audiobook The Defense of Hill 781: An Allegory of Modern Mechanized Combat by James R. McDonough in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The realities of modern mechanized combatBy Utah BlaineMaybe not so timely nearly twenty years of its publication given all that has happened in Iraq and Afghanistan in the war on terror; Col. McDonough's educational monologue about modern mechanized warfare is still an outstanding read for anyone interested about what life would be like in an ACR against an equal and determined opponent. This work is an updated version of the military classic 'The Defense of Duffer's Drift'. Col. A. Tack Always is tasked to lead a mechanized battalion at the US Army's NTC to prove himself worth. Each chapter describes one battle against a roughly equal opponent. The point of this text is largely educational - mistakes are made in the early battles; but each time the Col (and the reader) learn valuable lessons that are put to use in the next battle. Overall this is an outstanding work and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the tactics or history of mechanized combat.Most of the other reviews are written by soldiers. I am not and never have been in the military; but have an interest in military affairs. If you want to know what combat in a mechanized battalion would have been like against the Soviets; this is about the best book I've found. Presumably this is a fair characterization of what mechanized combat would have been like in WWIII in Europe; and if so it would have been fast-paced and extremely lethal on both sides. Additionally; this is a story foremost about leadership - the skills and character required to lead a mechanized battalion. The amateurs are interested in the tanks and APCs and the tactics. For the professional; it is overcoming the sleep deprivation and the fear to make confident decisions (even when you don't know what the hell you are doing); to learn from one's mistakes; to understand your subordinates (know their strengths and weaknesses); and to get back up after you've been humiliatingly knocked down.This is a no-brainer - if you have even a passing interest in mechanized warfare (either professionally or as an amateur); you aren't going to find a better way to spend $15. I'm glad to have this on my shelf - highly recommended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Must Read for OCTsBy DwmorgGreat book and a must read for officers who are Observer Coach Trainers! "How easy it is to sit comfortably removed from the fray and critique the failings of other. How difficult to have the mission yourself. How pompous to spout doctrine knowingly with an attitude that success lies in the knowing; not in the doing. How humbling to discover the excruciating difficulty that lies in the doing!"3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Loved it so much that I'm ordering 2 copiesBy GenPattonI read this book years ago when I was a young armor officer. I'm now a field grade but I can't find my old copy so I just ordered two; one for me and another for my daughter's boyfriend who will become an officer soon.As other reviews say; people w/out military experience or knowledge may not appreciate this book a great deal. It does a great job of demonstrating how all the pieces have to work together in order to be successful. I think it's important that in this Counter Insurgency (COIN) era we don't forget about large scale high intensity kinetic ops. It's easier to practice high intensity ops and then learn COIN than the other way around. COIN relies on common sense; small unit leadership and understanding 2nd and 3rd order effects; but high intensity requires lots of technical training. If you are a cadet or young officer read this book every couple of years.