On Clausewitz on War

CARL VON CLAUSEWITZ ON WAR

Edited and Translated by MICHAEL HOWARD and PETER PARET

Introductory Essays by PETER PARET, MICHAEL HOWARD, and BERNARD BRODIE; with a Commentary by BERNARD BRODIE

Index by ROSALIE WEST

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY CARL VON CLAUSEWITZ PREPARED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CENTER OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

A LIST OF OTHER CENTER PUBLICATIONS APPEARS AT THE BACK OF THE BOOK CARL VON CLAUSEWITZ ON WAR

Edited and Translated by MICHAEL HOWARD and PETER PARET

Introductory Essays by PETER PARET, MICHAEL HOWARD, and BERNARD BRODIE; with a Commentary by BERNARD BRODIE

Index by ROSALIE WEST

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY Published by Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 In the United Kingdom: Princeton University Press, Chichester, West Sussex

Index copyright O 1984 by Princeton University Press

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Clausewitz, Carl von, 1780-183 1. On war. Translation of: Vom Kriege. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Military art and science. 2. War. I. Howard, Michael Eliot, 1922- 11. Paret, Peter. 111. Title. U102.C65 1984 355 84-3401 ISBN 0-691-05657-9 ISBN 0-691-01854-5 (pbk.)

First Princeton Paperback printing, 1989

Princeton University Press books are printed on acid-free paper and meet the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources

Printed in the United States of America

pbk.

ISBN-10: 0-691-01854-5 (pbk.) CONTENTS

Editors' Note xi Note for the 1984 Edition xii Introductorv Essays

The Genesis of On War PETER PARET The Influence of Clausewitz MICHAEL HOWARD The Continuing Relevance of On War BERNARD BRODIE On War Author's Preface Author's Comment Preface MARIE VON CLAUSEWITZ Two Notes by the Author

BOOK ONE On the Nature of War

I What is War?

2 Purpose and Means in War 3 On Military Genius 4 On Danger in War 5 On Physical Effort in War 6 Intelligence in War 7 Friction in War 8 Concluding Observations on Book One CONTENTS

BOOK TWO On the Theory of War

I Classifications of the Art of War

2 On the Theory of War 3 Art of War or Science of War 4 Method and Routine 5 Critical Analysis 6 On Historical Examples

BOOK THREE On Strategy in General Strategy Elements of Strategy Moral Factors The Principal Moral Elements Military Virtues of the Army Boldness Perseverance Superiority of Numbers Surprise Cunning Concentration of Forces in Space Unification of Forces in.Time The Strategic Reserve Economy of Force The Geometrical Factor The Suspension of Action in War The Character of Contemporary Warfare Tension and Rest CONTENTS

BOOK FOUR The Engagenlent

I Introduction

2 The Nature of Battle Today 3 The Engagement in General 4 The Engagement in General-Continued 5 The Significance of the Engagement Duration of the Engagement Decision of the Engagement Mutual Agreement to Fight The Battle: Its Decision The Battle-Continued: The Effects of Victory The Battle-Continued: The Use of Battle Strategic Means of Exploiting V~C~ON Retreat after a Lost Battle Night Operations

BOOK FIVE Military Forces

1 General Survey

3 The Army, the Theater of Operations, the Campaign 3 Relative Strength 4 Relationship between the Branches of the Service 5 The Army's Order of Battle 6 General Disposition of the Army 7 Advance Guard and Outposts 8 Operational Use of Advanced Corps 9 Camps

10 Marches

vii CONTENTS

1 1 Marches-Continued

12 Marches-Concluded

13 Billets

14 Maintenance and Supplv

15 Base of Operations 16 Lines of Communication 17 Terrain 18 The Command of Heights

BOOK SIX Defense Attack and Defense The Relationship between Attack and