Orders of battle for the Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1408–1410)
This is a list of orders of battle for the 1408–1410 campaigns of the Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1408–1418).
Background
Sources
The orders of battles for Ava in this article are sourced from the main royal chronicles—the Maha Yazawin, the Yazawin Thit and the Hmannan Yazawin, which primarily narrate the war from the Ava side.[note 1] The orders of battle for Hanthawaddy Pegu are mainly sourced from Nai Pan Hla's version of the Razadarit Ayedawbon, which has incorporated narratives of the Pak Lat Chronicles.[note 2] The Rakhine Razawin Thit, which narrate from the Arakanese perspective, is the only chronicle that mentions the subsequent campaigns in Arakan between the two armies, after the initial Hanthawaddy invasion.[1]
Adjustment of strength figures
The military strength figures in this article have been reduced by an order of magnitude from those reported in the chronicles, following G.E. Harvey's and Victor Lieberman's analyses of Burmese chronicles' military strength figures in general.[note 3]
Hanthawaddy invasion of Arakan (March 1408)
Hanthawaddy Pegu
Pegu Order of Battle, March 1408 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commanders | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Hanthawaddy Expeditionary Force | (Byat Za? or Dein Mani-Yut?) | 4000 (or 5000) troops, 20 (or 30) elephants | [note 5] | |
1st Division | Smin Paik-Nye, Commander Smin Sam Lek, Smin Than-Kye Deputy Commanders |
2000+ troops, 10+ elephants | ||
2nd Division | Smin Maw-Khwin, Commander Smin Lauk Ni-Ye and Smin Zeik-Gaung Thiri, Deputy Commanders |
2000+ troops, 10+ elephants |
Ava
Ava Order of Battle, March 1408 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Royal Launggyet Army | King Anawrahta of Launggyet | 300+ troops | [note 6] | |
Launggyet Regiment | ||||
Sandoway Regiment |
Ava invasion of Hanthawaddy (May 1408)
Ava
Invasion armies
The combined strength of the invasion armies was 24,000 to 26,000 troops, 2200 cavalry, and 100 elephants.[6][7][8]
Ava Order of Battle, May 1408 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Vanguard Army | Crown Prince Minye Kyawswa | 20,000 to 22,000 troops, 2000 cavalry, 80 elephants | [note 7] | |
Sagu Regiment | Thiri Zeya Kyawhtin of Sagu | |||
Salin Regiment | Nawrahta of Salin | |||
Nyaungyan Regiment | Baya Kyawhtin of Nyaungyan | |||
Prome Regiment | Letya Pyanchi of Prome | |||
Pagan Regiment | Uzana of Pagan | |||
Talok Regiment | Yazathu of Talok | |||
Pakhan Regiment | Tarabya I of Pakhan | |||
Yamethin Regiment | Sithu Pauk Hla of Yamethin | |||
Wadi Regiment | Thinkhaya of Wadi | |||
Yindaw Regiment | Min Maha of Yindaw | |||
Taungdwin Regiment | Thihapate III of Taungdwin | |||
Toungoo Regiment | Min Nemi of Toungoo | |||
Kanni Regiment | Minye Shwetaung of Kanni | |||
Myohla Regiment | Thado of Myohla | |||
Singu Regiment | Min Letwe of Singu | |||
Pyinzi Regiment | Nandathingyan of Pyinzi | |||
Hlaingdet Regiment | Tuyin Theinzi of Hlaingdet | |||
Amyint Regiment | Yazathingyan of Amyint | |||
Onbaung Regiment | Tho Kyaung Bwa of Onbaung | |||
Nyaungshwe Regiment | Htaw Hmaing Gyi of Nyaungshwe | |||
Kale Regiment | Min Nyo of Kale | |||
Ava Regiment | Crown Prince Minye Kyawswa | |||
Royal Main Army (Tatmadaw) | King Minkhaung I | 4,000 troops, 200 cavalry, 20 elephants | [note 8] | |
Vanguard Regiment | Minhla Shwetaung | |||
Right Flank Regiment | Nataungmya | |||
Left Flank Regiment | Nanda Yawda | |||
Rearguard Regiment | Nanda Thuriya |
Defensive armies
The Capital Defense Corps was in charge of defending the Ava capital region. The Prome Defense Corps consisted of 12 battalions from the nearby regions, and were responsible for safeguarding Prome itself as well as the supply lines to the front.[6][7][8]
Ava Order of Battle, May 1408 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Ava Capital Defense Corps | Prince Thihathu | 4 regiments (of unspecified strength) | [note 9] | |
1st Ava Regiment | Thihathu | |||
2nd Ava Regiment | Khin Ba | |||
3rd Ava Regiment | Sitturinga-thu | |||
4th Ava Regiment | Baya Gamani | |||
Prome Defense Corps | ? | 12 battalions (of unspecified strength) | [note 10] | |
Mindon Battalion | ||||
Taingda Battalion | ||||
Mindat Battalion | ||||
Myede Battalion | ||||
Thayet Battalion | ||||
Legaing Battalion | ||||
Pandaung Battalion | ||||
Pakhan Nge Battalion | ||||
Myothit Battalion | ||||
Hsaw Battalion | ||||
Hpaunglin Battalion | ||||
Kyunzon Battalion |
Hanthawaddy Pegu
The following lists the order of battle of the remaining Hanthawaddy army in the home country. Note that the regimental commanders are as those reported in the three main chronicles;[10][7][11] the Razadarit does not provide a commander list.[12] At least two notable differences in reporting exist:
- The main chronicles list Smin Maw-Khwin, one of the two commanders of the Arakan Expeditionary Strike Force, as one of the commanders in the main Hanthawaddy army.[10][7][11] This means he had gotten back from Arakan. However, according to the Rakhine Razawin Thit, Maw-Khwin remained in Launggyet (until he was driven back by an Ava army later in the year).[1]
- The main chronicles say Smin Ye-Thin-Yan was one of the commanders of the opposing army[10][7][11] while the Razadarit says he was in charge of the Capital Defense Corps in Pegu.[13] Both narratives are not mutually exclusive: Ye-Thin-Yan's regiment may have stayed behind to guard the capital.
