The blogs are a bit reduced in frequency while Dad is still in the hospital recovering from a severe leg wound. But, not to worry, he’ll be heading back to his unit after his complete recovery toward the end of December 1944. In the meantime, I thought you might be interested in learning that during his military school days at Gulf Coast Military Academy in Gulfport, MS (1938-1942), and in his Infantry training (1942-1943), Dad memorized all twenty seven of what he called the “Rules of War” that were contained in the 1939 book, Infantry in Battle.[1] Here are the first nine of those rules, The rest will come in the next two blogs.

Those of you who have read the book about my father, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse[2] may remember that he would from time quote this or that “rule of war” during battles — sometimes to the men he was leading and at other times, when asked, to superiors.

Here are the first nine:

1. Rules – Combat situations cannot be solved by rule (quoted in At First Light, page 149).
2. Obscurity – In war obscurity and confusion are normal. Late, exaggerated or misleading information, surprise situations, and counterorders are to be expected.
3. Simplicity – Simple and direct plans and methods make for foolproof performance.
4. Scheme of Maneuver and Main Effort – Every attack should have a scheme of maneuver. The main effort should strike the enemy’s weakness.
5. Terrain – In the absence of definite information small infantry units must be guided by their mission and by the terrain.
6. Time and Space – In war a large safety factor should be included in all time-and-space calculations.
7. Mobility – Open war fare demands elastic tactics, quick decisions, and swift maneuvers.
8. Surprise – Surprise is a master key to victory.
9. Decisions – A leader must meet battle situations with timely and unequivocal decisions

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INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST EDITION:

This book treats of the tactics of small units as illustrated by examples drawn from the World War. It checks the ideas acquired from peacetime instruction against the experience of battle.

There is much evidence to show that officers who have received the best peacetime training available find themselves surprised and confused by the difference between conditions as pictured in map problems and those they encounter in campaign.

This is largely because our peacetime training in tactics tends to become increasingly theoretical. In our schools we generally assume that organizations are well-trained and at full strength, that subordinates are competent, that supply arrangement function, that communications work, that orders are carried out.

In war many or all of these conditions may be absent. The veteran knows that this is normal, and his mental processes are not paralyzed by it.

He knows that he must carry on in spite of seemingly insurmountable difficulties and regardless of the fact that the tools with which he has to work may be imperfect and worn.

Moreover, he knows how to go about it.

This volume is designed to give the peace-trained officer something of the viewpoint of the veteran.

General George C. Marshall

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[1] Infantry in Battle. The Infantry Journal. The Infantry Journal, Incorporated, Washington, D. C., Garrett & Massie, Richmond, Virginia, 1939.

[2] Larimore, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse. Knox Press. Nashville, Tennessee, 2024 (Rule 1, page 149; Rule 14, page 256); Rule 15, page 255; Rule 16, page 149; Rule 26, page 264).

In case you haven’t read or listened to Dad’s book, you can learn more or order it here.

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