Page 197 - MDSL Final

THE ENABLERS OF MARITIME POWER
Logistic Support

“A real knowledge of supply and movement factors must
be the basis of every leader’s plan; only then can he know
how and when to take risks with those factors, and battles
are won by taking risks.”

Napolean CA 1805

No war can be planned or fought without a sound logistics plan.
Alexander the Great’s ability to move a force from Greece to India and
back, conquering adversaries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and
Central Asia and leaving functioning outposts along the way, attests to his
logistical prowess. Logistic support includes medical and repair facilities,
movement of personnel and the transport of the fuel, lubricants,
ordinance, spare parts, food and other provisions and the many stores
required for operations. Logistics planning must be integrated with
all other aspects of the campaign plan or failure will almost inevitably
follow. The planning of a major operation has to be integrated with the
sound and viable logistics plan. The operation and the logistics have to
move together. The commander who draws the battle plan should give
due consideration to the constraints and restraints of logistic support.

Logistics operations are much of the same in peace time and in the time
of war. The sea will remain the main medium of transport for large,
heavy and bulky items that require considerable amount of space for
which ships are designed for. However during the war, magnitude of the
supplies needed and the pace and interval it is required in the battle
field is different. An uninterrupted supply line is a decisive factor in
maintaining morale of the men and winning or losing a battle.

During war time using of SLOC may be a critical vulnerability and logistics
ships will required to be escorted under protection in sea convoys.
Sometimes, due to time constraints, logistics need to be arranged from
other services. Logistics supply can sometimes go beyond just purchasing
war materiel from possible local manufacturers/suppliers. As far as the
supply of certain war materiel and vessels are concerned, they need to

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 177