Hey Guys, I love reading about historical examples where leaders employed unique and innovative mixes of capabilities to defeat their threat. If you all have any input please share!
Here are some examples off the top of my head..
-Gustavus Adolphus (17th century) used a unique mix of combined arms to find success. He employed thinner, more mobile, lines of infantry. His infantry was a mix of both Musketeers and Pikemen; able to repel assaults from the standard “caracole” pistol cavalry of the day. He also integrated lighter, more mobile artillery as well as a traditional Saber-equipped cavalry. In addition, all of these branches were crossed trained, increasing the overall flexibility and lethality of his force.
-The saber cavalry’s use was recorded as late as the Polish-Soviet War (1919-1921). The Polish army lacked many of the modern pieces of military equipment that the Russian army had begun to acquire, so they adapted. The Poles employed a mix of infantry, horse cavalry armed with sabers and lances, armored cars, armored trains, and light tanks purchased from France. During the battle of Warsaw, the Russians believed that the Poles posed no danger to their exposed periphery. Polish General Sikorski took advantage and exploited the Russian flank using his light tanks, trucks, armored cars and mobile cavalry columns. Gen. Sikorski has been credited with employing the first blitzkrieg tactics of the 20th century.
There are also alot of examples during Napoleonic times, WW1/2, the war of attrition and even the Russians in AFG.
Here are some examples off the top of my head..
-Gustavus Adolphus (17th century) used a unique mix of combined arms to find success. He employed thinner, more mobile, lines of infantry. His infantry was a mix of both Musketeers and Pikemen; able to repel assaults from the standard “caracole” pistol cavalry of the day. He also integrated lighter, more mobile artillery as well as a traditional Saber-equipped cavalry. In addition, all of these branches were crossed trained, increasing the overall flexibility and lethality of his force.
-The saber cavalry’s use was recorded as late as the Polish-Soviet War (1919-1921). The Polish army lacked many of the modern pieces of military equipment that the Russian army had begun to acquire, so they adapted. The Poles employed a mix of infantry, horse cavalry armed with sabers and lances, armored cars, armored trains, and light tanks purchased from France. During the battle of Warsaw, the Russians believed that the Poles posed no danger to their exposed periphery. Polish General Sikorski took advantage and exploited the Russian flank using his light tanks, trucks, armored cars and mobile cavalry columns. Gen. Sikorski has been credited with employing the first blitzkrieg tactics of the 20th century.
There are also alot of examples during Napoleonic times, WW1/2, the war of attrition and even the Russians in AFG.
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