Winning Is Controlled By Training

An army’s ability to fight and win is conditioned by its training. What this in fact says is that victory will go to the side that can make the most intelligent combination of what was classically know as the three arms; infantry, artillery and cavalry (which today includes armored and air mobile forces).

So in circumstances where an unsupported infantry assault is suicidal, success may be achieved if the foot soldiers can be accompanied by tanks and can follow a rolling artillery barrage. Of course in reality matters tend to be more complicated because there are in fact many more aspects to combat than simply the three arms.

For example, engineer preparation of the battlefield is very important, as are the logistic and command and control systems that allow the armies to fight at all. Furthermore, throughout the Twentieth Century, air power, in all its many forms, have exerted a decisive influence on the tactical results of a battle.

However this point doesn’t negate the original point that “Winning is Controlled By Training” rather it further emphasises the importance of training, co-ordination and an understanding between the various divisions on a battlefield. Warfare is now simply faster paced and much more complex thus requiring a great level or preparation than was needed in the past.