BATTLE ANALYSIS

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BATTLE ANALYSIS
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TARAWA- 20-23 NOVEMBER 1943
Tarawa- Heavily Fortified with large caliber
harbor defense guns and defended by over 4,800
Japanese
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Landing at low tide. Coral reef--Marines
required to wade 400-500 yards to the beach.

Due to heavy defenses, Marines and equipment
packed on beachhead.
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Marines dying on the beach
Breaking out of the beachhead and taking the
island
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MISTAKES
1. Invasion set for low tide- coral reef stopped
landing crafts from reaching the beach. 2.
Ships too far from landing sites, craft required
to travel 3 ½ miles to island- targets for enemy
guns. 3. Overestimate the effect of naval
bombardment and aerial bombing on enemy
defenses. 4. Underestimate the enemys will to
fight- only 17 of over 4,800 Japanese
surrendered. 73 hours- American casualties
3,301
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General George Patton, Jr.
Napoleon
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
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• PROVIDE ARM PROFESSIONALS WITH A
• COMMON FOUNDATION OF BASIC
• INSTRUCTION IN MILITARY HISTORY EDUCATION.

• PROVIDE A BASIS FOR ANALYZING
• CONTEMPORARY MILITARY SITUATIONS AND
• OPERATIONS AT VARIOUS COMMAND
• ECHELONS IN THE CONTEXT OF HISTORICAL
• PRECEDENTS.

• PROVIDE AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF AN
• APPRECIATION FOR THE NATURE OF WAR.

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• STIMULATE AN INTEREST IN FURTHER STUDY
• OF MILITARY HISTORY
• AND ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
• INDIVIDUAL READING PROGRAMS THAT WILL
• PROMOTE A MATURE, INFORMED CONCEPTION
• OF THE INDIVIDUALS ROLE AS A MEMBER OF
• THE PROFESSION OF ARMS.

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RELEVANCE OF MILITARY HISTORY

• A Professional Military career is unique because
• you may study your skill field and the
• techniques of war but never have the opportunity
• to apply them.

• But you may also be called upon to practice
• it numerous times.

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BATTLE ANALYSIS

• Battle Analysis is a systematic examination of a
  Campaign, Battle, or Military Operation.

• Battle Armed conflict between two opposing
• forces.
• Analysis Examining the parts of something in
• detail to determine the elements of those parts
• and relationship among the components.

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• The purpose of Battle Analysis instruction is
• to provide the military professional with a tool
• to be used along with---War Games, Computer
• Simulations, and Field Training Exercises
• for the purpose of understanding and evaluating
• past or Military Operations.

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USES OF MILITARY HISTORY

• LESSONS LEARNED- HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.
• TO PREVENT MISTAKES FROM REOCCURRING,
• WE MUST LEARN FROM THE PAST.

• EXAMPLE- REPEATS- GENERAL PATTONS 3RD
• ARMY EXPERIENCED LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS
• WHEN THEY RAN OUT OF GAS WHILE RACING
• ACROSS GERMANY IN 1945 AND THE ARMY
• EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS IN THE
• RACE ACROSS THE DESERT IN THE GULF WAR.

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OBJECTIVES

• Learn more about Profession of Arms
• Better understand Problems of
• Tactics----Logistics
• Military Intelligence---Leadership
• Develop useful Theories, Ideas, and
  Interpretations about Practice of Profession
• Understand Challenge and Requirements of Combat
  Leadership
• Understand Intricacies of Waging Combined Arms
  Warfare

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MODELS FOR FRAMING THE ANALYSIS

• TENETS OF AIRLAND BATTLE

• PRINCIPLES OF WAR

• BATTLEFIELD OPERATING SYSTEMS

• AIR-LAND BATTLE IMPERATIVES

• STAFF FUNCTIONS

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METHODOLOGY FORMAT

• Define the Subject
• Determine Date, Location, and Antagonists
• Determine the Sources
• Evaluate the Sources

• Review the Strategic Setting
• Determine Causes of Conflict
• Compare political, economic, religious, social
• and technological factors

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METHODOLOGY FORMAT

• Review the Tactical Situation
• Area of Operations
• Climate and Weather
• Terrain (OCOKA)
• OBSERVATION AND FIRE
• COVER AND CONCEALMENT
• OBSTACLES
• KEY TERRAIN
• AVENUES OF APPROACH

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METHODOLOGY FORMAT

• Compare the Opposing Forces
• Size and Composition
• Technology
• Logistical and Administrative Systems
• Intelligence
• Command, Control, and Communications
• Doctrine and Training
• Condition and Morale
• Leadership

• State Military Objectives of EACH Side
• Consider Possible Courses of Action for EACH Side

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METHODOLOGY FORMAT

• Describe the Action
• Initial Disposition of Forces--Opening Moves
• Outline Major Phases (Chronology)
• Describe Key Events
• State the Outcome

• Assess the Significance
• Immediate
• Long-Term
• Military Lessons Learned

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CONCLUSION

• Battle Analysis is a systematic and logical way
  of seeking historical insights for applications
  to contemporary and future problems.