I decided to open this new topic, because it covers warfare not only in high altitude as another thread, but also in lower regions. If the mods want to merge them, it is fine to me.
A very short overview
Mountains were always a difficult terrain to fight in and usually greatly increased the ability of the defender to resist even a determined attacker.
Hannibal is perhaps the most famous general of the ancient world who was ambushed in a timeless manners while crossing the Alps.
During the first world war the Alps between the Austro-Hungarian empire and the former ally Italy, were the scenery of a hard struggle, perhaps the first "modern" example of mountain warfare. In the second world war many mountain ranges and areas from Northern Norway to Northern Africa, from the Vosges to the Caucasus witnessed heavy fighting. Since then mountain warfare has played a significant role in many conflicts, most recently in the Himalaya and in Afghanistan.
Readings
German Mountain Warfare - a WWII manual
The German view of Mountain warfare, 1944. I read it a long while ago, but still remember how the importance of well-coordinated precise and heavy firepower delivered by mortars and artillery was outlined. Fits well my very limited experience. Further it is interesting that during the war they heavily increased the oveall firepower and made it mortar platoons organic at the company level. All in all for all who don't know the difficulties of mountain warfare a still very relevant text.
Mountain operations
The dedicated American field manual, a good modern companion to the German manual.
The need for specialized units
Written by Major Muhammad Asim Malik, Pakistan Army. It highlights some aspects of high-altitude wafare which make specialized troops a must.
Firepower in limited war
A good read to place part of the topic of firepower in a broader context, by the 44th Commandant of the U.S. Army War College, Major General Scales. Good chapter on Afghanistan.
Bear went over the mountain
The strategy and tactics employed by the insurgents and Counter-insurgents in the Soviet-Afghan war are still a worthwhile and telling read. A commented look from both sides is given by this classic.
Lessons in Mountain warfare
A tentative list of lessons learned, taken from the book above. Not a bad quick primer, but can of course not capture the richness of the book.
High Altitude Warfare: The Kargil conflict and the future
This paper is very interesting because it partly mirrored my own feelings when I read it and was helpful to think about my ex-trade in a broader way. It also convinced me even more of the necessity of heavy precise firepower in mountain warfare:
Every good contribuition is welcomed.
P.S:
The pictures of Korengal remind me a bit about my home region. Many an invader must have been felt this way in many a part of the Alps, where locals often formed independent defensive foederations. Switzerland was just the most successful one which developed out of a medieval alliance. The seven comunities managed to survive 500 years. The magnifica comunita' existed for almost 700 years. The small and old language of Ladin still goes strong. Mountain folk was often very conservative and sometimes downright fanatically religious, but usually just wanted to remain free and be left alone in peace. The seven communities for example described themselves as "Dise saint Siben, Alte Komeun, Prudere Liben", "This are Seven, Old Communities, Brothers dear".
The habit of ambushing columns of foreigners has been tempered recently by the money they now willingly spend here
A very short overview
Mountains were always a difficult terrain to fight in and usually greatly increased the ability of the defender to resist even a determined attacker.
Hannibal is perhaps the most famous general of the ancient world who was ambushed in a timeless manners while crossing the Alps.
Another place, another ambush:
Note that such IGDs (Improvised Gravitational Devices) were still used, combined with sharpshooters to devastating effect in the Napoleonic wars in the gorges of the alpine valleys of Tyrol. Or later in the terrible conflicts in the Dolomites. Or in the Kargil war.
During the first world war the Alps between the Austro-Hungarian empire and the former ally Italy, were the scenery of a hard struggle, perhaps the first "modern" example of mountain warfare. In the second world war many mountain ranges and areas from Northern Norway to Northern Africa, from the Vosges to the Caucasus witnessed heavy fighting. Since then mountain warfare has played a significant role in many conflicts, most recently in the Himalaya and in Afghanistan.
Readings
German Mountain Warfare - a WWII manual
The German view of Mountain warfare, 1944. I read it a long while ago, but still remember how the importance of well-coordinated precise and heavy firepower delivered by mortars and artillery was outlined. Fits well my very limited experience. Further it is interesting that during the war they heavily increased the oveall firepower and made it mortar platoons organic at the company level. All in all for all who don't know the difficulties of mountain warfare a still very relevant text.
Mountain operations
The dedicated American field manual, a good modern companion to the German manual.
The need for specialized units
Written by Major Muhammad Asim Malik, Pakistan Army. It highlights some aspects of high-altitude wafare which make specialized troops a must.
Firepower in limited war
A good read to place part of the topic of firepower in a broader context, by the 44th Commandant of the U.S. Army War College, Major General Scales. Good chapter on Afghanistan.
Bear went over the mountain
The strategy and tactics employed by the insurgents and Counter-insurgents in the Soviet-Afghan war are still a worthwhile and telling read. A commented look from both sides is given by this classic.
Lessons in Mountain warfare
A tentative list of lessons learned, taken from the book above. Not a bad quick primer, but can of course not capture the richness of the book.
High Altitude Warfare: The Kargil conflict and the future
This paper is very interesting because it partly mirrored my own feelings when I read it and was helpful to think about my ex-trade in a broader way. It also convinced me even more of the necessity of heavy precise firepower in mountain warfare:
Every good contribuition is welcomed.
P.S:
The pictures of Korengal remind me a bit about my home region. Many an invader must have been felt this way in many a part of the Alps, where locals often formed independent defensive foederations. Switzerland was just the most successful one which developed out of a medieval alliance. The seven comunities managed to survive 500 years. The magnifica comunita' existed for almost 700 years. The small and old language of Ladin still goes strong. Mountain folk was often very conservative and sometimes downright fanatically religious, but usually just wanted to remain free and be left alone in peace. The seven communities for example described themselves as "Dise saint Siben, Alte Komeun, Prudere Liben", "This are Seven, Old Communities, Brothers dear".
The habit of ambushing columns of foreigners has been tempered recently by the money they now willingly spend here
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