subutai

Subutai was the primary strategist and good friend of Genghis Khan and Ogedei Khan. He helped Genghis Khan with the military campaigns in Mongolia, northern China, and Central Asia. He was soon called back to the capital of the Mongol Empire after Genghis Khan began to fear his power. He also invaded the Crimea, Kiev, Volga Bulgaria, Russia, Bohemia, Turkey, and Hungary with Batu Khan. 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 conquering of the remainder of Europe. Mongolian histories say by 1248 that Subutai, one of Genghis Khan's original "dogs of war," was dead. He is considered by military historians to be one of the most brilliant military minds in all of history.

Subutai

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