READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW
Coffee break near Holorath ( Day 1 )
Obstacle crossing , there has not been much if any change in doctrine on how to cross a defended obstacle ; indeed this tactical action is factored into all major exercises today .
The impact of war on the local population may not have been a major consideration
Col Fletcher summarizing the participants ’ discussion in Bastogne
during the conduct of the battle itself , but now is extremely important during modern military planning . The participants visited the ‘ December 44 ’ museum in La Gleize which included a video with unique footage from captured German combat cameras . This along with the Tiger tank in front of the museum , and a short talk be the museum ’ s curator , demonstrated the negative and long lasting impacts of war on the civilian population ; a reminder of why it is now a planning consideration in the contemporary planning process .
Following an overnight stop in Bastogne , day four consisted of visits in and around the town ; with discussion topics including Medical support , Civil Military Cooperation ( CIMIC ) operations , Air / Land Integration and working with Allies . Bastogne was a city that the Allies ( US VIII Corps ) held during this entire offensive , although it was reinforced with both the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions . The desperate defence was supported logistically by air drops , and a clear example of how locals and the military force protecting an area can complement each other ’ s actions on the battlefield . On the other hand , collateral damage will play a decisive role in today ’ s Corps Commander ’ s decisions as to where and how to fight the battle . The participants were able to visit ‘ Bois Jacques ’ which was the actual location of ‘ Easy Company ’ from the hit series Band of Brothers . There are still remnants of the original defensive positions ( trenches ) which provided an outstanding vantage point to discuss not only defence , but effects of terrain on both offensive and defensive operations . The participants were also able to spend some time at the Bastogne War Museum which was an interactive display allowing for additional learning .
Throughout the programme , Dr Finch supported the learning by providing an historical context and insight into
the battle in terms of time , terrain and importance . This was followed by short presentations by the participants , a question and answer session , and concluded with amplifying thoughts on both the historical aspects , and lessons that could be brought forward to the contemporary operating environment ; and had a very positive impact on the participants visualising warfighting and the related challenges at Corps level on the way to ARRCADE FUSION 17 . This important HQ ARRC battlefield tour of the ‘ Battle of the Bulge ’ provided an extremely useful learning environment from which to reflect on tactics and doctrine from late 1944 , and consider how they have either changed over time or stayed the same . This type of analysis
Information panel near Bastogne
and discussion on an actual battlefield is a superb learning opportunity in peacetime .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lt Col Scott Morrison is currently Battlespace Manager in the G3 branch at HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps .
American monument outside Bastogne War Museum
ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS 35