Key Arguments

• Displaced vegetation signals advancing troops and deception attempts.
• Birds and beasts react to hidden forces, exposing ambuscades or imminent attacks.
• Dust height and spread distinguish chariots, infantry, foraging parties, or encampment.

Source Quotes

21. Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is advancing. The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious.

Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is advancing. The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious. 22.

22. The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming. 23.

23. When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry. When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping. 24.

Key Concepts

• Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is advancing.
• The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious.
• The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.
• When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry. When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping.

Context

ix. The Army on the March — fieldcraft and environmental intelligence