Napolean quote emailed to me...

G

GuyontheRight

Active member
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." - Napolean Bonaparte

A MSgt emailed this too me, saying he didnt see it on the site :D
 
Hm...

I haven't found any proof that Napolen said that.

The quote "No plan survives contact with the enemy" is normally attributet to Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke, German Chief of Staff 1906-1914.

But it may be much older than that.
I'll try to find out more about this one.
 
As I said, I was emailed by a MSgt during your absence Redleg. If you want, I can provide you with the proper contact adress.
 
I'll try to do some research on my own first.
Adding some quotes and mottos to the site this weekend, I'll try to do some research then.
 
Napoleon Quote

The quote in question is indeed by von Moltke The Elder, not Napoleon. This is a condensed version of a longer remark he made in his writings on the Franco-Prussian War:

"No operation plan extends with any certainty beyond the first encounter with the main body of the enemy. It is only the layman who, as a campaign develops, thinks he sees the original plan being systematically fulfilled in every detail to its preconceived conclusion."

I think everyone would agree that the shorter version captures the essence of what he meant however. :)
 
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