A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO WAR? ANTOINE-HENRI JOMINI (GREAT STRATEGISTS)
Sep 5, 2019
Bill Johnsen, a historian at the U.S. Army War College, and Con Crane, Chief of the Historical Services Division, dive into the life of Baron Antoine-Henri Jomini, a pivotal figure in military theory. They explore Jomini's battle against Clausewitz's chaotic approach and how his structured principles originated from Napoleon’s victories. Discussion highlights Jomini's lasting impact on military education, the balance of art and science in warfare, and the need for critical thinking about military strategy today.
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Jomini's Long Military Career
- Jomini, though Swiss, served much of his life with the French and Russian armies.
- He influenced military education and strategy across Europe for over 50 years, living to 90.
War as a Knowable Science
- Jomini believed war is a knowable science governed by principles derived from Napoleon's campaigns.
- He sought general rules for success applicable to any battlefield.
Mass and Offense at Decisive Points
- Jomini emphasized offensive war focused on massing forces at decisive points on the battlefield.
- He pioneered linking logistics to the ability to concentrate troops effectively in battle.
