[On War by Carl von Clausewitz]@TWC D-Link bookOn War CHAPTER IX 4/9
It is the 22nd July, on which Frederick the Great gained on Laudon the march to Nossen, near Neisse, by which, as is said, the junction of the Austrian and Russian armies in Upper Silesia became impossible, and, therefore, a period of four weeks was gained by the King.
Whoever reads over this occurrence carefully in the principal histories,( *) and considers it impartially, will, in the march of the 22nd July, never find this importance; and generally in the whole of the fashionable logic on this subject, he will see nothing but contradictions; but in the proceedings of Laudon, in this renowned period of manoeuvres, much that is unaccountable.
How could one, with a thirst for truth, and clear conviction, accept such historical evidence? (*) Tempelhof, The Veteran, Frederick the Great.
Compare also (Clausewitz) "Hinterlassene Werke," vol.x., p.
158. When we promise ourselves great effects in a campaign from the principle of surprising, we think upon great activity, rapid resolutions, and forced marches, as the means of producing them; but that these things, even when forthcoming in a very high degree, will not always produce the desired effect, we see in examples given by Generals, who may be allowed to have had the greatest talent in the use of these means, Frederick the Great and Buonaparte.
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