U.S. Army Guerrilla Warfare and Special Forces Operations Manual (FM 31-21)

This Official U.S. Army Handbook explains how guerillas in high-pressure situations are led by special forces and unconventional warfare commanders and staff of all levels. For their deadly speed and decentralized actions, guerrillas are feared by modern armies for their ability to strike in the dead of night without warning and recover into the shadows before their identity is discovered. No tank or missile can defeat an unknown man. In this book, discover the art of guerrilla warfare, where armed civilians or irregulars win against larger enemies. Master offensive tactics such as ambushes, raids, and hit-and-run strategies that effectively challenge larger forces. Learn defense and counterintelligence to protect guerrilla units from detection and attack. Explore psychological operations to gather support from allies, undermine enemy morale, and conduct sabotage. From the dark jungles of Vietnam and the Philippines to the sparse deserts of Somalia and Afghanistan, the U.S. Army harnessed these techniques to disrupt enemy supply lines, deny control, and secure victory. Soldiers, who have researched and lived these tactics in real combat, wrote this handbook to prevail in unconventional fights. If he wishes to succeed in modern warfare, every man must adapt unconventional methods.