How do you win a war? What should the most basic objectives be?

Question

I believe that to win a war (any war, not Iraq specific) you need to do at least one of two things, preferrably both. A) destroy the enemy's ability to fight, and B) destroy the enemy's will to fight. I am not sure whether a war(not a specific battle) can be won using anything else as an objective. Do you agree or disagree? I would like to see answers from military officers and students of military history if possible.

Please remember this is NOT an Iraq specific question. No flames of the government's handling of the Iraq war please. That would be a different question. :P

Answer 1

you are right on both counts. but many people interpret that to mean you destroy your enemy by force only and winning is defined by conquering your enemy.

Destroying the will to fight is more important than the ability to fight. Without the will, having all the armaments in the world will not help you. This is proven time and again throughout history where vastly superior forces are defeated.

but there is another side to defining "WINNING"

You win a war by accomplishing your objectives set as the reason for the war.

The Military is an extension of the political arm of a nation to be used, in that capacity. Especially in a Republic such as ours, the military mission is to execute the requirements of the republic and, when at war, to accomplish the objectives that are set out.

War is what might occur when the political means fail or, to sometimes accomplish the political objectives. The military's role is one of controlled violence. It is not necessarily total destruction of the enemy that is necessary unless that is the objective from the start.

If the objective can be obtained by a show of force or, by limited violence then the "war" has been won. Only when the objective for the war is accomplished can one consider it won. it is not the destruction of the enemy that determines if the war is won but the objectives accomplished.

In WWII, the objective was to defeat and destroy the enemy and that was accomplished through sheer power and might. However, in modern warfare such as korea or vietnam, (and yes, even our current day conflict) when the politics limit the objectives, then the situation becomes murkier and less well defined.

For those who claim the military lost Korea or Vietnam, is to ignore the facts. Our objective, in all these instances was limited and both were accomplished. In Iraq, the initial objectives were accomplished splendidly. Some of the assumptions made did not come to pass so, now the question is: what is the objective and how do we accomplish it? We won the first objective: now there is a new battle to be won or lost. And this is where your thoughts come in. do we, or our adversaries have the WILL to win.

sorry but Iraq has to be included in this discussion of winning.

Our enemy is learning and yes, your description is very appropriate . Destroy the ability and the will to fight. they have learned the lesson well from the Irish IRA, the vietnamese and they understnad that limited viloence is better than brute force.

So, yes, I have to agree with you.

Answer 2

The problem with this question, is that it is a very relative topic. One person might think one war won, the other a major defeat. It all comes down to this, what is the absolute CORE of the objectives. Is it land, title, treaty, or pre-emptive defense through destruction of the opposing military? To win a war is to meet the objectives planned for that war. As an example, the Revolutionary war was fought for the right to be a separate entity from England. They won the war by meeting that objective. The Revolutionary war did not destroy England's armies, nor stop its will to fight as proven in 1812. It did meet its core directive of separation, and that is the key to winning wars, What do you want most out of it?

Answer 3

ummm that's almost a total quote from all the military manuals and classes I've been involved in.. oh it might have more concrete goals..such as keep the Texas oil Fields free of Canadian tanks, bombing and or enemy forces..(example, I doubt if the Canadians have any plans to seize the Texas oil Fields..) but the definition has wandered into some grey areas ever since the late 1800's.. it used to be defeat the enemy's army and you've won..now you must not only defeat his army..if he has one..but remove the ability to make war.. along with convincing him that trying is a very very bad idea..

Answer 4

winning the war depends on the tactics used. the decisions made must be thoroughly reviewed. try to create all the different trypes of senarios possible. what are we lacking, how can we improve. if we ambush, we have to make sure we, ambusher doesnt get ambushed.

it also depends on the weapons used. the more advanced the better. some guns give yourself open for attacks. they are changed, we would be fighting at a whole new level of war. if possible, always target the main source. if the main source is destroyed, it will all fall apart.

why go kill innocent people if you can kill the source and leave the unharmful alone.

Answer 5

to win a war you have to eradicate the enemies ability to wage war. any manufacturing capabilities must be eradicated,communications have to be shut down, and you have to kill the enemy anywhere and everywhere you find them. point to remember is individuals don't start the wars, they are usually started by our elected officials. most citizens don't want war in their countries,so it's a good idea to treat them extremely decent as you pass through their towns. it is hard enough fighting the enemy without having to fight the entire countries population.throughout history people have thought that if they can keep the u.s. in a long protracted war the American public will get fed up with the death and destruction and call for the war to end.

Answer 6

war and politics are merely extensions of each other. Like 1984, an external war can just be a way to keep power at home. In that case, the most basic objective is for the war to last. Otherwise, I agree with you.

Answer 7

kill your enemies and make their life so miserable they give up or die.

Answer 8

Kill your enemies.