Hermes, Apollo, and Cu Chi

So, my friend Dai Dao just pointed out to me that what the Viet Cong did by having reversible sandals was the same trick that Hermes played on Apollo in order to steal Apollo's horses. He ended up by telling me, "That's why it's important to study the classics."

It makes me wonder - the British empire used to insist on educated officers. The American corps focuses on tactics and leadership with very little innovation - as far I'm aware. I purchased the Counterinsurgency manual but have yet to read it.

To what extent are military failures actually based on literary failings. To what extent do we need to be aware of a solid array of information - fictional, historical, social, economic, and mythical - in order to be successful?