03523oam 2200637 450 991071507640332120210917133150.0(CKB)5470000002507280(OCoLC)1020302685(EXLCZ)99547000000250728020180117d2018 ua 0engur|||||||||||txtrdacontentnrdamediancrdacarrierAt the limit of complexity British military operations in North Persia and the Caucasus 1918 /Roland P. MinezFort Leavenworth, Kansas :Army University Press,2018.1 online resource (viii, 140 pages) illustrations, maps (some color)Art of war papers"A US Army Command and General Staff College Press Book."1-940804-06-X Includes bibliographical references (pages 131-140.In a largely forgotten chapter of the First World War, Britain sent a small task force to the Caucasus and Northern Persia in 1918. Named Dunsterforce after its commander, Major General Dunsterville, this group attempted to organize indigenous forces to defeat an Ottoman Empire offensive to seize the southern Caucasus. A comprehensive campaign study of Dunsterforce and an analysis of its successes and failures provide insights into the complexities of modern armed conflict. An understanding of the strategic environment in which Dunsterforce operated, the interests of the various actors in the region, and the lines of operation that Dunsterville chose to accomplish his objectives may enable current and future practitioners of the art of war to face the difficulties inherent in such operations. Dunsterforce's successes were due to the coordinated and skillful use of all elements of British military and national power, no matter how inadequate the actual military power was. Yet there are limits to what skill alone can achieve and those limits were revealed during the operation. The scant troops available, conflicting guidance from higher headquarters, lackluster will of indigenous forces, and immense complexity of the operating environment ensured that Dunsterforce did not achieve all the lofty goals envisioned by the British political leaders.--Provided by publisher.At the limit of complexity World War, 1914-1918CampaignsCaucasusWorld War, 1914-1918CampaignsIranSpecial operations (Military science)CaucasusMilitary campaignsfastSpecial operations (Military science)fastGreat BritainArmed ForcesHistory20th centuryCaucasusfastGreat BritainfastIranfastHistory.fastWorld War, 1914-1918CampaignsWorld War, 1914-1918CampaignsSpecial operations (Military science)Military campaigns.Special operations (Military science)940.4/38Minez Roland P.1371881Army University Press (U.S.),U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press,DLCDLCOCLCOOCLCQOCLCFOCLCAOCLGPOBOOK9910715076403321At the limit of complexity3401646UNINA