Why should we study military history?

Why should we disc everywhere military machine memoir?What is it about the question, why should we take on military memorial that raises such a storm of conversation? In a society that expects education to serve a intakeful purpose, the functions of history dope appear to a greater extent difficult to define than those of medicine or nuclear physics. History, specifically the study of military history is rattling useful. In an age of intercontinental ballistic missiles, the old subjects of strategy and tactics can seem obsolete. The enormousness of the battles of Little giving Horn during the Plains Indian fightf atomic number 18s or Kasserine shot during World War II in North Africa might non be evident if you are thinking only in monetary value of pushing big red buttons. It is imperative for civilian leaders to understand the military issues before them and the lessons that Soldiers of the early(prenominal) fought so hard to learn in order to prevent new generations of Soldiers from learning them all everyplace again.Its no surprise that American civilians tend to lack a basic understanding for military affaires, non to work forcetion military history. In a society that expects education to serve a useful purpose, the functions of history can appear more difficult to define than those of medicine or nuclear physics. History, specifically the study of military history is very useful. To twenty-four hour period, universities are even less receptive to the subject. This should be profoundly pitiful to our society. A democratic solid ground should fully understand war, especially in an age of weapons of mass demise and religious radicals attempting to spread their ideals by using terrorism.Neither most of our citizens nor many of our politicians seem to recall the incompetence and terrible decisions that, in June 1876 and February 1943, led to massive American casualties as well as much macrocosm despair. Its no surprise that many Americans think the violence in Iraq is unprecedented in U.S. history. Nearly 4,000 rubbish dead in Iraq in iv and one-half old age of fighting is a terrible thing. The American people still bicker about total withdrawal, defeat, up-armored HMMWVs and proper troop levels. But a prior generation considered Okinawa an overwhelming American victory, despite losing, in a little over two months, four times as many Americans as we have lost in Iraq (Hansen, V. (2007). Why Study War?). It has been stated in many news articles that the current rate of U.S. casualties in Iraq would take 75 years to total the same amount of casualties that we experienced in 10 years of fighting in Vietnam. unrivalled American casually is too many, but war is an ugly beast, people die. That is why it is so most-valuable that our politicians and public understand what war is really about.Military history is not a bunch of cookie cutter answers to each and every problem facing a young military leader or our nation today. Germanys victory during World War I over Russia in under three years and their stroke to take France in four years apparently misled Adolph Hitler into thinking that he could defeat the Soviets with little problem. afterward all, Germany defeated the historically tougher France in just six months (Thompson, F. (2007). Remember the Past.).The battle at Little Big Horn in Montana is studied to this day by military leaders. What could possibly be wise to(p) from a battle that took place over 130 years ago? The tactics and weapons are antique by to years standards. The Indian wars are the stuff of legends and a few B-grade movies, or are they? What exactly can we learn from Custers defeat?One thing for sure about Custer was that he was arrogant. Custer was a successful commanding officer from his days in the Civil War up until his death on a hot and insensate hilltop in Montana in 1876. The defeat at Little Big Horn, as are most defeats in hindsight, was avoidable. Custer had the best Soldiers and the best equipwork forcet of the time period.The initial plan to force the Indians back to the reservations appeared to be sound if executed properly by the three large columns of Soldiers involved. Communication became a large constituent for the participating commanders. Custer, Gibbon, and play all had key parts to play for the execution of the plan to work. Timing was a key in order to ensure everything went according to the initial plan. However, General Crooks column of about 1300 Soldiers was attacked at Rose Bud Creek by almost the same number of Sioux only nine days prior and 30 miles away from the sight of Custers defeat at Little Big Horn. General Crooks men were so badly mauled that they were forced to return to the South for supplies and to treat their wounded (Hardy, S. (2004). Custers Last Stand.). Crooks column was a key element in the hammer and anvil plan that was to be executed. Custer had no idea that Crook had been defeated by such a large number of Indians or that his column would not adjudge the scheduled rendezvous time and location.After locating the