ISSUE 136 : May/Jun - 1999 - Australian Defence Force Journal

46AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE JOURNAL NO. 136 MAY/JUNE 1999likely be quite different and may even be opposed toone another.The various historical accounts of resistancemovements often use confusing and overlappingdefinitions of just what constitutes the movement. Forclarity and understanding resistance movements arebest viewed as consisting of the following elements:• the guerrilla force,• the auxiliary, and• the underground.While it is possible and even likely that in practicethese clear cut delineation’s will be blurred, the rolesperformed by the three elements are interdependentand need to be conducted to a greater or lesser degreeby someone or some organisation.• Guerrilla ForceA guerrilla force is a group of irregular,predominantly indigenous personnel, organised alongmilitary lines to conduct military and paramilitaryoperations in enemy or enemy held territory. It is theovert combat element of the resistance movement. Itstraining, organisation and employment followmilitary principles. In order to survive, grow andprosper, guerrilla forces must have the support of thelocal populace, who must be organised to providelogistic support, security and recruits. The guerrilla isnormally a combat participant in unconventionalwarfare. He has the legal status of a belligerent andhis conduct is covered in the laws of armed conflict.• AuxiliaryThe auxiliary is that element of the resistancemovement established to provide and organisecivilian support for the guerrilla force. Its organisationand operations are clandestine and its members do notopenly indicate their sympathy of involvement withthe resistance movement. The auxiliary is generallycomposed of local civilians. Its members carry oneveryday activities and assist the resistance movementpart-time. They are not expected to move from placeto place to conduct operations, however, they areexpected to support mobile and possibly non-localforces. Ideally the auxiliary should be organised toparallel existing government and administrativefunctions. One of the principal functions of theauxiliary is to organise and operate an internal supplysystem for the resistance and, in addition to theprocurement of food, clothing and medicine, theauxiliary also provides transportation, security andearly warning, intelligence and counter-intelligence,recruits and other missions as directed by theresistance command.• UndergroundThe third element of the resistance movement isthe underground. Enemy security measures or theantipathy of certain segments of the population maydeny some portions of the area of operations to theguerrilla force and the auxiliary. The underground isused to conduct operations in these areas. It isemployed to reach targets that would otherwise beinaccessible and to provide supplies, equipment orinformation that cannot be obtained from any othersource. The underground is a valuable and importantintelligence source. It is clandestine and organised ona cellular or “fail safe” principle of compartmentationand parallel lines wherein if one element iscompromised, the entire system will not beincapacitated. In addition to gathering intelligence itmay also participate in sabotage and subversion andwill control escape and evasion nets if established.Principles and PrerequisitesPrinciplesDuring the conduct of unconventional warfare thetraditional principles of war apply with addedemphasis on:• Selection and Maintenance of the Aim.Particular attention must be paid to the politicaland diplomatic overtones associated with the aim.• Security. Security is the dominant consideration.Protection of information prior to, during andfollowing operations is of prime importance. Incertain instances sophisticated deception plansmay be required.• Flexibility. Unconventional warfare provides themeans for a nation to enhance its diplomatic effortto prevent conflict, or to exercise power at thatcritical point where diplomacy has failed butactual hostilities have yet to commence. It allowsfor a flexible response to a wide range ofsituations through the selected use of force. It hasthe capacity to:• demonstrate political will and militarycapacity, while limiting escalation ofhostilities; and• use deniable force.PrerequisitesIn addition the following prerequisites must bemet for a resistance movement to flourish: