tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post8925557300925239322..comments2024-03-29T13:09:31.522+01:00Comments on Defence and Freedom: On attack, surprise and tempoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-82841929839238792092014-08-14T14:10:36.175+02:002014-08-14T14:10:36.175+02:00The quotes were examples and the blog text depends...The quotes were examples and the blog text depends on the reader remembering similar examples. A comprehensive text on the subject would require a book format.S Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03359796414832859686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-33116952707058265962014-08-14T14:02:11.131+02:002014-08-14T14:02:11.131+02:00One anecdote does not make a convincing argument, ...One anecdote does not make a convincing argument, and one anecdote is all Balck gives us despite the fact that surely there are some sort of records from the events other than testimonials of old men.<br /><br />I feel that these military theory arguments suffer from a crushing amount of vagueness in all their details. For example, Michael makes the good point that of course a competent attack will have unexpectedly good loss ratios because a competent attack will only be made when there is an strong advantage. Since the quotes don't really clarify the situations describe but rather talk in generalities, I'm not sure what can be trusted.<br /><br />And of course the interesting problem is to start from an even fight and somehow generate a strong advantage, but the texts seem to be content with pointing out exactly what situations are a strong advantage. Rettawnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-76798188431582993252014-08-11T19:34:58.403+02:002014-08-11T19:34:58.403+02:00If attacks depend on a few leaders, then snipers t...If attacks depend on a few leaders, then snipers taking them out would be the choice of defence.<br />If there is a problem of defenders feeling psychologically isolated, than you need a flying column that does announce and visit their positions and gives them a feeling of support. In essence, reserves for a counterattack.<br />Modern technology could change the situation for defence with more overall situational awareness via communication tools and correspondingly, a psychological impact if the communication that is relied upon, breaks down in critical moments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-386077914312449748.post-43147320100348115462014-08-11T16:02:40.147+02:002014-08-11T16:02:40.147+02:00I think the casualty disparity makes a lot of sens...I think the casualty disparity makes a lot of sense, and really doesn't feel counter-intuitive to me. Sure, all things being equal, the defender has more advantages, but one doesn't attack when all things are equal. In a well-executed attack, the attacker has a pretty large information advantage. They know where they'll be fighting, and when they'll be fighting, and hopefully what they'll be fighting.<br /><br />The defender has to wait, expend mental energy both preparing for a large number of possible attacks and standing on watch to identify an attack as soon as possible.Michaelnoreply@blogger.com