Book IV, The Combat, Chapters IX-XIV Summary and Analysis

Chapter IX discusses the battle, which is a conflict of the main body aiming to reach decisive victory. The details that a battle determines are the manner of its decision, on the effect of the victory contains in it, and the value which theory is to assign to it as a means to an end. A precision moment of decision in battle is when a formation is broken. The conquest of an essential line of territory is also a turning point. Generals must then make a decision about how to change course in part based on their pure moral power. For instance, when a force is impenetrable by volleys it is usually best to retreat. This can occur in the night as night ends battles, typically.

Chapter X examines the effects...