A History of Modern Wars of Attrition - (Studies in Military History and International Affairs) by Carter Malkasian (Hardcover)

About the Book

A war of attrition is usually conceptualized as a bloody slogging match, epitomized by imagery of futile frontal assaults on the Western Front of the First World War. As such, many academics, politicians, and military officers currently consider attrition to be a wholly undesirable method of warfare. This first book-length study of wars of attrition challenges this viewpoint. A historical analysis of the strategic thought behind attrition demonstrates that it was often implemented to conserve casualties, not to engage in a bloody senseless assault. Moreover, attrition frequently proved an effective means of attaining a state's political aims in warfare, particularly in serving as a preliminary to decisive warfare, reducing risk of escalation, and coercing an opponent in negotiations.

Malkasian analyzes the thought of commanders who implemented policies of attrition from 1789 to the present. His study includes figures central to the study of war, such as the Duke of Wellington, Carl von Clausewitz, B. H. Liddell Hart, General William Slim, General Douglas MacArthur, General Matthew Ridgeway, and General William Westmoreland. While special attention is devoted to the Second World War in the Pacific and the Korean War, this study notes the utility of attrition during the Cold War, as the risk of a Third World War rendered more aggressive strategies unattractive. Increasingly, the United States finds itself facing conflicts that are not amenable to a decisive military solution in which opponents seek prolonged war that will inflict as many casualties as possible on American forces.

Book Synopsis

A war of attrition is usually conceptualized as a bloody slogging match, epitomized by imagery of futile frontal assaults on the Western Front of the First World War. As such, many academics, politicians, and military officers currently consider attrition to be a wholly undesirable method of warfare. This first book-length study of wars of attrition challenges this viewpoint. A historical analysis of the strategic thought behind attrition demonstrates that it was often implemented to conserve casualties, not to engage in a bloody senseless assault. Moreover, attrition frequently proved an effective means of attaining a state's political aims in warfare, particularly in serving as a preliminary to decisive warfare, reducing risk of escalation, and coercing an opponent in negotiations.

Malkasian analyzes the thought of commanders who implemented policies of attrition from 1789 to the present. His study includes figures central to the study of war, such as the Duke of Wellington, Carl von Clausewitz, B. H. Liddell Hart, General William Slim, General Douglas MacArthur, General Matthew Ridgeway, and General William Westmoreland. While special attention is devoted to the Second World War in the Pacific and the Korean War, this study notes the utility of attrition during the Cold War, as the risk of a Third World War rendered more aggressive strategies unattractive. Increasingly, the United States finds itself facing conflicts that are not amenable to a decisive military solution in which opponents seek prolonged war that will inflict as many casualties as possible on American forces.

Review Quotes

"A History of Modern Wars of Attririon is an excellent boo, largely because it gives attrition its due time in the sun. Attrition is usually thought of as evil twin of maneuver warfare;most references to attrition operations paint them as the first choice of the incmpetent and the last refuge of the brilliant. As such, Malkasian's wellresearched book brings welcome balance to the debate....[t]his is a thought-provoking book and worth a read."-The International History Review

? A History of Modern Wars of Attririon is an excellent boo, largely because it gives attrition its due time in the sun. Attrition is usually thought of as evil twin of maneuver warfare;most references to attrition operations paint them as the first choice of the incmpetent and the last refuge of the brilliant. As such, Malkasian's wellresearched book brings welcome balance to the debate....[t]his is a thought-provoking book and worth a read.?-The International History Review

?though Malkasian does not posit his attritional strategy within a wider historical matrix, it is difficult to find fault with his theory. He has done sound archival research. He deserves praise for showing that the future lies with the war of attrition with its minimalist goals rather than the manoeuvre theory's wider goals which give more space for negotiations. Hence the former seems to be the mode for future warfare.?-Marine Corps Gazette

?[t]his is a useful and timely book. In addressing directly the nature of attrition and its place in military history, Malkasian has identified a neglected dimension of strategy and a rewarding path for scholarship. His own analysis of the Pacific and Korean wars demonstrates the sort of approach necessary to understand and rehabilitate this strategic phenomenon, and it is to be hoped that such methodology will be applied to other campaigns and wars in due course....[a]s a starting point for investigating the phenomenon Malkasians's work is well worth consulting.?-The Telegraph

?Carter Malkasian has produced an important contribution to military theory in this study of attrition warfare.?-The Journal of Military History

"Ýt¨his is a useful and timely book. In addressing directly the nature of attrition and its place in military history, Malkasian has identified a neglected dimension of strategy and a rewarding path for scholarship. His own analysis of the Pacific and Korean wars demonstrates the sort of approach necessary to understand and rehabilitate this strategic phenomenon, and it is to be hoped that such methodology will be applied to other campaigns and wars in due course....Ýa¨s a starting point for investigating the phenomenon Malkasians's work is well worth consulting."-The Telegraph

"though Malkasian does not posit his attritional strategy within a wider historical matrix, it is difficult to find fault with his theory. He has done sound archival research. He deserves praise for showing that the future lies with the war of attrition with its minimalist goals rather than the manoeuvre theory's wider goals which give more space for negotiations. Hence the former seems to be the mode for future warfare."-Marine Corps Gazette

"Carter Malkasian has produced an important contribution to military theory in this study of attrition warfare."-The Journal of Military History

"[t]his is a useful and timely book. In addressing directly the nature of attrition and its place in military history, Malkasian has identified a neglected dimension of strategy and a rewarding path for scholarship. His own analysis of the Pacific and Korean wars demonstrates the sort of approach necessary to understand and rehabilitate this strategic phenomenon, and it is to be hoped that such methodology will be applied to other campaigns and wars in due course....[a]s a starting point for investigating the phenomenon Malkasians's work is well worth consulting."-The Telegraph

About the Author

CARTER MALKASIAN is an analyst at the CNA Corporation, a federally funded research and development center in Washington, D.C..