ops could at any moment be thrown into a compact figure fringed
with spears, which formed an impenetrable hedge against cavalry, he
found a remedy for the disadvantages of the ground, which afforded no
protection to either of his flanks. After advancing in these two lines
Alexander manoeuvred his troops into a phalanx, or wedge-shaped figure,
and this wedge he drove into the masses of the enemy to force the wings
asunder. In spite of local reverses in parts of the field, the depth
and weight of the main attack carried it through the enemy's forces:
the survivors were captured or dispersed, and the victory was complete.

[1] The site of this battle was probably Gaugamela, about 60 miles from
the present Arbil, which is 40 miles from Mosul, on the Baghdad road.

{33}

HOW BATTLES ARE INFLUENCED

Once troops are launched in battle their success or failure depends
upon such influences as the commander can bring to bear, upon the
co-operation of his subordinate commanders, and upon the moral and
training of the troops engaged.

THE COMMANDER'S INFLUENCE is shown, first in his orders for the
operations, and later by the method in which he employs the forces
retained in his hand for the decisive blow. Personal control, by the
commander, of troops committed to battle, is not only impossible but
should be unnecessary, as such control and leading is the function of
his subordinates, who should be fully acquainted with his intentions
and must be trusted to carry them into execution. Other, and more
important, duties have to be undertaken by the commander, and it is
essential that he should not allow his attention to be diverted from
his main object by local incidents, which are matters for his
subordinates to deal with. "A sound system of command is based upon
three facts: an army cannot be effectively controlled by direct orders
from headquarters; the man on the spot is the best judge of the
situation; intelligent co-operation is of infinitely more value than
mechanical obedience" ("The Science of War"). A campaign resolves
itself into a struggle between human intelligences. Each commander
will endeavour to defeat his adversary in battle, and his principal
weapon is his General Reserve. If he can exhaust the reserve power of
his adversary, while maintaining his own intact, he can proceed to
victory at his own time, and he will endeavour to exhaust the hostile
reserves by causing {34} them to be thrown in pi