orces intended for the shock appear as
a primordial law of War.

So it is in reality, but only so far as the struggle resembles also in
practice a mechanical shock, but when it consists in a lasting, mutual
action of destructive forces, then we can certainly imagine a successive
action of forces. This is the case in tactics, principally because
firearms form the basis of all tactics, but also for other reasons as
well. If in a fire combat 1000 men are opposed to 500, then the gross
loss is calculated from the amount of the enemy's force and our own;
1000 men fire twice as many shots as 500, but more shots will take
effect on the 1000 than on the 500 because it is assumed that they stand
in closer order than the other. If we were to suppose the number of hits
to be double, then the losses on each side would be equal. From the 500
there would be for example 200 disabled, and out of the body of 1000
likewise the same; now if the 500 had kept another body of equal number
quite out of fire, then both sides would have 800 effective men; but
of these, on the one side there would be 500 men quite fresh, fully
supplied with ammunition, and in their full vigour; on the other
side only 800 all alike shaken in their order, in want of sufficient
ammunition and weakened in physical force. The assumption that the 1000
men merely on account of their greater number would lose twice as
many as 500 would have lost in their place, is certainly not correct;
therefore the greater loss which the side suffers that has placed the
half of its force in reserve, must be regarded as a disadvantage in that
original formation; further it must be admitted, that in the generality
of cases the 1000 men would have the advantage at the first commencement
of being able to drive their opponent out of his position and force
him to a retrograde movement; now, whether these two advantages are a
counterpoise to the disadvantage of finding ourselves with 800 men to
a certain extent disorganised by the combat, opposed to an enemy who is
not materially weaker in numbers and who has 500 quite fresh troops, is
one that cannot be decided by pursuing an analysis further, we must here
rely upon experience, and there will scarcely be an officer experienced
in War who will not in the generality of cases assign the advantage to
that side which has the fresh troops.

In this way it becomes evident how the employment of too many forces in
combat may be disadvantageous; for