The Stress of Battle: Quantifying Human Performance in Combat

This publication, sponsored by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), traces the development of quantitative historical analysis techniques within the Ministry of Defence from studies (including trials and exercise monitoring) conducted in the 1970s. This analysis enables information to be compiled on more realistic combat modelling (using comparisons between simulated and real combat), particularly in relation to human behaviour and reactions, underpinning operational effectiveness, force structures and equipment procurement studies. Issues covered include: an introduction to operational research and historical analysis; combat trials, armour and anti-armour effectiveness studies; heroism and combat degradation; historical analysis of shock and surprise effects.