The Need for Organisational Resilience Chapter-6

advance of the German forces coming from the east, at Arras. These counterattacks would

pose the last chance to turn the tide, to free the Allied forces from encirclement and utter

defeat.

Logistical Independence Versus Dependence

The importance of logistics cannot be overstated: “Logistics governs the battlefield, not only

at the lowest levels of strategy, where it determines whether or not soldiers receive food and

bullets, but at the highest, where it determines what armies can do.” (Kane 2001, 32).

[Text Box starts] De Jomini: A few Remarks on Logistics in General

1. The preparation of all the material necessary for setting the army in motion, or, in other words,

for opening the campaign. Drawing up orders, instructions, and itineraries for the assemblage

of the army and its subsequent launching upon its theatre of operations.

2. Drawing up in a proper manner the orders of the general-in-chief for different enterprises, as

well as plans of attack in expected battles.

3. Arranging with the chiefs of engineers and artillery the measures to be taken for security of

the posts which are to be used as depts., as well as those to be fortified in order to facilitate

the operations of the army.

4. Ordering and directing reconnaissances of every kind, and procuring in this way, and by using

spies, as exact information as possible of the positions and movements of the enemy.

5. Taking every precaution for the proper execution of movements ordered by the general.

Arranging the march of the different columns, so that all may move in an orderly and

connected manner. Ascertaining certainly that the means requisite for the ease and safety of

marches are prepared. Regulating the manner and time of halts.

6. Giving proper composition to advanced guards, rear-guards, flankers, and all detected

bodies, and preparing good instructions for their guidance. Providing all the means necessary

for the performance of their duties.

7. Prescribing forms and instructions for subordinate commanders or their staff officers, relative

to the different methods of drawing up the troops in columns when the enemy is at hand, as

5 | P a g e