Jan Žižka
Jan Žižka Z Trocnova (to pronounce: Yan Jijka Z Trotsnova , i.e. Jean the One-eyed one of Trocnov ) is the war leader of the Hussites (born in 1370 with the castle seigneurial of Trocnov and dead the October 11th 1424). It develops the tactics of Wagenburg which makes it possible Hussites to hold head during eighteen years (1419-1436) with the imperial armies.
Resulting from a noble family, it fights during its youth with the service of Venceslas IV of Bohemia. It loses an eye with the battles of Tannenberg, which is worth its surnon to him the “one-eyed one” ( žižka ).
The tactician
He is essential as an innovator on the service of military successes hussites within the framework of the Croisades against Hussites. He is one of the four captains of the people. Its soldiers being primarily peasants having to face the knights, it adapts their tools to make weapons of war of them.It develops the tactics of Wagenburg, to counter the heavy cavalry. The wagenburg uses carriages heavily protected, and cash a crew of a score of men: four to eight archers, two arquebusiers, six to eight piquiers, two coachmen. These coaches form the square or the circle, which shelters possibly the cavalry.
The wagenburg is a tactic defensive-offensive, using the mobile obstacle. When the enemy presents himself, the circle is made. The heavy cavalry was ruait in general on the obstacle; as soon as it is with the contact, the archers and the arquebusiers leave their shelters and strike down the attacker. To the case or it would come to miss ammunition, districts of rock are stored in the carriage. After having broken the load, and when the enemy is dismounted and demoralized, the men armed with spades and swords leave the cutting off and attack the riders violently. Possibly, the cavalry remained inside or which was dissimulated in the neighborhoods, also attacks. The enemy is then overcome.
The tactics of Wagenburg are used also later by the Germans with the Bataille of Tachov, without success, because without sufficient drive.
Military career
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