The Art of Shadow War - Revision history

Josh: /* XIII. The Use of Spies */

2008-04-12T15:51:25Z

‎XIII. The Use of Spies

Josh: /* XII. The Attack by Fire */

2008-04-12T05:05:29Z

‎XII. The Attack by Fire

Josh: /* XI. The Nine Situations (editing in progress) */

2008-04-12T04:55:14Z

‎XI. The Nine Situations (editing in progress)

Josh: /* XI. The Nine Situations */

2008-04-10T13:51:02Z

‎XI. The Nine Situations

Josh: /* X. Terrain (in progress) */

2008-04-10T06:44:25Z

‎X. Terrain (in progress)

Josh: /* X. Terrain */

2008-04-10T06:04:51Z

‎X. Terrain

Josh: /* IX. The Army on the March */

2008-04-10T05:45:42Z

‎IX. The Army on the March

Josh: /* VIII. Variation in Tactics */

2008-04-09T21:19:17Z

‎VIII. Variation in Tactics

Josh: /* VII. Maneuvering */

2008-04-09T20:49:35Z

‎VII. Maneuvering

Josh: /* VI. Weak Points and Strong */

2008-04-09T06:43:23Z

‎VI. Weak Points and Strong

@@ Line 951: / Line 951: @@
 . Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so, to remain in ignorance of the enemy's condition simply because one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and emoluments, is the height of inhumanity.
 . One who acts thus is no leader of men, no present help to his sovereign, no master of victory.
@@ Line 957: / Line 959: @@
 . Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.
 . Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men.
@@ Line 965: / Line 969: @@
 . Having local spies means employing the services of the inhabitants of a district.
 . Having inward spies, making use of officials of the enemy.
 . Having converted spies, getting hold of the enemy's spies and using them for our own purposes.
 . Having doomed spies, doing certain things openly for purposes of deception, and allowing our spies to know of them and report them to the enemy.
 . Surviving spies, finally, are those who bring back news from the enemy's camp.
@@ Line 981: / Line 991: @@
 . Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.
 . Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.
 . If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the man to whom the secret was told.
 . Whether the object be to crush an army, to storm a city, or to assassinate an individual, it is always necessary to begin by finding out the names of the attendants, the aides-de-camp, and door-keepers and sentries of the general in command. Our spies must be commissioned to ascertain these.
@@ Line 1,001: / Line 1,015: @@
 . Hence it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of spying and thereby they achieve great results. Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move.

@@ Line 879: / Line 879: @@
 == XII. The Attack by Fire ==
 . Sun Tzu said: There are five ways of attacking with fire. The first is to burn soldiers in their camp; the second is to burn stores; the third is to burn baggage trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines; the fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy.
 . In order to carry out an attack, we must have means available. The material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness.
@@ Line 891: / Line 895: @@
 . (1) When fire breaks out inside to enemy's camp, respond at once with an attack from without.
 . (2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy's soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack.
 . (3) When the force of the flames has reached its height, follow it up with an attack, if that is practicable; if not, stay where you are.
 . (4) If it is possible to make an assault with fire from without, do not wait for it to break out within, but deliver your attack at a favorable moment.
 . (5) When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward.
 . A wind that rises in the daytime lasts long, but a night breeze soon falls.
@@ Line 907: / Line 921: @@
 . By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted, but not robbed of all his belongings.
 . Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise; for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.
 . Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.
 . Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.
 . No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.
 . If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.
 . Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content.
@@ Line 922: / Line 944: @@
 . But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.
 . Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at peace and an army intact.
 == XIII. The Use of Spies ==

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 . Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
-== XI. The Nine Situations (editing in progress)==
+== XI. The Nine Situations ==
 . Sun Tzu said: The art of war recognizes nine varieties of ground: (1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) contentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate ground.
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 . Ground the possession of which imports great advantage to either side, is contentious ground.
 . Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground.
 . Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states, so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his command, is a ground of intersecting highways.
 . When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is serious ground.
@@ Line 737: / Line 743: @@
 . On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.
 . Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew how to drive a wedge between the enemy's front and rear; to prevent co-operation between his large and small divisions; to hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers from rallying their men.
 . When the enemy's men were united, they managed to keep them in disorder.
@@ Line 745: / Line 755: @@
 . If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: "Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will."
 . Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
 . The following are the principles to be observed by an invading force: The further you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against you.
 . Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with food.
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 . Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.
 . Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.
 . Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the qui vive; without waiting to be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be trusted.
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 . Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-jan, I should answer, Yes. For the men of Wu and the men of Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing a river in the same boat and are caught by a storm, they will come to each other's assistance just as the left hand helps the right.
 . Hence it is not enough to put one's trust in the tethering of horses, and the burying of chariot wheels in the ground
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 . By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.
 . At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand.
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 . When invading hostile territory, the general principle is, that penetrating deeply brings cohesion; penetrating but a short way means dispersion.
 . When you leave your own country behind, and take your army across neighborhood territory, you find yourself on critical ground. When there are means of communication on all four sides, the ground is one of intersecting highways.
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 . We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.
 . To be ignored of any one of the following four or five principles does not befit a warlike prince.
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 . Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.
 . For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for victory.
 . Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.
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 . At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.
 == XII. The Attack by Fire ==

