Jungle Warfare

Only Tarzan would choose to fight in the jungle -- and even then, he would only fight for the love of Jane. Jungle Warfare tends to be one of the most difficult types of warfare out there, and those that survive a jungle war do it based upon excellent skills and superb tactics. Jungle warfare involves rigid mental capabilities, and a guerrilla-type attitude due to the torturous terrain.

Some believe that jungle warfare tactics can largely be attributed to early British soldiers who fought with primitive equipment and few men. Jungle warfare is usually fought within very close quarters, but due to various environmental types of camouflage (trees, weeds, mud) jungle warfare is often a loosing battle. One great example of jungle warfare was the Vietnam War, which turned out to be a devastating war for American troops. However, since the time of Vietnam, military units have been largely trained in the art of jungle warfare, and tactics have been tremendously improved. Various tactics involved in jungle warfare include combat tracking, close-quarter fighting, small team operations, and tree jumping – all essential jungle war skills.

As previously mentioned, jungle warfare is often a psychological game. Enemies can easily hide in trees, under ground, or right in front of an attacking soldier. The smallest sound, or slightest movement from an animal can result in widespread panic, which may be the reason why the Vietnam War saw so many soldiers returning home from the war “shell shocked.” Today, most countries attempt to avoid this type of warfare, but special jungle units do exist within the United States (Green Berets), Brazil (Jungle Infantry Brigade), and Argentina (Cazadores del Monte). Jungle warfare takes more than skill, this type of war takes strong will.

Desert Warfare

In great contrast to arctic warfare exists desert warfare. Desert wars are an extreme measure of stamina and preparedness. Desert wars have many drawbacks that may not be considered from the vantage point of home viewers, or casual war observers. Desert wars are the type of wars that are fought in today’s world, and although these wars are widely covered by media, a desert war is a whole different ballgame that often goes unmentioned.

If an arctic battlefield is the worst kind of terrain possible in which to fight a war, desert terrain comes in a very close second. Because desert environments can be largely unpredictable, those that are not familiar with a desert land can be at a great disadvantage. Although various military tactics, maps, and intelligence may try to prepare troops for battle amidst sand and storms, soldiers can be largely unprepared when it comes to dealing with desert attributes that only natives know about. Those that fight behind the desert’s shield are largely those that have the upper hand.

Special equipment is needed in order to successfully fight a desert war. Desert wars can largely be won from an aerial advantage, which will give an attacker a birds eye view of the large, difficult, land. Desert equipment includes helicopters, various other types of aircraft, special camouflage, tanks, landmines, and excellent fighting tactics specifically designed for desert warfare.

Fighting a war within a desert can be tricky and exhausting. Desert warfare is often avoided at all costs unless it is absolutely necessary. Often, those that fight within desert lands are facing a sort of battle that is largely volatile.