7.11

Chapter: Maneuvering

7.11

Translation:

We may take it then that an army without its baggage-train is lost; without provisions it is lost; without bases of supply it is lost.

Commentary

An army, as they say, marches on its stomach. Supplies of food and all the other requirements of living keep the army not just alive but motivated and strong.

Short maneuvers work without a supply line, but they cannot hold out forever, and so need the main force to catch up soon.