MARSHAL LOUIS N. DAVOUT AND THE ART OF COMMAND A ...

Explaining the art of command by listing its attributes would be very convenient. Then all today's leaders and commanders would have to do is simply replicate these attributes. To reduce the art of command to a list of characteristics and attributes, however, does no justice to the topic, nor does it satisfy the goal of this paper. At the same time unless we do list and reexamine some of these attributes of the art of command, its definition can be lost altogether. In Theorie des Grossen Krieaes, Willisen presents an interesting description of the art of command; The causes of that admiration for great generals which history cherishes lie in the fact that such leaders must have a combination of the qualities which in other men are most readily admired even when present singularly. Head and heart, natural gifts and acquired knowledge, mind and character, coolness and fire, calm and boldness1 Again, this is a another list but it at least provides a point .of departure. What Willisen does tell us is that the art of command does not consist of a singular entity. The art of command is a combination of opposing traits in just the proper balance that leads to success in battle. It is this delicate balance that Louis Davout was able to develop. For practical purposes the art of command can be broken down into two main sub areas. These are coup d'oeil, as mentioned earlier, and boldness accompanied by a reflective mind. Napoleon defines coup d'oeil;