The Art Of War
The Art of War, by Sun-Tzu is believed to have been written before 500 BC. This was before Alexander, before Plato, before Caesar. It is still being studied and was still referenced as late as World War II and later.
In the chapter, Planning Offensives, I read some interesting things.
The general is the supporting pillar of state. If his talents are all-encompassing, the state will invariably be strong, if not the state will grow weak.
There are three ways an army is put into difficulty by a ruler:
If the ruler does not know that the Three Armies should not advance but instructs them to advance or does not know that the Three Armies should not withdraw and orders a retreat.
If the ruler does not understand the Three Armies' military affairs but directs them in the same way as his civil administration. Then the officers will become confused.
If the ruler does not understand the Three Armies' tactical balance of power but undertakes responisbility for command. Then the officers will be doubtful.
One whose general is capable and not interfered with by the ruler will be victorious.
Thus it is said that one who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements.
During the last days of the Civil War, with the war all but lost, Sherman was marching to the sea. Confederate General Joseph Johnston kept retreating, much like Sam Houston did with Texan forces opposed to Santa Anna in 1836. This caused panic and doubt, but these undermanned armies had no choice. Both generals were utilizing their sparse, overwhelmed forces, waiting for their moment. Houston's came at San Jacinto where he oversaw what many believe is the most lopsided battle in military history. Johnston was relieved of command by President Jefferson Davis, who considered Johnston a lackey and coward, like most of Texas did Sam Houston until San Jacinto.
Just before Sherman reached Atlanta Johnston was relieved of his command, just as Sherman made a grave error that Johnston had to watch and not be able to take advantage of. Command was given to one of Johnston's bravest and fiercest generals, Gen. Hood, commanding the Texans. General Hood attacked attacked attacked. When Johnston wanted a fierce attack there was none better than Hood. Hood had lost an arm and also a leg and had to be strapped to his horse, but fought and fought fanatically.
But without Johnston's prudence, Hood had the Confederate Army he commanded annihilated. Much like the North Vietnamese were all but annihilated in the Tet offensive. The Tet offensive was a political victory for the north, since it disheartened the war weary and confused in America, but militarily it was a total disaster after their first successes. So much so that Giap was almost relieved of command. The North Vietnamese had to change their strategy, one of attrition. Outlast us, outwait us, wear us down.
Johnston's and the South's one hope was for that. Hood's Army, the Southern Army of the Confederacy, was all but wiped out after Hood was in charge and Sherman had almost a free ride the rest of the way.
LBJ was a politician. He remembered how Gen. MacArthur in the Korean War almost dragged Russia into the war, and did get China involved. That's why Truman had him removed, not even so much as MacArthur's arrogance, but as his renegade style. But whoever was General, Truman let them do the generaling. He was Commander-in-Chief, the CEO, the one who gave the overall objectives, but let his Generals do their jobs. His was to hire and fire or discipline, but only when needed.
LBJ tried to get involved in every step of the war. He trusted no one. And he did it from half a world away.
Both Iraqi wars it has been left to the generals with outstanding results militarily speaking. It is important not to have a military state, our Commander-in-chief is an elected civilian. But even Eisenhower and George Washington let the generals run the army, the details, the implementation. They delegated responsibility. You must do that to win in sports too and in the corporate world. If LBJ had just read this age old book from China. (Maybe he should have gone to Old Army Texas A&M, ha! His library is well put at t.u.).
In the chapter, Planning Offensives, I read some interesting things.
The general is the supporting pillar of state. If his talents are all-encompassing, the state will invariably be strong, if not the state will grow weak.
There are three ways an army is put into difficulty by a ruler:
If the ruler does not know that the Three Armies should not advance but instructs them to advance or does not know that the Three Armies should not withdraw and orders a retreat.
If the ruler does not understand the Three Armies' military affairs but directs them in the same way as his civil administration. Then the officers will become confused.
If the ruler does not understand the Three Armies' tactical balance of power but undertakes responisbility for command. Then the officers will be doubtful.
One whose general is capable and not interfered with by the ruler will be victorious.
Thus it is said that one who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements.
During the last days of the Civil War, with the war all but lost, Sherman was marching to the sea. Confederate General Joseph Johnston kept retreating, much like Sam Houston did with Texan forces opposed to Santa Anna in 1836. This caused panic and doubt, but these undermanned armies had no choice. Both generals were utilizing their sparse, overwhelmed forces, waiting for their moment. Houston's came at San Jacinto where he oversaw what many believe is the most lopsided battle in military history. Johnston was relieved of command by President Jefferson Davis, who considered Johnston a lackey and coward, like most of Texas did Sam Houston until San Jacinto.
Just before Sherman reached Atlanta Johnston was relieved of his command, just as Sherman made a grave error that Johnston had to watch and not be able to take advantage of. Command was given to one of Johnston's bravest and fiercest generals, Gen. Hood, commanding the Texans. General Hood attacked attacked attacked. When Johnston wanted a fierce attack there was none better than Hood. Hood had lost an arm and also a leg and had to be strapped to his horse, but fought and fought fanatically.
But without Johnston's prudence, Hood had the Confederate Army he commanded annihilated. Much like the North Vietnamese were all but annihilated in the Tet offensive. The Tet offensive was a political victory for the north, since it disheartened the war weary and confused in America, but militarily it was a total disaster after their first successes. So much so that Giap was almost relieved of command. The North Vietnamese had to change their strategy, one of attrition. Outlast us, outwait us, wear us down.
Johnston's and the South's one hope was for that. Hood's Army, the Southern Army of the Confederacy, was all but wiped out after Hood was in charge and Sherman had almost a free ride the rest of the way.
LBJ was a politician. He remembered how Gen. MacArthur in the Korean War almost dragged Russia into the war, and did get China involved. That's why Truman had him removed, not even so much as MacArthur's arrogance, but as his renegade style. But whoever was General, Truman let them do the generaling. He was Commander-in-Chief, the CEO, the one who gave the overall objectives, but let his Generals do their jobs. His was to hire and fire or discipline, but only when needed.
LBJ tried to get involved in every step of the war. He trusted no one. And he did it from half a world away.
Both Iraqi wars it has been left to the generals with outstanding results militarily speaking. It is important not to have a military state, our Commander-in-chief is an elected civilian. But even Eisenhower and George Washington let the generals run the army, the details, the implementation. They delegated responsibility. You must do that to win in sports too and in the corporate world. If LBJ had just read this age old book from China. (Maybe he should have gone to Old Army Texas A&M, ha! His library is well put at t.u.).
posted by CottonSr @ 10:57 AM
1 Comments:
At 11:20 AM,
Sara said…
War and battles are not the places for "armchair quarterbacks". Let those trained for the mission do their job. And keep the entertainment industry types completely out of the picture!!!
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