In war, do mass and materiel matter most? Will states with the largest, best equipped, information-technology-rich militaries invariably win? The prevailing answer today among both scholars and policymakers is yes. But this is to overlook force employment, or the doctrine and tactics by which materiel is actually used. In a landmark re-conception of battle and war, this book provides a systematic account of how force employment interacts with materiel to produce real combat outcomes. Stephen Biddle argues that force employment is central to modern war, becoming increasingly important since 1900 as the key to surviving ever more lethal weaponry. Technological change produces opposite effects depending on how forces are employed; to focus only on materiel is thus to risk major errors with serious consequences for both policy and scholarship.

Originally published: 2004. "Fifth printing, and first paperback printing"--T.p. verso. Includes maps of: Operation Michael in the Theater of War, Spring 1918; Operation Michael Battlefield (Somme Offensive); Operation Goodwood in the Theater of War, 1944; Operation Goodwood Battlefield.

Introduction -- A literature built on weak foundations -- The modern system -- The modern system, preponderance, and changing technology -- Operation MICHAEL : the second battle of the Somme, March 21-April 9, 1918 -- Operation GOODWOOD : July 18-20, 1944 -- Operation DESERT STORM : January 17-February 28, 1991 -- Statistical tests -- Experimental tests -- Conclusion.