Twilight of Doom

Doing COIN Since 1066: William the Conqueror To Iraq

[Kat]

As a semi-history geek, it has been interesting watching the evolution of COIN in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most people in the know relate our modern COIN techniques in Iraq to more modern wars and successful or unsuccessful leaders. These wars and leaders are most often within the last two centuries.

Whether it is Vietnam and Westmoreland or Gulula in Algiers and occasional comparisons to both World Wars (TE Lawrence WWI), the Civil War and our own Revolutionary War, we seek comparison and continuity through those wars and leaders we can most relate to. We compare or dispose of those leaders and battles as we see fit in order to enhance our understanding of COIN.

Yet, modern COIN isn’t so modern.

In fact, it compares favorably to a number of historical precedents. Take, for instance, the invasion of England in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy and its eventual subjugation to the Conqueror’s rule. William won the Battle of Hastings in 1066 through the strategic use of mounted heavy cavalry or “knights”, the medieval version of the tank. First, he rained down arrows (artillery and air power), then he used his armor to break the line of the enemy.

Through both daring and the luck of battle, a group of mounted cavalry charged the line of huscarls then retreated, drawing them away from the main line to be decimated. William took advantage of the opening created and charged with his knights into the opening, destroying a number of forces and killing Harold Godwinson. That is after Godwinson had been forced to go north to defend against the invading vikings before making a hard march south after learning that the Duke was preparing to invade near Dover.

In Iraq, a feinted armor attack to the east and the potential of an attack from the north kept some forces stationary while others, the elite “Republican Guard” (huscarls?) maneuvered to defend Baghdad and the main forces stayed in their trenches. Then an armored column drove straight into the heart of Baghdad, causing the government to collapse.

Even William can’t lay claim to having invented modern “armored cavalry” tactics since Alexander the Great had used a similar tactic to defeat Darius and the Persian Army.

Like Iraq, William’s success at Hastings did not mean that the Anglo-Saxons were just going to roll over and hand him the kingdom without a fight. Neither could he rely on staying based in Dover or London, putting down rebellions through a mobile force that could route the enemy, but not control the land.

What William did next closely resembles COIN in Iraq.

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