James A. Huston, in his book The Sinews of War: Army Logistics, 1775-1953, wrote about the principles of logistics. A few of them are summarized below:
* First with the most: And be there with the best if possible. * Dispersion: Storage and other logistical activities should be dispersed and multiple lines of communications used when possible. * Feasibility: Strategic and tactical plans depend on logistical feasibility; logistical plans depend on the national economy, availability of resources, and limitations of secondary logistical requirements. * Timing: This principle is relative to the objective and is the key to all logistics, whether high-level procurement or tactical supply. * Unity of command: Control of logistics is essential to control of strategy and tactics. A single authority, identical with command authority, should be responsible for logistics. * Forward impetus: The impetus of supply is from the rear forward. An automatic supply system should exist that frees forward commanders of details without impairing their control of their own logistics. * Information: Accurate, current information is essential to effective logistical planning and to supply distribution. * Relativity: All logistics is relative to time, place, and circumstances; logistical factors are relative since there are always "opportunity costs" in every decision made.23
