> old Soviet thinking stratagems like the "axe theory" Made me look. Found http://militera.lib.ru/research/suvorov12/05.html http://militera.lib.ru/research/su

> old Soviet thinking stratagems like the "axe theory" Made me look. Found http://militera.lib.ru/research/suvorov12/05.html http://militera.lib.ru/research/suvorov12/05.html """ The theory is known unofficially in the General Staff as the `axe theory'. It is stupid, say the Soviet generals, to start a fist-fight if your opponent may use a knife. It is just as stupid to attack him with a knife if he may use an axe. The more terrible the weapon which your opponent may use, the more decisively you must attack him, and the more quickly you must finish him off. Any delay or hesitation in doing this will just give him a fresh opportunity to use his axe on you. To put it briefly, you can only prevent your enemy from using his axe if you use your own first. The `axe theory' was put forward in all Soviet manuals and handbooks to be read at regimental level and higher. In each of these one of the main sections was headed `Evading the blow'. These handbooks advocated, most insistently, the delivery of a massive pre-emptive attack on the enemy, as the best method of self-protection. This recommendation was not confined to secret manuals-non-confidential military publications carried it as well. """