•General
features
•Plan and resolution:
–Evolve plan with appropriate
variations each of which correspond to probable or possible
actions. Employ Intelligence/recce units (spies, agents, cavalry, etc.)
in predetermined directions to eliminate or confirm
hypotheses concerning enemy actions thereby reduce
uncertainty and simplify own plans
as well as uncover adversary plans and intentions.
•Security:
–Generate misinformation, devise
stratagems, and alter composition of major formations to confuse and baffle
enemy agents, spies, etc. Employ screens of cavalry, infantry,
or both and make rise of natural features such as terrain,
weather, and darkness to mask dispositions and cloak movements
against enemy observation.
•Strategic dispersion and
tactical concentration:
–Expand then contract intervals
between force components in an irregular and rapid fashion
to cloud/distort strategic penetration maneuvers yet quickly focus
tactical effort for a convergent blow at the decisive
point.
•Vigorous offensive action:
–Seize initiative at the outset by
attacking enemy with an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of
(strategic) moves and diversions in order to upset his actions and
unsettle his plans thereby psychologically unbalance him and
keep initiative throughout.
•Strategic theme
•Use unified (or single) line of
operations as basis for mutual support between
separated adjacent and follow-on units.
•Menace (and try to seize)
adversary communications to isolate his forces from outside
support or reinforcement and force him to fight
under unfavorable circumstances by the following
actions:
–Employ fraction of force to
hold or divert adversary attention—by feints, demonstrations,
pinning maneuvers, etc.
–Exploit “exterior maneuvers”
against exposed flanks or “interior maneuvers” thru a
weak front to place (bulk of) forces in adversary’s flank and
rear.
•Set-up supporting “centers
(bases) of operation” and alternative lines of
communication and keep (at least some) safe and open
as basis to maintain freedom of maneuver.