Topic: Military Theory
Battle Precepts for Infantry and Armor
Brig.-Gen. S.L.A. Marshall (U.S. Army) in "The 100-Hour War", published in "Army" magazine of the Association of the United States Army. (republished in the Canadian Army Journal, Vol 12, No 4, Oct 1958)
1. Leading means moving to the point of main danger if decisive pressure is to be maintained. There is no excuse for holding back.
2. When orders can't get through, assume what the orders would be.
3. When in doubt, hit out. The short route to safety is the road to the enemy hill.
4. Don't attack head-on; there is usually a better way.
5. When troops are truly exhausted, hold back and rest them.
6. Waste no energy in useless movement. Maintain the pace of the attack so long as physical resources seem sufficient.
7. If the force designated to attack is not suitably armed to overrun the position, pull off and call for what is needed. Avoid useless wastage.
8. Don't delay the battle because of supply shortages which lie beyond its probable crisis.
9. Keep your sense of humour if you would save your wits.
10. When trapped by sudden fire, movement means salvation more surely than a foxhole.
Follow 