Chapter 7 - Manuvering

https://www.solgood.org - Check our our Streaming Service for our full collection of audiobooks, short stories, & 10 hour sounds for sleep at our website

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Chapter seven Maneuvering. One, Sunzosaid, in war, the general receives
his commands from the sovereign. Two, having collected an army and concentrated his
forces, he must blend and harmonizethe different elements thereof before pitching his camp.

(00:28):
Three. After that comes tactical maneuvering, than which there is nothing more
difficult. The difficulty of tactical maneuveringconsists in turning the devious into the direct,
and misfortune into gain. Four.Thus, to take a long and

(00:52):
secuitous root, after enticing the enemyout of the way, and though starting
after him, to strive to reachthe goal before him, shows knowledge of
the artifice of deviation. Five.Maneuvering with an army is advantageous with an

(01:14):
undisciplined multitude most dangerous. Six.If you set a fully equipped army in
march in order to snatch an advantage, the chances are then you will be
too late. On the other hand, to detach a flying column for the

(01:34):
purpose involves the sacrifice of his baggageand stores. Seven. Thus, if
you order your men to roll upthe abuff coats and make forced marches without
halting day or night, covering doublethe usual distance at a stretch, doing

(01:57):
a hundred lee in order to restan advantage, the leaders of all your
free divisions will fall into the handsof the enemy. Eight. The stronger
men will be in front than jadedones will fall behind, And on this
plan only one tenth of your armywill reach its destination. Nine. If

(02:24):
you march fifty lie in order tooutmaneuver the enemy, you will lose the
leader of your first division, andonly half your force will reach the goal.
Ten. If you march thirty liewith the same object, two thirds

(02:44):
of your army will arrive. Eleven. We may take it then that an
army without its baggage train is lost. Without provisions, it is lost.
Without basis of supply, it islost. Twelve. We cannot enter into

(03:07):
alliances until we are acquainted with thedesigns of our neighbors. Thirteen we are
not fit to lead an army onthe march unless we are familiar with the
faith of the country, its mountainsand forests, its pitfalls and precipices,

(03:28):
its marshes and swamps. Fourteen weshall be unable to turn natural advantage to
account unless we make use of localguides. Fifteen. In war, practice
dissimulation, and you will succeed.Sixteen. Whether to concentrate or to divide

(03:55):
your troops must be decided by circumstances. Seventeen. Let your rapidity be that
of the wind, your compactness thatof the forest. Eighteen. In raiding
and plundering, be like fire,is immovability like a mountain. Nineteen.

(04:24):
Let your plans be dark and impenetrableas night, and when you move,
fall like a thunderbolt. Twenty.When you plunder a countryside, let the
spoil be divided amongst your men.When you capture new territory, cut it

(04:44):
up into allotments for the benefit ofthe soldiery. Twenty one. Ponder and
deliberate before you make a move.Twenty two. He will conquer who has
learned the artifice of deviation, Suchis the art of maneuvering. Twenty three.

(05:10):
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 clearlyenough, hence the institution of banners

(05:30):
and flags. Twenty four. Gongsand drums. Banners and flags a means
whereby the ears and eyes of thehost may be focused on one particular point
twenty five the host does forming asingle united body. Is it impossible either

(05:55):
for the brave to advance alone orfor the cowardly to retreat alone. This
is the art of handling large massesof men twenty six. In night fighting,
then make much use of signal,fires and drums, and in fighting
by day of flags and dinners asa means of influencing the ears and eyes

(06:20):
of your army. Twenty seven.The whole army may be robbed of its
spirit. A commander in chief maybe robbed of his presence of mind twenty
eight. Now a soldier's spirit iskinnest in the morning, by noonday it

(06:43):
has begun to flag, and inthe evening his mind is bent only on
returning to camp. Twenty nine.A clever general therefore a voice an army
when its spirit is keen, butattack it when it is sluggish and inclined
to return. This is the artof studying moods thirty Disciplined and calm to

(07:14):
await the appearance of disorder and hubbup amongst the enemy. This is the
art of retaining self possession thirty oneto be near the goal while the enemy
is still far from it. Towait at ease while the enemy is toiling
and struggling. To be well fedwhile the enemy is famished. This is

(07:39):
the art of husbanding one's strength.Thirty two. 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.

(08:01):
Thirty three. It is a militaryaxiom not to advance uphill against the enemy,
nor to oppose him when he comesdownhill. Thirty four. Do not
pursue an enemy who simulates flight.Do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.

(08:26):
Thirty five. Do not swallow baitoffered by the enemy. Do not
interfere with an army that is returninghome. Thirty six. When you surround
an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too
hard. Thirty seven. Such isthe art of warfare. End of Chapter seven