ABSTRACT
As a war proceeds, certain incidents, more closely connected with each other than with the preceding and succeeding occurrences, will always group themselves together. During the course of such events the military action aims specially at some one particular object, neglecting or subordinating all others, until that one purpose is attained. This accomplished, it is possible to admit a little relaxation, possibly a short breathing-space for recovery, until more rapid progress is again resumed and, as it were, a fresh idea, a second objective presents itself. Every such group of incidents will consist of marches, the occupation of positions and battles, which we call " operations." Thus, in the account of the Franco-German War, we speak of " The operations on the Saar," or " on the Moselle," " The operations round Metz," &c. It is self-evident, that the several groups of events are linked together by the bond of a common guiding idea, and should never be arbitrarily or casually connected with one another.
