Direct Approach

The Strategy of Direct Approach is a strategy in which a commander will try to defeat the enemy's political will be by military force. This means that the ability to fight (military operations) is the main instrument to weaken the enemy's will. On a lower level the direct approach strategy stresses the need to mass superior forces against weaker enemy forces at a decisive point such as supply lines or flanks, so as to cut them off and destroy them. All other instruments are secondary.

Following these rules a direct approach strategy gives a commander two options:

  • Take on the enemy's force in a single battle or a group of decisive battles;
  • Occupy enemy territory by progressive domination of zones of operation.

The direct approach gives great powers to military commanders and rules out more or less political leaders.


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