Mongol invasion of Europe

The Mongol invasions of Europe centered in their destruction of the Rus states, especially Kiev. Subsequently they invaded Hungary and Poland, the later a diversion commanded by Kadu , a grandson of Ghengis Khan, though it was masterminded by Subotoi, who also masterminded the Hungarian campaign. The destruction of the armies of the Central European countries in 1241 left the way open for the Mongols to invade Europe, and only the death of the Great Khan (Ögedei Khan) prevented it. The famous remark of the French King that he was going to fight the Tarters and would either send them back to hell or be himself sent to paradise was a sign of the fear the Mongol invasions aroused. And ironically, the European invasions were a third theater of operations, second to both the Middle East and Sung China. Had the Mongols sent the forces which devastated Poland and Hungry on into the German states and France, they probably would have destroyed them as easily as they had the Russ principalities.

The Mongols invaded central Europe in three groups. One group conquered Poland, defeating a combined force under Henry the Pious, Duke of Silesia and the Grand Master of the Teutonic Order at Legnica. A second crossed the Carpathians and a third followed the Danube. The armies re-grouped and crushed Hungary in 1241, defeating the Hungarian army at the Battle of Mohi on April 11. The armies swept the plains of Hungary over the summer and in the spring of 1242 regained impetus and extended their control into Austria and Dalmatia as well as invading Bohemia. Had the Great Khan not died, necessitating the return of all the "Princes of the Blood" (of Genghis Khan), all of Europe might have fallen as easily as Poland and Hungary.

The attack on Europe was planned and carried out by Subutai, who achieved perhaps his most lasting fame with his victories there. Having devasted the various Russian Principalities, he sent spies into Poland, Hungary, and as far as Austria, in preparation for an attack into the heartland of Europe. Having gotten a clear picture of the European Kingdoms, he brilliantly prepared an attack nominally commanded by Batu Khan and 2 other princes of the blood. Batu Khan, son of Jochi, was the overall leader, but Subutai was the actual commander in the field, and as such was present in both the northern and southern campaigns against Russia and the Ukraine. He commanded the central column that moved against Hungary. While Kaidu's northern force won the battle of Leignitz and Kadan's army triumphed in Transylvania, Subutai was waiting for them on the Hungarian plain. The newly reunited army then withdrew to the Sajo river where they inflicted the tremendous defeat on King Bela IV at the Battle of Mohi. Subutai masterminded the operation, and it was to prove one of his greatest victories.

The King of Hungary had summoned a council of war at Gran, a large and important settlement upriver from Buda and Pest. As Batu was advancing on Hungary from the north-east it was decided by the King to concentrate his strength at Pest and then head to the north to confront the Mongol army. When news of the Hungarian battle strategy reached the Mongol commanders they slowly withdrew, drawing their enemies on. This was classic Mongol strategy, perfected by Subutai. He prepared a battlefield and waited. It was a strong position, because woods prevented their ranks from being clearly scouted or seen, while across the river on the plain of Mohi, the Hungarian army was extremely exposed.

Subutai launched the Battle of Mohi during the night of 10 Apri1 1241, only one day after the smaller army in Poland had won the battle of Leignitz. At the Mohi, a single division crossed the river in secret to advance on the Hungarian camp from the southern flank. The main body began to cross the Sajo by the bridge at Mohi. This was met with fierce resistance, so catapults were used to clear the opposite bank. When the crossing was completed the other contingent attacked at the same time. The result was panic, and to ensure that the Hungarians did not fight desperately to the last man the Mongols left an obvious gap in their encirclement. This, along with the feigned retreat, was one of the Mongol's most prized strategies.

As Subutai had planned, the fleeing Hungarians poured through this apparant hole in the lines, which led to a swampy area. When the Hungarian knights split up, the light Mongol archers picked them off at will and it was later noted that corpses littered the countryside for the space of a two day journey. Two archbishops and three bishops were killed at the Sajo, plus 40,000 fighting men, the pride of Hungary! By late 1241, Subutai was discussing plans to invade Austria, Italy and Germany, when the news came of the death of Ogodei Khan, and the Mongols withdrew, as the Princes of the blood, and Subutai, were recalled to Mongolia. As noted previously, only the death of the Great Khan prevented the utter destruction of the remainder of Europe.

The Mongols were simply generations ahead of the armies of the age. They fought in moder style organization, with the smallest command being 10, then 100, then 1000, then 10,000, commanded by a Noyan. They promoted on the basis of ability, not birth, (with the possible exception of Ghengis Khan's relatives). Most European armies consisted of a few professional men at arms, and Knights, and levies of peasants. Compare that to the Mongol armies, with their constant practice in riding, archery, and organized combat by group. They travelled very light, able to live off the land. Their incredible intelligence organization combined with centralized command to demonstrate remarkable ability to coordinate armies separated by great distances. They showed mobility unheard of by armies of the time--up to 100 miles/day. In point of fact, Mongol combination of mobility and communication was probably not equalled again until World War II. They were extremely ruthless in battle. They had extraordinary military discipline, extraordinary endurance and were above all practical, readily assimilated advanced siege technology.

Some western historians tribute European survival to Mongol unwillingness to fight in the more densely populated German principalities, where the wetter weather effected their bows. But the same weather did not stop them from devastating Russia, and Europe was far less densely populated than China! The probable answer for Batu's stopping after the Mohi river, and the destruction of the Hungrarian army, was that he never intended to advance further. He had made his Russian conquests safe for the next 10 generations, and when the Great Khan died, and he rushed back to Mongolia to put in his claim for power, it ended his westward expansion. Subutai's recall at the same time left the Mongol armies without their spiritual head, and primary strategist both. Had the Great Khan Ogodei not died, and Subutai been allowed to stay to plan further conquest, and Batu had decided to proceed westward, the French King would have found Paradise.