Reply To: Defence is not king!

[Konstantinos Travlos]

A couple of things

1) As in Kirkilise & Kumanovo the Ottomans opted for the operational offense in the battle. So not exactly a  classical defensive battle  Chataltza and 1-3  Bizani which were pure defensive battles were Ottoman victories. 4th Bizani was a Greek victory only because the doubling of greek manpower permitted outflanking the fortified position.

2. The big problem imho with 1905-1917 commanders was not foolishness ideas about defense and offense (exceptions exist).  The operational defense was overcome many times in 1914-1917 with first lines collapsing. It was underestimating the power of the strategic defense in industrial warfare. And overestimating the capabilities of their armies. Asking their armies to do things that were beyond them.

In the case of 1912, Petrev-pasha’s operational plans are exceptional,  worthy of the kriegsacademie. The combination of strategic defense with  operational offense was wise. But it was beyond the capabilities of an agrarian partly literate army with no NCO corps of worth.

I am sure similar misconceptions can be seen in 191r-1917.

So perhaps not donkeys, but nor paragons of wisdom.