LEARNING EVENT 2
THE BATTLE OF LITTLE ROUND TOP
We have defined battle analysis and discussed the sections of the battle analysis methodology format. Now, let's apply it
to a battle.
Now turn to page 109 in the appendix where you will find an account of a Civil War battle known as the Battle of Little
Round Top (Appendix C). Read the account and look at it in terms of the Army's battle analysis methodology format: in
other words, do a battle analysis of the Battle of Little Round Top.
Is the narrative you just read an example of battle analysis? If your answer is "NO," you are correct. This is one
description of the battle along with some background information. Remember, to analyze something, you must take it
apart and study each of the parts. This narrative is the raw material of battle analysis-a research source.
It is important to remember that battle analysis is not simply a narrative description of a battle. It is not simply a
chronological list of the events of the battle. It is not simply a background sketch of the participating units and their
commanding officers. Battle analysis is a systematic examination of a given battle, campaign, or military operation.
At this point, battle analysis may appear to be a rather complicated process designed to convert tacticians into scholars of
history. It is not. Battle analysis is intended to provide the military professional with a tool that can be used along with war
games, computer simulations, and field training exercises. It is intended to aid the understanding and the evaluation of
past or present military operations.
When you have completed your analysis, go on to the practical exercise to assess what you have learned.
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