As a veteran soldier, I generally support the assessment above.
Morale is an enabler, but less of a deciding factor in sustained modern combat .
Morale is more of a factor when your logistics and service support has ebbed, but reinforcement is on the horizon.
Morale can be broken down to a few components:
1. The faith, trust and bond of the troops in one another. This is perhaps the most compelling element.
2. Reasonable expectation of success. Even Kamikaze pilot are known to back out of futile missions.
3. The mission and its impact. The proximity and immediacy of fight to your loved ones (including your battle buddies) the greater the drive.
Factor 1 can sustain a firefight. (hours-days)
Factor 2 can sustain a deployment (months)
Factor 3 can sustain a whole campaign. (years)
