The Arab General

[Ibn Munqidh]

Hi,

I was always fascinated by this general, who's military skills and tactics are no less than those of Alexander, yet he is by far, the most underestimated, least known general in history.

This general's name is Khalid, Khalid ibn Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughera Al-Makhzumi Al-Qurashi. I have read the wiki entries on him, and that book, sword of allah, but still, none of those give extensive research on his strategies and tactics, which enabled him to proceed undefeated in the huge battles he waged against the persians and byzantines.

Anyone here know of a book or website where I could learn more?

[Orb]

Completely OT - but wasn't Ibn Munqidh an Aegyptophile historian? Or have I confused my results?

In answer, I hadn't heard of Khalid beforehand.

[Ibn Munqidh]

Ibn Munqidh was an arab prince/knight/chronicler, from Shaizar, during the crusades period.

As I said, most people have not heard of this general before.

[GiantMonkeyMan]

i found this website for you: http://www.swordofallah.com/

it seems he was a pretty awesome general, but he did commit murder on more that one occassion... still, he was on Civ4 Warlords i think, that's where i recognise him from

[Ibn Munqidh]

Ive read that book, seems like alot of religious fantasies and heroism, I would like to find something factual about him.

Thanks for the link BTW.

[Randarkmaan]

His victories are very impressive indeed, and I think especially so since at the time the Arabs had very few warhorses, most warriors were camel-mounted infantry(who proved to be very effective) and there were pretty few warriors altogether (compared with the Byzantines and the Persians).

[tsyed]

The Battle of Uhud (Mountain) is where Khalid had his famous victory against the Muslims. The layout of the battle was something this (North South orientation may not be right):

AAA MMMMM UU
UU (this UU should be vertically alogned with the others UUs)
QQQQQQQQ UU

where M=Muslims, A=Muslim archers, Q=Quraysh, U=Uhud Mountain. The Prophet posted a company of archers on a mound which would prevent the Quraysh from sending their cavalry (under Khalid's command) in a flanking manouver against the Muslims.

But, in the heat of battle, when the tides were turning against the Quraysh, most of the archers abandoned their post to partake in the loot. Khalid saw this opening, slew the reamining archers, and flanked the Muslim force, which led to their defeat, and the near death of the Prophet(S).

If you search Google Earth, and zoom in to Medinah, you can still see the site of the battle and what is left of that mount.

[Kralizec]

His victories are very impressive indeed, and I think especially so since at the time the Arabs had very few warhorses, most warriors were camel-mounted infantry(who proved to be very effective) and there were pretty few warriors altogether (compared with the Byzantines and the Persians).

Not when the Byzantines almost completely disbanded their military...

[Ibn Munqidh]

As Randaarkman said, most arab troops were haganah, camel mounted infantry, either swordsmen, spearmen, or archers, and very few cavalry. The arab armies of that time were way outnumbered by the Byzantine and Persian armies, and very lightly armed and armoured, yet they were victorious, due to this general's command.

[Ibn Munqidh]

Not when the Byzantines almost completely disbanded their military...

Ever heard of the battle of Yarmuk/Hieromax (sp?)?

[Reenk Roink]

He was an excellent general (in terms of tactics, I put him at number 2 after Hannibal in another thread), but he was also more sanguine as compared to his contemporaries (meaning Arab generals, as the Sassinid and Byzantine armies were much more fond of atrocities then Arabs at the time). He was removed from his position by a Caliph, perhaps because of this.