...Japan’s Reliance on Mahan’s Strategy during World War II Geographically, Japan is an island nation that is slightly smaller than the state of California, with an area of 377,915 square kilometers. However, Japan has a coastline that is almost 30,000 kilometers in length in comparison to the United States coastline, which is 19,924 kilometers in length. It is narrowly separated from modern-day Russia, North Korea, South Korea, and China by the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea. On maps the largest cities in Japan are on the Eastern side of the island chain, looking toward the Atlantic Ocean, and it boasts few natural resources, besides fishing. The geography of Japan and its proximity to its neighbors has shaped the strategic policy of Japan for centuries, and has driven the necessity of a strong navel strategy. However, it did not always have naval aims. During World War II, while Japan strongly relied on the writings on Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914) in developing their national and naval strategy. However, their strategy had some fatal flaws that would prevent a victory or a negotiated settlement with the United States. Mahan is often compared to the highly esteemed Jomini and Clausewitz, who were famous for their land-based military strategy. However, many of his ideas were not new; they were derived from historical sources from which he distilled and clarified some major concepts. Mahan’s huge contribution to Navel strategy was the organization and the...
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...World War II vs. World War I World War I and World War I are two of the deadliest and costly conflicts to occur in world history. With over 100 million casualties they combine to be two of the most devastating wars ever. They both are very similar and destroyed a good amount of land in Europe, while also involving the same allies on both side. Although they both have high casualties World War II is more important to Europe for many reasons. Some reasons are the holocaust, advancements in technology, and the results that occurred from the war. World War II was the deadliest war in history accounting for over 70 million casualties. About 6 million of those deaths were caused by the holocaust. The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators (Holocaust History). During the Holocaust, Hitler and the Nazis also targeted other groups because they believed they were inferior to the German race. Those groups included the Slavic people, Gypsies, and disabled. Other groups of people were killed because they believed something different or had different political views. Those groups were Communists, Socialists, and homosexuals. The Nazis spread concentration camps or death camps, across Eastern Europe and Germany. These camps ranged in size and were hidden from the public. Many tactics such as the Euthanasia Program, where at least 200,000 mentally or physically disabled...
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...April 13, 2015 Strategies and Tactics Utilized in World War II By the middle of the 1900’s, America was again involved with wars ravaging a majority of the world. The scale of the battlefield would cause the United States to face enemies with completely different combat styles, technologies, and motivations to go to war. Throughout the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the United States would be tested repeatedly. The experiences learned in the Spanish-American War and World War I would changes the way the United States would conduct combat operations. The complacency of the United States in its victories would lead to a lack of preparation for the tenacity and intensity that would be unleashed against this country by her would be enemies. Strategies and tactics of combat were rapidly evolving during the post-World War I period as new technologies and motivations to go to war evolved. The German government, led by Adolph Hitler began to re-arm itself, in direct opposition to the Treaty of Versailles, in order to take back the territory it lost to Poland (American History 2008). The immediate response of Europe was one of capitulation and promise that the Germans would not pursue additional acts of aggression. Within six months the German war machine was marching on Czechoslovakia. On September 3, 1939, the countries of France and England formally declared war on Germany. The largest war in history was underway. The United States, looking to avoid another “great war” announced its...
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...The Spanish Armada How does a so called “invincible” navy fail to destroy the inferior British Navy? The Spanish Armada was said to be the “invincible” navy that fell in the late 1500s. They were called invincible because of their ocean experience due to exploration, which ironically a newer smaller British military defeated. Philip II, King of Spain and controller of much land was behind the Armada while Queen Elizabeth, Queen of England was the one who had angered Philip II. The old ways of the Armada was why they were so easily defeated. From June to September, 1588, war raged between the Spanish and British navies. Most of the action took place in the English Channel, and areas close to Scotland and Ireland were being battled upon as well. At this time in the sixteenth century, new military tactics were being introduced. The British capitalized on using them, but the old and mighty Spanish Armada was using their old faithful yet outdated tactics. The Spanish used their traditional style ships rather than the smaller, nimbler ships of the British. The battle took place on the...
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...A War Bond was an investment of one’s own country (like the US) and in an individual’s financial future, especially in times of war. The US spent roughly more than $300 billion from both fighting the Axis Powers and supporting their Allies. To assist in funding these actions, the United States Treasury proposed to the Americans a series of War Bonds they could purchase during World War II. Also known as the Neutrality Act of 1939, it is a policy proposed by the United States (under Roosevelt’s presidency) to maintain neutrality while assisting the Allies. The importance of the Neutrality Acts was that it presented a isolationist facade in front of the other countries in response to Germany, but still maintained an ability to interact with...
