Knowledge in war is very simple, being concerned with so few subjects, and only with their final results at that. But this does not make its applicat… - Carl von Clausewitz

(1) War becomes a completely isolated act, which arises suddenly, and is in no way connected with the previous history of the combatant States. (2) If it is limited to a single solution, or to several simultaneous solutions. (3) If it contains within itself the solution perfect and complete, free from any reaction upon it, through a calculation beforehand of the political situation which will follow from it.

casualty reports on either side are never accurate, seldom truthful, and in most cases deliberately falsified.

[T]he first consideration in the combination of a plan for a war, is to determine the centres of gravity of the enemy’s power, and, if possible, to reduce them to one.