main Indian encampment, Custer was told repeatedly by his scouts that the Indian camp was the largest that they had ever seen and thither would be at least 1800 to 2000 warriors in the camp, probably more. Custer ignored this advice. Custer ab initio made a plan to bed down his command and attack at dawn the conterminous morning. Not only thinking his men would be fresh for the fight but that Crooks column would be arriving at any time. Custers scouts reported that Indian scouts had seen the command and were reporting back to the Indian camp. Actually, the Indian scouts were divergence the camp to return to the reservation and they had not seen Custers command at all.Custers orders were to locate the Indian camp on the Little Big Horn River and not let them escape. With these orders, the lack of knowledge of Crooks situation and the then special K knowledge that the Plains Indians would not stand and fight but disengage after a short fight, Custer opinionated to attack. The fact that Custer split his command into three separate battalions is a constant source of debate. This alike was a standard practice when fighting the Plains Indians at that time.What lessons can we learn from Custers tragic defeat? Sound password of the enemy situation is a must. Custer had solid, eyes-on intelligence from reliable sources but ignored it. The lack of communication was also a huge factor. Many leaders and historians believe that Custer would not have attacked the Indian village that day if he would have known of Crooks defeat and the number of Indians that attacked Crooks column. The Indian tactics had changed. Custer not only did not know this, he completely underestimated the Indians ability and will to fight as well as over estimating the ability of his own men. The chances are pretty good that Custers own arrogance very well may have overri dden all of the hindsight knowledge that we now have. One of the main lessons to take from Custer is this it is only a matter of time before an arrogant leader will fail.Arrogance and underestimating the enemy you face is a lesson that seems to be acquire over and over again. In Tunisia during 1943 the American forces were inexperienced and poorly equipped, at least compared to the German forces that they faced. The Kasserine Pass is gap in the Grand Dorsal Mountain chain in central Tunisia. The German Afrika Korps were veteran Nazi forces commanded by the brilliant Erwin Rommel. Rommel was retreating from advancing allied (British) forces. Rommels counter attack was aimed directly at the inexperienced American forces and backed them into defensive position in the Dorsal Mountains (M. Haze, (2002). Battle of Kasserine Pass). The American equipment was of no match to the superior German tanks and firepower. The American tanks were riveted together. When hit, the tanks rivets broke l oose and killed and wounded as many men as the German shell that hit the tank. The American tanks and thin armor and the tanks cannon could not be aimed as effectively as the Germans or penetrate the German armor even if the Americans were lucky seemly to hit a German tank.The battle at Kasserine Pass was a defeat for the green Americans. The Americans learned many valuable and expensive lessons from the Kasserine Pass debacle. Leadership and tactics were changed. Equipment was immediately updated. The Germans learned some lessons from Kasserine Pass also. For the rest of the war, the Nazi high command relied on reports sent from Rommels men regarding the Americans inferior equipment. They apparently never grasped the idea that the U.S. weapons constantly improved throughout the rest of the war. After the battle Rommel was contemptuous of both the U.S. equipment and fighting ability. He basically considered them a non-threat. Based on the knowledge gained at Kasserine Pass the Germ ans greatly underestimated the accomplishment and resolve of the American Soldier.War is about killing, pain, and fear, and any attempt to disguise this or portray it otherwise is not only wrong but immoral. War is not only killing, pain and fear. It is the purposeful use of force to achieve political goals. Anyone who thinks that this statement is less than black and white has not spoken with the soldiers on the ground during one of our wars that was blessed by political approval.Many Americans today believe that anyone who studies war must honor of war as though anyone who drives a car must naturally approve of car wrecks. How much farther from the truth could these people be? There are many reasons to study military history in our schools and colleges. America is once again at war and this time there is really no end in sight. We are fighting for our basic way of life. The study of military history for our civilian wartime leadership is critical. Politicians start wars and po liticians lose wars. Todays young people are tomorrows leaders, both in politics and the military. If for no other reason than we want to avoid war whenever possible, universities and public schools should at least offer the option of studying military history.