Tank force of nature torrent3/26/2023 This is the principle of "decisive manoeuvre."ĥ. Then while his enemy's whole attention is absorbed by the menacing hand at his throat, with his other fist the man strikes his opponent from an unexpected direction in an unguarded spot, delivering out of the dark a decisive knock-out blow. The man will then seize his adversary firmly by the throat, holding him at arm's length so that the latter can neither strike back effectively, nor wriggle away to avoid or parry the decisive blow.Ĥ. This is the principle of "reconnaissance."ģ. When his outstretched arm touches his enemy, he would rapidly feel his way to a highly vulnerable spot, such as the latter's throat. This may be termed the principle of "protective formation."Ģ. Therefore, the man stretches out one arm to grope for his enemy, keeping it supple and ready to guard himself from surprise. In the first place he must seek his enemy. Let us examine the correct principles of action which a man seeking to attack an enemy in the dark would naturally adopt. Thus the man-in-the-dark resembles the commander in modern war. From their correct course of action, we can deduce the essential principles, and can then apply them to the conduct of war.īut it may be argued that the conditions of war are entirely different from those of a straightforward fight between two men that in war the enemy's movements and location are hidden from us until we are actually at grips with him.Ĭertainly, we agree, but the situation in war will resemble that of two men fighting under similar conditions, such as in the dark, wherein a man can only locate and reconnoitre his enemy by actually touching and feeling him. We will examine the simplest form of combat: that between two individuals. To understand these principles of tactics, we must simplify and reduce it to the essential elements which are true of any fighting, whether between two individual men, two platoons, or two armies. Let us endeavour to establish a simple and scientific tactical tree, which will clearly convey to the military student the essential principles and their broad application to the phases of war. The family tree is an ancient institution, and yet graphically clear as a chart of the various degrees of kinship. We must then fit them into their correct place, both in chronological and tactical sequence, in order to form a simple and truly scientific theory. To simplify the task of the junior commander we require to establish the essential principles of tactics and their relation to the varying phases of battle. The junior Infantry commander was taught many excellent precepts dealing with each phase of action, but his path was not smoothed for him by any framework of fundamental principles, upon which he could build as he acquired practical experience of ground and weapons. Too many text books on tactics dealt with war in a series of watertight compartments, explaining the points of difference rather than the points of similarity. This vital truth has scarcely been fully valued in the tactical teaching of the Infantry Leader. Lecture: "Simplicity is the Key to Victory." That, to my mind, makes what he has learned of more value than anything I could say on the subject. ![]() Now Captain Hart has commanded a platoon, he has commanded a company in France, and he was Adjutant of his battalion over a long period of time. ![]() Others have written about infantry tactics, but some of us who have done so are too aId to have had regimental experience of our own in the late War. One reason why I am proud to preside here to-day is that Captain Hart brings regimental experience to bear on the subject with which he deals. You will then be able to appreciate its importance. The Lecturer's ideas are not commonplace, and they deserve attention, as I think you will find when the lecture is printed. THE CHAIRMAN: Ladies and Gentlemen, I can introduce the Lecturer to you in a very few words, and having read his lecture twice, can tell you that there is a great deal of "meat" in it. Lieut.-General Sir Ivor Maxse K.C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O., in the Chair. and published in the Journal of The Royal United Service Institution February, 1921 On Wednesday, November 3rd, 1920, at 3 p.m. The "Man-in-the-Dark" Theory of Infantry Tactics and the "Expanding Torrent" System of Attack.
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