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... February 12, 2016 US History 1 Mr. Ballard Evolution of the US Marine Corps Thesis: The evolution of the US Marine Corps has helped America become the strongest military in the world. 1. Introduction a. Thesis statement II. When the corps started a. Why they started b. What made them known for i. Tactics ii. Strategy iii. Origin III. Advancements throughout history a. Advancements from the past compared to now i. Weapons b. Evolution of the soldier i. Controversy in between navy and marines IV. Specialties a. What they do in present day i. Commander ii. Advancements b. Fun facts V. Conclusion a. Thesis Statement To begin with, the Marine Corps has greatly affected America in the past century. They’ve greatly contributed to the history of America staring in 1775. The United States Marine Corps traces its institutional roots to the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War, formed by Captain Samuel Nicholas by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress on November 10, 1775 (Marines.com). The Marines play a big role in the Revolutionary War because they were better trained and better experienced for example. The first Marine landing on a hostile shore happened when a force of Marines with Captain Samuel Nicholas took over New Province Island in the Bahamas...
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...participated in many wars and contributed his knowledge and bravery to successfully completed his missions. He was a firm believer of how effective strategic air attack will benefit the situation during war and through his time as a commander of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) organization, he had strengthened the organization and made countless accomplishments. When he took over as its commander in 1948, it consisted of little more than a few understaffed and untrained B-29 groups left over from World War II. Less than half its aircraft were operational and the crews were next to worthless. (Hickman, K.) He believed that only way to strengthen SAC was through hard training and strict discipline. As a leader of SAC, he trained his men very hard and at the same time he also cared for his men requested better standard of living. He made many establishments during his time at SAC including missile development and a strict command and control system, when he left the command in 1957 to assume his new job as Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, Strategic Air Command (SAC) was the most powerful military force the world had ever seen. (Biographies: General Curtis Emerson Lemay.) Another his great accomplishment was the air strike against Japan and the famous Berlin Air Lift. During World War II, he developed bombardment tactics and strategies and successfully led the air war against Japan. It was the most important strategic bombing campaign in history. After World War II, he directed the Berlin...
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...INTRODUCTION 1. The military concept of Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) is theory about the future warfare. RMA are closely linked and combined with economics, politics, technologies, security and strategies for RMA to have it changes. The original theorizing about RMA was largely done within the American military, other nations are exploring similar shifts in organisation and technology. 2. Interest in RMA and the structure of future US force have made many other militaries have done researched and considered RMA as and organizational concept. 3. Malaysian Army also now in the planning to modernise it organisations after experienced in insurgency era to the conventional warfare (CW). The modernisation that planned to take place in Malaysian Army is logistic, weaponry, knowledge and doctrines . AIM 4. The aim of this paper is to highlight and discusses to give some understanding of RMA and how it relevant to the Malaysian Army. DISCUSSION TOPICS 5. The topics that will discuss are as follow: a. The Meaning of Revolution in Military Affairs. b. RMA Relevant To The Malaysian Army. c. Implication on Doctrine. d. Future Planning in The Malaysian Army. e. Conclusion MEANING OF RMA 6. Definition of RMA had been defined as the changes in the concept of warfare that brought by the changes in military doctrine, equipment, political and economy of a country . This revolution occurs when the application of new technologies into a significant number...
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...twenty six day reign in a co-regency with step-mother Hatshepsut during the New Kingdom 18th dynasty. Thutmose carried out seventeen successful military campaigns over his ruling and was the most successful and tactical military strategist through his implementation of surprise attacks, belief of the Gods supporting him, tributes and oaths, the sharing of booty and the building of a strong navy and army. Dubbed with the title of “The Egyptian Napoleon” shown in the source The Great Commanders Of The Egyptian World, Thutmose demonstrated the ability to command the Ancient Egyptian world and dominate surrounding cities and countries. Thutose was an incredibly skilled warrior whose name was associated with the status of hero long after his ruling in Egypt. Thutmose III came from a dynasty of great and powerful military strategists which laid the underpinning for him to be a powerful “Warrior Pharaoh”. Thutmose III built on the foundations his grandfather Thutmose I laid out after obtaining his commencing his reign in early childhood. At the start of Thutmose III’s sovereignty, where Hatshepsut took full control and Egyptians experienced stability, peace and prosperity. The Egyptian army was on standby, fully equipped and ready to go when called for Thutmose’s first expedition in to Nubia and Asia at age 11. From this time the reign was a complete partnership with the Hatshepsut and the young Thutmose developing tactics, strategizing, making decisions and ruling as one up until Hatshepsut’s...
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...with the entire class.) In his life of Alexander the Great, Plutarch reminds his readers that he is as interested in character as he is in history. "The most glorious exploits do not always furnish us with the clearest discoveries of virtue or vice in men," he notes. "Sometimes a matter of less moment, an expression or a jest, informs us better of their characters and inclinations." The lives of the famous, he shows, can provide lessons in prudence, as in the case of the Athenian naval hero Themistocles, or in consuming greed, as in the case of the Roman general Crassus. Larry Berman's "Zumwalt" parallels Plutarch's theme, offering a chronicle of the life of Elmo "Bud" Zumwalt (1920-2000), whose naval career extended from World War II to the Vietnam War, culminating in his appointment as chief of naval operations in the early 1970s. Along the way, Mr. Berman draws the character portrait of a man who embodied the virtues of honorable leadership—and who, throughout his career, sought to nurture those virtues within the...
