Gaius Julius Caesar 01
(20 BC – 21 AD )
Strategemata
Book III XVII.6. On Sorties
When the forces of Titurius Sabinus and Cotta, Caesar's lieutenants in Gaul, had been wiped out by Ambiorix, Caesar was urged by Quintus Cicero, who was himself also under siege, to come with two legions to his relief.
The enemy then turned upon Caesar, who feigned fear and kept his troops within his camp, which he had purposely constructed on a smaller scale than usual.
The Gauls, already counting on victory, and pressing forward as though to plunder the camp, began to fill up the ditches and to tear down the ramparts. Caesar, therefore, as the Gauls were not equipped for battle, suddenly sent forth his own troops from all quarters and cut the enemy to pieces.
The enemy then turned upon Caesar, who feigned fear and kept his troops within his camp, which he had purposely constructed on a smaller scale than usual.
The Gauls, already counting on victory, and pressing forward as though to plunder the camp, began to fill up the ditches and to tear down the ramparts. Caesar, therefore, as the Gauls were not equipped for battle, suddenly sent forth his own troops from all quarters and cut the enemy to pieces.
Art of War MAXIMS
4.7. The general who is skilled in defence hides in the most secret recesses of the earth; he who is skilled in attack flashes forth from the topmost heights of heaven. Thus on the one hand we have ability to protect ourselves; on the other, a victory that is complete.
5.14. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.
5.16. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all; amid confusion and chaos, your array may be without head or tail, yet it will be proof against defeat.
6.26. How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy's own tactics--that is what the multitude cannot comprehend.
11.65. If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
5.14. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.
5.16. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all; amid confusion and chaos, your array may be without head or tail, yet it will be proof against defeat.
6.26. How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy's own tactics--that is what the multitude cannot comprehend.
11.65. If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
Insight
The lesson here to understand is not just the combined energy of men but more importantly of ideas and tactics.
Combined energy is the concept, not just using the right men at the right time. It is much bigger and wider. Caesar combined the energy of a smaller camp, the training and discipline of his men against the enemy. The Gauls did not take the time to combine and focus their energy and so gave Caesar the opportunity to defeat them.
This is when the simplicity of the Art of War is its own enemy. The reader has to understand the idea/concept and consider it as broadly as possibly so the reader can apply it specifically to the situation being confronted.
This is a key tactic to understanding the book and learning how to use the information contained within.
Caesar took the action to not put his troops in a weaker position and when the opportunity arose to win victory he acted. This maxim can be better understood by examining the maxim in another chapter of how a commander achieves victory by adjusting his actions to those of his enemy.
Combined energy is the concept, not just using the right men at the right time. It is much bigger and wider. Caesar combined the energy of a smaller camp, the training and discipline of his men against the enemy. The Gauls did not take the time to combine and focus their energy and so gave Caesar the opportunity to defeat them.
This is when the simplicity of the Art of War is its own enemy. The reader has to understand the idea/concept and consider it as broadly as possibly so the reader can apply it specifically to the situation being confronted.
This is a key tactic to understanding the book and learning how to use the information contained within.
Caesar took the action to not put his troops in a weaker position and when the opportunity arose to win victory he acted. This maxim can be better understood by examining the maxim in another chapter of how a commander achieves victory by adjusting his actions to those of his enemy.