Mastery of the skills of the geographer is absolutely crucial to the successful prosecution of war. Tactically at the local level, strategically at the campaign level and geopolitically at the global level it is making intelligent use of geographical knowledge that a commander outwits the enemy and wins wars. Maps are a key tool in warfare and were first systematically compiled, by the Ordnance Survey for example, for military use. At a more technical level, geographers offer solutions to the logistical and transportation problems of getting men and materials to the right place at the right time; research by physical geographers has provided crucial information on whether beaches would bear landing craft or tanks; remote sensing plays a key part in satellite spying and climatologists offer vital advice on the right weather conditions for action. In more modern forms of warfare the geographer' understanding of the city and of the spatial patterns of society is crucial to the military in fighting urban and guerrilla wars. This broad-ranging book provides penetrating insights on just what geography has to offer to the art of warfare. It draws on examples from modern wars and from world history and will prove fascinating reading for students of military history and for geographers alike.

Geography, tactics and strategy -- Intelligence -- Logistics -- Tactical ploys -- Tactics and terrain -- Campaign strategy -- Geopolitics and grand strategy -- Guerrilla warfare -- Urban warfare -- Zones of conflict and rumors of war.