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Wars are already won or lost on logistics. That's why, in WW2, the allies ran a near-continous near-sucicide air bombing campaign against German industrial capa

Wars are already won or lost on logistics. That's why, in WW2, the allies ran a near-continous near-sucicide air bombing campaign against German industrial capacity (and to their eternal shame, civilians, too). That is why the Atlantic was so important, if the Germans could have choked off the supply chain from the US, they would have won the war more or less overnight. The ability to run the air bridge to Berlin after the war was also a logistical feat. But at the end of the day, the only purpose of the logistics are to support the fight to control the territory you need to win.

gadders 10y ago
Wasn't it Wellington who said something along the lines of "Amateurs talk tactics, professionals talk logistics."
- mseebach 10y ago
  I had that quote in mind, but could not find a good attribution for it.
- walshemj 10y ago
  Amateurs talk tactics, professionals talk strategy real professionals talk logistics.
VLM 10y ago
A classic battle example was the Pusan perimeter from the Korean War, the NK had a staggering numerical advantage and pushed the US into the peninsula, the one with a perfectly operating seaport, which we flooded with people, supplies, material, but the NK didn't have air superiority so the US mauled the NK logistics system, and a few weeks/months later the NK had to walk home with no ammo or food. Of course there are limits to that strategy as the Chinese proved that if you're willing to lose 20 to 1 ratio you can simply deploy millions of infantry and ignore logistics, admittedly most of them will die, and regardless of logistic support next thing you know we're back south at the original DMZ. The situation in Khe Sanh was similar, OK you're outnumbered 10 to 1 and surrounded, that's sustainable for months as long as the airdrops keep coming in. Of course Dien Bien Phu was an example where the airdrops didn't come in and the French were wiped out. After the war Gen. Westmorland was savaged in the press, Trump style, for making fun of Gen Giap for being the worlds most predictable one trick pony, but now that the politics and tempers have cooled its "OK" to admit the general only had one strategy that he used basically every time. Of course, in the end, it eventually worked, so losing 90%+ of your battles is OK if the enemy eventually goes home in defeat.
mercer 10y ago
Speaking of the air bridge, one thing I loved about living in Berlin was the fact that its tumultuous history was so visible. One of my friends lived in the Bergmannkiez, which is right between the 'Platz der Luftbrücke' (place of the air bridge) and Tempelhof airport (now an unconventional and wonderful park). Visitors often commented how different this area felt from its surroundings (and perhaps even from much of the city), and apparently the reason is that this area was generally spared bombings. Just thought that was neat.

gadders 10y ago

Wasn't it Wellington who said something along the lines of "Amateurs talk tactics, professionals talk logistics."

mseebach 10y ago
I had that quote in mind, but could not find a good attribution for it.
walshemj 10y ago
Amateurs talk tactics, professionals talk strategy real professionals talk logistics.

VLM 10y ago

A classic battle example was the Pusan perimeter from the Korean War, the NK had a staggering numerical advantage and pushed the US into the peninsula, the one with a perfectly operating seaport, which we flooded with people, supplies, material, but the NK didn't have air superiority so the US mauled the NK logistics system, and a few weeks/months later the NK had to walk home with no ammo or food. Of course there are limits to that strategy as the Chinese proved that if you're willing to lose 20 to 1 ratio you can simply deploy millions of infantry and ignore logistics, admittedly most of them will die, and regardless of logistic support next thing you know we're back south at the original DMZ. The situation in Khe Sanh was similar, OK you're outnumbered 10 to 1 and surrounded, that's sustainable for months as long as the airdrops keep coming in. Of course Dien Bien Phu was an example where the airdrops didn't come in and the French were wiped out. After the war Gen. Westmorland was savaged in the press, Trump style, for making fun of Gen Giap for being the worlds most predictable one trick pony, but now that the politics and tempers have cooled its "OK" to admit the general only had one strategy that he used basically every time. Of course, in the end, it eventually worked, so losing 90%+ of your battles is OK if the enemy eventually goes home in defeat.

mercer 10y ago

Speaking of the air bridge, one thing I loved about living in Berlin was the fact that its tumultuous history was so visible. One of my friends lived in the Bergmannkiez, which is right between the 'Platz der Luftbrücke' (place of the air bridge) and Tempelhof airport (now an unconventional and wonderful park). Visitors often commented how different this area felt from its surroundings (and perhaps even from much of the city), and apparently the reason is that this area was generally spared bombings. Just thought that was neat.