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...Background Summary The United States (US) military has a rich history, which has paved the way for civilian societal advancements. Development of the military has a span of over two centuries starting with the creation of the Continental Army in 1775 under the command of General George Washington to what is now a current day War on Terrorism where specialized branches of the military are divided into subcultures that include the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Notable leaders include General Colin Powell, an American-Statesman and retired four Star General in the United States Army who is considered one of the most popular and admired leaders in America. Douglas MacArthur, an autocratic leader who was an American 5...
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...The Battle of Iwo Jima (19 February – 26 March 1945) was a major battle in which the United States Armed Forces landed and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. The American invasion, designated Operation Detachment, had the goal of capturing the entire island, including the three Japanese-controlled airfields (including the South Field and the Central Field), to provide a staging area for attacks on the Japanese main islands.[2] This five-week battle comprised some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of the War in the Pacific of World War II. After the heavy losses incurred in the battle, the strategic value of the island became controversial. It was useless to the U.S. Army as a staging base and useless to the U.S. Navy as a fleet base.[4] However, Navy Seabees rebuilt the landing strips, which were used as emergency landing strips for USAAF B-29s.[5] The Imperial Japanese Army positions on the island were heavily fortified, with a dense network of bunkers, hidden artillery positions, and 18 km (11 mi) of underground tunnels.[6][7] The Americans on the ground were supported by extensive naval artillery and complete air supremacy over Iwo Jima from the beginning of the battle by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators.[8] Iwo Jima was also the only battle by the U.S. Marine Corps in which the American casualties exceeded the Japanese, although Japanese combat deaths numbered three times the number of American deaths...
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...that it is invented to fight against others and causes an opposition, which is called “War”. War is a conflict by force of arms between political bodies, the science or art of arms but also a terrible way to express a nation’s decisions or position. As we can observe that war directly pertains to military science, it is clear that wars are fought because of competition between nations in military science and the military science is improved because of wars. World War I and World War II are the biggest and most deadly wars so far between human beings; therefore they clearly support this statement. War World I was happened between 1914- 1919, and was fought between two group of power, Central Powers and Allies. The Central Powers were made of Austria- Hungry, Bulgaria, Ottoman and Germany; the Allies were formed by Britain, France, and Russia. They grouped together because of fear of militarism, imperialism and the ideas of nationalism. As Dr. James West Davidson states “Nationalism encourages unity, it also created mistrust and bitter rivalry between European nations”; “Imperialism fueled rivalries among powerful nation. Between 1870 and 1914, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Russia scrambled for colonies in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Often, several nations competed for power in the same region.”; “Militarism was a source of tension. European nations expanded their armies and navies, creating new stresses”[1] Nationalism gives feeling that one nation or race is...
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...Technology Transformations of Military Technology The military is armed forces authorized to use lethal force, and weapons, to support the interest of the citizens, and the profession of soldiering goes many years back. The military’s primary reason of existing is to engage in combat and be victorious. This is the primary focus for all military throughout history. Tactics and methods are used for engaging and defeating the enemy in direct combat. However the soldiers and armies have come a long way from the spear, or the bow and arrow. The innovations along with changes in tactics and strategies were crucial to the evolution of warfare. In the middle ages the army, air force, marines, national guards, and navy did not exist. Medieval knights were the middle ages military. Knighthood was awarded to members of nobility. Normally a man must have been born the son of a knight in order to become one. At the age of seven or eight, a young knight would be sent away from home to begin formal knight training, in preparation to dominate the medieval battlefield. In this training, the most commonly used weapons for war were swords and the lance; by horseback riding knights wearing body-covering armor. In addition, the knights were taught to use a wide range of weaponry, from simple tools and farm implements to sophisticated acts of surrounding and attacking the enemy, for capture. Wounds inflicted on the battlefield were usually cuts to arms, legs and scalp; penetrating wounds to the...
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...How World War II Changed Warfare How World War II Changed Warfare A man wearing olive drab pants and jacket slowly props the muzzle of his Thompson .45 Caliber Sub Machine Gun on a window seal of a half decimated apartment building. He lines up his sights and waits for the signal. He wears the “Screaming Eagle” patch of the United States Army’s 101st Airborne Division. Inserted into Bastogne, France via aerial assault from a C-47 Sky Train, in December 1944. Barrels pointed downward onto the rubble covered road. Passing over the road is a German Panzer Tank followed by a platoon of German soldiers carrying MP-40 Machine Pistols. As, the 101st nervously prepares to engage a Panzer Tank, which has them outmanned and outgunned, they hear a whistling sound in the distance believed to be an aircraft. Before they know a P-51 Mustang fighter plane, also known as a “Tank Killer” swoops in and knocks the Panzer out. Unexpectedly, the airborne troops open fire. A few long seconds later, the Panzer Tank sits smoldering in flames and a platoon of Nazis lays dead all around. Never before has the world, scene such a vast arsenal of weapons and tactics used. This will be reflected on the amount of lives, military and civilian, lost in the short span of 1939-1945. The devastation that took place would not just be repaired and forgotten. There is still evidence all over the Europe, North America, and Asia, of World War II and the lives that were lost. Not only was this the...
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