Logistics, the art of movement and supply of troops. Julian Thompson's study of the place of logistics in the the military campaign uses a number of them to illustrate how the problem of supplying forces has been tackled over the centuries. From the earliest standing army - that of the Assyrians - to the later years of the nineteenth century, warfare was constrained by logistical limitations. As Thompson demonstrates, the advent of the railway and mechanical transportation immeasurably increased operational possibilities, while bringing new problems in their wake. By examining the changes in logistical operations over selected campaigns he identifies the essential elements in successful supply and how campaigns have suffered as a result of logistic deficiency. The unpreparedness of the United States before the Korean War and the failures of the French in Indo-China are contrasted with the 'logistic triumph' of Burma in the Second World War. Full consideration is given to the techniques of supply, from the sea for Alexander, to the air-drops into Khe Sanh. Thompson, as Brigade commander in the Falklands, brings his unique experience to the description of the maintenance of a land battle at the end of a supply line 8,000 miles long. Finally, the logistic plans for the Central Front war 'that never was' are discussed and pointers are given to the future when mobility will be even more important than before. Julian Thompson served in the Royal Marines for 34 years and commanded the 3rd Commando Brigade that led the initial landings to re-posses the Falkland Islands in 1982 and saw most of the action in the battles that followed. He is now a Research Fellow at the Depart of War Studies, King's College, London. This is his third book. Over 30 photographs and a half dozen maps are included.
