History never repeats itself. But there are many things which some of us thought belonged wholly to the past which recur, from time to time, throughout the centuries, in somewhat different form, and brought about by different circumstances. Guerrilla warfare is one of those things.
There are some who have thought and said, “Guerrilla fighting is a thing of the past, or at least it belongs only to bits of warfare in distant places, in which backward peoples are involved – on the north-west frontier of India, for example.” But these people are thinking still – as, unfortunately, so many still do – in the terms of the World War of 1914 to 1918, of a war with firmly locked, extensive “fronts.”
Modern warfare – not only the present Great War, but the Civil War in Spain and the war now raging in China – has brought back guerrilla fighting, for now there are no fixed, rigid, long-term “fronts.”
Moreover, the dividing line between guerrilla warfare and other forms of what we may call “irregular warfare” has become less distinct; and, from the storehouse of guerrilla tactics, methods and ruses, the regular soldier, and, still more the Home Guard, may gather invaluable aid.
This book, while designed primarily to inform those of us who may be involved in real guerrilla fighting, contains also, I hope, much to interest the professional soldier and also the member of Britain’s human bulwark against invasion: the Home Guard.
It was after lecturing for nearly a year on the subject of guerrilla warfare, its methods and tactics, that it occurred to me that there was no single handbook – so far as I know – devoted solely to his art. There are books which deal incidentally with guerrilla warfare, and numerous excellent books on woodcraft, stalking, scouting, and other matters which, while part of guerrilla warfare, are also in use in regular warfare. Quite often my listeners have asked me to make it possible for them to have in written form some of the material I have given them in speech or demonstration. So that, although not much of a hand at writing, I have constructed this small book for them and for others who may be interested.
First of all, let us consider just what is guerrilla warfare. The word is Spanish, its literal meaning “little war,” from the Spanish Guerra, “War.” The Spanish dictionary which I have carried around with me for many years in South America and Spain says: “Guerrilla: War of partisans.” In other words, not war as carried on by regular soldiers, but by people who are partisans of one side or another, of one cause or another. And the term “partisan warfare” is sometimes used instead of “guerrilla” – notably in descriptions of the Russian Revolutionary Wars and the Chinese-Japanese War. But, remember, guerrilla warfare is not directed against other guerrillas, but against regulars.
Guerrilla warfare is that method of fighting which is employed by men living in an area occupied or surrounded by the enemy. That is as good a definition as any. I sometimes like to term it “wasp warfare,” for that expresses something of the harassing, irritating, sting-and-run kind of fighting which guerrilla warriors must employ. “Must employ,” I say, because, in comparison with the enemy’s army of regulars, guerrilla forces are likely to be small, insufficiently armed at best, without permanent bases or sure sources of supply, and in constant danger.
On the other hand, the enemy is strong, organised, in control of supplies and key positions – in that portion of territory which he has managed to grasp. Let us suppose that some particular corner of England, Wales or Scotland (or Ireland too, for that matter, although the Irish are kind of slow to realize it) has been cut off by enemy forces which have managed to make a successful landing; these forces are consolidating their control over this area, before advancing further into our country. Outside the occupied corner lie our regular forces, blasting at the enemy from their units, Home Guards, anybody who wants to serve, and is capable of serving, as a guerrilla fighter – have organised our bands within the enemy territory. While our troops are penning them in from outside, and preparing to advance and drive them back into the sea, it is our job to buzz around the enemy, stabbing him here, then there, with sudden unexpected jabs, destroying or appropriating his stores, munitions and supplies, cutting his communications, trapping his messengers, ambushing his convoys or lorries. In general, creating a considerable amount of hell, and wearing him down.