Art of War Recognises Nine Types of Ground

Introduction

The art of war recognises nine types of ground. These ‘grounds’ represent the basic sets of circumstances that generals may find themselves in, and understandin how to confront them is crucial to a victorious campaign. The nine battlegrounds are dispersive ground, frontier ground, key ground, communicative ground, focal ground, serious ground, treacherous ground, constricted ground, deadly ground. The Nine battlegrounds describe nine common situations in a campaign, from scattering to deadly, and navigate each of them and then focus on the operative decisions.

There are tactics for each type of terrain. On dispersive ground, various warlords fighting for occupation. Therefore, we should not to fight. On frontier ground, we should fighting in enemy’s ground but near to our own territory. Do not stop and continue to fight and advance into enemy territory. On key ground, which have great advantage to both sides, we do not attack if enemy already occupies the ground. On communicative ground, either side has freedom of movement in this ground. We have to ensure that your forces are not separated. On focal ground, which forms the key to three neighboring states. Those who occupy one state will also control the rest. We have to form alliance with neighboring states. On serious ground, when army penetrates into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities behind. We should forage on supplies and resources of the enemy. On treacherous ground, marshes, fens, rugged slopes, moutains or forests all are difficult to traverse. We do not en-camp in this area. On constricted ground, ground which is reached via narrow gorges and pathways. We should plan and strategize wisely. On deadly ground, which one can only survive through fearless fighting and will definitely perish if one does not fight relentlessly. Therefore, fight relentlessly.

The principles governing military campaigns before the battle begins, alliance with neighboring countries is a must. The army should familarize with the enemy’s terrain and use local guides to help maneuvering. The way to win the battle speedily is when the enemy does not expect the time and location of the forst attack.

The objective of study nine battlegrounds principles is to manage an army to set up one standard of courage which all must reach. Besides, the proper use of ground can make the best of both strong and weak. The business battlefield will inevitably change and so must the deployment of strategy, within given parameters, which are focused on the over all onjective.

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