Carl von Clausewitz

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Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist) was a Prussian military theorist. As one of the first military science writers, Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) was a Prussian observer on the Russian side as they fought Napoleon and the French. His influential work "On War" was studied by the military in many countries, most notably by the German General staff and influenced the German military through World War II.

I read the works (edition, since he never finished it) of Clausewitz in high school (from the town library).

He is credited with the first mention of the term "fog of war".

The German General Staff and military, through World War II, was based on the ideas of Clausewitz who had observed many Napoleonic battles.
War is a continuation of politics by other means. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)

In modern times, economic war has been favored over more traditional war.

The enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)

Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)

This appears to be the origin of the idea of a fog of war.

No one starts a war--or rather, no one in his sense ought to do so--without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by the war and how he intends to conduct it. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)

In modern times, it is equally important is to have an exit strategy for how to get out of a war as a limited conflict and not total war.

All war presupposes human weakness and seeks to exploit it. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)

The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)

...the side that feels the lesser urge for peace will naturally get the better bargain. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)

A precise definition of peace is important.
The aggressor is always peace-loving (as Bonaparte always claimed to be); he would prefer to take over our country unopposed. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)

In the military (e.g., as taught and learned, say, at West Point) the phrase is "attention to detail" refers to insuring that every little detail, that could cause important plans to not be accomplished, is accomplished.

The phrase fog of war refers to the chaos that often ensues during a war because of lack of information, the tendency of systems to fail, etc.

The military science work of Clausewitz appears to be the first work to use the phrase "fog of war". The same types of things happen in real life, both today and in Biblical times.

An interesting example of calendar change differences and the "fog of war" happened in the time of Napoleon.

More: The best-laid plans and the fog of war