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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Late in the war, the primary German leader in the east was allowed to employ the indirect method by using what kind of an attack?

2. During World War II, most maneuvers had the intention of attacking the enemy where?

3. What is the purpose of strategy?

4. Which of the following historical commanders did NOT enjoy supreme power in both military and political matters, as did Hitler?

5. What was Germany's problem in Russia with regards to grand strategy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the problem with Clausewitz's writings, and why did they have a negative impact on the first World War?

2. How does policy relate to national object and military aims?

3. What is the principle of flexibility?

4. What was the state of strategy and tactics on the eastern front during the First World War?

5. What causes generals to overstep the bounds of "limited aim" warfare?

6. According to the author, what were some motivating factors behind writing this book?

7. How did Hitler gain the loyalty and trust of his subordinates?

8. What were the results and casualty rates on the Southeastern and Mediterranean fronts during the First World War?

9. What is a wedge attack, what is it used for and how is it countered?

10. What did Germany need in order to become secure and peacefully end the war?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

William of Normandy exemplified the skilled military commander of the medieval era. His conquests changed the face of England forever.

Part 1) Explain the background of William of Normandy's invasion of England, including a discussion of his allies and their importance.

Part 2) Discuss one or more of William's most famous battles. How did these battles demonstrate the level of sophistication of strategies of the time?

Part 3) Did William achieve decisive or indecisive results? In either case, what strategic conditions contributed to these results? Explain the nature and importance of these results.

Essay Topic 2

The western front during the first World War was bloody and generally indecisive. The eventual German retreat was not precipitated by military setbacks, but by mere strategic considerations of position. There is every indication that the war could have continued in its indecisive state for many more years.

Part 1) What nations participated in the war on this front? What were the strategies on both sides? How was the war expected to be fought and won?

Part 2) What difficulties became apparent once the war had begun? How did terrain and technology affect the maneuvers and strategies that could be employed by both sides? In actual practice, what types of strategies were employed during the war?

Part 3) Were the results of the war in this theater decisive or indecisive? What factors contributed to this outcome? How did grand strategy affect the results of the war? Why was Germany eventually forced to retreat and eventually to surrender?

Essay Topic 3

Lines of expectation play a major role throughout the book, helping to explain why various campaigns and offensives were or were not successful. These sometimes obscure or ambiguous concepts can provide a major advantage to the general who is able to best identify and utilize them.

Part 1) What is a line of expectation? How are these lines formed, maintained and identified?

Part 2) What is the importance of lines of expectation in strategy? How should a major natural line of expectation be treated? Can it be engaged directly? Can it ever be safely ignored?

Part 3) Using examples from the book, provide and explain one example each of a general correctly and incorrectly using natural lines of expectation. Explain the results in each case.

(see the answer keys)

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