military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (06/09/89)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker)
[mod.note: I received the following anonymous posting. It addresses
well a previous request for information organizing a guerrilla
force. I have edited out a few more "controversial" passages. - Bill ]
>From _Total Resistance_, by Major H. von Dach, Swiss Army (the Swiss
guide to guerrilla and partisan (Resistance) warfare):
"Personal danger in the "fight of ideologies" is no longer measured in
terms of whether you belong to the resistance movement or not. If, by
virtue of profession or descent, you belong to a walk of life looked
upon unfavorably by the enemy, he will liquidate you sooner or later
either by deportation or by execution. To remain a "non-participant"
in the resistance movement is no longer useful since the system of
arresting hostages or mass deportation will indiscriminately be
applied to everyone, fighter or non-fighter." (p. 85)
Most resistance books seem to be written by crackpots or idiots. This
one is different, and as you'd expect from something published (in
Switzerland) by the Swiss Non-Commissioned Officers Association, it is
very realistic, and very, very good.
The English translation of _Total Resistance_ can be ordered from its
American publisher, Paladin Press, 1-800-642-8300, ext 24, $17.95,
VISA or MC.
Here's Bruce Clayton's review, from _Survival Books 1981_ (an
unfortunately out of print collection of book reviews by the sanest
and most intellegent survivalist I know of.):
**** [four stars, his highest rating] Apparently the Swiss Army
expects to be overrun by the Soviets at some time in the next decade
or so [or at least they're prepared for it; _Total Resistance was
published in 1958, and the review is dated 1981], and they have met
the challenge by planning a nation-wide resistance movement in
advance. _Total Resistance_ is a very impressive manual describing
exactly how to organize a resistance movement and carry on an
underground war against occupation forces. Partial contents: purpose
of guerilla warfare, tactics of guerilla warfare, how an enemy with
modern equipment will operate against your guerilla detachment,
operations of the resistance movement, and much more. Most military
manuals are bone-headed at best; most "resistance" manuals are
wild-eyed with weird politics; but this book is through, incisive,
intelligent, well-written, and virtually ignores politics. It stands
out far ahead of the competition. If you worry about what happens if
we lose World War III, you'll want to read this one.
And as the book's closing words say:
"The military expert who undervalues or even disregards guerrilla
warfare makes a mistake since he does not take into consideration the
strength of heart.
"The last, and admittedly, most cruel battle will be fought by
civilians. It will be conducted under fear the fear of deportation,
of execution, and concentration camps.
"We must and will win this battle since each Swiss male and female in
particular believe in the innermost part of their hearts---even if
they are too shy and sober in everyday life to admit or even speak
about it---in the old, and yet very up-to-date saying:
"Death rather than slavery!"