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Osprey New Vanguard #150
War Elephants
Elephants have been deployed as weapons for centuries, particularly in South and South-East Asia, where war elephants constituted the bulk of most armies in the region from antiquity right up to the 19th century. This book offers an insight into the incredible history of these "living tanks," focusing on the design of the equipment and armament that made them so terrifying, particularly the development and structure of the fighting tower.
The author, Konstantin S. Nossov goes on to trace the battle history of war elephants, from their deployment against Alexander the Great's army at the battle of Gaugamela, through to their use in the 19th century by the myriad armies of South-East Asia, all the time analyzing the battle formation and tactics of war elephants in action and how these tactics changed over time. He then goes on to examine the most famous action that war elephants took part in, Hannibal's dramatic march over the Alps and his subsequent invasion of Italy. Supported by rare illustrations and full-color original artwork, this book is a vivid account of the development and operation of one of history's most unusual "machines of warfare."
The author, Konstantin S. Nossov goes on to trace the battle history of war elephants, from their deployment against Alexander the Great's army at the battle of Gaugamela, through to their use in the 19th century by the myriad armies of South-East Asia, all the time analyzing the battle formation and tactics of war elephants in action and how these tactics changed over time. He then goes on to examine the most famous action that war elephants took part in, Hannibal's dramatic march over the Alps and his subsequent invasion of Italy. Supported by rare illustrations and full-color original artwork, this book is a vivid account of the development and operation of one of history's most unusual "machines of warfare."
48 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 1, 2023
WAR ELEPHANTS was fascinating from the historical viewpoint, yet saddening to read about how man abused one of God's fine creatures.
Elephants were used in war from about four centuries before the birth of Christ to as late as the 19th century in Asia. Even today they are still used as beasts of burden in the Indian army.
In ancient times African elephants had larger ears and tusks, were not as aggressive and had a sagging back as compared to Asian or Indian elephants. Now it seems that the African elephants are more aggressive and larger.
In early times an elephant crew consisted of a driver and one or two men armed with long lances or bows riding on its back. In time towers were mounted on their backs with armed men inside. Although not given much acknowledgment, just about every ancient army used elephants at one time or another. To men armed with blade weapons, and even muskets, attacking elephants was something to fear and respect. When confronted for the first time even horses would refuse to close with the enemy as the sight and smell scared them. In one of Caesar's river crossings the mere sight of a single strange beast terrified the barbarians on the other side.
Elephants could win battles, but they could also be the reason for a defeat. Untrained, frightened or wounded elephants could stampede through one's own army causing havoc. In one battle the Romans smeared pitch on the backs of hogs, lit them on fire and sent them amongst the enemy elephants to stampede them.
Besides the armed men on its back, trained elephants could stomp or grab the enemy with its trunk and toss them in the air. Sometimes sharp blades were mounted on the tusks and after tossing the man in the air he would be cut in half with the blade before hitting the ground.
In Asia elephants were used to tear down enemy fortifications. City gates often had huge spikes embedded in them to discourage elephants from being used as battering rams.
One elephant survived 80 arrows shot into it, but the tip of an elephant's trunk and the soles of its feet were tender spots. Caltrops were sometimes used against elephants.
In Asia there were times when two opposing kings would fight each other mounted on their favorite elephant much like two medieval European knights jousting on horseback, only the elephants fought as well.
Elephants became extinct in areas because they were rounded up for military usage. One Asian king had some 9000 elephants in his army. The male elephants were used for combat while the females were usually beasts of burden.
This book was very informative, full of pictures and colored illustrations. This book is a must for anyone really interested in ancient warfare.
Elephants were used in war from about four centuries before the birth of Christ to as late as the 19th century in Asia. Even today they are still used as beasts of burden in the Indian army.
In ancient times African elephants had larger ears and tusks, were not as aggressive and had a sagging back as compared to Asian or Indian elephants. Now it seems that the African elephants are more aggressive and larger.
In early times an elephant crew consisted of a driver and one or two men armed with long lances or bows riding on its back. In time towers were mounted on their backs with armed men inside. Although not given much acknowledgment, just about every ancient army used elephants at one time or another. To men armed with blade weapons, and even muskets, attacking elephants was something to fear and respect. When confronted for the first time even horses would refuse to close with the enemy as the sight and smell scared them. In one of Caesar's river crossings the mere sight of a single strange beast terrified the barbarians on the other side.
Elephants could win battles, but they could also be the reason for a defeat. Untrained, frightened or wounded elephants could stampede through one's own army causing havoc. In one battle the Romans smeared pitch on the backs of hogs, lit them on fire and sent them amongst the enemy elephants to stampede them.
Besides the armed men on its back, trained elephants could stomp or grab the enemy with its trunk and toss them in the air. Sometimes sharp blades were mounted on the tusks and after tossing the man in the air he would be cut in half with the blade before hitting the ground.
In Asia elephants were used to tear down enemy fortifications. City gates often had huge spikes embedded in them to discourage elephants from being used as battering rams.
One elephant survived 80 arrows shot into it, but the tip of an elephant's trunk and the soles of its feet were tender spots. Caltrops were sometimes used against elephants.
In Asia there were times when two opposing kings would fight each other mounted on their favorite elephant much like two medieval European knights jousting on horseback, only the elephants fought as well.
Elephants became extinct in areas because they were rounded up for military usage. One Asian king had some 9000 elephants in his army. The male elephants were used for combat while the females were usually beasts of burden.
This book was very informative, full of pictures and colored illustrations. This book is a must for anyone really interested in ancient warfare.
December 1, 2022
I mean come on
March 10, 2013
Disorganized and superficial. Jumps all around in time and place
February 16, 2015
Meh. Cruelty.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews