USMC Small Wars Manual 1940

This document is the USMC Small Wars Manual, originally published in 1940. The Small Wars Manual is often cited as the first text on counterinsurgency or guerilla warfare. While much has been learned over the more than half-century since Small Wars Manual was first published, the lessons imparted here are still valid, even urgent.

This download is a reprint of the original 1940 Small Wars Manual, distributed by the U.S. Navy as document NAVMC 2890 on 1 April 1987. The cover letter (contained in this download) states:

The Small Wars Manual is one of the best books on military operations in peacekeeping and counterinsurgency operations published betore World War II.

The download contains 492 pages in PDF format, including charts and illustrations. The manual is organized into fifteen chapters:

1. Introduction
2. Organization
3. Logistics
4. Training
5. Initial Operations
6. Infantry Patrols
7. Mounted Detachments
8. Convoys and Convoy Escorts

9. Aviation
10. River Operations
11. Disarmament of Population
12. Armed Native Organizations
13. Military Government
14. Supervision of Elections
15. Withdrawal

See also: FM 3-24 Counterinsurgency.

Today in WW II: 9 Jul 1940 Battle of Calabria [Battle of Punta Stilo, the toe of Italy] fought between the Italian Royal Navy and the British/Australian Royal Navies, 30 miles [48km] east of Punta Stilo. More ?

9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul].
9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France.
9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.