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Inspired by the Lexus thread. But it's a little less crazy
As is well known, the the 13th century the Mongols tried to invade Japan but most of their fleet was destroyed in a typhoon. (Not all natural disasters are bad, it seems). I'm wondering what would have happened without the typhoon. The Samurai were fierce warriors and the Mongols would have been out of their element on the mountainous island. Still, Mongols were practically undefeated (and arguably undefeatable) during that time. While an individual Mongol soldier was not a match for a Samurai, the Mongol army was a more disciplined and cohesive unit, making the whole greater than the sum of its parts. My bet is on the Mongols. Anyone disagree?
I don't know enough to have a valid opinion on the matter, but can you tell us the approximate size of the Mongol army which was aboard the ships? And how did that compare with the number of Samurai warriors in Japan? And could the Samurai have been able to concentrate their forces in enough time to confront the Mongols effectively? If the Samurai had come at the Mongols piecemeal, it would have been an advantage for the Mongols, it seems to me.
Which invasion are you referring to? The Mongols attempted to invade Japan two times and twice their fleet was destroyed by a storm each time. However, on the second invasion, the Mongols were actually loosing pretty badly on land. The Japanese were heavily outnumbered but they were still putting some pretty bad dents into the Mongol force. I actually think the Japanese would have repelled the Mongolian troops.
The Japanese were heavily outnumbered but they were still putting some pretty bad dents into the Mongol force. I actually think the Japanese would have repelled the Mongolian troops.
I would think that Japanese terrain was very unsuited to the traditional Mongol style of warfare, horse archers and such.
Which invasion are you referring to? The Mongols attempted to invade Japan two times and twice their fleet was destroyed by a storm each time. However, on the second invasion, the Mongols were actually loosing pretty badly on land. The Japanese were heavily outnumbered but they were still putting some pretty bad dents into the Mongol force. I actually think the Japanese would have repelled the Mongolian troops.
If the Mongol army weathered a typhoon during their voyage, they may not have been in the tip top shape to fight.
Secondly, I believe that the records of that engagement were written by the Japanese and may not have been completely balanced. In fact, the true numbers of the Mongols were frequently overestimated by their enemies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Irishtom29
I would think that Japanese terrain was very unsuited to the traditional Mongol style of warfare, horse archers and such.
Agreed.
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