Professional paper

MONGOLS’ ART OF WAR

Miroslav Goluža orcid.org/0000-0002-2996-5362 ; Hrvatsko vojno učilište „Petar Zrinski“ u Zagrebu

Abstract

This paper analyzes the Mongolian art of war building links with the problem of maneuvering the war in Europe. War of maneuver in the thinking of military theorists and commanders was and remains a matter of controversy, something that always provokes conflicting opinions. In such situation is a great refreshment to remind that, mostly illiterate soldiers practiced war of maneuver without undue theorizing. Mongolian practice of mass terror in the eyes of the average person psychologically distort the true picture of their mode of warfare. During the battle, besides the advantages of maneuver, they were superior in the psychological war of the highest levels of planning and tactics. They always tried to throw the opponent off balance, whether on physical or psychological maneuver. Mongolians have had a lack of knowledge of warfare based on the mechanical repetition of certain maneuvers or a classic battle exhaustion. The historical paradox is that their method of warfare led many to worry about reducing their own casualties, but it is the case in most armies of the twentieth century. In modern armies that are supersaturated with technology and firepower, and where the danger of degenerating tactics in mastering certain technical skills and procedures, Mongolian art of war is very actual.

Keywords

psychological war; mass terror; war of maneuver; Mongol tactics

Hrčak ID:

82929

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/82929

Publication date:

27.12.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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