Task Force Butler: by Volpe Major Michael J.;

Author:Volpe, Major Michael J.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lucknow Books
Published: 2015-10-14T00:00:00+00:00

Employment of Forces

It is essential for combat leaders to understand the proper employment of the forces at their disposal. Such understanding is fundamental to combined arms warfare and the reason behind the publication of doctrinal manuals. Understanding the employment of the various arms ensures that each type of unit is employed within its capabilities. Situations change, and different missions require different tools. Commanders need to recognize the requirements in order to build or tailor forces capable of accomplishing the mission. By synchronizing the effects of the various arms, a commander can achieve a result greater than the effect of any one branch. Often smaller combined arms forces are capable of achieving the same results as larger more homogenous force. This section will focus on Butler’s ability to employ the forces at his disposal and examine his use of cavalry during the exploitation and his initial employment of forces to secure the high ground overlooking Montelimar on 21 August 1944.

Butler’s attack was almost a textbook example of an attack in a war of movement. The situation was unclear, and he had no firm intelligence on the location of the enemy. Unsure if the enemy was stationary or mobile, he employed his mobile combined arms command as if it was conducting a meeting engagement. He launched his command over several routes, securing his main body with small detachments sent along his flanks and rear. The mechanized cavalry provided the core of these small combined arms detachments sent in the van and as flank security. Butler’s colocation of the task force and the 117th Cavalry’s command posts virtually guaranteed that he would have an influence on the employment of cavalry, that and it would provide him with near real time information. As contact was made, he could rapidly assess the threat, and either mass his forces to attack or bypass enemy concentrations as the situation dictated.

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