06.017 If he prepares to defend many places...

[sonshi]

If he prepares to defend many places, then the forces will be few in number.

Originally posted by sonshi
If he prepares to defend many places, then the forces will be few in number.

To attack a number-based opposition, use speed and misdirections to force a negative reaction. It is important to use speed to [spread] their attention and resources. It's effect can be greater when the opposition is slow moving.

Very popular tactic with Mao Tse Tung's armies when they were fighting for the control of China!

[gonzo]

Like I said in my previous post.

Gonzo

Sun Tzu said, "If he prepares to defend many places, then the forces will be few in number."

If the opposition tries to defend everywhere at once then his force will be spread too thin to be utilized effectively (anywhere).

I believe that this is why Osama bin Laden's terrorist attacks tend to be highly orchestrated, synchronized attacks on multiple targets (i.e. the 1998 embassy bombings in Africa, September 11, the recent bombings in Saudi Arabia). In this way, his terrorist network is able to engage a large superpower through secrecy, surprise, and achieving an important strategic objective of getting the U.S. to divide its strength by "preparing everywhere."

Synchronized attacks on multiple targets on a larger enemy taken by surprise will force him to prepare everywhere and thus break up his overall strength.

[HALBLEU]

I think ... the trademark of the Supreme Strategist is to spread the focus and the resources of the opposition before attacking him or her.

Originally posted by sonshi
If he prepares to defend many places, then the forces will be few in number.

I can only speak for myself but this does give me insight into why I have trouble finding work. When you try to be prepared for everything ultimately one weaknens oneself. Nobody can be strong on all sides.

In todays world of work where specialization and speed are key ingrediants for success. One has to pick their battles wisely. In my own situation. It is best to appy for jobs where there is reasonable chances for success. Otherwise in the interview game one can get lured into hostile work enviroments and be easy prey for bad employers.

Not all battles are worth fighting.

pawm11

[Bushranger]

If he prepares to defend many places, then the forces will be few in number.

If one spreads the battle, then the forces at any point will be less than they would be if one concentrates the battle. To have the choice is to have the ability to determine the intensity of battle. The opponent and oneself will thus enter situations where one's forces are few.

If the opponent's forces are also few then victory may attach.

[markb287]

Basically one cannot defend strongly all over, so when you divide the forces it will be few in number.

[MonteChristo]

Even if the opponent is stronger globally it can be defeated anyway. However you have to have local advantage at the point of contact. This happens when he has distributed forces and can not concentrate them again quickly enough.

[Truthseeker]

Originally posted by sonshi
If he prepares to defend many places, then the forces will be few in number.

Obviously a weak position is one where reinforcements are few. Thus when our competition is spread out for the purpose of defending many places, these are points of vulnerability for our competition. When we employ our united forces, our victory should be complete when taking any one of these areas.

[Bushranger]

If he prepares to defend many places, then the forces will be few in number.

2005 retake ...

Preparing to defend many places, preparing to delay the decision to commit his prime force to any particular battle, preparing to await learning of our intentions, these are all aspects of the position into which we cast our foe through our secrecy and formlessness.

Thus the opponent will divide his forces in space, by scattering them thinly, or in time, by delaying the decision to concentrate, or both. In either event, they will be committed piecemeal.

The conflict between Rommel and Kesselring about where and how to locate and use major german armoured forces in the lead up to DDay, and the resultant decision to hold the armour back, came about because they were cast onto the horns of just such a dilemma.

[dej2]

Originally posted by sonshi
If he prepares to defend many places, then the forces will be few in number.

This portion of text actually fits better when put in conjunction with 06.016 QUOTE]Originally posted by sonshi
The place of battle must not be made known to the enemy. If it is not known, then the enemy must prepare to defend many places. [/QUOTE]

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.
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When defending ones own territory (the shoe on the other foot) it is much more difficult to decide on who gets protection and who does not.

One way is to find strategic choke points in which the enemy has to pass to attack your cities, such as a mountain pass, bridge, or river crossing. Make these choke points defendable, without having to spread your forces to defend every city and town.
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Concentrate on few quality products not on many cheap ones.

[Vesting]

Originally posted by sonshi
If he prepares to defend many places, then the forces will be few in number.

Depending on the circumstances and available means, the armed forces have to be either devided or concentrated. In most cases, concentration of forces is probably the best option, unless the enemy is way too strong.

The same principle of the need to concentrate your efforts applies in the civil society too. People who try to be good in several studies, or switch regularly between different professions, usually fail to reach peer recognition and won't be as succesfull as when as pursuing into one of them.

Specialization matters. Having a general outlook on human affairs matters much too, however, but it all depends on the available means and limited attentional resources. You need to figure out the right balance between specialization and a general approach. Both extremes may be as bad as valid as the need to be adaptable is forced against your previous efforts.

[Saro]

If there are multiple places you might strike, your opponent will have to assign a fraction of his overall force to each potential target. Spread out like this, there will be comparatively little force at any particular point than there would have been if he was only preparing to defend a single point.