Australian Light Horse: A Study of the Evolution of Tactical and OperationalManeuver

摘要

This study analyzes the actions of the Australian Light Horse in the Middle Eastcampaign during WWI. It shows the basis for their approach-to war and how these techniques were successful by adapting to the circumstances of the situation. The Australian Light Horse demonstrated the traits of initiative and flexibility during the campaign in Egypt and Palestine by changing their modus operendii from mounted infantry to cavalry, a seemingly minor shift semantically, a major shift doctrinally. The Australian's adaptability to the situations in the desert was largely responsible for their tactical successes and played a major part in the success of the operational maneuver of the mounted forces under General Allenby during the last year of the war. Most importantly, the lessons learned from their actions sustained the advocates of horse cavalry doctrine long after the apparent usefulness of the horse on the modern battlefield had diminished in importance.