At the limit of complexity : British military operations in North Persia and the Caucasus 1918 / Roland P. Minez.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

Minez, Roland P., author.

Contributor:

Army University Press (U.S.), publisher.

U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press, issuing body.

Series:

Art of war papers

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Great Britain. Army. Dunsterforce--History.

Great Britain.

World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Caucasus.

World War, 1914-1918.

World War, 1914-1918--Campaigns--Iran.

Great Britain--Armed Forces--History--20th century.

Special operations (Military science)--Caucasus.

Special operations (Military science).

Armed Forces.

Military campaigns.

Caucasus.

Iran.

Genre:

History

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 140 pages) : illustrations, maps (some color).

Other Title:

British military operations in North Persia and the Caucasus 1918

Place of Publication:

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas : Army University Press, 2018.

Summary:

In a largely forgotten chapter of the First World War, Britain sent a small task force to the Caucasus and Northern Persia in 1918. Named Dunsterforce after its commander, Major General Dunsterville, this group attempted to organize indigenous forces to defeat an Ottoman Empire offensive to seize the southern Caucasus. A comprehensive campaign study of Dunsterforce and an analysis of its successes and failures provide insights into the complexities of modern armed conflict. An understanding of the strategic environment in which Dunsterforce operated, the interests of the various actors in the region, and the lines of operation that Dunsterville chose to accomplish his objectives may enable current and future practitioners of the art of war to face the difficulties inherent in such operations. Dunsterforce's successes were due to the coordinated and skillful use of all elements of British military and national power, no matter how inadequate the actual military power was. Yet there are limits to what skill alone can achieve and those limits were revealed during the operation. The scant troops available, conflicting guidance from higher headquarters, lackluster will of indigenous forces, and immense complexity of the operating environment ensured that Dunsterforce did not achieve all the lofty goals envisioned by the British political leaders.--Provided by publisher.

Notes:

"A US Army Command and General Staff College Press Book."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 131-140.

Description based on online resource, PDF version; title from title page (Army, viewed June 22, 2021).

Other Format:

Print version: Minez, Roland P. At the limit of complexity.

ISBN:

9781940804064

194080406X

OCLC:

1020302685