This Means War cover image

This Means War

The strategy of attrition

Mar 23, 2023
Dr. Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at RUCI specializing in land warfare, sheds light on the intricate strategy of attrition in modern conflicts. He dives into historical perspectives, linking battles from the 19th Century to current situations like Ukraine. The discussion highlights the human element in leadership, where treating soldiers as individuals is vital. Watling also underscores the significance of battlefield geometry and the delicate balance commanders must strike between executing goals and managing personnel safety.
38:38

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Attrition strategies, which aim to degrade the enemy physically and psychologically, evolve through historical lessons and battlefield innovations.
  • Effective management of battlefield geometry and resources significantly influences attritional outcomes and military cohesion during prolonged conflicts.

Deep dives

Understanding Attrition and Exhaustion in Warfare

Attrition and exhaustion are key military strategies that reduce an opponent's capacity and will to fight. Attrition aims to physically degrade the enemy's fighting capability, while exhaustion seeks to demoralize and weaken their resolve. Historical examples, such as the Allies' strategy in World War II, illustrate the long-term impacts of these strategies on nations and their populations. Though attrition is often deemed a last-resort tactic, it has continuously evolved, intertwining with innovation and adaptation during conflicts.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode