Brief description
This module examines the evolution of warfare in the twentieth century, focusing on the relationship between developments in military technology and the strategy and conduct of war. The course begins with the evolution of naval strategy and technology, from the end of the C19 to the current day. It examines the key naval strategists, the impact of new technologies on naval thought, and the conduct of war at sea. The second part of the module traces the impact of technology on the development of land/air warfare from the First World War through to Operation Desert Storm. It includes a consideration of the major thinkers on land warfare in the C20, and the theory and practice of strategic bombing.

Aims
The aim of the module is to discuss the evolution of modern warfare, and in particular the relationship between developments in technology and the conduct of modern war.

Objectives
At the end of the module students should be able to:

• identify and discuss the key theories of naval warfare developed in the twentieth century.

• outline the impact of changing technology upon the conduct of war at sea.

• outline the evolution of thinking about land/air warfare from the First World War on, with
• particular attention to theories of manoeuvre warfare and attritional warfare.

• discuss the impact of changing technology upon the battlefield.

• identify the key theories of strategic bombing and discuss the practice of strategic bombing,
• particularly in the Second World War.

10 ECTS Credits