General Naval Tactics: Theory and Practice

In General Naval Tactics, Naval War College professor and renowned tactical expert Milan Vego describes and explains those aspects of naval tactics most closely related to the human factor. Specifically, he explains in some detail the objectives and methods/elements of tactical employment of naval forces, command and control, combat support, tactical design, decision-making and planning/execution, leadership, doctrine, and training. Vego derives certain commonalities of naval tactics that occurred in recent and distant wars at sea. Many parts of his theoretical constructs are based on works of a number of well-known and influential naval theoreticians such as Admirals Alfred T. Mahan, Bradley A. Fiske, Raoul Castex, and René Daveluy and influential naval theoreticians. Whenever possible, the author illustrates each aspect of theory by carefully selected examples from naval history--making the theory more understandable and interesting. Vego aims to present theory that is general in nature and therefore, more durable in its validity. The more general the theory, the greater the possibility of accommodating changes based on new interpretations of past events and as a result of gaining fresh insight from the lessons learned.

Milan Vego served for twelve years as an officer in the former Yugoslav Navy and for three years as 2nd Officer (Deck) in the former West German merchant marine before obtaining political asylum in the United States in 1976. He is ADM R.K. Turner Professor of Operational Art, and University Professor, U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI. Dr. Vego holds a PhD in Modern European History from George Washington University. He is the author of twelve books and numerous articles and essays in various professional journals and magazines.