U.S. Marine Corps - Small Wars Manual (1940 Edition)

Chapter III. LOGISTICS.

SECTION I
INTRODUCTION

3-1. Logistics is that branch of the military art which embraces the details of transportation and supplies.

"The Tables of Equipment, Supplies, and Tonnage, U. S. Marine Corps," set forth the equipment and supplies that are prescribed for Marine Corps expeditionary forces to take the field. These tables are a guide to the fourth section of the commander's executive staff in making a decision as to the type and amount of transportation and supplies required. However, the supply on hand at the port of embarkation, the time allowed for preparations, the ship's storage space available, the supplies in the theater of operations, the distance from home ports, when replacements can be expected on the foreign shore, and the condition of the roads and the road net within the anticipated field of operations will all be essential and controlling factors in arriving at the final decision.