The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-08
Gen. Friedrich Won Bernhard

them impossible: nor can this alter in
the future. II IL IL 20 the interests of
the defence to seek open country with
a good field Of fire the attacker, on the
other hand, will endeayor TO choose
ground for the attack which will give
him cover from fire and view. on the
whole the possible European theatres Of
war are but little suitable for charges
owing TO the extent to which they have
been cultivated. We must not be de-
Ceived in this matter 10y the experience
Of our peace manpuvres. For then
suitable ground has TO be sought for the
operation Of the three arms. and con-
siderarions of compensation make it
necessary to choose country as free
from cultivation as possible.
In critical study Of military his, Dry
there il continual cause for complaint
that after victorious battle no effec-
tive pursuit. with a few brilliant eXCep-
tons has ever taken place. These COM
plants are justified, Ii must. however,
be conceded that failure of the pursuit
may be traced In most instances to the
| force OF circumstances.
As the day Of battle draws TO q close
and the decision has taken place the
victorious attacker has generally ac-
| compl!Shed a long march 10 the battle
/ field and carried out an exceedingly
| eXhausting attack. The troops have
perhaps all been employed in the battle,
! down to the last reserve. Ammunition,
! food and water are often lacking. II
is therefore quite natural that the mere
physical energy required for n pursuit
! IL wanting. II on the other hand the
/ defender ls successful II Is generally
! against a superior enemy or one that Is
thought to be superior. With the great
est expenditure Of moral and physical
force he has held his own. In the
evening OF the day OF battle when the
attacks cease he Is still perhaps
scarcely conscious OF his victory
and stll imsgines that the enemy
! is endeavoring 10 turn his flank.
He awaits renewed onslaughts and will
he fearful OF imperilling his success by
leaving the positions which he has main
tanned with such difficulty In order on
his side to take up the offensive, II is
therefore but natural that a pursuit
should at first remain in allegiance. IT,
however, II IL not carried out at once
the favorable opportunity is generally
lost forever.
hand has often still a surplus of fresh
troops. on the day of battle he will
generally have had no exhausting
marches to undertake. The battle has
not imposed nearly such heavy ply sical
demands upon him al upon the attacker
He has also been able 10 supply himself
during the fight much better than the
latter. To these factors OF advantage
must be added the instinct OF self
preservation OF the individual, which
continually induces afresh the desire &c
escape from the grasp OF the enemy
What can be more natural for the
beaten defender after a lost battle thar
to march long distances and thus sue
cessfully TO evade pursuit unless II b,
Immediately undertaken? Gen. vor
Goeben gave orders on the evening o.
the battle OF st. Quentin that all troops
must march Ave miles the next day
But the French had already covered
similar distance during the night ano
were no longer within reach.
. The beaten attacker also may afte
the battle no longer have at his dispose
sufficient physical force to carry out
further Immediate march, hut, as hefor
. the fight he was In superior force, o
, considered himself to be 80, It will no
be necessary for him to withdraw iron
} the enemy as quickly as a beaten de
!. fender, Tho reason for this lies In Tn
! difficulty which exists Tor tho latter Q