202 B.C.- The Battle of Zama, Romans vs. Carthaginians
For 60 years the Romans and Carthaginians fought for world domination. The Carthaginians were at a disadvantage with 15,000 fewer warriors than the superior forces of the Romans. To make-up for this weakness, Hannibal, the Carthaginian leader, devised a plan to set loose 80 elephants during battle in order scare the Romans and put the odds in their favor. The battle ensued and Hannibal ordered the elephants be set loose onto the Roman’s army. The elephants seeing that the easiest route of escape was the exact opposite of where they were facing, turned around and stampeded back through the Carthaginian army causing the loss of many lives, a few elephants, the Battle of Zama, and ultimately the entire war!
1410- Battle of Grunwald- Kingdom of Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania vs. Knights of the Teutonic Order (Germans)
This was one of the bloodiest battles of the Middle Ages. On July 15, all Europe awaited the outcome of what would decide the sole occupant of Eastern Europe. The Christian German Teutonic Order was vastly superior to the Lithuanian and Pole soldiers in their armor, weaponry, experience and leadership. The only advantage the Poles and Lithuanians had was their sheer mass of soldiers (some 50,000 as compared to the German’s 32,000).
The strategy began at 5 o’clock in the morning where the massed Teutonic Order gathered in open grasslands near the village of Grunswald. They were surrounded by a dark forest and looking dignified in their white garments. Rather than meet instantly for battle the Lithuanians and Poles left the German to bake in the hot sun for 2 ½ hours before charging their front line. They engaged the German’s so quickly that they were actually able to make it before the Germans were able to use their canons. The German leader responded by sending his horse mounted cavalry and ended up trampling much of his own foot soldiers in the confusion.
For nine hours the gallant soldiers fought to destroy their enemy. One turning point occurred at 6 o’clock, when the Polish King signaled to the trees and hundreds of Polish and Lithuanian peasants emerged and began to run screaming like lions towards the battle front. The German Order was surprised by the advancing army and found themselves engaged by both the knights and foot soldiers. Bodies piled upon bodies as the battle pursued for the next couple hours.
The German Teutonic order was stubborn to defeat, but was slowly brought to the ground, mercilessly. The Lithuanian and Pole army excited by the defeat, turned towards the German’s base and once again slaughtered everything that stood in their path, only taking a minimum of prisoners.
1415- Battle of Agincourt, England vs. France (part of the Hundred Years’ War)
Throughout history, France and England have never got along well. However, in the early years, the French didn’t necessarily get along with anyone in Europe (some say that still holds true). The famous battle of Agincourt is known for the English archers who used the long-distance capabilities of their longbows to hold the French back, who were armed only with short distance crossbows.
Rather than retreat, the French became impatient and charged the English through a field of wet mud. Wearing pounds of thick armor, the French found themselves slipping and falling over the grounds ,making themselves easy targets for the English longbow to pick off. When the battle was over, the English had lost only 140 of their men compared to 5,000 French. This was an embarrassment as well as a harsh lesson to the value of patience and strategy in war.
About Dr. Eric J. Leech
Eric has written for over a decade. Then one day he created Urbasm.com, a site for every guy.
About Dr. Eric J. Leech