River operations demand standoff and timing: move away after crossing, attack only after part of the enemy has crossed, and avoid midstream or upstream engagements.
By Sun Tzu, from L'Art de la guerre
Key Arguments
- Distance from the river after crossing avoids vulnerability during the liminal phase.
- Letting half the enemy cross creates operational separation and vulnerability before striking.
- Avoiding midstream and upstream contact prevents fighting in disadvantageous conditions and against current.
Source Quotes
3. After crossing a river, you should get far away from it. 4.
4. When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack. 5.
6. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facing the sun. Do not move upstream to meet the enemy. So much for river warfare.
Key Concepts
- After crossing a river, you should get far away from it.
- do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack.
- Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facing the sun. Do not move upstream to meet the enemy.
Context
ix. The Army on the March — river warfare prescriptions