Legend of the Galactic Heroes (MICHIHARA Katsumi) - Vol. 4 Ch. 35

[MangaDex]

 

[thirtykei]

It's always the retarded top brass huh

 

[EnFiveFour]

Thank you for the translation.

 

[zanonyn]

Amateurs study strategy; professionals study logistics.

One of the more famous quotes in military history in terms of making it into the popular consciousness, but for good reason and it really shows here. It is indeed a clever (as well as ruthless) plan on multiple levels. It's certainly aimed at inverting the Free Planet's raison d'etre and exploiting the weakness of that type of government.

But part of why it also stands out vs what happens up to this point (and feels like it has Oberstein's hand or at least would be something he'd approve of) is that it also slips into one of Yang's blindspots. In terms of direct space tactics and strategy he and Reinhard are solid matches and Reinhard genuinely respects and enjoys the clashes and seeing what he comes up with. Indeed, in the Battle of Astarte it's Yang who pulls one over on a blindspot of Reinhard's by confronting someone with a "total victory and glorious battle" mindset with a "aim for a draw" strategy he wouldn't think of. But here the shoe is on the other foot, Yang didn't ever contemplate exploiting the populace and political factors in such a manner, he doesn't have ambition in that arena himself.

So an enjoyable back and forth continues. Thanks as always!

Edit: edit to add that in fairness to the Alliance, we know that as well as lots of the actual experienced military leadership being opposed there was a certain highly placed political figure who understood it was a bad idea and could have put a stop to it. Unfortunately for them he wanted to pull a Goldenbaum II: Electric Boogaloo vs actually helping his people so...