Organisation, Command and Control of Armies

• Revolutionary Wars

  Reorganization Carnot: Divisions of 12,000 men created (infantry, cavalry, artillery combined).

  Tactics: Columns consisted of 50-80 men, acting as a "human battering ram." Foundations for Napoleonic tactics, though not fully effective.

  Advantages of divisions: Divisions could move independently, living off the land to spread the load. Combined infantry, artillery, and cavalry into smaller, more agile forces. 
• Napoleonic Wars

  Corps system: 3 infantry divisions, cavalry, and guns (around 30,000 men). Corps were larger and more powerful formations capable of independent action or joining to form a massive army.

  BATTLE of Ulm (1805) showcased the power of Corps: Corps dispersed over 200 miles to encircle the Austrians. They then split and reformed to defeat the Russians at BATTLE of Austerlitz.

  Corps System Advantages: Maintained large forces through foraging. Small divisions provided speed and mobility.
• PR Command

  Quickly adopted younger generals like Scharnhorst

  Made general staff for war plans and army doctrine (appointed by meritocracy)

  High-level war games and study of past campaigns.

  General Staff integration with the rail network facilitated efficient mobilization - BATTLE of Sadowa
• WW1 (8+4)

  WW1 Scale Adjustment and Command Structure: Foch appointed as Generalissimo in 1918 at Doullens Conference. German advantage diminished post-Somme and Verdun. BATTLES. Both sides decentralized command and developed smaller units.

  Tactics and Adaptations: German Storm Trooper tactics crucial for counterattacks. British adopted mobile Platoon Tactics post-Somme. Mortars and Lewis Guns used effectively.

  Learnings: Stormtrooper tactics used in Ludendorff Offensive. British platoons shifted to 40 men post-Somme.
• WW2

  Blitzkrieg: Requires high levels of coordination. Effective for short, fast-moving battles. Not suitable for prolonged Russian campaigns

  D-day: Panzers would have been useful near Caen. Eisenhower appointed overall commander, utilized at D-day. Command structure became confusing with multiple generals on the ground

  Overall Strategy: Smaller units took initiative. British forces at Arnhem BATTLE

  WW2 Strategy: German command hindered by Hitler's interference and overconfidence. Effective use of aggressive generals, such as Patton in Normandy