Desert Storm: Attrition or Maneuver

In February 1991, the Allied Coalition forces led by the U.S. achieved a stunning victory over the Iraqi forces in the Persian Gulf War. Did the U.S. Military validate the Army’s new Airland Battle doctrine with its emphasis on maneuver warfare precepts or did it win the campaign in its traditional way using firepower- attrition warfare? The study examines theories of attrition warfare and maneuver warfare. Next, it explores the evolution of maneuver warfare from its roots in the ancient writings of Sun Tzu to the modern expression of maneuver warfare principles embodied in the German military in WWII. The study then traces the evolution of the U.S. Army’s fighting doctrine from WWII to the time of the Persian Gulf War to highlight its emphasis on attrition warfare and examine its attempt to become more maneuver oriented. Finally, the study analyzes the planning and execution of Operation Desert Storm to see if the U.S. military used the maneuver warfare precepts espoused in the Army’s Airland Battle doctrine. The study concludes that the U.S. military did use the precepts of maneuver warfare to defeat the Iraqi forces and discusses the implications for future conflict.