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CV Opines on the Great Classic War Treasties

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Centrix Vigilis View Drop Down
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  Quote Centrix Vigilis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: CV Opines on the Great Classic War Treasties
    Posted: 07-Apr-2011 at 21:12
I am often re-minded by the supposed intellectualist who professes to understand the process and ideologies behind war that one must eventually become a specificist. I disagree and I maintain that in order to study war... one must be do what the master practioners of it for over 3000 years now have done. And that..... is the study of those same master practioners and analysts who have demonstrably influenced it's developement and usage as a political tool.
 
For that.. as has been pointed out by many.... for centuries is what war is....politics through force.
 
 
Because with that also in mind...one, imo, soon learns that to be the generalist is what leads to being a specificist.... in any region or era or in dealing with the application and developement of tactics -strategy-logistics-weaponry and the Operational Art...if one so wishes to do.
 
Consequently from time to time I intend to cite known works and give a brief description of their subsequent impact or practicality that may or may not yet be seen in the now first closing decade of the 21st Ce.
 
 
And there's no better beginning point then when we cite Sun Tsu's remarkable classic "The Art of War".
 
Varying sources will relate that the author was a senior General of the Kingdom of Wu ca. late 6th ce. B.C. And the anctedotes abound about him as his accomplishments again based on source. It's a relative short work and yet with it's 13 chapters is considered to be the most significant of its time and considered one of the seven great military classics ever produced in China.
 
Now having said that I must also point out that it's been postulated that it is actually a compliation of a number of others, dictums and possible transcriptions. And it is apt to note that well before it's alleged publication the operational art in China had been ongoing in developement for probably 2000 previous years.
 
 
Ntl it's impact has been and remains signficant if not only the way historical military doctrine would continue to be developed in China but... as an example, in many cases, certainly as regard postioning-rapidity of movement and intellegence gathering and it's effects.... a fore runner of what later has becom known in various nations as 'principals of war'. For indeed 'The Art of War' has done just that.
 
I am not as huge a fan of the postulation that decison making processes as regards an armed force must be objective and subjective in the analysis of an opponets courses of actions....as some. But then again a 5 paragraph operations order or formalized intelligence estimate were not available for use in the 6th ce. and consequently that approach for the contextual era in which it became famous was probably the best that could be arrived at.
 
It has influenced military planners..analysists..politicans and leaders of industry and commerce. And without hesitation one would do no worse then begin a study of great classic military treasties by beginning here.
 
I highly recommend to the layman and professional alike to re/peruse it's 'pearls of wisdom'.
 
Certainly if one attempts to appreciate that human phenomena known as war.
 
Thanks
 
 


Edited by Centrix Vigilis - 07-Apr-2011 at 21:23
"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

S. T. Friedman


Pilger's law: 'If it's been officially denied, then it's probably true'

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  Quote Centrix Vigilis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-Apr-2011 at 01:39
It's been considered a classic virtually since the day it was written.

It needs little endorsment further then that. But I will say that his brillance and innovate mind laid the groundwork for the modernization and multi-role use of what became the Armored fighting force for many nations.

If you want a list of names of those who read perused and endorsed the man's critical analysis and adaptive flexibility in train of thought....start with Adna R. Chaffee and the great armor leaders of the West who followed.


The Foundations of
the Science of War
By Colonel J. F. C. Fuller, D.S.O


http://www.cgsc.edu/carl/resources/c...r2/fuller2.asp
"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

S. T. Friedman


Pilger's law: 'If it's been officially denied, then it's probably true'

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  Quote Centrix Vigilis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16-Jan-2012 at 17:06
A complex and dynamic leader and ruler of men that impressed every major military figure who followed him..to include the 'Little Corporal'. He has alas not been as well read in main stream since the fading of the of the 20th ce. But his tenets and and observations ranging on a vast field from quartermaster concerns to intelligence to movement to organisation of a field force to security and stratagems and much more... remain classics.
 
His brilliance in the operational art as much with affairs of state were classic models that were emulated for decades. I do him little credit with this short intro because in truth I yet remain in awe of the great master and for once... still have not yet... been able to find the words, after 45 years to pay due tribute to Frederick the Great.
 
He remains that impressive.
 
His period in history was tumultuous and dynamic. A now well recognized transition from the old warrior kings to the beginning of the era of the great battle captains. (He remained both) And the industrialisation of nation states and the formulation of professional standing armies. Whose discipline and effectiveness, through superb organization and training and leadership, became and remain, in the modern era....... the standard of today.
 
Who remains the most recognized figure in the initial development of the same? 
 
Frederick the Great
 
FREDERICK THE GREAT
"MILITARY INSTRUCTIONS"

THE KING OF PRUSSIA'S MILITARY INSTRUCTION TO HIS GENERALS

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

S. T. Friedman


Pilger's law: 'If it's been officially denied, then it's probably true'

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