Clausewitz and Modern Strategy by Michael I. Handel

Author:Michael I. Handel [Handel, Michael I.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, General, Political Science, Security (National & International)
ISBN: 9781136285479
Google: exDz1e_C8QgC
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2012-11-12T16:14:19+00:00

Clausewitz was even more influenced by the Napoleonic concept of strategy, which was to bring superior forces, with strong reserves, to the decisive battle of annihilation and to exploit the smashing victory with relentless pursuit.

A general such as Bonaparte could ruthlessly cut through all his enemies’ strategic plans in search of battle, because he seldom doubted the battle’s outcome. So whenever the strategists did not endeavor with all their might to crush him in battle with superior force, whenever they engaged in subtler (and weaker) machinations, their schemes were swept away like cobwebs … Why? Because Bonaparte was well aware that everything turned on tactical results, and because he could rely on them. … That is why we think … that all strategic planning rests on tactical success alone, and that… only when one has no need to fear the outcome… can one expect results from strategic combinations alone.

(p.386; his emphasis)

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