Whose strategy is it anyway?

[TROUFION]

Test your knowledge:
Below is a paraphrased strategic-operational debate and plan from a historical insurgency do you know which one?

In this counter-insurgency 3 approaches were put forward/advocated by the Government Forces:
ANS: IN 1776 THE BRITISH FORCES UNDER ADM HOWE AND HIS BROTHER GEN HOWE PROPOSED THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES

1) The deliberate use of extreme violence and terror by the Government/Foriegn Government forces and Allies to break the adversary/insurgents will to resist. SHREKLICHEIT, PUT FORWARD BY LORD GEORGE GERMAIN, GEN JOHN BURGOTNE, ADM SAMUEL GRAVES AND MAJ JOHN PITCAIRN. tHIS WAS A STANDARD PRACTICE IN EUROPE, SCOTLAND AND IRELAND. NOTE IT WAS PUT IN EFFECT WITH TEH BURNING OF FALMOUTH MAINE. RESULTING IN AN EXPLOSION OF AMERICAN ANGER FUELING THE REBELLION.

2) The deliberate seizure of small strategic areas, mostly coastal, and expanding them until the insurgency ends. A very slow progression requireing large numbers of occupation forces. THE INK-BLOT OR SPREADING INK STAIN, OIL SPOT, ETC. UNFORTUNATELY (FOR THE BRITS) 95% OF THE AMERICAN POP LIVED OUTSIDE CITIES AND COULD NOT BE CONTROLED IN THIS MANNER. FURTHER IT WAS TOO SLOW AND REQUIRED MORE TROOPS THAN THEY HAD AVAILABLE OR COULD BE SUPPLIED.

3) The deliberate seizure and holding of strategic communications and transportation corridors in order to segment and seperate various contested zones or provinces, seperating the hot zones from cold or less dangerous. Then defeating the insurgency in detail in the now isolated regions.
-addendum to #3: gain the support of indigenous forces, utilize locals to subdue the insurgents vice utilizing foriegn or government troops. Allow Govt forces to act in support roles.
---a) Protect the indigenosu supporters and offer amnesty programs
---b) Seize and secure one province at a time, progressively
---c) The war viewed as a contest for the Peoples Opinion
---d) Put forth Political, Governmental and Economic Reforms
THIS WAS THE PREFERED PLAN OF THE HOWE BROTHERS, AND GEN JAMES ROBERTSON WHO STATED " I NEVER HAD AN IDEA OF SUBDUING THE AMERICANS. I MEANT TO ASSIST THE GOOD AMERICANS TO SUBDUE THE BAD." GEN HOWE PROPOSED IN EARLY 1776 THAT HE BE GREATLY REINFORCED, SHOULD SEIZE & HOLD NYC AS THE BASE OF OPERATIONS THEN HAVE SMALLER FORCES SEIZE THE HUDSON VALLEY. AFTER NY AND THE HUDSON THEY WOULD SPREAD N-S AND SEIZE RHODE ISLAND AND NJ, GAINING CONTROL OF 3 COLONIES. EFFECTIVELY SPLITTING THE HOTBED OF REBELLION NEW ENGLAND FROM THE LESS VOLATILE MIDDLE AND SOUTH.

FURTHER here is a paraphrased version of the insurgents Strat-Op Planning debate:
THE AMERICAN PLANS UTILIZED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING TECHNIQUES.
1) Survive
2) Gain foriegn support
3) Engage in economic warfare, striking the enemy in the purse
4) Avoid battle and wear down the Govt forces through attrition in guerilla skirmishing
5) When possible build strongpoints and force the Govt forces to conduct costly (in both troops, treasure and prestige) assaults.
6) Attack wherever an opportunity presented itself while offering no opening to the enemy.
7) Organize public opinion: focus on prisoner abuse, and develop a concept that battlefield victory isn't as important as the victory of the cause in the end.

FOR A MORE DETAILED READING CHECK OUT DAVID HACKETT FISCHER'S WASHINGTON'S CROSSING : PULITIZER PRIZE WINNER FOR HISTORY.