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Navy Journal 2019

Operational Art and the Levels of War. Clausewitz in his book ‘On
War’ stated, “One should not go to war without first being clear in his mind what
he intends to achieve by that war and how he intends to conduct it.” It indicates
the close nexus between the Operational art and levels of war. But how one level
affects the operational outcome of the other? For example, through Pearl Harbor
attack the Japanese had tactical victory but made an ultimate strategic blunder by
awakening the sleeping U.S into the World War. Another example can be the
genocide in Vietnamese village Mai Lai which was ordered by a junior
Lieutenant. This tactical mishap turned into a strategic massacre and under the
severe protest of the U.S people, the U.S forces had to withdraw from Vietnam.
Later, the U.S confessed about their missing interlink between the levels of war
and operations in Vietnam.

VIETNAM WAR - THE SAD U.S CONFESSION
In Vietnam, we were the great power fighting a war of little importance. We
stumbled into Vietnam in piecemeal with no coherent vision or how we would
use military to accomplish the goals. In short, we lacked a strategy. We began
with an attainable national political objective of securing a free and
independent South Vietnam. We failed, however, to attain that objective.
Consequently, the military objectives and actions lacked logical connection
with the national political level. We paid a high price for failing to think
through the conflict. (Source: Lt Col John P. Hunerwadel, Planning to Win: A
Study in Strategy and Operational Art).

Campaign Planning Tools

‘Centre of Gravity’ (CG). Clausewitz stated, “CG is the hub of all power
from which enemy military force derives its freedom of action, physical strength,
or will to fight.” Each Force will always try to eliminate enemy’s CG while
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safeguarding its own. CG can be tangible or intangible and can vary at different
levels of war (Table 2).

Table 2: Cg at Different Levels of War: Operation Desert Storm
Ser CG IRAQ U.S Led COALITION
1. Strategic CG Leadership of Saddam Capability of potential alliance
2. Operational CG Baath Party US Carrier Battle Group
3. Tactical CG Iraqi Air Defence System Mine Counter Measure

10. Defence Services Command and Staff College (Mirpur, Dhaka), Joint Warfare Precis, Key Concepts of Operational Art
and Design, Chapter 6, p 6-2, (2006).

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