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What’s Ukraine’s Kursk Endgame?
Understanding how expeditionary forces work might give us an idea of Ukraine’s strategic objectives.
Hundreds of years ago, a much smaller, weaker nation fought against a larger empire with seemingly limitless resources.
In one particular engagement from that war, the underdog moved unseen behind enemy lines with approximately 2,400 men. Until now, the underdog soldiers were largely on the defensive.
The goal of this operation was simple: Give the soldiers a chance to go on the attack, reinvigorate the army and the public, and force the empire onto the defensive.
I’m talking, of course, about George Washinton’s crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day in 1776.
Far from the heady days of Independence in the summer of 1776, December found George Washington’s Continental Army worn down and nearing defeat.
Knowing that bold action was needed to keep the cause of independence alive, the General decided to execute a surprise attack against the Hessian garrison of roughly 1,400 soldiers around Trenton, New Jersey.
At the time, it was a huge risk for General Washington. Only one of his three battlegroups made it across the ice-choked river, and his timetable was three hours behind schedule.
