Mongol cavalry, one name, one era. Speaking of this powerful army, it can always outline the war and situation in the Eurasian land. In the 13th century, they swept across the steppes like a gale, casting the shadow of fear on the banks of the Danube, causing the whole of Europe to tremble.
Why was the Mongol cavalry so feared?The reason for this was their mobility and combat effectiveness, which made them the most elite troops in the world at that time. Living in the harsh steppe environment for a long time, the Mongols have tempered their powerful fighting power, as if they were born warriors. Each Mongol cavalry carried multiple horses, galloped like the wind, fearless in battle, and capable of long-distance runs, like ancient mechanized troops. When they rush like a torrent, their opponents can barely resist. Most of the European coalition forces were improvised militias that did not have enough horses and suitable equipment. Although the European coalition had a large number of heavily armored cavalry, these knights were bulky and lacked the flexibility of the Mongol cavalry, and were easily overwhelmed by the opposing side. The Mongol army even had a large number of heavy cavalry, which carried out assaults with sabers, hammers, etc., and easily crushed the heavy cavalry in Europe.
Secondly, the Mongol army had not only powerful cavalry, but also a diverse range of subordinate units. The Western Expeditionary Army blended Turks, Persians, Han Chinese and other ethnic groups to form a diversified army. They are not only equipped with siege ladders, heavy crossbow machines, etc.**, but also proficient in the manufacturing technology of return artillery, and have mastered advanced technologies such as gunpowder and firearms manufacturing. This made the Mongol army highly capable of both field and siege battles. European armies could not defeat the Mongol armies in field battles, and siege cities were equally difficult to hold. Although the European armies were huge, they could not stop the torrent in the face of the threat of the Mongols.
Finally, Europe's long-term ** makes it difficult to form synergies. Despite the formation of joint forces, the European coalition forces struggled to work together and became scattered. The knights were well-armed and brave, but the overall coordination was lacking. In the face of the hunting tactics of the Mongol army, the European coalition was fragmented and unable to organize effective resistance. The strategic and tactical prowess of the Mongol army left European armies in the dust.
Legend has it that within six years of the Second Mongol Expedition, 120,000 Mongol troops had defeated and wiped out 600,000 European troops. This history gives a deep sense of the strength of the Mongol cavalry. Their fighting style is as lonely and vicissitudes as red wine.