How have insurgencies been won or lost?

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 16:49:05 -0400

HAMMER AND ANVIL

In the 1980s Peru's Shining Path Insurgency was in full bloom. It's actions were based on the ideological belief that communism was a superior economic system. The Shining Path used violent means of killing civilians indiscriminately to include chopping off hands and heads.

After violent and ineffective fighting by government forces, the nexus was found. The Peruvian government gave villagers shot guns to decisively engage the insurgents until the army arrived. The villagers became the anvil and the army became the hammer, and finished off the insurgents.

Response by TSgt David L. made Apr 14 at 2016 5:29 PM

TSgt David L. — Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:29:48 -0400

Unfortunately they are being won or lost in the media...

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 15 at 2016 6:08 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:08:19 -0400

SPARTACUS VS. ROMANS
Spartacus won most of his battles because he was brilliant on the battle field and had a massive army of 60,000 - 100,000. Once his army repelled down a cliff to attack the Romans on the other side, thus taking him by surprise. He was able to breach Roman obstacles for the first time in History. He lost of the war due to poor discipline of unity of command as his right hand man took tens of thousands to battle the Romans with dire results. The nail in the coffin was lack of common objective. He made it to the steps of to the Northern borders of Italy to set his followers free, but they wanted to do a U-turn to sack Rome, which was a misguided leading to the demolition of Spartacus and his army.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 15 at 2016 6:24 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 18:24:44 -0400

I wish someone would fill me in on Vietnam and Afghanistan during the Soviet era.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 15 at 2016 8:21 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:21:33 -0400

AMERICA VS. ENGLAND

This was a war of attrition and Brittish decided they could not beat the Americans. The Americans used militia whose muskets had a far greater range to conduct irregular warfare like sniping, ambushes, and raids. They were used as skirmishers whose longer range devastated Brittish troops. They displaced backwards and fired more volleys. These tactics and the will of the Continental army and its leaders prepared the situation for victory. The British were not familiar with our rough terrain and forests, hence, they did some stupid things. One column of about 20,000 British troops decided to maneuver through dense forest with trains of Wagons carrying girl friends, wives, and other niceties. The militia shot all the officers and I believe the British surrendered.

This victory could not be attained without the support of the military, the people, and fledgling government.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 15 at 2016 8:36 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 20:36:59 -0400

BOUDICCA VS. THE ROMANS
Boudicca was an English Warrior Queen who was able to galvanize most of the English tribes into one fighting force reported to be 200,000 warriors. The Roman presence of soldiers in England was light which gave her the opportunity to burn down three cities to include London. She was running amok in England until she made a fatal tactical flaw. A Roman army of 40,000 with a forest to their back and flanks waited for Boudicca's force. The 200,000 English warriors charged the Romans, thus causing a quagmire with no elbow room to use weapons. The English were completely demolished.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 16 at 2016 10:31 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 10:31:26 -0400

I don't have a scorecard handy but I still like my Favorite one and I'd say those that fought were Successful. The American Revolutionary War. I think Great Grandpa William Dawes did a pretty good job with his Friend Paul Revere.