Sustainment in a Secondary Theater

<p>This monograph discusses operational sustainment in a secondary theater of war. Essentially this study asks given horizontal escalation in a global conflict where central Europe is the primary theater what is the effect of operational sustainment specifically transportation upon campaign execution in a secondary theater of war. This monograph is a historical analysis of the German World War II experience in the North African campaign. German operational sustainment specifically theater infrastructure sustainment base lines of communication transportation and interdiction are examined based on the available historical records and contemporary literature to isolate those essential sustainment conditions that impacted upon operational execution. Having determined these those elements that influenced execution are then isolated and a set of relevant principles that impact on campaign execution are derived. Subsequently the World War II secondary theater in North Africa is contrasted with a hypothetical yet potential secondary theater of war in Southwest Asia. After which these sustainment effects are then compared with the evolving battlefield since World War II to determine the effect this has on the historically derived principles. Finally the conclusions of this analysis are compared to current sustainment doctrine to determine operational and sustainment implications for Southwest Asia. Among the conclusions drawn from this analysis as to the effect of transportation upon campaign execution are: First as supply is dependent upon transport transport shortfalls or failures hastened by extended depth and interdiction will precipitate one's culminating point. Second and most importantly in an overseas theater of significant depth where mobility is paramount transport becomes a decisive point at the operational level. Finally this study concludes that current AirLand Battle doctrine concerning operational sustainment transportation and culminating poi</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>