Chap 2: The Manufacturing of a War
The beginning of war is a yari in one hand and a bow in the other
For any general, these are the foundations on which victory is built
The first thing an aspiring general learns to command is a unit of Yari Ashigaru.
As a staple of Oda warfare for generations, they were ideal for the earlier yari block tactics, however these crude methods of war-fighting are being phased out.
New Oda tactics call for two main deployment strategies:
First, and simplest, on the defensive. Rather than the yari block used to push forward and force the enemy back with sheer momentum, the newer yari wall deployment type is to be used defensively. As the name implies, the men are formed up in relatively thin formations in order to extend their frontage. However, it also means that enemies making use of yari blocks can grind their way though such a line.
Second, they are very capable of fighting horsemen if the latter are caught alone. Flank screening in even thinner lines than on the front also discourages enemy cavalry, leaving them away from the melee and center stage targets for our archers. As archers are obviously vulnerable to horsemen, the flank deployment is invaluable. After enemy horsemen have been neutralized, a simple move forward leads naturally into a flanking action.
Unlike a block, the wall should not be moved forward due to the brittle nature of the formation. However, these ashigaru are capable of fighting enemy infantry well. Their sidearm is quite capable to doing damage, and they can give even yari samurai a hard time if they manage to infiltrate their formation. Support them with missile fire - the stronger the enemy or less well armored, the earlier and heavier the extent of missile support.
As capable defensive units, they can be used as bait, or to force the enemy's hand. The sight of a block of Oda yaris on their flank is enough to provoke a reaction, pulling out their reinforcements into arrow range and disrupting their plans. Be aggressive!
Bow ashigaru are the new force appliers of Oda might, but need support from the yari troops, thus generals learn to use them second.
Massed archery is the way forward, a true revolution stemming from Oda thought. They are deadly to enemy yari blocks. In time, the powerful Oda Volley will become an intimidating display of Oda missile doctrines, filling the air with thousands of arrows as battle is joined.
For logistics and army composition, the usual rule of one for one plus two is applied to yari troops, that is, one for each unit of bows and two extra (one for each flank). Naturally, as forces become larger, not all yari troops are on the front, so the flanks become stronger, leading to aggressive flanking-under-bows advances.
To flank or attack under bows is when infantry are moved under the arrows of friendly archers. Care is necessary to avoid friendly casualties, however the combination of missile attack quickly followed up by an infantry charge can be devastating. In particular, yari formations can be destabilized, leading to vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Do not forget swords in an engagement of two yari units!
Back in Owari, Nobuhide's military advisers were discussing the recent developments.
His top adviser firmly quashed any discussion of returning to the mass yari tactics of the past. Simply meeting yari with yari was not a path to ultimate success, and in his mind, that was final.
Oda ashigaru were already the most numerous around as well as superior in their training and motivation. Development of the archer corps was important to avoid dangerous over-reliance on a single arm of decision.
Already, the Oda way of recruiting, training and equipping its yari ashigaru were being applied to the many bow units being drawn up. In days to come, this would result in a tradition of mass archery to rival the glory days of the yari.
The numerous advantages of range could not simply be ignored in a knee-jerk return to brute force.
As one of the first few generals proficient in the new model armies, Muneyori went on to lead his own forces after being adopted into the Oda ruling family.
He was also made Commissioner for Finance, a role that would prove to be very prestigious when the recruitment and pay of many thousands of Oda ashigaru was considered.
Following on a hunch, Muneyori continued his march south, his small scouting and harassment force somehow missing the enemy moving towards Owari.
My forces
in the open
shot to death
The last Tokugawa died in a horrible manner for a samurai. A thoroughly shameful death by ashigaru arrow.
His final thought was of what would become an increasingly common sight - samurai being laid waste to by massed archery.
The Tokugawa forces in the field simply melted away, probably out of fear when they saw the defense of Owari. With no hope of taking it, and no home to return to, the ashigaru returned to their farms and the samurai became ronin overnight.
This victory was only the cornerstone for the building of a massive Oda empire. Nobuhide could see further successes ahead, though they would be pricier and harder fought. Regardless, progress was taking place.
Additionally, it acted like a sort of field test, allowing some gauging of the penetrating power of ashigaru bows and arrows against samurai armor at different ranges. While encouraging in that even well made armor was not impenetrable at close range, it was equally troubling to know that a dedicated group of samurai could reach the front lines, albeit taking some casualties. In future battles, the strength of Oda yari formations would still continue to be tested.
Nobuhide's strategy was known as the shooting arrow. By swiftly moving ahead, the capture of important strategic points was facilitated, denying the enemy crucial resupply and reinforcements.
Their problems would then be compounded on the field by heavy harassment and skirmishing. By the time it came down to open battle, the trademark Oda Volley would inflict terrible damage to their bodies and morale.
Also, moving light and pushing hard was not unexpected by the ashigaru. As long as they were not driven ragged, they would put up a good show if the enemy survived long enough to see it!
His new Waka Poet was also receiving a first hand education in the wonders of massed archery. He would go on to tell tales of the immoveable Oda yari walls and the equally intimidating first volley by its archers. These tales would of course be spread into enemy ears, so that they knew properly what to fear.
