Apostles of Attrition: Sir Douglas Haig, Sir Authur Harris, and Generalship in the Strategy That Dare Not Speak Its Name.

摘要

This thesis examines generalship in the strategy of attrition by evaluating the performance of Sir Douglas Haig and Sir Arthur Harris. It seeks to answer the question: How proficient were Douglas Haig and Arthur Harris as practitioners of attrition? By rigorously examining these men's experiences through their personal correspondence and papers, contemporary strategists should gain useful insights into the link between generalship and proficiency in waging wars of attrition. To analyze how well Haig and Harris employed attrition in support of British national strategy this study subjectively evaluates each general's proficiency using six complementary criteria. They are 1) translating policy objectives into coherent strategy and operations; 2) balancing doctrinal adherence with flexible adaptation; 3) nurturing relationships with higher civil and military authorities; 4) nurturing relationships with subordinate commanders and warriors; 5) optimizing operational design and tactical technique; and 6) fostering intelligence and technological and doctrinal innovation. Each general's proficiency is evaluated under the individual criteria and receives a composite ranking. The evidence demonstrates that Haig and Harris both proved proficient practitioners of attrition. Both men were adept at translating policy objectives into a coherent strategy executed through optimized operational design and tactical techniques. Their strategic vision and determination could, however, be both a virtue and a vice. Where Haig's obstinacy inhibited him from nurturing relationships with his superiors, Harris's obstinacy clouded his judgment regarding intelligence and innovation. In the end, that Britain won both wars is due significantly to Haig's and Harris's proficiency as practitioners of the strategy of attrition. In summary, this thesis finds that proficiency in conducting a strategy of attrition begins with recognizing the type of war one is fighting.