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Logistics Yesterday and Today 1) The principles of logistics remain the same, throughout the history. One of the best examples of how careful planning can result in achieving military goals are the campaigns of Alexander the Great. This military leader was able to conquer numerous nations, because he adopted a logical approach, when it came to military planning. This enabled him to beat enemies armies that were often many times as large as his own. One of the most important principles of modern logistics is gaining as much information as possible, before embarking on every particular task. It appears that Alexander the Great was well aware of this principle.
He knew that possessing information about the enemy equals to half of victory. Also, he paid great attention to planning. Alexander understood that the might of his army was not only defined by the number of soldiers. This is why, before starting a new military campaign, Alexander would make sure that his troops were going to be well supplied with food and water, while on the march.
He understood that the morale needs to be maintained at high level among group of people, which are committed to accomplishing a common task. The logistics of efficiency tell us that it is not necessary to overcome obstacle, if it can be over passed. Many of Alexanders conquests did not come as results of actually winning the battle. This is because very often his enemies would to simply prefer to surrender than to face the risk of complete annihilation. The explanation is simple at initial stages of his campaign, Alexander raised a few cities and killed all the inhabitants, thus enabling his reputation of ferocious warrior to work on his behalf. 2) In 333 B. C.
Alexander was able to achieve one of his most impressive victories. His army of 40. 000 men was able to defeat the army of King Darius of Persia, which accounted for 160. 000 men. Alexander knew that Persian army could only exploit its numerical advantage, when facing Macedonians in open field. Therefore, he decided to lure Persians into the swampy area, where they could not deploy their army in traditional manner. This was being done by giving Persians the signs of unpreparedness, such as having fake festivities, in the full view of Darius.
Persian king took this bate and moved his army towards the swamps, where Macedonians were able to break it up in parts and to wipe them out one after another. This example of successful deployment of military logistics is now being studied in military academies throughout the world. Nevertheless, the nature of logistics is universal. Careful planning and understanding the principles of human psychology will always remain the most important precondition of achieving a positive outcome, regardless of whether we talk about military, economy or politics. 3) Out of two opposing armies, the one with more technologically advanced weapons will have much greater chances of winning. This is why Macedonians were not just better supplied, they were also better equipped. Alexander is known for adopting a 20 -foot lance as one of the main fighting weapons of his army.
This enabled Macedonians to enjoy a tactical advantage in every battle. In addition, it entitled them with the sense of military superiority. Alexander the Great was a proponent of dictatorial style of making decisions. One of the reasons why he was able to keep his army under control at all times is because he did now allow any kind of free thinking, on the part of his generals. Therefore, Alexanders army was able to function as one single organism, which gave it a strategic advantage in every battle. At the same time, Alexander did not have to get down to managing every detail of his military campaigns.
His leadership was based on principle of efficiency; therefore it cannot be referred to as fully authoritarian. Thus, it appears that war the fighting functions of Macedonian were being greatly affected by Alexanders understanding of logistics. Many of Alexanders military decisions might look as if they had a purely intuitive nature. Yet, this is far from truth. Alexander was simply able to logically assess every set of arising circumstances, which allowed the story of his conquests to forever remain in peoples memory as the example of military ingenuity. Abstract: This paper discusses the significance of Alexander the Great and his military campaigns from logistical point of view.
Outline: Logistics of Alexander the Great and logistics of nowadays. The defeat of Darius. Logistics and war fighting functions of Macedonian army.
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Research essay sample on Alexander The Great Military Campaigns
