The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-29
ARMY Chief Sees
POWER AND SPEED
NEXT WAR DEVICES
Emphasis Is on Organization,
Tactical Doctrine, Sudden
Attack and Pursuit
BY GEN. DOUGLAS Mac ARTHUR
Chief Of Staff United States Army

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no fixed pattern to which the nature
and methods OF warfare conform.
Every major conflict develops condi-
lions and circumstances peculiar to
itself. and compels the adoption OF
special means and measures found
applicable thereto.
OF all wars the l9l4-l8 struggle in
Europe was beyond doubt the out
standing example OF this character
istic Of individualism in situation.
method and general aspect.
The most accurate generalization
descriptive of the World War is that
1t was q conflict waged under seige
conditions on extended fronts.
In the western theater this condi-
ton developed earlier than on the
eastern, in which region the great
campaigns of Tannenburg and the
Muzurian Lakes, and the over-run-
ming of Serbia and Roumania were
characterized by maneuver, rapid con-
centration OF forces. surprise attacks
in flank and rear. and intensive pur-
suit Of defeated forces.
Along the western border of Rus
STA poor communications marked diff
ferences in the quality OF opposing
troops and equipment.
Western Front Featured Defense
On the western front a distinctly
different situation quickly developed.
The available frontage, terminating
in the impossible areas Of the North
Sea at the one end and Switzerland
at the other, was exceedingly con-
stricted as compared to the great
numbers Of troops that could be
quickly concentrated by each oppon-
ent along that line. Following few
short weeks of rapid maneuver the
flanks of each side eventually rested
securely upon these impossible bar
riers. The relative power of the de-
tense. featuring as it did skillful
use Of entertainments and lavish en-
ployment Of machine guns, became SO
pronounced as to make all attacks
exceedingly laborious and costly
In the effort to restore greater
power to the offensive, gas and tanks
were brought out as instruments OF
war. but for a number of reasons these
hastily developed weapons could not
attain successes sufficiently import
ant to hurl the defender into the
open.
The war became one of exhaustion.
Very naturally. after the Armistice.
the survivors carried back to their
homes fixed conception of warfare.
conforming accurately to the picture
presented them during dreary months
on a practically immovable battle
line.
World War Was Exception
This idea was largely accepted by
statesmen and legislative bodies, and
to certain extent influenced the doc
trine and tactics Of permanent mill
tary forces. Professionally trained
leaders. however, early began to point
out some OF the fallacies in these con-
illusions. Marshall Foch's advice and
representations to the Allied states
men evolving the peace treaty at Ver-
Sailles clearly demonstrate his con-
viction that, as to its nature and form.
the World War constituted a great
exception rather than an enduring
type.
Little reflection is necessary to ap-
preciate the soundness of such view
At no place other than in western
Europe does there exist definitely
flankless line with populations on
each side of it of such density and
readiness for war as to man it solid
~ from end to end. In no other
region Of equal size does there exist
the number Of good roads necessary to
support armies Of the size that fought
for four years in northeastern France
and Belgium.
In our own army technicians have
been busy every since the war in de-
veloping experimental models of the
types Of equipment useful in a war
Of maneuver. Moreover, almost four
years ago the army definitely turned
its serious attention toward the de-
velopment Of an organization, tactical
doctrine, and system of basic train
ing applicable to campaigns featuring
speed. sudden attacks and relentless
pursuit.
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