Maritime Warfare - Ch 1 Introduction and Theory of War

Sun Tzu (544-496 BC)

Author of “The Art of War,” said “Only by knowing both one’s enemy and one’s self can victory be assured”

strategy: Subdue the enemy without fighting

Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831)

strategy: there must be a clear objective to win the war

Fog of War

the confusion of war, caused by weather, poor communications, changes in plans, and unexpected problems.

Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914)

“War is not fighting, but a business,” The primary purpose of the fleet is command of the sea”

Strategy: The fleet should remain concentrated in one huge armada…one decisive battle

Sir Julian Stafford Corbett (1854-1922)

“When control of the seas has been won or lost, naval strategy comes to an end”

Strategy: Strategic placement matters more than mass

18th Century Elements of Sea Power

• size of a nation’s armada

• ability to support that armada to fulfill missions

• geographical location or proximity to conflict

• governmental or royal support

• intelligence provided by spies

• strength of firepower provided

20th Century Elements of Sea Power

• size of a nation’s fleet involved in the conflict

• ability to support (logistics) the operations

• supremacy of air power over the battlefield

• speed of deployment to the scene of conflict

• elimination or reduction in the effectiveness of subsurface threats