrieg in the Ardennes in 1944 failed for many reasons: 1) Army Group B did not concentrate its strength against the most vulnerable section of the Allied

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