The legacy of Napoleon, Clausewitz, and Jomini’s tactical regularity and the continued use of large stereotyped formations for tactical assault, together with the mobilization of large armies and massing of enormous supplies through a narrow logistics network, “telegraphed” any punch hence minimized the possibility of exploiting ambiguity, deception, and mobility to generate surprise for a decisive edge.
In this sense, technology was being used as a crude club that generated frightful and debilitating casualties on all sides during the:
American Civil War
1861–65
Austro-Prussian War
1866
Franco-Prussian War
1870
Boer War
1899–1902
Russo-Japanese War
1904–05
World War I
1914–18
Point
Evolution of tactics did not keep pace with increased weapons lethality developed and produced by 19th century technology.
? — Raises question — ?
Why were the 19th century and early 20th century commanders unable to evolve better tactics to avoid these widely felt and debilitating casualties?