Ett nödvändigt ont? Truppminors taktiska påverkan i ljuset av modern krigföring

Sammanfattning

This study examines the effects of the presence of anti-personnel mines on the use of tactics during the battle of Hürtgen forest 1944. The study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate regarding withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty and argues that there are discrepancies in previous research regarding the effect of anti-personnel mines. By analysing the effects of anti-personnel mines through the lens of Stephen Biddle’s (2010) Modern System-theory the study aims to research the possible tactical effects of the weapon. A ‘Structured, Focused’ method is applied in order to analyze the empirical material. The results suggest that the presence of anti-personnel mines affected the use of tactics to some degree, primarily through restricting movement. Furthermore the study finds no pattern between the class of minefield and its effects. The effects of anti-personnel mines in the Hürtgen forest instead seemed to vary based on the tactical situation and terrain. For further research an explanation building and a theory developing study is proposed in order to further develop the understanding for anti-personnel mines as a whole.