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FReeper Canteen ~ Part VIII of The Mongols ~ December 28, 2004
www.coldsiberia.org ^ | December 28, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

Posted on 12/27/2004 7:55:56 PM PST by LaDivaLoca

 
 

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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part VIII of The Mongols

Military Innovation

The western expansion was a success for the empire until 1241 (see Wahlstatt). As they encountered the peoples of Europe, the Mongols with their advanced way of warfare were unstoppable. The Mongols used (and by doing so, introduced) several revolutionary military ideas to European combatants.
  • Use of articulation. Mongols used a system of horns and flags, blown or raised-and-lowered by the field commander. This allowed them to move their troops to preplanned positions on the field of battle, or modes of attack or retreat (such as charge, withdraw, or flank). In addition, they utilized subcommanders that were empowered to make decisions on the spot.
  • Mongols based their forces almost wholly on light cavalry. Light cavalry consists of primarily archers and light swordsman mounted on horseback. Mobile and numerous, light cavalry can choose its battles, retreating from forces it cannot handle, such as heavy cavalry. Heavy cavalry lacks archers (who can kill at range) and is designed mainly to provide shock - using weight, speed, and fear of their massed movement (no one wants to be trampled to death) to break enemy heavy infantry lines.

Thus, when light cavalry meets heavy cavalry, the lighter, more numerous, faster moving, bow using, well-articulated light cavalry will usually defeat mounted knights - the cream of European military power.

  • Their conception of armor was markedly different. European knights used heavy plate armour (sheets of loops of chain and pieces of metal plate to protect the wearer, restricting his vision and movement). Mongols used silken clothes. The silk cloth allowed Mongol warriors greater ranges of movement, better vision and endurance. It still provided resistance to projectile weapons. It thus gave them a qualitative advantage over their opponents.

If a Mongol soldier was struck with an arrow, it penetrated the skin and sank into the flesh. However, the silk was not cut but pulled into the wound. Mongol doctors could easily pull an arrow from the wound, because it was wrapped in silken cloth. This reduced the chance of infection and made cleaning and dressing the wound easier, hopefully returning the skilled warrior to combat more quickly.

This simple procedure saved many lives. In a prolonged conflict, the Mongols retained more battlefield veterans than their opponents. This usually resulted in a situation where an army of veteran Mongols faced a conscript peasant army, with disastrous results for the Mongols' opponents.

  • Mongols utilized doctrines never before seen. As nomads, Mongols carried all of their wealth and provisions with them on horseback. It was equivalent to placing an entire city on horseback. It was more mobile than many of their opponents' armed forces, who were tied to the towns for supplies.

Since their way of warfare was superior (articulated veteran light cavalry) they could not be bested in combat. The traditional solution to this problem is to attack the opponents' supply tail (food, fields, water, etc.). However, their city-dwelling opponents were tied to a supply tail, not the Mongols.

This doctrines assured their victory against foes throughout their history. The closest modern analogue is the modern aircraft carrier, with its ability to bring an entire city of warriors next door to an opponent on short notice, strike at them, and retreat away, without the possibility of pursuit.

  • Mongols' effective use of terror is often credited for the unprecedented speed with which Mongol armies spread across western Asia and eastern Europe.

First, the Mongols would provide an opportunity to surrender, usually on favourable (certainly to the Mongols) terms. These offers were typically dictated to the first major population center in a new territory.

If the offer was refused, the Mongols would sack the city, execute the entire population (save a handful of skilled workers), and burn the city and the surrounding fields to the ground. They would often construct an edifice of cleaned skulls outside the walls of the destroyed city to serve as a reminder of their passage.

Finally, they would allow a few survivors to flee, to spread terror throughout the countryside. By first offering favourable (or at least acceptable) terms for surrender, and then invariably completely destroying any resistance, it is argued that Mongols forestalled most combat with invaded peoples. The Mongols quickly developed a reputation of being unstoppable, genocidal opponents. After the initial victories, and proof of the Mongols good intentions, it became more difficult for rulers to convince their people to resist an invasion.

