01-08-2009, 02:33 PM
Quote:Have to say though what about casting javelins from the elephant?
Also in may cases a pike was used from the tower.I belive that defending from a pike thrusting downwards and near a huge beast must a challenge.
If you are sitting on the back of the elephant, firing a bow or throwing a javelin is easy. My analogy is if you are sitting on a surfboard with your legs dangling over the board, you can also throw a javelin and shoot a bow. Now try the same when standing on a surfboard. With the rising and falling of the sea, it becomes a completely different story. Even bracing myself in the corners of the towers still did not give me the stability I needed.
The Thais use long pikes with blades at the ends to attack an enemy mahout. Since my many elephant experiences I no longer believe in the tower being used to defend the elephant from enemy troops on the ground.