Chapter I: Front Matter

On War

by General Carl von Clausewitz

TRANSLATED BY COLONEL J.J. GRAHAM

1874 was 1st edition of this translation. 1909 was the London reprinting.

NEW AND REVISED EDITION WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY COLONEL F.N. MAUDE C.B. (LATE R.E.)

EIGHTH IMPRESSION IN THREE VOLUMES

Contents

INTRODUCTION PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION NOTICE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AUTHOR

BRIEF MEMOIR OF GENERAL CLAUSEWITZ

BOOK I. ON THE NATURE OF WAR CHAPTER I. What is War? CHAPTER II. Ends and Means in War CHAPTER III. The Genius for War CHAPTER IV. Of Danger in War CHAPTER V. Of Bodily Exertion in War CHAPTER VI. Information in War CHAPTER VII. Friction in War CHAPTER VIII. Concluding Remarks, Book I

BOOK II. ON THE THEORY OF WAR CHAPTER I. Branches of the Art of War CHAPTER II. On the Theory of War CHAPTER III. Art or Science of War CHAPTER IV. Methodicism CHAPTER V. Criticism CHAPTER VI. On Examples

BOOK III. OF STRATEGY IN GENERAL CHAPTER I. Strategy CHAPTER II. Elements of Strategy CHAPTER III. Moral Forces CHAPTER IV. The Chief Moral Powers CHAPTER V. Military Virtue of an Army CHAPTER VI. Boldness CHAPTER VII. Perseverance CHAPTER VIII. Superiority of Numbers CHAPTER IX. The Surprise CHAPTER X. Stratagem CHAPTER XI. Assembly of Forces in Space CHAPTER XII. Assembly of Forces in Time CHAPTER XIII. Strategic Reserve CHAPTER XIV. Economy of Forces CHAPTER XV. Geometrical Element CHAPTER XVI. On the Suspension of the Act in War CHAPTER XVII. On the Character of Modern War CHAPTER XVIII. Tension and Rest

BOOK IV. THE COMBAT CHAPTER I. Introductory CHAPTER II. Character of a Modern Battle CHAPTER III. The Combat in General CHAPTER IV. The Combat in General (_continuation_) CHAPTER V. On the Signification of the Combat CHAPTER VI. Duration of Combat CHAPTER VII. Decision of the Combat CHAPTER VIII. Mutual Understanding as to a Battle CHAPTER IX. The Battle CHAPTER X. Effects of Victory CHAPTER XI. The Use of the Battle CHAPTER XII. Strategic Means of Utilising Victory CHAPTER XIII. Retreat After a Lost Battle CHAPTER XIV. Night Fighting

BOOK V. MILITARY FORCES CHAPTER I. General Scheme CHAPTER II. Theatre of War, Army, Campaign CHAPTER III. Relation of Power CHAPTER IV. Relation of the Three Arms CHAPTER V. Order of Battle of an Army CHAPTER VI. General Disposition of an Army CHAPTER VII. Advanced Guard and Out-Posts CHAPTER VIII. Mode of Action of Advanced Corps CHAPTER IX. Camps CHAPTER X. Marches CHAPTER XI. Marches (_continued_) CHAPTER XII. Marches (_continued_) CHAPTER XIII. Cantonments CHAPTER XIV. Subsistence CHAPTER XV. Base of Operations CHAPTER XVI. Lines of Communication CHAPTER XVII. On Country and Ground CHAPTER XVIII. Command of Ground

BOOK VI. DEFENCE CHAPTER I. Offence and Defence CHAPTER II. The Relations of the Offensive and Defensive to Each Other in Tactics CHAPTER III. The Relations of the Offensive and Defensive to Each Other in Strategy CHAPTER IV. Convergence of Attack and Divergence of Defence CHAPTER V. Character of Strategic Defensive CHAPTER VI. Extent of the Means of Defence CHAPTER VII. Mutual Action and Reaction of Attack and Defence CHAPTER VIII. Methods of Resistance CHAPTER IX. Defensive Battle CHAPTER X. Fortresses CHAPTER XI. Fortresses (_continued_) CHAPTER XII. Defensive Position CHAPTER XIII. Strong Positions and Entrenched Camps CHAPTER XIV. Flank Positions CHAPTER XV. Defence of Mountains CHAPTER XVI. Defence of Mountains (_continued_) CHAPTER XVII. Defence of Mountains (_continued_) CHAPTER XVIII. Defence of Streams and Rivers CHAPTER XIX. Defence of Streams and Rivers (_continued_) CHAPTER XX. A. Defence of Swamps CHAPTER XX. B. Inundations CHAPTER XXI. Defence of Forests CHAPTER XXII. The Cordon CHAPTER XXIII. Key of the Country CHAPTER XXIV. Operating Against a Flank CHAPTER XXV. Retreat into the Interior of the Country CHAPTER XXVI. Arming the Nation CHAPTER XXVII. Defence of a Theatre of War CHAPTER XXVIII. Defence of a Theatre of War (_continued_) CHAPTER XXIX. Defence of a Theatre of War (_continued_)—Successive Resistance CHAPTER XXX. Defence of a Theatre of War (_continued_)—When No Decision is Sought For