Ardennes-1944: An Analysis Of The Operational Defense

Major Francis M. Cain III

• Publisher: Lucknow Books
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9781782895039
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

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.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Periodicals

Dick, Charles J. “Soviet-Operational Concepts,” Military Review 65 (September 1985): 29-45.

Books

Clausewitz , Mon Carl. On War (Edited and translated by Michael Howard and Peter Paret) . Princeton: Princeton University Press 1976.

Cole, Hugh The Ardennes: Battle Of The Bulge U.S. Army In World War II, The European Theater of Operations) Washington: Office of the Chief of Military History, 1965.

English, John A. On Infantry. New York: Praeger, 1984.

Griess, Thomas E ed. The Second World War Europe and the Mediterranean (West Point Military History Series) New Jersey: Avery Publishing Co., 1934.

Macdonald, Charles B. A time For Trumpets: the Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge. New York: William Morrow and Co., 1985.

Miksche, F. O. Attack: A Study of Blitzkrieg Tactics. New York: Random House, 1942. (Reprinted by the U.S. Army War College, 1983.

Pallud, Jean Paul. Battle of the Bulge; Then And Now. London: Plaistow Press, 1984.

Vigor, P. H. Soviet Blitzkrieg theory, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1933.

Weigley, Russell F. Eisenhower’s Lieutenants: The Campaign of France and Germany, 1944-1945. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1981.

Unpublished Papers and Manuscripts

Fontenot, Gregory. “The Lucky Seventh In The Bulge: A Case Study For AirLand Battle,” Masters Thesis, USACGC . 1985.

Schneider, James J. “The Retiarian Operations Concept,” Foundations of Military Theory, Course 1 (Ft. Leavenworth, KS; School of Advanced Military Studies, 1984.)

{1} F. O. Miksche, Attack: A Study of Blitzkrieg Tactics ( 1942 ):91

{2} Miksche, Attacks: 1, COL F. O Miksche was born in Czechoslovakia and served as an artillery officer in the Czech Regular Army for twelve years. In 1936, he resigned his commission and joined the. Spanish Republican Army. Spain he served as a battery and battalion commander and later as member of the General Staff the Spanish Republican Army. After the outbreak of World War II, he made his way to England and served with the Free Czech Army throughout the war.

{3} The Operational Level Of War fits between strategy and tactics. It is the link between tactical engagements and the achievement of strategic goals. It is the conduct of the campaign by large units, like armies and army groups.( FM 100-5. Operations (Draft) U.S. Army (May, 1986): 2-1 to 2-2.

{4} Carl von Clausewitz, On War (Edited and Translated by Michael Howard and Peter Paret) (1976): 545-547

{5} Miksche, Attack: 6-7; and Clausewitz, On War: 545-547.

{6} Miksche, Attack : 6-7

{7} John A. English, On Infantry (1984): 73-75.

{8} Miksche, Attack : 15-16

{9} Ibid.: 16—17

{10} Ibid

{11} Clausewitz, On War : 357 - 359

{12} Ibid

{13} Ibid. : 357-371

{14} Ibid. : 370, 391, 485-489

{15} English, On Infantry.

{16} Miksche, Attack; 86

{17} Ibid. 74

{18} Ibid.: 74, 87

{19} Ibid

{20} Ibid.: 73-74.

{21} Thomas E. Griess, Editor, The Second World War: Europe And The Mediterranean (The West Point Series) (1984): 369-370

{22} Griess, The Second World War; 378-379.

{23} Jean Paul Pallud, Battle Of The Bulge: Then And Now (1984): 32.

{24} Pallud, Then and Now: 32-36. Army Group B reserve was the 79th Volks Grenadier Division. OK West reserves eventually committed to “Wacht am Rhein” were: Führer Begleit Brigade, Führer Grenadier Brigade, 9th and 167th Volks Grenadier Divisions and 3rd Panzer Grenadier Division. Four other OK West reserve divisions; were eventually committed to Army Group G’s Operation “Nordwind”.

{25} Griess, The Second World War; 378-379

{26} Rus...

Table of contents

• Title page
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• ABSTRACT
• SECTION I - Introduction
• SECTION II - THEORY OF OPERATIONAL DEFENSE
• SECTION III - THE ARDENNES-1944
• SECTION IV - DEFEAT OF THE GERMAN BLITZKRIEG
• SECTION V - OPERATIONAL DEFENSE AND AIRLAND BATTLE
• SECTION VI - VI. CONCLUSION
• APPENDIX A - MAPS
• BIBLIOGRAPHY