The inter-war periods are important to prepare for future wars. Some nations get it right, some do not. Preparing for the future can be tricky. For example, does the US prepare for conventional, proxy wars, or counterinsurgency? The US military is planning how to fight China. There are also major plans should the US enter the war in Ukraine. Thousands of US military vehicles are prepositioned in Poland and the 3-star Task Force Commander will stand up Infantry and Armor Divisions to include Air Force capabilities should the US enter that war.
Back to the topic on hand. Germany conducted a massive governmental and military After Action Review in the 1930s-1940s to assess:
- What was planned in WWI.
- What really happened.
- How to shrink the delta.
The significant military problem in WWI was the ability to conduct offensive operations and maneuver effectively were curtailed by weapons systems with much greater ranges than the ability to maneuver. This problem existed in the Civil War as well.
Germany's preparation for future wars in the inter-war period was on the money. Born was Blitzkrieg from the analysis and conclusion of the AAR and became a Revolution in Military Affairs. This RMA definitely gave Germany the advantage. It was created to defeat linear formations WWI is well known for. Therefore, Germany was best prepared for WWII because they created a Combined Arms Doctrine and put theory into practice by training significantly more rigorously than other countries trying to prepare for future wars.
Ukraine needs the capability to execute Blitzkrieg tactics because of the linear posture of the Russian military in the defense. They have set up long and wide engagement areas the Ukrainians can't breach, thus it is relegated to WWI tactics. Ukraine is incapable of conducting Combined Arms Operations in large offensive operations because the Western countries have not bestowed upon it the requisite weapons systems to execute it. It needs aviation assets like bombers, fighters, CAS, and attack helicopters. It can't go through the Russians, but don't have the weapons systems to bypass or go over the Russian army. Some will think HIMARS and drones will suffice, but they are poor substitutes for the aforementioned aviation assets. Ukraine needs the capability to conduct effective movement to contact with weapons systems that can stay on station to unleash a heavy volume of fire.
Back to the topic on hand. Germany conducted a massive governmental and military After Action Review in the 1930s-1940s to assess:
- What was planned in WWI.
- What really happened.
- How to shrink the delta.
The significant military problem in WWI was the ability to conduct offensive operations and maneuver effectively were curtailed by weapons systems with much greater ranges than the ability to maneuver. This problem existed in the Civil War as well.
Germany's preparation for future wars in the inter-war period was on the money. Born was Blitzkrieg from the analysis and conclusion of the AAR and became a Revolution in Military Affairs. This RMA definitely gave Germany the advantage. It was created to defeat linear formations WWI is well known for. Therefore, Germany was best prepared for WWII because they created a Combined Arms Doctrine and put theory into practice by training significantly more rigorously than other countries trying to prepare for future wars.
Ukraine needs the capability to execute Blitzkrieg tactics because of the linear posture of the Russian military in the defense. They have set up long and wide engagement areas the Ukrainians can't breach, thus it is relegated to WWI tactics. Ukraine is incapable of conducting Combined Arms Operations in large offensive operations because the Western countries have not bestowed upon it the requisite weapons systems to execute it. It needs aviation assets like bombers, fighters, CAS, and attack helicopters. It can't go through the Russians, but don't have the weapons systems to bypass or go over the Russian army. Some will think HIMARS and drones will suffice, but they are poor substitutes for the aforementioned aviation assets. Ukraine needs the capability to conduct effective movement to contact with weapons systems that can stay on station to unleash a heavy volume of fire.
