Strategic Dissonance: British Middle East Command in World War II

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA612008 | Open PDF

Abstract:

This paper examines the causes and effects of dissonance between the British strategic command and the British Middle East Command during the summer of 1941. Relying on historical research, this paper finds that multiple conflicts spread across an immense geographic area complicated the operational response and contributed to the strategic misunderstanding of the operational challenges. Further, the strategic interjections into the operational sphere, choosing tactical operations against the advice of the military commander, resulted in failure to win the most important campaign. The victorious campaigns, undertaken against the advice of the military commander, proved to have no strategic value, and may have ultimately cost the British forces far more than any possible benefit they could provide.

Author(s):
Monney, Gamble L.
Author Organization(s):
ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE FORT LEAVENWORTH KS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED MILITARY STUDIES
Descriptive Note:
Master's thesis
Pagination:
0049

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
USACGSC/SAMS
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.1_Maneuver; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_3.1.2_Maneuver to Insert; JCA_1.1_Force Management; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_5.4.3_Establish Rule Sets; JCA_3.1.1_Maneuver to Engage; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_4_Logistics; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange
Modernization Areas:
Autonomy
Communities of Interest:
Human Systems
Descriptor(s):
*MIDDLE EAST, *MILITARY STRATEGY, *SECOND WORLD WAR, COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS, COSTS, FAILURE, GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, GERMANY, HISTORY, IRAQ, MILITARY COMMANDERS, MILITARY FORCES(FOREIGN), MILITARY HISTORY, MILITARY OPERATIONS, NORTH AFRICA, RESPONSE, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, SYRIA, TACTICAL WARFARE, THESES, UNITED KINGDOM
Field(s)/Group(s):
Humanities and History, Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
Keyword(s):
MIDDLE EAST COMMAND, VICHY SYRIA
Report Date:
2014 May 22
Creation Date:
2015 Jan 28