Operation Albion Case Study in Saaremaa

From 30 September to 2 October 2014 the Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC) officers, guided by members of the Directing staff conducted the field trip to Saaremaa. The aim of the trip was to enhance officers’ understanding of the evolution and conduct of joint operations through the notable historical example – operation “Albion” during the World War I.

This German operation was perhaps the first known joint operation in history that resulted in the extremely successfully coordinated Naval, Land and Air force invasion into the Island of Saaremaa being under the control of the Russian forces at that time. JCGSC officers’ had the opportunity to visualize and discuss phases of the operation by visiting actual terrain used by German and Russian forces, and placing themselves into a Joint Operational HQ planning officers’ position for the Centre of Gravity analysis.

“Such field study trips serve as an excellent instructive method bridging theory with practice as well developing officers’ critical thinking skills in the joint operational planning process and at the same time learning more about the history of the Baltic States,” mentioned MAJ Vidas Grunda.