Countermeasures to an Initial Surprise Attack Through the Analysis of Historical Examples

The possibility of local war is everywhere in the world today. It is most difficult to minimize the impact of an attacker's initial surprise attack, to seize the initiative, and conduct an effective counteroffensive. Here lies the problem in those free world countries threatened by aggressive war. This study reveals that historically the attackers concealed their intention to attack, the timing of the attack, and their manner of attack, then tried to secure local air and sea superiority by surprise. The main attack was directed toward the place where the defender least anticipated and during the most vulnerable time with the employment of new tactics, weapons, and equipment. The attacker's overpowering concentration of force at the decisive place and his speed of maneuver enhanced the chance of initial success and made it possible to achieve decisive results. The defender must eliminate vulnerable timing in his reaction capabilities considering international, political, economic, and psychological factors and operational environment; he must develop his own doctrine, organization, and material based on his national character, terrain, climate, history, and the enemy's doctrine. To cope with the attacker's main attack directed toward an unexpected place, the defender must secure flexibility which could cope with any enemy capabilities. Once the attacker has attacked, the defender's command structure should exactly identify the attacker's attempt as early as possible. To respond quickly to enemy's attempt, the defender should possess quick reaction capabilities through securing local air superiority, protecting command and control systems, improving command capabilities, and sound officers' leadership. To respond effectively to the attacker's overpowering concentration of force and his speed of maneuver, the defender's maximum efforts must be focused on absorbing the attacker's attack momentum.