Small Wars Manual

Before there was such a term as “low-intensity conflict,” the U.S. Marine Corps were already past masters of the art. This manual encapsulates all their learnings and experiences of what we now know as military peacekeeping and counter-insurgency operations. It covers every aspect of the problem, from the legality and responsibility of the first formal order, through staff organization, logistics, training, patrolling, convoys, native organizations, overseeing democratic elections, and finally planning and executing an orderly withdrawal. The equipment and attitudes may have changed since its first publication in 1940, but the fundamentals of human psychology and military science remain the same: the manual was recommended reading for Marine Corps personnel when they returned to Iraq as an occupation force. This ebook edition includes an active table of contents, reflowable text, and 17 diagrams and illustrations.

Table of Contents:

Chapter I. Introduction.
 • I. General characteristics.
 • II. Strategy.
 • III. Psychology.
 • IV. Relationship with the State Department.
 • V. The chain of command – Navy and Marine Corps.
 • VI. Military-civil relationship.
Chapter II. Organization.
 • I. The estimate of the situation.
 • II. The staff in small wars.
 • III. Composition of the force.
Chapter III. Logistics.
 • I. Introduction.
 • II. Supply.
 • III. Transportation.
Chapter IV. Training.
 • I. Character and purpose of small wars training.
 • II. Training during concentration.
 • III. Training en route on board ship.
 • IV. Training in the theater of operations.
 • V. Training programs and schedules.
Chapter V. Initial operations.
 • I. Neutral zones.
 • II. Movement inland.
 • III. Military territorial organization.
 • IV. Methods of pacification.
Chapter VI. Infantry patrols.
 • I. Small war tactics.
 • II. Orders and general instructions.
 • III. Organizing the infantry patrol.
 • IV. Feeding the personnel.
 • V. The March.
 • VI. Reconnaissance and security.
 • VII. Laying ambushes.
 • VIII. Attacking ambushes.
 • IX. Attacking houses and small bivouacs.
 • X. Stratagems and ruses.
 • XI. River crossings.
 • XII. Special operations.
Chapter VII. Mounted detachments.
 • I. Introduction.
 • II. Care of animals.
 • III. Procurement of animals.
 • IV. Mounted detachments.
 • V. Hastily organized mounted patrols.
Chapter VIII. Convoys and convoy escorts.
Chapter IX. Aviation.
 • I. Introduction.
 • II. Composition and organization.
 • III. Selection and preparation of bases.
 • IV. General conduct of air operations.
 • V. Employment of reconnaissance aviation.
 • VI. Combat support.
 • VII. Air transport.
Chapter X. River operations.
 • I. River operations in general.
 • II. Types and characteristics of boats.
 • III. Preparation for river operations.
 • IV. Occupation of a river.
Chapter XI. Disarmament of population.
Chapter XII. Armed native organizations.
 • I. General.
 • II. Organization of a constabulary.
 • III. Operations and training.
 • IV. Auxiliary forces.
 • V. Civil and military relationship.
Chapter XIII. Military government.
 • I. General.
 • II. Establishment and administration of military government.
 • III. Applications of principles to situations short of war.
Chapter XIV. Supervision of elections.
 • I. General.
 • II. Personnel.
 • III. Electoral mission.
 • IV. National board of elections.
 • V. Registration and voting.
Chapter XV. Withdrawal
 • I. Introduction.
 • II. Withdrawal from active military operations.
 • III. Final withdrawal.