Command and Control in Large Scale Conflict: Leadership Analysis of the United States VI Corps in World War II

With the Army's recent change in focus to large-scale ground combat, there comes a necessary shift in Army leadership doctrine. Despite this revision, it is difficult for leadership doctrine to impart the complexity and friction associated with large-scale combat. This includes managing large organizations like corps in complex combat environments. The command and control warfighting function encompass tasks that help a commander manage complexity. However, some commanders do this better than others. There are other factors that influence how a corps commander command and controls their element. Historical examples assist leaders in understanding the complexity of large-scale combat. The leadership of the American VI Corps during World War II are examples of this. From September 1943 to August 1944, elements of the corps conducted three amphibious assaults in the Mediterranean theater. During this time, the unit also went through significant corps leadership change over while in combat. In a six-month period, VI Corps had three commanders. Each of these commanders adopted a different method to command and control in combat. However, only one was able to synchronize command and control task to fight through the fog and friction of battle.