The Flashing Sword of Vengeance: The Force-Oriented Counterattack from a Historical Perspective with Implications for the AirLand Battle and Combat Aviation.

As the U.S. Army embraces Airland Battle doctrine, the tactical counterattack becomes increasingly significant as a key component of a defensive-offensive. This study examines the theoretical relevance of the counterattack by Carl von Clausewitz, categorizes counterattacks by tape and function, and provides related definitions. Most significantly, it describes and analyzes the key tactical counterattacks of history. The purpose of this analysis is to distill the historical constants which can be applied to an understanding of counterattacks today. The author concludes that there are four constants present in all force-oriented counterattacks 1 The counterattack must capitalize upon some error or inherent weakness brought about by the enemys attack posture 2 Timing is a crucial component of successful counterattacks 3 Counterattacks manifest Sun-Tzus cheng-chi relationship in which there is a strong, fixed component around which a more mobile force maneuvers and 4 The counterattack force must have a marked agility over the other forces present. The key component of this agility is a significant mobility differential. Keywords combat aviation. Author