Battle Analysis AssignmentInstructions
INSTRUCTIONS
Your Battle Analysis should be 8 pages in writing, addressing the
following items:
The Battle of Okinawa (or Battle of Incheon)
When providing sources for your facts and figures, you will be using a footnote
style in accordance with the current edition of the Turabian style guide.
DEFINE THE SUBJECT/EVALUATE THE SOURCES:
- Define the battle to be analyzed (where, who, when). It is essential to your subsequent analysis that you define your battle in terms of:
- Space. For example, if you brief Trafalgar, then set a geographic limit (say, the eastern Atlantic off the coast of Spain) so you are not distracted in your subsequent analysis by operations in the Pacific.
- Time. Set a time limit. For example, traditionally, Trafalgar is defined by 21 October 1805. Do not get distracted by events in Italy in the spring of 1800.
- What sources did you use? How reliable do you believe they were?
- REVIEW THE SETTING (SET THE STAGE):
- Strategic/Operational Overview. Start big and work your way to a smaller scale. For example, if you brief D-Day, start with World War II, then the European Theater, then France in 1944.
- Study the area of operations.
- Weather.
- Terrain.
- Compare the principal antagonists (Operational/Tactical).
- Size and composition.
- Technology.
- Doctrine and training.
- Logistical systems.
- Intelligence.
- Condition and morale.
- Command, control, and communications.
- Leadership.
- State the mission and describe the initial disposition of the opposing forces
- DESCRIBE THE ACTION:
- Describe the opening moves of the battle.
- Detail the major phases/key events.
- State the outcome.
- ASSESS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ACTION:
- Relate causes to effects. What went well and why? What went poorly and why?
- Establish military “lessons learned.” You can use the Principles of War (MOOSEMUSS), Battlefield Operating Systems: Maneuver, Fire Support, Air Defense, Intelligence, Combat Service Support/Logistics, Mobility/Counter Mobility/Survivability, and Command and Control (C2).