So, we have had almost three full years of conventional war in and around Ukraine. Back in the 1970s- 1980s Trevor Dupuy assembled a list of factors (or verities) that influence and describe conventional combat. They covered combat in three different areas. They were 1) The Timeless Verities of Combat (13 verities), 2) Combat Attrition Verities (29 verities), and 3) Combat Advance Rates (15 verities).
They are listed below in these three posts:
The Timeless Verities of Combat – The Dupuy Institute
Trevor N. Dupuy’s Combat Attrition Verities – The Dupuy Institute
Trevor Dupuy’s Combat Advance Rate Verities – The Dupuy Institute
They are listed in detail in my book War by Numbers, although I edited a few for brevity.
They are listed in detail in Trevor Dupuy’s 1987 book Understanding War. They are also listed in his 1980 book Evolution of Weapons and Warfare.
They have been around for a while. I think they are a significant list and of course have been coded into his combat models the QJM and TNDM, which actually have proven track record of making good predictions. I do think they have been underutilized and underappreciated by the wider defense community.
Anyhow, my questions for the community that reads our blog is:
1. Which of these verities have been re-confirmed by war in Ukraine?, and
2. Which of these verities have been called in doubt by the war in Ukraine?
Interested to see the responses.
P.S. Some related links:
TDI Friday Read: Principles Of War & Verities Of Combat – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: Offensive Action – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: The Power Of Defense – The Dupuy Institute
The Combat Value of Surprise – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: The Utility Of Defense – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: Initiative – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: Fortification – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: The Advantage Of The Offensive – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: The Requirements For Successful Defense – The Dupuy Institute
A Comment On The Importance Of Reserves In Combat – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: Surprise – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: The Effects of Firepower in Combat – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: The Inefficiency of Combat – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: Combat Power =/= Firepower – The Dupuy Institute
Dupuy’s Verities: The Complexities of Combat – The Dupuy Institute
Response to Question on Dupuy’s Combat Attrition Verities – The Dupuy Institute
People keep referencing us on the 3-to-1 Rule – The Dupuy Institute
Last Six Blog Posts – The Dupuy Institute
Shout out to Echoes of Past – The Dupuy Institute
These are all the posts you get if you click on the category “Dupuy’ Verities”: Dupuy’s Verities – The Dupuy Institute
