Principles of War

Posted by ken whitehead on Sunday, August 08, 2004

These are the nine principles of war distilled from successful actions of the great captains over the centuries as published by Gen. Stackpole in "Chancellorsville".

The nine principles of war as reported in "Chancellorsville" by Gen. Stackpole are:

1.  The Objective
The designation of a specific plan leading to the archievement of victory on the battlefield.

2.  The Offensive
The only way by which a decision is gained, through exercise of the initiative.

3.  Mass
The ability to exert sufficient force at the right time and place.

4.  Economy of Force
Use of the means at hand to gain the ascendancy without undue waste of manpower.

5.  Movement
The skillful employment of troops by the use of maneuver.

6.  Surprise
The employment of secrecy and rapidity to attain maximum effect with minimum loss.

7.  Security
To take all measures to secure against observation and surprise, and to maintain freedom of action.

8.  Simplicity
Avoidance of complicated movements and the use of direct, unambiguous orders.

9.  Cooperation
Team work through coordination.