What Role Did Military Intelligence Play in World War Ii? Essay Example
What role did military intelligence play in World War II?
What role did military intelligence play in World War II?
Joseph Reeder
It is undeniable the principal role, military intelligence occupied in both the successes and failures of the main events that transpired in World War II, ranging from the breaking of the enigma code at Bletchley Park, to the D Day landings that arguably determined the outcome of the whole war. Military intelligence in the war encompasses not only spies and counterintelligence but also radar, signal, weather and mapping intelligence. Having preemptive knowledge via military intelligence, enabled both the Axis and Allies to preplan their attacks with maximum efficiency; reducing casualties and achieving the necessary objectives tactically, operationally and strategically. Basically military intelligence paved the way for victory on the battlefield. The functionary position played within this specific tasking also revealed an increased sense of danger when venturing behind enemy lines to collect vital information. Knowing the terrain was essential when it comes to attacks from air, land and sea. Sun Tzu in his Art of War' emphasizes this critical point by revealing how the combatants who know the area and employ scouts effectively will have more success via greater mobility and awareness of what lies in their wake; "one who does not know the topography of mountains and forests, ravines and defiles, wetlands and marshes cannot maneuver the army. One who does not employ local guides will not secure advantages of terrain". The landscape can not only be used against the enemy with positioning increasing efficiency of weapons, it can also be utilized for cover, avoiding traps and ensuring paratroops will land on safe ground, as was the case on D day. However it is true what Clausewitz relays in On War', that terrain would "be of no influence at all on an engagement fought over a flat, uncultivated plain", yet he also discerns
What role did military intelligence play in World War II?
Joseph Reeder
It is undeniable the principal role, military intelligence occupied in both the successes and failures of the main events that transpired in World War II, ranging from the breaking of the enigma code at Bletchley Park, to the D Day landings that arguably determined the outcome of the whole war. Military intelligence in the war encompasses not only spies and counterintelligence but also radar, signal, weather and mapping intelligence. Having preemptive knowledge via military intelligence, enabled both the Axis and Allies to preplan their attacks with maximum efficiency; reducing casualties and achieving the necessary objectives tactically, operationally and strategically. Basically military intelligence paved the way for victory on the battlefield. The functionary position played within this specific tasking also revealed an increased sense of danger when venturing behind enemy lines to collect vital information. Knowing the terrain was essential when it comes to attacks from air, land and sea. Sun Tzu in his Art of War' emphasizes this critical point by revealing how the combatants who know the area and employ scouts effectively will have more success via greater mobility and awareness of what lies in their wake; "one who does not know the topography of mountains and forests, ravines and defiles, wetlands and marshes cannot maneuver the army. One who does not employ local guides will not secure advantages of terrain". The landscape can not only be used against the enemy with positioning increasing efficiency of weapons, it can also be utilized for cover, avoiding traps and ensuring paratroops will land on safe ground, as was the case on D day. However it is true what Clausewitz relays in On War', that terrain would "be of no influence at all on an engagement fought over a flat, uncultivated plain", yet he also discerns