re: #464 Occasional Reader

And that’s why I don’t mind “revisionist” history (like the new Anthony Beevor book about D-Day) that focus on the precarious nature of, and outright disasters contained in, military operations that are now acknowledged as victorious and absolutely necessary. People need to be reminded that we cannot always count on bloodless, costless military operations.

Pretty much. No matter how good your plans are, you’ve got to rely on people and lines of communication to get them to work. And the enemy won’t be following your plans either. (They don’t teach this at Revisionist U, apparently.)

Foul ups will happen. Battles are won when the other guy fouls it up worse.