#10 - All warfare is based on deception
cavalry would then turn and charge the pursuers.
Example: Odysseus crafted a giant, wooden horse
and filled it thousands of armed men. He told the
Trojan leaders that his gift was an offering to the
goddess Athena/Poseidon, whose temple had been
destroyed by the Greeks.
The gift was accepted and as soon as the horse was
safely inside the city, Odysseus’ men jumped out and
massacred the city.
Explanation: Deception appears at all levels, from
faked strategic intent to the individual feints and
dodges of swordplay.
#11 – When able to attack, we must seem unable, when
using our forces we must seem inactive, when we are
near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away,
when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Example: In the mid-19th century, the British Indian
army often wore white or their iconic red uniforms.
Due to casualty they have received, they dyed their
tunics to a muddy tan color using tea and curry. This
measure reduce soldier’s visibility from a distance
Explanation: As humans, evolution made us naturally
deceptive, it has also made us cautious and good at
detecting deception.
The side which both spot deception and deceives the
best, wins. Consider each perception of your
opponents and fins ways of changing this
#12 – Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder
and crush them
Example: The ancient Mongols were famed for their
extensive use of false retreat during their conquests,
as their cavalry made it almost impossible for an
enemy to successfully pursue them.
In the heat and disorder of a battle, the Mongol army
would pretend to be exhausted, confused and
defeated and would suddenly retreat from the
battlefield. The opposing force, thinking they had
routed the Mongols, would give chase.
The Mongol cavalry would, while retreating fire upon
the pursuers, discouraging them. When the pursuing
forces stopped chasing the Mongol cavalry, the
Explanation: When it appears you are disorganized
and vulnerable, opponents may seek to take swift
advantage of you disarray.
Traps can be laid for the unsuspecting enemy but
beware the double bluff where the enemy sees your
deception. They may try to counter your trick with a
better one
#13 – If he is secure at all points, evade him. If he is
superior in strength evade him
Example: A Royal Netherlands Navy ship was based
in Dutch colony waters when Japan attacked in the
Second World War. To escape detection by Japanese
airplane craft, the ship was heavily camouflaged with
jungle vegetation, giving the impression of a small
island.
The crew cut down trees and braches from nearby
islands, and arranged them to cover as much of the
ship as possible. Anything exposed was painted to
resemble rocks and cliffs. To further the illusion, the
ship would remain close to shore, anchored during
daylight and only sail at night. It was the last vessel
to successful escaped the area.
Explanation: Deception is vital when you are weak
and cannot rely on strength. This is the strategy of
prey who use disguise to deceive the predator.
#14 – If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his
forces are united separate them.
Example: The Roman Imperial Strategy in Germany
during the reign of Tiberius had two phases.
In the first phase, the Imperial commander
Germanicus interfered in the internal affairs of the
Germans by provoking conflict between tribal
leaders.
In the second phase, Tiberius withdrew the Roman
armies to a defensive position and left the Germans
to their own internal infighting. The tribes fell apart
and no longer posed a threat to the Roman Empire
Explanation: Divide et impera (Divide and Conquer).
Concentrated armies are difficult to overcome as
soldier can swiftly be replace with reinforcements. By
breaking them into parts, you remove their ability to
reinforce.
A small victory can them present you with a powerful
gain. In this way, Divide and Conquer is a common
yet powerful strategy
15# - Attack him where he is unprepared; appear where
you are no expected
Example: A successful ambush was sprung by
Germanic war chief Arminius against the Romans at
the Battle of Teutoburg Forest. The Germanic forces
took cover in difficult forested terrain, allowing the
warriors time and space to assemble without
detection.
They had the elements of surprise and sprang the
attack when the Roman were most vulnerable when
they had left their fortified camp and were on the
march in a pounding rainstorm.
Explanation: Do not attack with force where the
enemy is strongest. Utilize the elements of surprise
to keep the enemy in a state of confusion and
uncertainty.
#16 – These military devices, leading to victory, must
not be divulge beforehand.
Example: During WW2, the allies launched a
successful deception plan to fool the enemy in to
thinking they were going to invade France. The plan
involve creating a fake army group complete with
inflatable tanks, wooden planes, a fake camp and a
notable general that wandered the camp.
After the enemy caught up on the fake tanks and
trucks that were being used, the allies snuck in real
tanks and trucks and parked the in the same location.
This let the build up their forces for an assault
without the enemy catching on that they were there.
Explanation: Deception only works when the
opposition doesn’t realize that it is so. Great secrecy
is required, and possibly even deception about the
deception.
#17 – Now the general who wins a battle, makes many
calculation in his temple before the battle is fought. The
general who loses a battle make but few calculations
beforehand. Thus do many calculation lead to victory,
and few calculations to defeat.
Example: Helmuth von Moltke the Elder was known
to be one of be one of the first military leaders who
transitioned in modern warfare with huge armies.
He said, “No battle plans survives contact with the
enemy”, in other words, during the heat of battle all
plans are forgotten.
With this in man, he came up with the strategy to
create several army groups all of whom would
operate independently and create their own plans
during battle while keeping in mind the general
objective.
Explanation: Battles are won or lost before they are
even started. There is much in the way of planning
and preparation that is required.
If you’re prepared for the numerous possible actions
of the enemy and the unpredictable hand of luck, you
make take advantage of opportunity and avoid the
terrible surprise of being outmaneuvered by the
leader on the opposing side.
As President Eisenhower said, “Plans are nothing, but
planning is everything”. In planning, knowledge of the
other side is critical.
Knowing their strength, positions and intent helps
you make better calculation, though you must also
be prepared for the unexpected.
Of course the main plant never survives the battle.
When the enemy acts, you have to respond. Yet even
plant that are never implemented have their values in
preparing you