"To Fight or Not to Fight?" Topic

Another good read for some of you. Quite a few pages. So I guess it is a book. Lots of information in it. Robert

To Fight or Not to Fight?
Organizational and Doctrinal Trends in Mounted Maneuver Reconnaissance from the Interwar Years to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM
Robert S. Cameron, Ph.D

"Providing a narrative analysis of US Army reconnaissance, scout, and cavalry evolution from the post-World War I era through the Iraqi conflict, this book outlines key developments in the concepts governing reconnaissance units from the armored cavalry regiment down to the maneuver battalion scout platoon. The trend analysis included in these pages shows how mounted reconnaissance arrived at its current state. The author provides a clear depiction of past evolution to guide future reconnaissance development.
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Very interesting, nice long read…

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At 656 pages I'll get back to you on this later.

LOL Sabre. I screwed up on the first link but the second one I posted under it worked . Robert

Looking at the time periods it covers would make it a book LOL. Robert

Scouts Out!
The Development of Reconnaissance Units in Modern Armies
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"This study is a historical survey of the theory, doctrine, organization, and employment of reconnaissance units since the era of mechanization in the early 20th century. "
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I can just picture the confused librarians where you are, Kaos. "Who keeps ordering pizza and chinese takeout, and sending it HERE!?!?"

LOL Lion. . Robert

FM 2-30 1944 (OBSOLETE) : War Department field manual, cavalry reconnaissance squadron, mechanized.
"The purpose of this manual is to provide a text for the tactical training of cavalry reconnaissance squadrons, mechanized, and to present basic doctrine for their employment. This manual covers the organization, training, and employment of the cavalry reconnaissance squadron, mechanized, of the cavalry division, horse, the cavalry group, mechanized, the armored division, and of separate squadrons. "
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The Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon 1935-1965: Lost In Time
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ARMORED FORCE FIELD MANUAL FM 17-20

EMPLOYMENT OF ARMORED UNITS RECONNAISSANCE PLATOON AND COMPANY
May 30,1942
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FM 2-20
CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE TROOP, MECHANIZED
WAR DEPARTMENT: 24 FEBRUARY 1944

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Tactical reconnaissance for the heavy brigade commander: how much is not enough?

"To make decisions and to synchronize all available resources properly, the brigade commander requires timely and accurate intelligence and combat information. This monograph examines the issues surrounding the absence of an organic tactical reconnaissance element at brigade level and its effect on the brigade commander's decisionmaking and synchronization effort. The monograph seeks to determine whether an organic brigade reconnaissance element is required by using the following methodology. It first examines the theoretical constructs regarding intelligence and reconnaissance put forth by several military theorists. Having established a theoretical foundation, an historical survey traces the evolution of brigade reconnaissance from World War II to the present. Then the current brigade organization, operational doctrine, and reconnaissance doctrine are reviewed and assessed. To determine whether US organization adheres to internationally accepted norms regarding brigade-level reconnaissance, a comparison is made with several foreign armies. Finally, an analysis is made of contemporary studies, initiatives, and field expedients aimed at improving brigade tactical reconnaissance to determine if they are consistent with the perspectives outlined above. The paper concludes that, indeed, tactical reconnaissance is crucial to the brigade commander's decisionmaking and synchronization effort and that he needs an organic reconnaissance element responsive to his requirements. Further, in a constrained manpower and equipment environment the proper unit for this task is a light reconnaissance company. For the future, the monograph suggests a possible company organization that is essentially lighter in structure than most traditional cavalry troops and which emphasizes the principle of stealth and secrecy in its reconnaissance operations. "

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Operations of reconnaissance troop.

Extract taken from a report by an infantry division records lessons learned during the Bougainville campaign.
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The war would be over by the time you finished reading it.