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Navy Journal 2019

strategist Sun Tzu proposes to pretend own disability in one LOOP but multiply
attacks in the other LOOP where enemy is less prepared. War game can be the
best tool to detect own operational weakness, limitations of military logistics or
effects of unfavorable weather etc so that a commander can plan OP to handle
such eventualities.

Culminating Point (CP). Culmination causes delay, decay and defeat.
Practically, an attacker reaches culmination when his attack is ‘no more
effective’. On contrary, a defender reaches culmination when his counter
offensive is of 'no use'. So, a planner must identify the culmination factors so
that forces can achieve their objectives before they reach CP. For example, when
the Germans were about to capture Moscow, Hitler diverted his plan to attack
Stalingrad. But during the War Game prior the attack, the German logisticians
identified the need of an operational pause to reinforce and avoid the
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approaching winter. But, Hitler ignored the CP. Probably, a pause till the end
of winter could change German fate in Russia.
Campaign Planning Matrix
Actually, campaign plan is a vast subject, where military officers need to
master the military implication of the operational art and also focus on regional
diplomacy, civil military relation, dynamics of media etc. A military Staff
Officer with sound operational knowledge can be a good aid to the Commanders
and the decision makers. Thanks to Clausewitz, Jomini, Liddell Hart and other
strategists for promoting the operational level, operational art and their close
relation in a campaign plan. Now the concept of operational level and its art has
gained doctrinal value, study and practices worldwide. So, the military training
institutions through War Gaming, Staff and War courses, seminars and
workshops cultivates the operational perceptions and interactions with other
national elements. Modern militaries often use digital War Gaming centers and
command posts to exercise and side by side carry out peace time operations.
Such operational structures enhance ‘on job grooming’ during peacetime,
tension or conflict scenario.
In future conflicts the added challenges will be the network centric
environment, unmanned platform and sensors, weapons of biological and

11. Military History Resources, Internet Archive, www.historychannel.com.

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