This Means War The Operational Level of War Does Not Exist
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Dec 1, 2022 Wilf Owen, a former British Army officer with a rich background in publishing and military contracting, dives into the provocative concept of the operational level of war. He challenges the necessity of this bureaucratic tier, arguing that eliminating it could streamline military operations. Owen examines how traditional theories complicate modern warfare and critiques the gap between academic insights and battlefield realities. He emphasizes the need for a direct connection between strategy and tactics, potentially making militaries leaner and more effective.
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Operational Art vs. Operational Level
- Wilf Owen agrees with the concept of operational art as the art of performing operations.
- He objects to the "operational level" as a distinct level between strategy and tactics.
Hamley's Strategical Movement
- Hamley's "strategical movement" focuses on achieving superior force concentration for battle.
- This involves threatening enemy communications, splitting their forces, and concentrating for decisive battle.
Svechin's Argument
- Svechin, a Czarist officer, argued for an operational level, possibly to demonstrate his value to the new regime.
- The vast distances of the Russian theater might have influenced his thinking on command and support levels.