War elephants

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War elephants

John M. Kistler ; foreword by Richard Lair

Praeger, 2006

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Note

Bibliography: p. 292-314

Includes index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Elephants have fought in human armies for more than three thousand years. Asian powers boasted of their pachyderm power, while the Romans fielded elephants alongside their legendary legions but were, perhaps, too proud to admit that mere animals contributed to victory. Elephants have gored, stomped, and sliced their way through infantry and cavalry with great success. They have also been cut, speared, bombed, and napalmed for their efforts. This is the story of their largely forgotten role in the history of warfare. Generals throughout recorded history have used elephants as tanks, bulldozers, and cargo trucks long before such vehicles existed. Until gunpowder began to reduce the utility of elephants in battle during the 17th Century, these beasts built roads, swung swords, or simply terrified opposing forces. Although some believe that elephants were mere gimmicks of warfare, Kistler discredits that notion. His book hopes to give elephants the credit they deserve for the sacrifices they have endured. Elephants have long fought for and served human masters, but it is now the elephants themselves that must be protected.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Dedication Foreword by Richard Lair Introduction Useful Orphan Early Contests Beauty and the Beasts Fill of Blood Improvements The Elephant Mystery The Horror Alexander's Opinion Death on the Nile Marching Siege Cavalry Killers The Elephant Industry Unmitigated Gauls The Elephant of surprise Flaming Pigs Chaos in the Streets Regulus Proud Mahouts Cruelty Lions Brood Dangerous Waters Treacherous Paths Best Laid Plans Stalemate Hasdrubal Rome's Genius Asia versus Africa Day of Slaughter Weapons of Massive Destruction Guerrilla War The Running of the Bulls Pompey's Circus The Herd of Julius Caesar Arrogant Emperors Sackcloth and Ashes Breach of Faith Year of the Elephant Medieval Asia Charlemagne and Frederick Plump and Ready Mongol Hordes Pyramids of Skulls Thais and Burmese The Great Mahout Beasts of Burden Mighty Engineers Targets of Opportunity Epilogue Endnotes Glossary Bibliography Index

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