War wagon
For other uses, see War wagon (disambiguation).
Modern reconstruction of Hussite war wagon
The war wagon was a medieval development during the Hussite Wars around 1420 by Hussite forces rebelling in Bohemia.
It was a heavy wagon given protective sides with firing slits and heavy firepower from either a cannon or a force of hand-gunners, archers and crossbowmen, supported by infantry using spears, pikes and flails. Groups of them could form defensive works, but they also were used as hardpoints for Hussite formations or as firepower in pincer movements. This early use of gunpowder and innovative tactics helped a largely peasant infantry stave off attacks by the Holy Roman Empire larger forces of mounted knights.
See also
- Fire arrow
- Laager
- Tabor (formation)
- Dongwu Che
References
External links
- Hussite War-wagons, presenting detailed information about the Hussites' most characteristic tactic, by Matthew Haywood
- General information regarding the Hussite forces
- Google Books The Hussite Wars 1419-36 by Stephen Turnbull
- Hussite Warwagon painting
- Hussite history summary
- Wargaming Hussite armies and tactics