Col. Abrams on firepower and mobility

While I was doing some hole-plugging research the other day at the Army’s great Military History Institute (and also having a few Belgian beers with a few Best Defenders), I read Col. Creighton Abrams’ 1953 Army War College paper on "Mobility and Firepower."

The paper is well done, reflecting critical thinking and informed analysis. I wouldn’t call Abrams an intellectual–he actually writes better than most of that sort, with clear sentences and verbs pushing nouns along the page. "There is more to mobility than a truck that will go 40 mph or a tank that will go 25 mph. It is more than good planning, more than tanks themselves. It is even more than movement alone, because there must be power with movement." (P. 7)

So what is firepower and mobility all about? Not unlike Andy Krepinevich, Abrams emphasizes organization (logistics, reconnaissance, protection by infantry), and communications. "In the German attack in France, in World War II, the French had twice as many tanks as the Germans (4500-2200). In addition, the French tanks were superior in armament and armor. Guderian credits much of the success of the German operation to its superior communications, an item on which the Germans had spent much time and effort." (P. 9)

By the way, to file under the "it can happen to anybody" heading: The printed title page of the paper identifies Col. Abrams’ branch as "Infantry." This has been crossed out and corrected. I liked this because I used to remind myself as a reporter when I was getting messed around by the Army that it wasn’t personal, they treat everyone this way. Even old Thunderbolt. (Except for when they basically threw out my FOIA requests filed when I began writing ‘Fiasco.’ In that case, I suspect that for several years during the reign of Rumsfeld the Loud, the Pentagon engaged in reckless disregard for the law in the way it handled FOIA filings. After the book was published I got a response basically telling me to get lost with my FOIA requests.)