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

[SevenofNine]

Well report off Interfax you hear about pro Moscow Ukraine caindate vow to call the recall election now report off Tass news wire his associate The Travel minister kill himself or was victim of foul play

OH OH Vlad play Godfather here

Also Yeah I hear about Bin Laden now UK Telegraph reporting too that maybe Zaharii was would start some crap with US troops during January election Iraqi govt officals and US forces are worry if boycott go through we might have Iraqi version of Tailban

SO Tomkow I think burka sales would go up if that happen

[SevenofNine]

DAMN did you hear this Drudge report that because of earthquake knock the earth off 3 mirocosecond a day

WOW

[StarCMC]

I found the coolest picture tonight...

Sarge, it's a photo poetry challenge for when you get back...

GO!

[StarCMC]

I DID hear that the earthquake affected the earth's rotation, but I hadn't heard specifically HOW. WOW!!

[StarCMC]

I'm out for the evening! See ya'll in a few hours!

[trussell]

I wish I knew how to do blending rainbow font, and make my own dolls, including adding sparkles.

When MoJo put out the call for help with threads...I wanted to say yes, but I knew I would make a mess of whatever I tried to do, because I just don't know enough about it yet!! She sent me that ?print shop pro? (I think that's what it was)...but I haven't even been able to use it because I get confused by it.

[SevenofNine]

This is what I understand maigutre of earthquake 9.0 nothing sneeze at

Well well guess what AP wire report UN offical running smack chat on US saying our aid to earthquake tidal wave stricken country IS STINGY
SHUT UP

Also another report off Interfax wire remember the Urakine minister was found dead now they think might be suicide could beeee Godfather reset anybody

Like Mo Green LOL!

[SevenofNine]

Well report off AFP wire reporting that possibity Al Jabeeza network might be in TROUBLE IN FRANCE report they investigate is network abetting terrorism

YOU THINK DUDE????

[SevenofNine]

MINE?

[SevenofNine]

WHOA this off Intefax wire according to Kremlin sources KGB busted 10 more miltants rising total to 15,000 this year ALONE IN 2004

DAMNNN 2004 15,000 terrorists in RUSSIA ALONE

[SevenofNine]

Well well guess who kissing up the a** of China

THE French they just score oil deal with CHinese and miltary deal with them according to Wash Times

WELL isn't that special HMMMM

I hate the Frogs not only they are wimps they are surrender to anybody no dignity

I am sorry this is French they have no digntiy they are wimps

[Fawnn]

Happy Birthday, acad1228!!!

[Fawnn]

One step closer to being
the only Coast Guard Auxiliary member in Oregon
who inspects commercial vessels!!!

[Fawnn]

SevenofNine!!! #50!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Diva, for today's history of the Mongols. Hope you had a Merry Christmas.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Observed at Baghdad, Iraq
Scattered clouds High: 60° F Low: 48° F

Observed at Mosul, Iraq
Scattered clouds 57° F Low: 46° F

[Kathy in Alaska]

Duty ~ Honor ~ Country

Click above to visit "A Day in the Life of President Bush"

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Tuesday!

Have a cup while you Freep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[Kathy in Alaska]

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are,God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

Bless This House

Bless this house O Lord we pray;
Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove
ever open to joy and love.


Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there,
with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within,
keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we
May dwell O Lord with thee.

(Click on praying hands above, or on banner at the top to hear the music)

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are,God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

Bless This House

Bless this house O Lord we pray;
Make it safe by night and day;
Bless these walls so firm and stout,
Keeping want and trouble out:
Bless the roof and chimneys tall,
Let thy peace lie over all;
Bless this door, that it may prove
ever open to joy and love.


Bless these windows shining bright,
Letting in God's heav'nly light;
Bless the hearth a'blazing there,
with smoke ascending like a prayer;
Bless the folk who dwell within,
keep them pure and free from sin;
Bless us all that we may be
Fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
Bless us all that one day we
May dwell O Lord with thee.

(Click on praying hands above, or on banner at the top to hear the music)

[Kathy in Alaska]