Which principle of war emphasizes the importance of concentrating forces at the decisive point?

The principle of war that emphasizes concentrating forces at the decisive point is mass. This principle involves the strategic gathering of combat power and resources to achieve a significant impact at the location and time where it will be most effective. By concentrating forces, a commander can create overwhelming strength against an enemy, thereby increasing the likelihood of success in that specific engagement. This is crucial because it allows for an efficient and effective allocation of military resources, ensuring that when a critical decision or engagement occurs, there is sufficient power to exploit the situation decisively.

The other principles, while important in their own right, focus on different aspects of military strategy. For instance, economy of force pertains to judicious use of available resources to allocate minimum essential combat power to lesser efforts while maximizing effectiveness elsewhere. Maneuver involves the movement of forces to gain positional advantage, and the offensive principle focuses on taking the initiative in action. While each of these principles contributes to overall military strategy, mass is specifically about achieving superiority at a critical juncture through concentrated strength.