Monday, October 25, 2010

Sun.

This is coolbert:


"The art of war is simple enough.
Find out where your enemy is.
Get at him as soon as you can.
Strike him as hard as you can,
and keep moving on.” - - U.S. Grant.

"Hit em' as hard as you can
as quick as you can
where it hurts em' the most
and when they ain't looking!"
- - as told to Cadet Bill Slim by
a British Sergeant Major.


Here with the six strategic principles of war as enunciated by Sun Tzu, gleaned from the Military History Online web site article: "Sun Tzu and the Overland Campaign of 1864" - - by Richard Podruchny:

1. The first principle: "Win all without fighting; achieving the objective without destroying it."

2. The second principle: "Avoid strength, attack weakness; Striking where the enemy is most vulnerable."

3. The third principle: "Deception and foreknowledge; winning the information war." [consisting of] four subcategories;

* "knowing the enemy"
* "knowing one's own capabilities"
* "knowing the environment"
* "utilizing deception"

4. The fourth principle: "Speed and preparation: Moving swiftly to overcome resistance." [allowing for] four advantages:

* "speed is a substitute for resources"
* "surprises and shocks the enemy"
* "exploits fleeting opportunities"
* "builds momentum"

5. The fifth principle: "Shaping the enemy: preparing the battlefield," [consisting of] three aspects:

* "holding strategic positions"
* "attacking the enemy's strategy"
* "direct and indirect forces"

6. The sixth [and] last principle: "Character-based leadership: leading by example," [consisting of] six categories:

* "character"
* "lead by example"
* "share soldier's trials"
* "morale and motivation"
* "delegation of authority"
* "providing clear direction"

Regarding the Overland Campaign [1864], Lee versus Grant:

"There is no comparable historical example of two great, evenly matched generals fighting each other to a standstill in operations marked on each side by wary caution, brilliant boldness, and sound estimates of the opponent's capabilities and intentions coupled with sincere respect for the other's ability." - - Dupuy.


Comment:

* Within the "Art of War" the six principles are not listed in such a cogent, concise, and compact manner. Such a listing with sub-categories can reasonably be inferred, however.

coolbert.

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