Triggered! I did my undergrad thesis many snows ago (BA RMC 1979) on Buster Brown and inter alia spent some time analyzing Defence Scheme No. 1. In later life on the naval staff, I went on to do some modern day war plan gaming with the US Naval War College. Suffice to say that neither DS#1 nor War Plans Red / Crimson were as far-fetched as they have been made out to be, but rather were sound planning schemes. So I laud the present efforts. But when I read the headline the other day, perhaps inspired by the absolutely bizarre circumstances in which we find ourselves, I caught myself wondering if any of them might see the irony in labelling it our very own War Plan Orange?
It appears the U.S. has a National Security Strategy with teeth these days. You’ve provided a thoughtful historical overview but failed to mention/include Canadas National Security Strategy?
The establishment of a civil militia is a notion but requires arming civilians. In case folks haven’t noticed our Federal Government is currently attempting to confiscate private property/firearms from its citizens.
Thanks, Dan, for the great reflection. What's old is new again? )Terry Glavin was also revisiting BB this morning.) No alliance lasts forever, nor are enmities eternal. Prussia and Britain versus France becomes Britain and France versus Germany. The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact lasts a nanosecond. A defeated Japan, its deliberately pacific constitution dictated by an occupying power and its preening senior representative, is soon harangued as a defence laggard. Britain moans to be in Europe, stomps around in high dudgeon for a generation after it joins, then - claiming insufficient love - grabs its toys and leaves, and now sighs and moans about being isolated. Fascist Spain murders, atrophies, and then self-cleanses and joins NATO, which France helps found, leaves (sort of) in a huff, and rejoins (sort of) with a sneer. Germany tips cows for 50 years, horrifies the world, disarms, rearms, disarms again, drifts right, and - surprise, surprise - rearms. The French Embassy in Washington this week announced programs to celebrate Franco-American collaboration during the American Revolution, at roughly the same time Macron was talking about the EU's 'bazooka' and Trump was urinating in Paris's general direction (a Python reference there!). It doesn't help in the short term, not for palliatives and certainly not for peace of mind, but it will help policy, planning, and preparations - and one's mental health - to keep such things in mind. Canada is indefensible yet needs defence options; it must work with allies, new as well as old, even as peril is primarily at home; and, as the PM said, nostalgia is not a strategy.
The November 11 date on that memo is chilling. Colonel Brown understood that realistic contingency planning isn't about animosity but strategic prepardness. I've dunno how many modern analysts grasp that planning for unlikely scenarios is precisely what prevents them from occuring. The bit about organizing forces for home defence as covering "every military problem" is brilliant, it's defensive posture that doubles as capability demonstration.
"A defence scheme that provides for the defence of our frontiers will cover, with but slight variations, every military problem with which we will be faced." is so very short-sighted. And so indicative of the military command mindset of the day (you would have thought WW I had taught them to be more flexible in their thinking. It didn't. As exemplified by the route of the British Expeditionary force in 1940.)
Triggered! I did my undergrad thesis many snows ago (BA RMC 1979) on Buster Brown and inter alia spent some time analyzing Defence Scheme No. 1. In later life on the naval staff, I went on to do some modern day war plan gaming with the US Naval War College. Suffice to say that neither DS#1 nor War Plans Red / Crimson were as far-fetched as they have been made out to be, but rather were sound planning schemes. So I laud the present efforts. But when I read the headline the other day, perhaps inspired by the absolutely bizarre circumstances in which we find ourselves, I caught myself wondering if any of them might see the irony in labelling it our very own War Plan Orange?
Rich, that is INSPIRED!! Game. Set. Match!
Thnx Dean, makes my day bringing a smile to your face!
Keep well.
matthewmendelsohn5@gmail.com
I'm really loving your work the past few months, Dan.
November 11, 1927 from Colonel J. Sutherland Brown:
"I think it is desirable that we should pursue the very sound course of organizing the Canadian Militia for the primary duty of Home Defence ..."
kenfisher1942@gmail.com
It appears the U.S. has a National Security Strategy with teeth these days. You’ve provided a thoughtful historical overview but failed to mention/include Canadas National Security Strategy?
The establishment of a civil militia is a notion but requires arming civilians. In case folks haven’t noticed our Federal Government is currently attempting to confiscate private property/firearms from its citizens.
Thank you.
Thanks, Dan, for the great reflection. What's old is new again? )Terry Glavin was also revisiting BB this morning.) No alliance lasts forever, nor are enmities eternal. Prussia and Britain versus France becomes Britain and France versus Germany. The Molotov-Ribbentrop pact lasts a nanosecond. A defeated Japan, its deliberately pacific constitution dictated by an occupying power and its preening senior representative, is soon harangued as a defence laggard. Britain moans to be in Europe, stomps around in high dudgeon for a generation after it joins, then - claiming insufficient love - grabs its toys and leaves, and now sighs and moans about being isolated. Fascist Spain murders, atrophies, and then self-cleanses and joins NATO, which France helps found, leaves (sort of) in a huff, and rejoins (sort of) with a sneer. Germany tips cows for 50 years, horrifies the world, disarms, rearms, disarms again, drifts right, and - surprise, surprise - rearms. The French Embassy in Washington this week announced programs to celebrate Franco-American collaboration during the American Revolution, at roughly the same time Macron was talking about the EU's 'bazooka' and Trump was urinating in Paris's general direction (a Python reference there!). It doesn't help in the short term, not for palliatives and certainly not for peace of mind, but it will help policy, planning, and preparations - and one's mental health - to keep such things in mind. Canada is indefensible yet needs defence options; it must work with allies, new as well as old, even as peril is primarily at home; and, as the PM said, nostalgia is not a strategy.
janicelypkie@shaw.ca
Please forward my email address to Maj. Geroux to add to his mailing list: trevor.a.gallagher@gmail.com
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/29/AR2005122901412_pf.html
Great piece. Also, this article from WaPo circa 2005 (2006) fascinating terrifying.
chrispatten@duck.com
The November 11 date on that memo is chilling. Colonel Brown understood that realistic contingency planning isn't about animosity but strategic prepardness. I've dunno how many modern analysts grasp that planning for unlikely scenarios is precisely what prevents them from occuring. The bit about organizing forces for home defence as covering "every military problem" is brilliant, it's defensive posture that doubles as capability demonstration.
Please add me to mr. Geroux list. Thankyou.
Interested for sure; and thank you, Dan.
terry.korman@gmail.com
Major Geroux: arthur.jacak@live.ca
Thank you for all your work and insights. My day is always brighter when I see a new post lighting the way from PastPresentFuture.
Major Geroux: byngski@gmail.com
"A defence scheme that provides for the defence of our frontiers will cover, with but slight variations, every military problem with which we will be faced." is so very short-sighted. And so indicative of the military command mindset of the day (you would have thought WW I had taught them to be more flexible in their thinking. It didn't. As exemplified by the route of the British Expeditionary force in 1940.)
I would love to join Major Geroux's mailing list. chris.macdonald@torontomu.ca Thank you.
I would as well, and thanks: tim.doran@gmail.com