se the essence of War is conflict,
and the battle is the conflict of the main Armies, it is always to be
regarded as the real centre of gravity of the War, and therefore its
distinguishing character is, that unlike all other encounters, it
is arranged for, and undertaken with the sole purpose of obtaining a
decisive victory.

This has an influence on the MANNER OF ITS DECISION, on the EFFECT OF
THE VICTORY CONTAINED IN IT, and determines THE VALUE WHICH THEORY IS TO
ASSIGN TO IT AS A MEANS TO AN END.

On that account we make it the subject of our special consideration, and
at this stage before we enter upon the special ends which may be bound
up with it, but which do not essentially alter its character if it
really deserves to be termed a battle.

If a battle takes place principally on its own account, the elements of
its decision must be contained in itself; in other words, victory must
be striven for as long as a possibility or hope remains. It must not,
therefore, be given up on account of secondary circumstances, but only
and alone in the event of the forces appearing completely insufficient.

Now how is that precise moment to be described?

If a certain artificial formation and cohesion of an Army is the
principal condition under which the bravery of the troops can gain a
victory, as was the case during a great part of the period of the modern
Art of War, THEN THE BREAKING UP OF THIS FORMATION is the decision. A
beaten wing which is put out of joint decides the fate of all that was
connected with it. If as was the case at another time the essence of the
defence consists in an intimate alliance of the Army with the ground on
which it fights and its obstacles, so that Army and position are only
one, then the CONQUEST of AN ESSENTIAL POINT in this position is
the decision. It is said the key of the position is lost, it cannot
therefore be defended any further; the battle cannot be continued. In
both cases the beaten Armies are very much like the broken strings of an
instrument which cannot do their work.

That geometrical as well as this geographical principle which had a
tendency to place an Army in a state of crystallising tension which did
not allow of the available powers being made use of up to the last
man, have at least so far lost their influence that they no longer
predominate. Armies are still led into battle in a certain order, but
that order is no longer of decisive importance; obstacles of ground ar