There is a debate about what’s the principles or which principle that leads an armed force in to victory in war. In maneuver warfare there also an discussion about how maneuver warfare should be practiced and what’s maneuver warfare. This study examines a theory of maneuver warfare and strives to see if and how, the theory can explain the outcome in two cases from the campaign in the east, during the second world war, also known as Operation Barbarossa year 1941.
This study compares the outcome in the initial battle of the 22 of June and the initial battle of 2 of October during the campaign. By using Martin van Crevelds theory of manuever warfare and his six principles tempo, schwerpunkt, surprise, combined arms, flexibility and decentralized command. The study shows that you can explain the outcome with van Crevelds theory and how, but there is alot more factors that must be taken into account when you try to understand the complex natur of war and what’s the causes that brings an armed force to victory or defeat