United States Use and Exploitation of Terrain and Geography in Combat Operations

One of the first considerations that all commanders must have when planning and conducting

combat operations throughout history are the geographical landscape of the battle space. Throughout

US history the geography that soldiers found themselves fighting in, has dictated not only the tactics,

but most often the final outcome of engagements. The US has found itself in almost every type of

terrain and climate zone, in almost every region of the globe. Initially the US only dealt with terrain in

the continental United States until the Spanish American War, after this the United States found itself

the major power in the Western Hemisphere. As the United States became a global power it found itself

sending troops throughout the world to protect its' interests.

  From the American Revolution (1775-1783) until the Spanish American War (1898) the US Army in

its many incarnations found itself engaged in conflicts confined to Northern America. Initially these

conflicts focused their operations East of the Appalachian mountain chain. While seeking independence

The rebelling colonials used terrain to great affect against the more traditional forces of King James I,

who insisted on following Napoleonic tactics of

line formations to mass fire on the enemy. The

colonists instead chose to hide behind natural

terrain, i.e. trees, small depressions, and rock

formations, and trench works to counter the

superior numbers of the English army.   The

most classic example of using terrain to

advantage at this time was the Battle of Bunker

Hill, in which a numerically inferior force of

colonials defeated a much larger force of

British regular army by attaining and holding higher ground (Breeds' Hill). 1 When the British attempted to climb the hill they were unable to use the tactics that they were drilled in, as the terrain

prevented large formations, or to form solid ranks. With the inability to... [continues]

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