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Video by Kyle Davis

Understanding Combined Arms Warfare

Army University Press

March 24, 2023 | 42:05

Designed to support the U.S. Army Captains Career Course, “Understanding Combined Arms Warfare” defines and outlines the important aspects of modern combined arms operations. This is not a complete history of combined arms warfare. It is intended to highlight the most important aspects of the subject.

The beginning of the documentary establishes a common understanding of combined arms warfare by discussing doctrinal and equipment developments in World War I. The second part compares the development of French and German Army mechanization during the interwar period and describes how each country fared during the Battle of France in 1940. The film concludes by showing how the United States applied combined arms operations in the European Theater in World War II.

Setting the Stage
Defining Combined Arms Warfare – 00:37
Pre-20th Century Combined Arms – 01:15

Evolution of Combined Arms in World War 1
“The Loss of Maneuver” – 02:24
The transition to static warfare – 02:24
The German Elastic Defense / Allied initial attempts to break it – 04:32
“Search for a Solution” – 07:42
Chemical Warfare (Gas) – 08:20
Aviation (Aircraft) – 08:41
Armor (Tanks) – 09:05
“The Answer is Found” – 10:31
The German Spring Offensive – 10:57
Details of the German Offensive, Combined Arms Tactics – 11:49

The Transition to Mechanization ***
“The Interwar Period: France and Germany” – 14:36
Technological innovations – 15:25
French developments – 16:17
German developments – 18:56
“Combined Arms in Action: The Battle of France, 1940” – 21:49

United States Combined Arms in World War 2 (ETO)
“The U.S. Searches to Counter Blitzkrieg in Europe” – 24:41
“The Birth of the U.S. Tank Destroyer” – 27:43
“The U.S. Pools Combat Power” – 30:36
“The U.S. Divisions Keep their Pools” – 32:21
“The Balanced Commands” – 35:12
“U.S. Fire Support” – 36:51
Conclusion: Integration of the Warfighting Functions – 38:47
Credits – 39:46

*** Note: Although the UK made significant contributions to the development of combined arms doctrine during the interwar period, they were intentionally excluded. This allows the film to focus on the extremes of French and German doctrine at the conclusion of that period.