Guerilla Warfare Essay -- essays research papers

Guerrilla warThe term guerrilla (Spanish, little war) originated in the early nineteenth century during the Peninsular war when, after the defeat of Spains rhythmical forces, Spanish irregulars and civilians rose up against the French occupying forces. The practice of guerrilla warfare, however, dates from antiquity for example, the Bible tells of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, led by Joshua, involving harassment and ambush of the adversary. after Jewish resistance to foreign rule was expressed in the serial of fierce guerrilla operations against the Romans in the 1st century AD led by the Zealot sect, this revolt was climaxed by the seizure of Masada and the massacre of the Roman garrison there in AD66.Lacking the numerical intensiveness and weapons to oppose a regular army in the field, guerrillas avoid pitch battles. Instead, they operate from bases established in remote and inaccessible terrain, such as forests, mountains, and jungles, and depend on the support of the local inhabitants for recruits, food, shelter, and information. The guerrillas may also cod assistance in forms of arms, medical supplies, and military advisers from their own or affiliate regular armies.The tactics of guerillas are those of harassment. Striking swiftly and unexpectedly, they raid enemy supply depots and installations, ambush patrols and supply convoys, and cut communication lines, hoping thereby to disrupt enemy activities and to capture equipment and supplies for their own use. Because ...