The Last Hundred Yards: The NCO's Contribution to Warfare

Although this book runs a gamut of topics - the object of this book is to detail small unit tactics across a variety of terrains - but the book attempts to draw upon the lessons learned and unlearned from the Vietnam era which, if I understand correctly, was the last large scale conflict based primarily between 'small unit' tactics without an over emphasis on computer 'Buck Rogers' type equipment. While some Gulf War lessons are discussed and implemented - this is a book for infantrymen who may, or may not have air/artillary support. This book is very clearly written - makes extensive use of and explains terrain maps, the placement of bunkers, how you can expect to be attacked based upon certain terrain considerations, infiltration by enemy units, barbed wire, attacking built up areas, defending built up areas, radio coordination, attacking at night, ambushes, extensive material on the use of grenades, etc. - This book has two columns of text on its 370 pages and quotes not only from American and German generals - but also Vietnamese and Communist Chinese commanders. The material on urban battle is worth the price of the book alone. Weather you are military or if you enjoy training for fun with a 'squad' this book is the best overall book on the subject. If you want to understand what attacking an urban area, as we are doing overseas now, really entails - get this book. If you want to know what our fathers and grandfathers really went through on the road to Berlin - this book of for you. This is not some 'omega-man' book and you will need more than a 3rd grade education to read it. This is also not a book about how military equipment works, how it could be 'jury rigged,' modified, or a survival manual detailing how you should build a security shed, or how to survive in the jungle with a swiss army knife and canteen - If you like 'Real' books - you will like this one.

I happened on this book in the PX at FT Benning in 1998 and was absolutley amazed at the quality and content. Poole's book is a rarity - a USEFUL manual on small unit tactics at the squad and fire team level. Although a little dated in some places - he seems unaware of the existence of MILES or similar training devices - his advice is still hard to beat. Some of the topics include : squad ambushes; counter-ambush drills; training for point men (find THAT anywhere else); infiltration tactics; sapper-style raids; suport by fire; tactical movement formations and danger areas. Every technique is combat-tested and you will NOT find them in any US Army or USMC FM. They're not wacko or off-the-wall stuff either. What he's really done is translate the generic tactical principles found in military manuals and translated them into action at the smallest level. It's like a football team playbook for an infantry squad leader. This is not for the casual reader.

I saw this books at a local book store and started to thumb through it. I was amazaed how quickly I was transformed from my current life to 15 years ago when I was in the 82nd Airborne Division attending the Jungle Operations Training Center in Ft. Sherman Panama. Much of the training was absolutely different than that of Ft. Benning infantry school or anything at ft. Bragg outside of the 18th Airborne Corps RECONDO school. This book deals with small until tactics, movement to contact, actions at the objective that no other book has. A really good read as well.....