FReeper Canteen ~ Part VIII of The Mongols ~ December 28, 2004

www.coldsiberia.org ^ | December 28, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[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

[SFC Chromey]

Hmmmmm armor. Armor Rocks! It was definitely a treat to have... and it works quite well!

[trussell]

Thank you for serving and keeping my family safe!!

[cfhBAMA]

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Good Night All

Had a very productive day.

One step closer to being the only Coast Guard Auxiliary
member in Oregon to be able to inspect commercial vessels.

God Bless All who enter the Canteen.

God Bless and Protect our Military and our Allies Military.

[laurenmarlowe]

Good night Tonk, rest well.

[StarCMC]

Lookit you!! Woohoo!!!

[Soaring Feather]

Good night Tonkin, rest well.

[PzLdr]

A few comments, several of which may have been in previous posts:

Communications: The Mongols made use of flags, horns, AND whistling arrows, colored lanterns (for night movements), and a Naccara drummer (with the tuman commander).

Units: The Mongol Army was composed of light and heavy cavalry. The heavy units wore a lammaluer type armor, and carried a lance with a hook below the point to pull enemies from their horses. The Mongol heavy horse counterattacked the European knights at Liegnitz, rode after the archers had softened the Knights up, and then rode down the infantry. Most tumans, were usually 40% heavy cavalry.The Mongols also had specialized siege trains for taking fortified cities.

Supply: The Mongols traveled with a supply train, which consisted of Gers (yurts), which were mobile. Camel trains brought supplies (especially arrows) to the troops from the supply trains. The Mongols also used a string of several or more horses for each trooper, which he rode with (until battle), and switched off on during marches as the horse he rode on tired. His horses (with those of his unit members) were kept near the front for unit changes during battle.

Clothing: Mongol troops wore raw silk undershirts. As noted above some units wore armor. the Kashik wore black armor. Mongols also wore padded jackets, and in winter, heavy coats and felt boots. Different tumans occasionally wore special uniform pieces, such as hat trim, to idnetify their units.

[trussell]

You're a good teacher!! WooHoo!!

[StarCMC]

Thank you for today's thread, Diva!! HUGS!!

[luvie]

One step closer to being the only Coast Guard Auxiliary member in Oregon to be able to inspect commercial vessels.

I am sure you will get there--you have worked so hard.

...for all you do for your country, for our brave military and for us at the Canteen. Good night!

[StarCMC]

 

 

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday, Dear Acad!!

Happy Birthday To You!

 

Big birthday hugs to you! 
Hope your day is fantastic!
 

 

[StarCMC]

HEY!! Welcome back to the Canteen!!

[StarCMC]

Yes!! Another Bama fan!!
Roll Tide!

Welcome to the Canteen!

[SevenofNine]

Well latest off Kydto news wire is that Russia planes has landed in Sri Lanka to help relief recorrd

Now Sky news reporting that bodies of Tidal wave victims has come to shore and death toll almost 50,000 now report from BBC wire body of grandson of Thailand King was ashore today

Sad part about this story is the poor kid suffer from autism

[StarCMC]

The very little I know I learned from Canteeners. Once you learn, it's your turn to help someone else! :o) HUGS!!

[uncleshag]

I love to hear good news.

Sounds like a plan coming together!
Keep up the good work, Tonkin!

[uncleshag]

PATRIOTIC TUNES
for
TROOPS

Why Are You Marching Son
John Wayne
America, Why I Love Her
John Wayne
Taps
John Wayne

[trussell]

I'll be happy to! Though it's going to take some work to train me for the other stuff!!

[StarCMC]

It's a slippery slope and you are well on your way... You start with a little fancy colored font stuff, then it's graphics....then music...and the next thing you know you're doing threads! LOL!!!!