I wonder: Is (decisive) treason in the battlefield in that time in asian warfare more prevalent? I am not a military historian, but for Europe my gut feeling tells me that roughly ended with the establishment of larger centralised states. Is there any major campaign/war in Europe/Mediterranean won by battlefield treason of a military commander or noble lets say after the 30year war period?
Good question - I would say yes, but don't have a deep enough knowledge of EA history to be completely confident. A lot more Japanese and Chinese wars were civil wars, so it stands to reason that you see a lot of factional betrayals and warlords going their own way (as late as the Second Zhili-Fengtian War in 1924).
In post-1648 Europe, it's more unified states fighting in coalitions, so the closest analogy is defecting allies. There's Markus' example of the German auxiliaries (probably not decisive to the outcome, but important); I would also add the defection of Savoy during the 1703 French offensive into the Tyrol, which forced them to turn back to secure their rear. But even so, outright defections - as opposed to separate peaces - were pretty rare.
Napoleon's defeat at the "Battle of the Nations" at Leipzig (1813) where the defection of the Saxon troops and the Württemberg cavalry were turning points of the battle.
Thank you, both. Your replies make it more clear. Nation states vs. civil war or warlords seems to be the major difference, and the napoleonic time may fit in as it was a extraordinary period in Europe, when many states where ruled by cronies of Bonaparte with quite low loyalties of the local elites and population.
Great article! How was the battlefield as an English speaking tourist destination? Planning a trip to Japan and was wondering if it was worth visiting
Very accessible. Bilingual signs at all the sites on the battlefield and plenty of English brochures and maps at the tourist center.
Thank you very much, very nice reading!
I wonder: Is (decisive) treason in the battlefield in that time in asian warfare more prevalent? I am not a military historian, but for Europe my gut feeling tells me that roughly ended with the establishment of larger centralised states. Is there any major campaign/war in Europe/Mediterranean won by battlefield treason of a military commander or noble lets say after the 30year war period?
Good question - I would say yes, but don't have a deep enough knowledge of EA history to be completely confident. A lot more Japanese and Chinese wars were civil wars, so it stands to reason that you see a lot of factional betrayals and warlords going their own way (as late as the Second Zhili-Fengtian War in 1924).
In post-1648 Europe, it's more unified states fighting in coalitions, so the closest analogy is defecting allies. There's Markus' example of the German auxiliaries (probably not decisive to the outcome, but important); I would also add the defection of Savoy during the 1703 French offensive into the Tyrol, which forced them to turn back to secure their rear. But even so, outright defections - as opposed to separate peaces - were pretty rare.
Napoleon's defeat at the "Battle of the Nations" at Leipzig (1813) where the defection of the Saxon troops and the Württemberg cavalry were turning points of the battle.
Thank you, both. Your replies make it more clear. Nation states vs. civil war or warlords seems to be the major difference, and the napoleonic time may fit in as it was a extraordinary period in Europe, when many states where ruled by cronies of Bonaparte with quite low loyalties of the local elites and population.
An excellent write up and exceedingly interesting. Thank you!