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11. The Nine Situations in War
by Ron Kurtus (18 June 2010)
The eleventh chapter in the classic book "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu concerns the nine situations in war.
There are nine situations or stages in warfare concerning ground or terrain, as well as tactics for each type of terrain.
Skillful leaders know how to deal with their troops and how to affect the enemy's abilities. They follow the principles of an invading force, and they use tactics like a snake.
The general or prince uses measures suitable to the terrain and maintain a hold on the troops.
Questions you may have include:
- What are the nine terrain situations?
- How does a leader deal with his troops?
- What measures can be suitable to the terrain?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Nine varieties of ground
The art of war recognizes nine varieties of ground:
- Dispersive ground
- Facile ground
- Contentious ground
- Open ground
- Ground of intersecting highways
- Serious ground
- Difficult ground
- Hemmed-in ground
- Desperate ground.
The leader must identify the situation and follow the appropriate tactic.
Dispersive ground
When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is dispersive ground.
On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not.
Facile ground
When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is facile ground.
On facile ground, halt not.
Contentious ground
Ground the possession of which imports great advantage to either side, is contentious ground.
On contentious ground, attack not.
Open ground
Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground.
On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way.
Ground of intersecting highways
Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states, so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his command, is a ground of intersecting highways.
On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies.
Serious ground
When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is serious ground.
On serious ground, gather in plunder.
Difficult ground
Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens—all country that is hard to traverse: this is difficult ground.
In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march.
Hemmed in ground
Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths, so that a small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a large body of our men: this is hemmed in ground.
On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem.
Desperate ground
Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay, is desperate ground. In such a situation, you must fight.
Skillful leaders know how to act
Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew how to drive a wedge between the enemy's front and rear; to prevent cooperation between his large and small divisions; to hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers from rallying their men.
When the enemy's men were united, they managed to keep them in disorder.
When it was to their advantage, they made a forward move; when otherwise, they stopped still.
If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: "Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will."
Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
Follow principles of invading force
The following are the principles to be observed by an invading force:
The further you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against you.
Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with food.
Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.
Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.
Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.
Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on alert; without waiting to be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be trusted.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.
On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those lying down letting the tears run down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display the courage of a Chu or a Kuei.
Use tactics like a snake
The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the ChUng mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.
Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-jan, I should answer, Yes. For the men of Wu and the men of Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing a river in the same boat and are caught by a storm, they will come to each other's assistance just as the left hand helps the right.
Hence it is not enough to put one's trust in the tethering of horses, and the burying of chariot wheels in the ground.
Set a standard of courage
The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.
How to make the best of both strong and weak—that is a question involving the proper use of ground.
Thus the skillful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.
Ensure secrecy
It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.
He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.
By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.
At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand.
He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his men this way and that, and nothing knows whither he is going.
To muster his host and bring it into danger: this may be termed the business of the general.
Measures suited to the varieties of ground
The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground; the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: these are things that must most certainly be studied.
Hostile territory
When invading hostile territory, the general principle is, that penetrating deeply brings cohesion; penetrating but a short way means dispersion.
Neighborhood territory
When you leave your own country behind, and take your army across neighborhood territory, you find yourself on critical ground. When there are means of communication on all four sides, the ground is one of intersecting highways.
Serious ground
When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is serious ground. When you penetrate but a little way, it is facile ground.
Hemmed-in ground
When you have the enemy's strongholds on your rear, and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed-in ground. When there is no place of refuge at all, it is desperate ground.
Dispersive ground
Therefore, on dispersive ground, I would inspire my men with unity of purpose. On facile ground, I would see that there is close connection between all parts of my army.
Contentious ground
On contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear.
Open ground
On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye on my defenses. On ground of intersecting highways, I would consolidate my alliances.
Serious ground
On serious ground, I would try to ensure a continuous stream of supplies. On difficult ground, I would keep pushing on along the road.
Hemmed-in ground
On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way of retreat. On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives.
When surrounded
For it is the soldier's disposition to offer an obstinate resistance when surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot help himself, and to obey promptly when he has fallen into danger.
We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country—its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.
Principles for a warlike prince
To be ignored of any one of the following four or five principles does not befit a warlike prince.
When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state, his generalship shows itself in preventing the concentration of the enemy's forces. He overawes his opponents, and their allies are prevented from joining against him.
Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states. He carries out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe. Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow their kingdoms.
Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.
Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design. When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.
Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.
For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for victory.
Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.
By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank, we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief.
This is called ability to accomplish a thing by sheer cunning.
On the day that you take up your command, block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, and stop the passage of all emissaries.
Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you may control the situation.
If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear, and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground.
Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.
At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.
Summary
The nine types of terrain are dispersive, facile, contentious, open, intersecting highways, serious, difficult, hemmed-in and desperate ground. There are tactics for each type of terrain. The general or prince uses measures suitable to the terrain and maintain a hold on the troops.
Skillful leaders know how to deal with their troops and how to affect the enemy's abilities. They follow the principles of an invading force, and they use tactics like a snake.
Study your opponent
Resources and references
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Books
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Top-rated books on Warfare Strategies
The Art of War by Sun Tzu; Running Press Book Publishers (2003) $4.95
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11. The Nine Situations in War