Genghis Khan’s military tactics
How was such a small Mongolian army able to conquer most of the known world at that time?
The main secret behind Mongol’s victory was The Mongols were tightly united under Chinggis khan’s command. Also their permanent hunting skills and their superb horsemen, their iron discipline, high morale and fine leadership.
There are many Chinggis Khaan’s Military Tactics known today for example, Wearing-Down Tactics, Confusing and Intimidating, luring into Ambushes, Arc Formation Tactics, Lightning Attack And Surprise Attack, Outflanking Tactics, Encircling Tactics, Open-the-End Tactics, Combining Swords and Arrows, Hot Pursuit Tactics and Dispersing Tactics.
This time we are introducing you the most famous 3 Gengkhis khan’s military tactics below:
1. Confusing tactic
When the Mongols encountered numerically superior forces, This military tactic attempts to mislead enemy forces. This is usually created by amplifying an artificial fog of war via psychological operations, information warfare, visual deception and other methods. One example is in 1204, before battle night with Naiman, Chinggis Khaan ordered his every soldiers lit five fires some distance apart, thus scaring the Naimans and enabling Chinggis to defeat them.
2. Lightning Attack
This tactic is perhaps the most important of all: lightning attack meant speed, and surprise attack meant suddenness. Its example is in 1213, the Mongol general Jebe with his cavalry, failed to take the city of Dongchang (Mukden), so they retreated for six days over a distance of some 170 miles. The enemy defending the city thought that the Mongols had given up, but Jebe returned, covering the distance in one night and launching a surprise attack.
3. LURING THE ENEMY
These tactic was used when Mongols could not break into huge fortified cities or through a strong pass. Then Mongols lure the enemy into an ambush. They did this by feigning retreat after the battle started. They deliberately threw away gold and silver. Then enemy think that they are giving up. This strategy example is:
In 1211, when the Mongols first attacked the Jin territory in northern China, Mongols commanded by Jebe and Guyigu attacked the famous Chabchiyal Pass. The pass was backed onto mountain cliffs. Therefore, Mongols could break through the strong fort. Instead they decided to lure the enemy out by slowly retreating. The Jin army thought that the Mongols had given up, so they chased after them and suddenly Mongols turned back to counter attack. Jebe won this battle and took the pass.
