“The Strands of War are four in number, …

• I. The quality and capability of the commander.
• II. The quality and capability of the troops.
• III. Morale.
• IV. Resources.”

Lieutenant Colonel A.H. Burne, DSO, RA (Retired), The Art of War on Land (1944)

Alfred Higgins Burne D.S.O., C.I.E., O.B.E., F.S.A. (1886-1959) was a British Army Officer (Royal Artillery) and military historian. He invented the concept of Inherent Military Probability; in battles and campaigns where there is some doubt over what action was taken, Burne believed that the action taken would be one which a trained staff officer of the twentieth century would take.