On Warfare
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Contents |
Availability
As the book was written and published within Thuulstrea, it is most commonly found there. It's most likely possible to find a stray one here or there on the surface though. It was written by Sornilzt Qualnryn.
On Warfare
The book itself attempts to give would-be military strategists a general idea of what to prepare for and expect during times of conflict. It is a beginners book to warfare.
Chapter One: Knowing Your Enemy
As many a strategist would tell you your enemy should always be your top concern. Always watch him, always study him. The key to your victory is not within your hands, but his. All you have to do is know when to take it. You must be willing to take risks, and learn how to anticipate what may occur. It is never detrimental to create many strategies, even if only one will end up used.
Chapter Two: Preparing An Army
Everyone knows that a well-trained army stands a better chance of defeating an untrained army. However, how does one create this well-trained army? The first step is to assemble a group of men and women. It does not matter how untrained and unknowledgable they are at the moment, as I'm assuming you would not be forming a military while already at war. If you are, then this book is not for you. Strict punishment and dominance do help, yes, but I've found trust gives people the most incentive. I was once told a short story by a friend that I will share, " One day, while the Lord was inspecting his forces, he came across one that was bitten by a most venomous snake, and would die if not helped. The Lord, without hesitation, began to suck the venom out of the soldier's leg. The mother of this soldier began to weep. Another soldier asked the mother, " Why do you cry? Your (son/daughter) has just been saved. " The mother answered, " Now (s)he will never return home. (S)He will follow (her/his) Lord until death. " Onto the types of soldiers. First and foremost you never want to have only one type of unit as you will lose most battles, and it is very easy for the enemy to anticipate how your forces will move and act during combat. All archers implies one's soldiers maintaining distance and perhaps setting up ambushes. All swordsmen could perhaps imply overconfidence, and full defense or offense.
Chapter Three: Maintaining An Army
In order to support any military one must have enough resources. Food, shelter, clothing, and ammunition for weaponry is usually what is needed most. To have these one must have a steady economy with a supportive community. During battle the most important thing is having a safe supply line. Without oncoming resources you will not be able to do anything. Your army will come to a direct halt. The worst possible situation one can ever be placed in during combat is being without this supply line. Never doubt it's importance.
Chapter Four: Army On The March
When travelling long distances one's forces will become tired and highly vulnerable. There is no way to avoid this as it is an inevitability. During marches it is important that the leader(s) make sure they know where it is they're going, and where the enemy is positioned. An army ten times the size and power on the march can easily be taken down by a weaker group of assailants, simply because of fatigue and the element of surprise. You must calculate how long the trip will be, and how you intend to get there. Never march an army if you are in a rush, because of previously stated reasons.
Chapter Five: Offensive Combat
Most scholars would agree that by taking the offensive, one is implying that their forces have an over abundance of power. When on the offensive, you must learn of key targets that need to be captured. Much like any other combat it is not neccesary to defeat everything that moves. In fact it's far more beneficial to capture the opponents military forces. It is key to continue pushing the enemy back to eventually corner them. You should also keep an eye out for one's supply line. If you can halt or destroy that, then you have succeeded. Forcing an enemy back is not as simple as it sounds. There are many different ways to do so, each useful in different situations. One could simply push forward and forward with all their strength. This is useful for when you do not have much time on your hands. There is also the crescent movement tactic. This tactic is best used when you want to impose fear or keep the opposition pinned and under control. To do this you simply slowly surround the opponent while pushing them away. Your units at the center of this crescent move at a slower pace, which forces the enemy back at a much lesser rate. This allows others to take advantange and gain speed in their effort to flank or surround. Another tactic commonly known is the flank. This is where two forces move in upon one from opposite sides, forcing the defense to clutter together. Ideally one would unleash vollies upon the cluttered enemy. Never fight uphill. Should the enemy manage to get the higher ground, do not advance. Their archers will have longer lines of sight and range which will devastate your forces. The last thing I will say is that you should never underestimate your opposition. Even if they are something as trivial as a rat. If you let your guard down even for a moment..
Chapter Six: Defensive Combat
Defense is best held when all defending participants are together. However if they are cluttered they will be prone to vollies. If they are spread apart they are vulnerable to cavalry. Assuming what you will be defending is something of importance, you will want your soldiers to hold their positions. An absolute neccesity when holding the defensive line is to actually hold that line. When one soldier falls, another behind him should take his place. Quickly. Your opposing enemies, the offensive side, will take advantage of any break or fault within your defensive line and use this to break through. When your line is broken it is safe to say there is little hope, as your soldiers will begin to panic and spread out. They will end up fighting on two fronts instead of one. The offensive still attacking your line and the offensive beside him who have just broken through. Although it is logical you would lose many should your line fall a retreat to higher ground could just save you. On to higher ground. If your forces are higher than the opposition it is far more likely that you will be able to repell. As most know higher ground adds many new beneficial elements. If you are in a forested area target some trees with your siege weaponry and topple them onto enemy units. If you are on a dirt hill pour water down. This will moisten the soil and cause it to become mud. Your opposition will most likely have to retreat as it is almost impossible to fight uphill on slippery mud.
