The Incorrect Art of War [Episode 08] - Guerrillas in the Midst

A J Summersgill and Jim H Moreno | July 11, 2005  | 0 comments  | Print  | E-mail

Not apes then?

No Your Superiousness, definitely not. Don’t let the likes of Che Guevara or General Giap hear you say things like that.

Good were they?

They were masters of the art my Lord, you’d do well to learn from them. In the winter of 1812, Cossack peasants and cavalry used guerrilla tactics to very nearly annihilate Napoleon’s cold and starving army as they retreated from Russia. Look at the Taiping War, the Central American Contras, the Boer commandos, Chechnya. Of course, there’s perhaps the most memorable account in history involving American forces in Vietnam, who were often trounced by Vietnamese Guerrillas. Despite technological and numerical superiority, the Guerrillas had many advantages. Speed, knowledge of the terrain, friendly natives to hide their men and equipment - it was a classic Guerrilla campaign.

You’re going to tell me to ditch the apes aren’t you?

You’ve read my mind my Lord.

I’ll make the call. (’Phone rings) Let me just get this. (Heads to the main console and picks up an ornate ivory handset)

No problem.

(Doctor Sinister listens intently to the call before slowly hanging up) I’m afraid I’ve got a bit of bad news General. It looks like we just lost one of our merchant ships. Bit of an accident in the harbour minefield.

I did tell them to leave a wider channel. Still, we’ve got pretty good at stealing supplies lately, I’m sure we’ll manage my Lord.

Actually, it’s worse than you might think General.

(The penny drops) Not…my cigars…?

I’m sorry General.

(Sigh) Yes my Lord. Please pass me a banana, would you?

A J Summersgill and Jim H. Moreno

andrew@armchairgeneral.com

jim@armchairgeneral.com

GUERRILLA WARFARE by Che Guevara

Complete Guide to Bananas

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