The art of war and terrain

Summary/Abstract
The subject of terrain is covered exclusively in one of the thirteen chapters in Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. In fact, terrain is addressed throughout The Art of War, so critical is positioning to tactical advantage and strategy. For example, the fourth chapter on “Tactical Dispositions” addresses positioning prior to Sun Tzu’s more formal “Classification of Terrain” in Chapter Ten. Whereas “Tactical Dispositions” covers defensive options, and relative positions vis-a-vis the enemy, “Terrain” demonstrates how variations in terrain impact strategy and outcome. Therefore, “Terrain” offers an unparalleled level of detail on the subject of geography that is of tremendous use to military strategists. Sun Tzu extends his discussion on the importance of terrain in Chapter Eleven of The Art of War, showing how terrain impacts the nine main possibilities for battleground formation and how to address challenges and crises by using skilful means.
Introduction: Why Terrain?
Even in an era of cyber, aviation, and space tactics in military activity, terrain remains important for all strategy and warfare. In fact, the principles embedded in Sun Tzu’s chapter on “Terrain” in The War of War can be easily extended to non-geographic zones, including the virtual or cyber terrain and the three-dimensional terrains of aerospace. Terrain governs human movement, and the movement of objects on the battlefield. The laws of physics impact the efficacy of terrain and its impact on battle action and outcomes, while overarching and intervening variables like weather and time may compound the complexities of each situation. A thorough understanding of the art of terrain, including the six types of ground and their relative strengths and weaknesses, promotes victory in military campaigns.
The Six Kinds of Terrain
Sun Tzu identifies six types of terrain relevant to military strategists. Those six types of terrain include accessible ground, entangling ground, temporizing ground, narrow passes, precipitous heights, and positions at a great distance from the enemy (Sun Tzu, n.d.). Each of these terrain types presents challenges or opportunities, and must be mastered and recognized for effective strategy and ideal outcomes. For example, accessible ground may seem advantageous but the enemy will also find it is easy to navigate and to seize. When working with accessible ground, therefore, it is critical to erect defensive structures that would not otherwise be necessary in more challenging geographic positions.
Entangling ground is defined as areas that are easy to occupy initially but difficult to return to later. When the enemy can be caught unawares, using surprise or sabotage tactics, then it may be possible to take advantage fully of entangling ground. However, a risky surprise attack or one that was planned poorly and results in enemy defense could result in the inability to retreat. Using the most basic example, a valley could be considered an entangling ground because it may be easy to enter, but more difficult to abandon if the enemy should suddenly post sentinels or block passage uphill (“Chapter 10 - Terrain | The Art of War by Sun Tzu,” n.d.). Temporizing ground, on the other hand, is challenging to navigate for all parties. Whenever there is a terrain situation in which it would be risky to make the first move, it is considered temporizing ground (Sun Tzu, 2006). Western Front battles during World War One demonstrated both the importance of entangling and temporizing ground in the art of war, especially given the need to modify the terrain via the construction of tunnels and trenches (Doyle & Bennett, 1997). In fact, the concept of terrain must be unified with the strategic importance of technological advancements that allow troops to use the terrain differently, to their advantage in different situations.
Narrow passes are unique; Sun Tzu advises occupying them before the enemy can, making sure to “strongly garrison” them (Sun Tzu, 2006, p. 46). Using narrow passes in the art of war requires patience, though. If time is more important than taking advantage of the narrow pass, then it would be advised to allow the enemy to occupy them first. If that happens, Sun Tzu advises not following the enemy into the narrow pass but to retreat to the point where the enemy needs to leave and follow.
Precipitous heights have also become one of the most important terrain elements in securing military victories. World War One demonstrated the strategic advantage of heights, as “each side found to gain the strategic advantage provided by the high ground,” (Doyle & Bennett, 1997, p. 1). However, throughout history, sentinel points have been stationed on precipitous heights because of the strategic advantage of surveillance and prediction: being prepared. High ground confers multiple advantages in wars involving more advanced technological tools, such as the means by which to use tunneling and other terrain manipulations. If the enemy has occupied a high point first, Sun Tzu advises against being lured to higher ground. Interestingly, being located at a far distance from the enemy is considered not to be an advantage. Initiating a battle from a distance could theoretically prove disastrous. Yet in the art of war involving both cyber and aerospace, distance issues may be less important in security military victories. Technology can mitigate some of the challenges associated with terrain (McCallum, 2007). Therefore, the proper use of terrain starts with a thorough analysis of the geological and morphological features of the landscape, while also taking into account technological capacities for change and adaptation.
Potential Calamities
In conjunction with a classification of terrain, Sun Tzu also covers potential human factors that can adversely impact the military campaign. Unlike the natural conditions of physical terrain, the human factors that impact the outcome of a battle include flight, insubordination, collapse, ruin, disorganization, and rout. Each of these human errors or calamities occurs in relation to terrain variables. For example, flight is only possible in advantageous terrain. Terrain can also be adapted to prevent any one or all of these calamities from impeding the success of the campaign. Sun Tzu also shows that no matter how astute the commander’s knowledge of the terrain, leadership remains of the utmost importance. All the human calamities can be prevented with decisive and intelligent leadership, which includes strong organizational skills, and “shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances,” (Sun Tzu, n.d., 10.21). Therefore, the astute military leader keeps track of all terrain-related issues through effective surveillance and mapping, wielding the power of the troops to cover the ground adequately and provide intelligence on the enemy’s position.
Human Interactions with Terrain
Terrain is somewhat malleable through tactics like trench warfare or tunneling, and can change over time due to weather and environmental conditions. Warfare itself can radically alter the terrain. However, the military commander must continually interact with the terrain using methods like surveillance and planning in order to secure victories. Geographic studies have become central in the art of war, with the advent of new technological tools that allow for sophisticated surveying and the development of responsive technologies (Bruzese, 1989). Technology permits strategists to advise on best locations for battle, best locations and timing for taking specific action, best means of responding to enemy positions in relation to the terrain, and also how to use existing technologies to navigate the terrain.
The terrain can become like the goal posts in a soccer or hockey game: a physical structure that aids in desirable outcomes. Numerous historical battles like that of the Teutoberger Wald demonstrates the way astute commanders lured the enemy into a tight geographic spot and then successfully attacked even when the troops were outnumbered (Knighton, 2016). In many situations, it is actually the familiarity with terrain and geographic conditions—including not just geological formations but also flora, fauna, insects and threatening animals—that also contributes to success or failure in battle. Making broad assumptions about new terrain in different geographic regions can lead to tragic defeats, whereas being informed and knowledgeable about the unique conditions in different areas helps the commander prepare the troops and ready them for victory.
Terrain can also help save critical resources, providing shelter or cover and even access to food or water. In some battles, terrain has allowed units to remain patient for longer periods of time than would otherwise be possible, with the ability to hide or remain safe from the elements until the enemy proves vulnerable. When moving through terrain in a planned attack, mapping becomes critical because it is important to approach the enemy from the most advantageous position and direction. To neglect the importance of terrain at any stage in the military campaign could lead to failure.
Conclusion
Sun Tzu devotes a considerable amount of time to the discussion of terrain in The Art of War. The reason why terrain proves so important in military campaigns remains salient in the era of remote, cyber, and aerospace tactics. Terrain can impede the enemy and provide strategic advantage in other ways, such as by creating safe places to hide, lurk, and wait, the means by which to gather essential intelligence, or to entrap the enemy. Mastery of geographic and terrain-related information leads to victorious outcomes in battles and broader military campaigns.





References
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