10-11-2007, 08:31 PM
I see that in the past there has been some discussion and questions regarding elephants in battle.
I wrote that book War Elephants (Praeger 2005) and would be happy to answer any questions. Elephants are my favorite thing on earth, so always pleased to talk about them.
One question I saw was that someone believes elephants were always misemployed. That is certainly not the case. I would estimate that in about half of the battles elephants fought, they were well or correctly deployed. That is not to say they won have their battles. Even correctly deployed elephants are subject to the many vaguaries of war, accidents, traps, and brilliant enemies who overcome correct deployments by the use of unusual or clever tactics.
The best use for elephants throughout history has been for stopping cavalry. Horses simply will not approach the pachyderms, and therefore they are a perfect cavalry screen. (Years of training will allow you to coordinate your cavalry with elephants, the enemy rarely has that opportunity).
I am new to the forum and happy to see some ancient history buffs around!
John K
I wrote that book War Elephants (Praeger 2005) and would be happy to answer any questions. Elephants are my favorite thing on earth, so always pleased to talk about them.
One question I saw was that someone believes elephants were always misemployed. That is certainly not the case. I would estimate that in about half of the battles elephants fought, they were well or correctly deployed. That is not to say they won have their battles. Even correctly deployed elephants are subject to the many vaguaries of war, accidents, traps, and brilliant enemies who overcome correct deployments by the use of unusual or clever tactics.
The best use for elephants throughout history has been for stopping cavalry. Horses simply will not approach the pachyderms, and therefore they are a perfect cavalry screen. (Years of training will allow you to coordinate your cavalry with elephants, the enemy rarely has that opportunity).
I am new to the forum and happy to see some ancient history buffs around!
John K
John Kistler
writer, businessman, elephant lover
writer, businessman, elephant lover
