Attrition
Attrition is a word that always trips me up. No matter how often I hear or read it, I can never retain the meaning, so I decided to write about it in the vain hope of something of the meaning sticking.
A war of attrition is a conflict which is fought over a sustained period. It is a military strategy that attempts to secure victory by continuously grinding down the enemy. Through unremitting losses in resources and personnel, the enemy’s morale and determination are reduced to the point where defeat is inevitable.
The American Civil War and the First World War are both examples of attritional war. The army that is quicker to replace or reinforce its men and armaments normally wins the battle. The victory may involve mere yards of ground.
Inasmuch as all battles are attritional to some degree and notwithstanding the heinous loss of life involved, it is doubtful that war will be relegated to the history books. An utopian world in which all people work together in peace is unlikely to be realised.
Wars have been fought since time immemorial, from Darius I, in 513 BC, through the Second Mongol Invasion of Hungary in 1285 and 1286, to the Swedish invasion of Russia in 1708 and the Spanish Civil War of 1938-1939, and many other conflicts. Man has proved himself incapable of curbing his compulsion to overcome, to invade and to rule. Equally, man has found it impossible to bow gracefully under the threat of invasion and has discovered, over and again, the ineffectiveness of soft words and compromise.
Shall I now remember the meaning of attrition? Is it better than annihilation?
For my part, I have never heard of the attritional usage. I've only heard and use the noun. Until now, that is.
ReplyDeleteConflict of one sort or another is frequently discussed in this house. Old soldiers never die . . .
DeleteAttrition is defeating the enemy, not by brutality, but by slowly wearing them down. I would never use a gun, under any circumstances. But if I couldn't get a proven killer to acknowledge his crimes, I would let him sit in gaol with just bread and tea till he changed his mind.
ReplyDeleteI think war is pretty brutal, whatever the circumstances.
DeleteI've heard the woed and had a vague understanding that it meant acquiring something but didn't know it related to wars. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI just hope I'll remember it now!
DeleteI think I have also heard attrition used in a religious sense to reluctantly atone for one's sins.
ReplyDeleteYou're right! I just looked it up - it's also known as 'imperfect contrition', led by fear.
DeleteAttrition basically means war or confrontation?
ReplyDeleteIt means wearing down rather than merely confronting.
DeleteSometimes when a war victory occurs, it fails in the long run because of a war of attrition by guerrilla activity over a sustained period. Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey.
ReplyDeleteChoose your terrain carefully - though, of course, you can't.
ReplyDeleteI don't think our species is capable of peace. Even look at sports events - I believe they are just a form of ritualized warfare.
ReplyDeleteI agree, but look at other species - there's always an element of aggression.
ReplyDeleteI know we would all like peace but when you look back in History ... war has always been present.
ReplyDeleteIn my small corner of the world I do my best to keep life as pleasant and peaceful as possible ... as the saying goes 'every little helps'
Many thanks for an interesting read.
All the best Jan
Some people are just ruthless and they cannot be allowed to dominate.
ReplyDeleteI will probably remember the meaning of this now.
ReplyDelete😎
DeleteAnother word I had heard of but didn't know the true meaning of. I am a great lover of learning new words. Thanks so much and all the best Jan.
ReplyDeleteWords are wonderful . . . and there are so many of them! 🤣
ReplyDeleteI would say the war in the Ukraine would be an example of a war of attrition. I hope the right side wins!
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