British Boer War And The French Algerian Conflict: Counterinsurgency For Today
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Major Michael J. Lackman
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British Boer War And The French Algerian Conflict - Major Michael J. Lackman
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THE BRITISH BOER WAR AND THE FRENCH ALGERIAN CONFLICT COUNTERINSURGENCY FOR TODAY
by
MICHAEL J. LACKMAN, MAJ, USA
B.S., University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 1985
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT
THE BRITISH BOER WAR AND THE FRENCH ALGERIAN CONFLICT: COUNTERINSURGENCY FOR TODAY, by MAJ Mike Lackman.
Military historical case studies provide insight for military planners. Military planners cannot afford to ignore history when planning in today’s complex environment. This thesis analyzes military doctrinal changes and adaptation during Britain’s Boer War and the French counterinsurgency war in Algeria.
The Boer War serves as an example of doctrinal change during a counterinsurgency campaign. The French experience demonstrates the difficult task of fighting against an ambiguous enemy who uses terrorism as its primary tactic. A counterinsurgency comparison and analysis focuses on three issues present in both case studies: population control measures, operational tactics, and the civil military operations. The conclusion offers solutions to the military situation today based on the British and French counterinsurgency. This thesis argues history provides US military planners with the background to develop a successful counterinsurgency strategy for today’s environment.
ILLUSTRATION
Figure 1. COIN Model
CHAPTER 1 — INTRODUCTION
But the conditions of small wars are so diversified, the enemy’s mode of fighting is often so peculiar, and the theatres of operations present such singular features, that irregular warfare must generally be carried out on a method totally different from the stereotyped system. The art of war, as generally understood, must be modified to suit the circumstances of each particular case.{1} — Colonel C. E. Callwell, Small Wars
Colonel Callwell began his service to the British army in 1878 and participated in England’s Imperial wars during his tenure. His book stands among the classic military writings about small war tactics. He understood the nature of counterinsurgency operations. Small wars require adaptability, flexibility, and initiative from leaders and planners. Conventional doctrine fails to provide a suitable model from which to develop a counterinsurgency strategy. Callwell understood the diversity and unique nature of small wars. Also, he discerned the importance of incorporating the lessons from past wars into current and future operations.
Military historical case studies provide a level of knowledge for military planners. Case studies provoke discussion, aid staff training, and provide lessons learned. Military planners cannot afford to ignore the lessons of history when planning operations in today’s complex environment. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the change in doctrine of the British in the Boer War of 1899 and the French counterinsurgency operations in Algeria. This thesis uses the government’s perspective to derive the doctrinal changes and lessons learned in each case. A model helps explain the relationship between opposing forces. A counterinsurgency model serves as the framework for the analysis, explanations, and conclusions.
The Counterinsurgency Model
War affects society. The action or inaction of military or paramilitary force influences popular support. The public bears the consequences or reaps the benefits of military action. Counterinsurgency strategy balances the requirements of civil rights and security. Clausewitz’s described three factors of war in his book, On War, These three tendencies are like three codes of law, deep-rooted in their subject and yet variable in their relationship to one another.
{2} Although Clausewitz’s comments referred to commanders, governments, and people, the trinity applies to a counterinsurgency war. The model provides a simple framework to discuss the interaction among the forces of an insurgency. Mao understood the importance of the winning the support of the people in a revolutionary war. He said, The political goal must be clearly and precisely indicated to inhabitants of guerilla zones and their national consciousness awakened.
{3} A successful counterinsurgency campaign accounts for each leg of the triangle with the goal of creating legitimacy and building the support of the population. Figure 1 depicts the counterinsurgency (COIN) model.
Governmental actions represent the most significant force during counterinsurgency operations. If the government can effectively synchronize the elements of national power, the insurgency usually fails. As Bard O’Neill wrote in Insurgency and Terrorism, Of all the variables that have a bearing on the progress and outcome of insurgencies, none is more important than government response.
{4} The government possesses the most assets and strengths. Yet, bureaucracies hinder decision-making and implementation of strategy.
Time is on the side of the insurgent. An insurgency gains momentum and legitimacy with the population over time. Early decisive government action can stop an insurgency before it matures and the cost of government victory increases. Government forces must temper their response with cultural and religion realities. Many times the government responds with inappropriate control measures, kinetic targeting and operations blind to culture and religion, which adds to the preexisting conditions that fostered the original insurgency. Every insurgency offers a different problem set to military planners. Therefore, it is important to study past counterinsurgencies to build a foundation and apply critical thinking and reasoning skills to develop a counterinsurgency doctrine and strategy for current operations. The next two chapters discuss the British and French counterinsurgency campaigns.
Chapter 2 discusses the British experience in the Boer War of 1899-1902. The Boer War proves useful as a historical example for developing a counterinsurgency campaign plan for contemporary military thinkers. The purpose of this chapter is to use the British experience in South Africa to conduct an analysis of the doctrine, policies, and programs used by the British to fight the Boer commandos. There are many parallels between the British experiences and the US military’s current operations in the Middle East. The chapter explores how the Boer War started, describes the early military engagements, and discusses how British doctrine changed to defeat the Boers. The Boer War demonstrates how a world power misjudged the enemy’s purpose and intent, but, adapted and modified its doctrine to achieve