Source: http://www.brainyencyclopedia.com/encyclopedia/m/mo/mongols.html

Next Tuesday Part IX of The Mongols




TOPICS: Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: ancientwarfare; militaryinnovation; mongols
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To: darkwing104
Sheeeesh I hope you don't stop using your little avatar when you retire. I would miss seeing it every day!!


Hope all is well with you.
161 posted on 12/28/2004 8:24:38 AM PST by Soaring Feather
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To: mylife

Good morning mylife! I just popped in to say hello, I'll be back later this evening to play, and hear more puppy stories!


162 posted on 12/28/2004 8:25:52 AM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: tomkow6

Good morning, Tom!


163 posted on 12/28/2004 8:26:33 AM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: bentfeather
Sheeeesh I hope you don't stop using your little avatar when you retire. I would miss seeing it every day!!

I'll keep using it as long as I can


164 posted on 12/28/2004 8:27:15 AM PST by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
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To: darkwing104

Good morning, Darkwing!

How are you doing this fine morning?


165 posted on 12/28/2004 8:30:00 AM PST by kemathen7
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To: darkwing104

Oh darkwing, I read about the box of puppies you and your wife found along side the road, do you know any more about them?


166 posted on 12/28/2004 8:30:12 AM PST by Soaring Feather
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To: laurenmarlowe

L0L Im just popping by myself!

Have a wonderful day.


167 posted on 12/28/2004 8:30:36 AM PST by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Yeah, we're headin' for around 62 today, they say.

Gradual warmup through Friday - 72 degrees .....


168 posted on 12/28/2004 8:32:13 AM PST by MeekOneGOP (There is only one GOOD 'RAT: one that has been voted OUT of POWER !! Straight ticket GOP!)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Bump!


169 posted on 12/28/2004 8:32:47 AM PST by windchime (Won't it be great watching President Bush spend political capital?)
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To: mylife

Thanks sweetie, you too!


170 posted on 12/28/2004 8:33:19 AM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: tomkow6
Thanks, Tom!

(How'd you know I like brunettes?)
171 posted on 12/28/2004 8:34:32 AM PST by acad1228
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To: Kathy in Alaska

10Q


172 posted on 12/28/2004 8:35:39 AM PST by acad1228
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To: HiJinx

I can't wait to read it. The other book I got for Christmas was "American Soldier" by Tommy Franks. My parents in law think I'm crazy. My sister in law asks for nice Bible devotionals and "how to be a good wife" books and I'm reading about war and soldiers! LOL!!!!


173 posted on 12/28/2004 8:35:40 AM PST by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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To: LaDivaLoca

Roger that, Diva ~ Bump!


174 posted on 12/28/2004 8:37:25 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: bentfeather
Oh darkwing, I read about the box of puppies you and your wife found along side the road, do you know any more about them?

A vet has gave them a clean bill of health and shots for free. All four puppies have been adopted.


175 posted on 12/28/2004 8:38:46 AM PST by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

The Mongols ~ hot drinks and chow with Tonk ~ Bump!


176 posted on 12/28/2004 8:38:56 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: kemathen7
Good Morning kemathen!


177 posted on 12/28/2004 8:39:42 AM PST by darkwing104 (Let's get dangerous)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Hot black coffee on a brisk morning with kathy ~ Bump!


178 posted on 12/28/2004 8:41:27 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: tomkow6

Hi Ya Tomkow6!


179 posted on 12/28/2004 8:41:55 AM PST by The Mayor (let the wisdom of God check our thoughts before they leave our tongue)
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To: darkwing104

Hey dw!! Hope you have a great day!


180 posted on 12/28/2004 8:42:35 AM PST by StarCMC (It's God's job to forgive Bin Laden; it's our job to arrange the meeting.)
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