After waiting on the walls of Owari, Muneyori found nothing. The Saito had been intimidated by the Oda and did not even march south of the river. This was a serious display of weakness of their part.
Following the orders that he had been given, Muneyori assembled a small force and headed north to the border. Nothing.
Even further, he crossed over into Saito land. Nothing.
And so he marched his men right up to the walls of the Saito fort and commenced an attack. Careful watch was set for the Saito reinforcements that never came. It seemed that they simply abandoned their fort to the Oda.
I could not
Oda yaris break
one was enough
As the last hardcore Saito retainer charged into the Oda yaris, sword at the ready, a single spearman stopped him.
The samurai had avoided, dodged or parried all the yari thrust at him except this one. The speed of his charge drove the sharp point deep into his chest. He stopped in amazement as the ashigaru pulled the weapon free, then, as in their drills, automatically thrust it into the samurai a second time.
The Saito were finished. Any hope of an organized resistance, let alone attack, had been lost due to their fear of taking to the field.
Muneyori was well on his way to becoming an excellent strategist. However, for the time being, he was to head south to assist Nobuhide. Little did he know that Mikawa had in fact fallen to surprise attack - which was why the Tokugawa never appeared.
Whatever agreement the Saito had forged with the Tokugawa was of no value when the latter were removed as a force in the region, and thus they simply gave up any hope of victory in battle.
After removing one of the dojos that yari samurai used to train in, some expected an archery one to replace it. But no, ashigaru didn't need such specialized training facilities.
Instead, Oda's small samurai forces would be concentrated on cavalry, specifically fast light cavalry. The new role of samurai was first "head-hunting" enemy generals or chasing routers. More importantly, though, they are capable of engaging enemy horsemen, harassing enemy archers and scouting.
Our poets in Owari developed a new philosophy known as Chi.
When asked if this could be used to make more powerful arrows, the military advisors were turned away with a negative answer.
A minor trade disruption went unnoticed. Who were the Asai anyway?
About the time strategists in Owari came up with their suggestions for steps forwards, it was already too late.
Take Mikawa to remove the Tokugawa? Done.
Remove the Saito? Already accomplished.
In any case, the Oda would continue marching onwards. This was never in question.
In fact, Oda forces were massing in Mikawa as Nobuhide counted his units and prepared for the inevitable too-late appearance of an Imagawa force.
Should they prove too unwilling to march on (now) Oda ground, he would have to take the fight to them. But for now, the forces would stop and increase their numbers, as an attack from not only the Imagawa, but also any remnants of the Tokugawa that they were able to absorb, was no small issue.
The main plan, however, was to hole up and wait for the enemy to make a move, if indeed he would do so.
The Mino defense force marches out to confront the remnants of the Saito. After a few months of banditry in the countryside of what had once been their province, enough was enough.
A small force was sent out in the hopes of a clean removal of these pests. Even though Saito retainers would be present, their obsession with being mounted would give the well-trained Oda spearmen a massive advantage.
With the agility of mounted troops, however, the new warfare would be put to an early test, with Oda yaris unable to attack until the enemy samurai horsemen committed to an attack.
The archers were split into two groups. The first group would meet the enemy man for man, but would advance far enough to begin shooting the Saito horsemen. At the same time, the spears would be directly behind them, so that when the horsemen did attack, their mounts would bring them straight into Oda yaris!
In relative safety, a second unit would assist the front line skirmishers by projecting their missiles into the enemy bowmen to relieve the pressure on their brethren.
The line grouping of front archers - spears - second line archers would become the most basic core of Oda armies in the future.
The battle began with a flurry of arrows from the Saito, but the Oda, running forward, managed to avoid the worst of it. A few fell, but the rest quickly reached a good range. Oda arrows flew over the Saito archers, striking the samurai behind them.
As their horses began to drop, followed by their archers, the Saito leader realized they would not win a proper missile fight. As such, their instinct led them to decide on a head on charge into melee !
Once the archers saw horsemen bursting through Saito ranks, they began pulling back as spearmen rushed forward in turn with yari's leveled. Horsemen urging their steeds towards the running archers suddenlly found themselves running into an Oda spear formation.
Oda Yari Ashigaru: Surprise !
It didn't work as well as hoped. In fact, though an Oda yari wall is nigh imprenetrable to cavalry charges, these men were not in a proper wall formation. In fact, they were mostly running forward blindly while avoiding the archers they were supposed to be defending.
So the samurai broke though the line of spearmen. But it changed nothing - they were still trapped in a mass of men with yaris, and despite their brave efforts with swords, they were overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Victory!
We suffered not insignificant losses, however it was a fair and honest battle. The wounded were gathered up and treated as well as possible on the field. Basic treatment of arrow wounds would be an important part of any soldier's training.
The Imagawa chose to attack. Now that they had made their move, it was time for the Oda to make their move.
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Casualty Tally:
Oda losses: (184) + 10 + 9 + 149 = 352
Enemy Losses: (781) + 60 + 60 + 155 = 1056
[S2] Returning Elegance to War (Ch 2)
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