Final answer:
The principle of war closely related to the concentration of force is the principle of mass or concentration. It involves concentrating military power at the crucial point to gain an advantage and is depicted in Sun Tzu's guidance on overwhelming the enemy and penetrating deeply to forge troop solidarity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of war that is closely associated with the principle of concentration of force is the principle of mass or concentration. The idea is to concentrate the military force at the decisive place and time to achieve a combat advantage. According to Sun Tzu, a skillful general must manage his army by harmonizing its various elements and using concentrated force strategically to create one single, united, and powerful entity against the divided forces of the enemy. This involves the tactics of misleading the enemy and maintaining secrecy to prevent the opponent from predicting one’s intentions, ultimately leading to an advantageous position during the confrontation.
For example, Sun Tzu's advice, 'if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him', clearly illustrates the use of concentration of force in a tangible way, ensuring overwhelming power at the point of conflict. Moreover, by suggesting that 'the further you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops', Sun Tzu hints at the psychological aspect of concentration of force where deeper penetration into enemy territory fosters unity among troops, amplifying their collective combat effectiveness.