AI Bibliography
AI Bibliography |
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Balck, W. (1922). Development of tactics--world war. General Service Schools Press. |
| Resource type: Book BibTeX citation key: Balck1922 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General, Geopolitical, Military Science Subcategories: Army, Command and control, Doctrine, Germany, Strategy Creators: Balck Publisher: General Service Schools Press Collection: |
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Shortly before the outbreak of the World War, I was engaged in preparing my six-volume" Tactics"(the single volumes of which had already appeared in the 4th Edition), for a new edition. Extensive preparations had been made therefor and valuable material had been assembled, gathered from my essays on Infantry Tactics since 1901 and published in Loebell's Annuals. With the first edition of my" Tactics," I had taken a stand for increased valuation of Tactics and Psychology in troop leading. The World War has confirmed this necessity. My work concerning tactics embraced the viewpoint in tactics of all large military powers prior to the World War, and it is hoped that it will always remain of value in all general questions. The World War brought about enormous changes: It has shown the importance of the penetration, with the million men armies of modern times, as compared to the envelopment. I had very early advocated the unavoidable necessity of the penetration, though I fully knew that, without doubt an enveloping battle, a" Cannae," would be easier, would have greater success, and would probably also be of more decisive effect. I well knew that my opinion and the opinion of military circles differed greatly; I have never denied the advantages of the enveloping battle, but also have always pointed out the necessity of preparing for the penetration. The World War proved that I was right. I attempted from the first days of the war to make myself familiar with all new writings and events in training, and to utilize the lessons shown. If I now attempt to discuss the development of tactics in the World War, I well know the difficulties thereof, because so far little authentic material is available for a basis. Therefore, in the discussion of actual events in the field, from which I was far removed, I have touched upon briefly and have treated principally the events on the Western front from the standpoint of the troop leader.
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