CHAPTER V - THE STRATEGIC DEFENSIVE

Abstract

This chapter discusses the strategic defensive. It discusses the following problems: (1) active and passive defence; (2) preparations for combating “encirclement and suppression” campaigns; (3) strategic retreat; (4) strategic counter-offensive; (5) starting the counter-offensive; (6) concentration of troops; (7) mobile warfare; (8) war of quick decision; and (9) war of annihilation. Active defense is also known as offensive defense or defence through decisive engagements. Passive defense is also known as purely defensive defense or pure defence. Passive defense is actually a spurious kind of defense, and the only real defense is active defense, defense for the purpose of counter-attacking and taking the offensive. A strategic retreat is a planned strategic step taken by an inferior force for the purpose of conserving its strength and biding its time to defeat the enemy, when it finds itself confronted with a superior force whose offensive it is unable to smash quickly. The concentration of troops seems easy but is quite hard in practice. Everybody knows that the best way is to use a large force to defeat a small one, and yet many people fail to do so and on the contrary often divide their forces up.