In absolute terms, moreover, the mass and volume (to say nothing of the cost) of all that was required, particularly in fuel and munitions, to maintain an army in field operations at an intensive rate against a similarly equipped opponent, was now very great. It had taken a quantitative jump since the Second World War. Warfare in the Middle East in the seventies had shown this very clearly, if on relatively small scale. It was just no longer possible, at the rate at which stocks could now be exhausted, to sustain intensive operations of war for months on end. Head – and equipment – counts were no longer the true measure of an army’s capability. Formation in large numbers could be a liability rather than an advantage unless they could be kept effectively in action. | |
The Soviet war-fighting philosophy, from whatever origins it may been evolved, was in the circumstances of the 1980s exactly right. It enjoined the initiation of total and violent offensive action, swiftly followed through to the early attainment of a valuable objective. The position of military advantage thus secured would then be exploited by political means. Speed was everything. The corollary was that failure to secure the objective in good time must result in a thorough-going reappraisal, in which to continue to press towards the same end might very well be the least sensible course. | |
— General Sir John Hackett (et al) | |
From the “future-history” novel: “The Third World War: August 1985“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2023 | Aim Above |
2022 | Grr-Argghh |
Long Past Time For A “Thorough-going Reappraisal” | |
2021 | Facing Life |
70’s Sunshine Sound (Keep It Comin’ Love) | |
2020 | #IncompetentTrump And His Pandemic Briefings |
#IncompetentTrump | |
2019 | I Hope So |
2018 | Painted Into |
2017 | Prayers, Miracles And Lottery Tickets |
Roman View | |
2016 | Dignity And Grace |
2015 | Is It Warm Enough For You |
2014 | What The Right STILL Wants |
2013 | Embrace Serendipity |
2012 | Your Order, Please |
2011 | Well Enough Anyway |
Posts Tagged ‘Speed’
Long Past Time For A “Thorough-going Reappraisal”
Posted in Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Economics, Fuel And Munitions, General Sir John Hackett (Ret.), Middle East, Modern Warfare, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Russia, Second World War, Soviet Union, Speed, The Third World War: August 1985, Ukraine on May 14, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Just Chillin’… Why?
Posted in Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Life, Mahatma Gandhi, On the Meaning of Life, Philosophy, Quotes, Speed on January 17, 2021| Leave a Comment »
There is more to life than simply increasing its speed. | |
— Mahatma Gandhi | |
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On This Day In: | |
2023 | Imagining Justice |
2022 | Yo-yo Management |
2021 | DIY: Outdoor Gym Modifications |
First Hammock Hang Of 2021 | |
Slow Moving Trains And Squirrels (I Love…) | |
Just Chillin’… Why? | |
2020 | Still Crazy After All These Years… |
2019 | 20 / 20 Foresight |
He Knew Damned Well… | |
2018 | Be Someone’s Kindling |
2017 | When The Moment Comes (I Lived…) |
2016 | Changed Clothes Lately? |
2015 | Like Stone |
2014 | Resistance Is Futile |
2013 | Subtle Humor |
To Look Behind Green Eyes | |
2012 | The Path Is Endless |
2011 | Happy MLK, Jr Day!!! |
A Factor Of Ten | |
Better Late Than Never? | |
Whoops! | |
Acceptable Beginnings | |
Slow Progress | |
Useful Confrontation | |
When Phenomena Are Different | |
Creative Avoidance | |
Thinking | |
Fast And Flexible | |
Surrender Certainty | |
Techniques | |
Vive La Difference | |
Destiny | |
Completeness | |
Art | |