The Western European Theorists of the Theory of Mechanised Warfare in the Period between the Two World Wars – Part One

Abstract

According to the British General Fuller’s approach, only those well-equipped tank units with professional soldiers are able to destroy the enemy forces and thus to achieve quick victory, that are constantly ready to fight so they can begin the fighting operations at any time. The so called “mass armies” can play a role in the success development and in securing the terrain sections captured by tank units. The theory of the “indirect approach” was made famous by the British General Liddell Hart under which the success is not primarily based on frontal assault. The leaders have to take into consideration during the course of their decisions the alternative – the actual and the referral – possibilities. Contrary to the above, the German General von Seeckt, in his work from 1929 defined his views on the war of the future, even within the frames defined by the Versailles Peace Treaty. His ideas were manifested in the need of the development of cavalry units. History verified the assumptions of the British strategists, instead of his views.