@@ Line 708: / Line 708: @@
 . Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
-== XI. The Nine Situations ==
+== XI. The Nine Situations (editing in progress)==
 . Sun Tzu said: The art of war recognizes nine varieties of ground: (1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) contentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate ground.
@@ Line 844: / Line 844: @@
 . Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.
 . At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.
 == XII. The Attack by Fire ==

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 . If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.
-== X. Terrain (in progress)==
+== X. Terrain ==
 . Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.
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 . If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.
 . If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.
 . Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

@@ Line 626: / Line 626: @@
 . If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.
-== X. Terrain ==
+== X. Terrain (in progress)==
 . Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.
 . Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.
 . With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.
 . Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.
 . From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.
 . When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.
 . In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.
 . With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.
 . Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.
 . With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.
 . If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.
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 . Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.
 . Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
 == XI. The Nine Situations ==

@@ Line 527: / Line 527: @@
 == IX. The Army on the March ==
 . Sun Tzu said: We come now to the question of encamping the army, and observing signs of the enemy. Pass quickly over mountains, and keep in the neighborhood of valleys.
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 . The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.
 . When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry. When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping.
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 . If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.
 . If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness.
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 . When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
 . If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.
@@ Line 616: / Line 624: @@
 . If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad.
 . If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.
 == X. Terrain ==

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 . The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops.
 . The general who does not understand these, may be well acquainted with the configuration of the country, yet he will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account.
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 . If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.
 . Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them; and make trouble for them, and keep them constantly engaged; hold out specious allurements, and make them rush to any given point.
 . The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.
 . There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: (1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction; (2) cowardice, which leads to capture; (3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; (4) a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame; (5) over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.
 . These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war.
 . When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of meditation.
 == IX. The Army on the March ==

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 . Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign.
 . Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, he must blend and harmonize the different elements thereof before pitching his camp.
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 . If you set a fully equipped army in march in order to snatch an advantage, the chances are that you will be too late. On the other hand, to detach a flying column for the purpose involves the sacrifice of its baggage and stores.
 . Thus, if you order your men to roll up their buff-coats, and make forced marches without halting day or night, covering double the usual distance at a stretch, doing a hundred LI in order to wrest an advantage, the leaders of all your three divisions will fall into the hands of the enemy.
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 . We may take it then that an army without its baggage-train is lost; without provisions it is lost; without bases of supply it is lost.
 . We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.
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 . We shall be unable to turn natural advantage to account unless we make use of local guides.
 . In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.
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 . When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst your men; when you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery.
 . Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.
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 . The Book of Army Management says: On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough: hence the institution of gongs and drums. Nor can ordinary objects be seen clearly enough: hence the institution of banners and flags.
 . Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point.
 . The host thus forming a single united body, is it impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone. This is the art of handling large masses of men.
 . In night-fighting, then, make much use of signal-fires and drums, and in fighting by day, of flags and banners, as a means of influencing the ears and eyes of your army.
 . A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind.
 . Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent only on returning to camp.
 . A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.
 . Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy:--this is the art of retaining self-possession.
 . To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it, to wait at ease while the enemy is toiling and struggling, to be well-fed while the enemy is famished:--this is the art of husbanding one's strength.
 . To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order, to refrain from attacking an army drawn up in calm and confident array:--this is the art of studying circumstances.
 . It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill.
@@ Line 462: / Line 484: @@
 . When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
-. Such is the art of warfare.
+''Allow surrender, and turn it to advantage.''
 == VIII. Variation in Tactics ==

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 . Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.
 . Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
 . By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or, by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.
 . If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him; if well supplied with food, he can starve him out; if quietly encamped, he can force him to move.
@@ Line 309: / Line 315: @@
 . An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not.
 . You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.
 . Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
 . O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.
@@ Line 319: / Line 331: @@
 . If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.
 . If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.
 . By discovering the enemy's dispositions and remaining invisible ourselves, we can keep our forces concentrated, while the enemy's must be divided.
 . We can form a single united body, while the enemy must split up into fractions. Hence there will be a whole pitted against separate parts of a whole, which means that we shall be many to the enemy's few.
 . And if we are able thus to attack an inferior force with a superior one, our opponents will be in dire straits.
@@ Line 331: / Line 349: @@
 . For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.
 . Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us.
@@ Line 354: / Line 374: @@
 . Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.
 . Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.
@@ Line 364: / Line 386: @@
 . He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.
 . The five elements (water, fire, wood, metal, earth) are not always equally predominant; the four seasons make way for each other in turn. There are short days and long; the moon has its periods of waning and waxing.
 == VII. Maneuvering ==