tical importance in warfare; but against
this they increase the difficulties of deployment for attack to the
front to the utmost. If it is necessary, for instance, to send the
first Line at the enemy's flank, because at the moment that happens to
be the shortest way, the front of one of the following Brigades is at
once masked, and the latter hampered in its movements. Or if it is
desirable to employ one of the rearward Brigades for a flank movement
or any similar purposes, then either the leading 'Line' must be
checked until the others have gained the required position, or it is
certain that these latter will arrive too late to co-operate.

Further, the forms prescribed by the Regulations render it more
difficult to make use of such assistance as the nature of the ground
may offer us.

Plainly, it is very much more to our advantage in the conduct of
offensive operations to bring up those units which one has at one's
disposal--with the sole exception of a Reserve, which is not to be
kept too weak, at deploying intervals on the same alignment--in
formations which adapt themselves well to the ground, and insure rapid
deployment to the front, with the necessary depth in the supports
following. For this purpose I recommend primarily the 'double column'
either in Brigades or in Regiments.

This arrangement of the troops satisfies all practical conditions, and
insures, above all, the possibility of bringing all forces
simultaneously into action, and of carrying out offensive flanking
operations; further, it makes it easier for the Commander to take
advantage of such support as the ground affords, and to mass his chief
strength on one wing; and, finally, it gives us the shortest line of
attack upon the enemy, and makes it easier to avoid the use of inner
lines. It unites thus all the advantages of the regulation 'Line'
('Treffen') formation, and avoids its many serious disadvantages;
hence it should be employed fundamentally wherever possible.

Turning now to the employment of Cavalry on the battle-field, the
first condition which has to be satisfied is to assign to the 'Masses'
their proper place in the line of battle. They must not only be at
hand when wanted, but also at the spot which promises the most
favourable tactical chances and the greatest prospect of decisive
results. Further, they must be able to recognise the right moment to
take part in the combat.

With reference to the first point, I should, above all, l