Pegu Order of Battle, May 1408 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Royal Hanthawaddy Main Army | King Razadarit | 9 regiments, 8,000 troops, 300 cavalry, 20 (to 60) elephants | [note 11] | |
1st Regiment | Lagun Ein | |||
2nd Regiment | Byat Za | |||
3rd Regiment | Dein Mani-Yut | |||
4th Regiment | Smin Awa Naing | |||
5th Regiment | Smin Upakaung | |||
6th Regiment | Zeik-Bye | |||
7th Regiment | Smin Maw-Khwin | |||
8th Regiment | Smin Pun-Si | |||
Royal Regiment | Razadarit | |||
Capital Defense Corps | Smin Ye-Thin-Yan | ? | [note 12] |
Ava withdrawal (August 1408)
Ava
Ava Order of Battle, August 1408 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Rearguard Army | Sithu Pauk Hla of Yamethin | 8 regiments (8000 troops, 800 cavalry, 20 elephants) | [note 13] | |
1st Regiment | Thihapate III of Taungdwin | |||
2nd Regiment | Letya Pyanchi of Prome | |||
3rd Regiment | Nawrahta of Salin | |||
4th Regiment | Uzana of Pagan | |||
5th Regiment | Tarabya I of Pakhan | |||
6th Regiment | Min Nyo of Kale | |||
7th Regiment | Thado of Myohla | |||
8th Regiment | Sithu Pauk Hla of Yamethin |
Hanthawaddy Pegu
The following is the orders of battle of the two Hanthawaddy armies as reported in the main chronicles; the first army's job was to pursue Minkhaung's main army while that of the second army was to pursue the Ava Rearguard Army.[17] However, the Razadarit Ayedawbon does not mention a second army (organized under a single commander), and says Smin Ye-Thin-Yan remained in charge of the Capital Defense Corps at Pegu.[13]
Pegu Order of Battle, August 1408 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Royal Hanthawaddy Main Army | Razadarit | 6 regiments | [note 14] | |
1st Regiment | Lagun Ein | |||
2nd Regiment | Smin Upakaung | |||
3rd Regiment | Smin Maw-Khwin | |||
4th Regiment | Dein Mani-Yut | |||
5th Regiment | Byat Za | |||
Royal Regiment | Razadarit | |||
2nd Army | 5 regiments | [note 15] | ||
1st Regiment | Smin Awa Naing | |||
2nd Regiment | Zeik-Bye | |||
3rd Regiment | Smin Zeik-Pun | |||
4th Regiment | Smin Than-Kye | |||
5th Regiment | Smin E-Ba-Ye | |||
Capital Defense Corps | Smin Ye-Thin-Yan | ? | [note 16] |
Ava invasion of Arakan (1408–1409)
According to the Rakhine Razawin Thit chronicle, Ava forces led by the lord of Myinsaing drove out the combined Hanthawaddy and Launggyet forces. However, a new Hanthawaddy force returned, and drove out the Ava army out of Launggyet. An Ava regiment remained in Arakan at Nga-Khway-Thaung Taung for another three years, until it too was driven out by another Hanthawaddy army.[1]
Ava
Ava Order of Battle, 1408–1409 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Ava Expeditionary Force | Thray Sithu of Myinsaing | ? | [1] |
Hanthawaddy and Launggyet
Pegu and Launggyet Order of Battle, 1408–1409 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Hanthawaddy Expeditionary Force | Smin Maw-Khwin | ? | [note 17] | |
Launggyet Army | Min Khayi (or Min Saw Mon) |
Ava invasion of Hanthawaddy (December 1409)
Ava
Invasion armies
Ava Order of Battle, December 1409 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Ava Vanguard Army | Sithu Pauk Hla of Yamethin | 10 regiments (10,000 troops, 1000 cavalry, 80 elephants) | [note 18] | |
Onbaung Regiment | Tho Kyaung Bwa of Onbaung | |||
Taungdwin Regiment | Thihapate III of Taungdwin | |||
Myohla Regiment | Thado of Myohla | |||
Yamethin Regiment | Sithu Pauk Hla of Yamethin | |||
5th Regiment | unnamed | |||
6th Regiment | unnamed | |||
7th Regiment | unnamed | |||
8th Regiment | unnamed | |||
9th Regiment | unnamed | |||
10th Regiment | unnamed | |||
Royal Main Army | Minkhaung I | 4 regiments (4000 troops, 400 cavalry, 20 elephants) | ||
Ava Supply Corps | Prince Thihathu | ? |
Defensive forces
Ava Order of Battle, December 1409 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Capital Defense Corps | Crown Prince Minye Kyawswa | ? | [note 19] |
Hanthawaddy Pegu
Pegu Order of Battle, December 1409 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Unit | Commander | Strength[note 4] | Reference(s) | |
Royal Hanthawaddy Main Army | Razadarit | 4 regiments (4000 troops, 70 elephants) | [note 20] | |
1st Regiment | Smin Upakaung | 500 troops, 15 elephants | ||
2nd Regiment | Lagun Ein | 500 troops, 15 elephants | ||
3rd Regiment | Byat Za [sic] | 1000 troops, 10 elephants | ||
Royal Regiment | Razadarit | 2000 troops, 30 elephants | ||
Hanthawaddy Rearguard Army | Byat Za | 4 regiments (4000 troops, 400 cavalry, 20 elephants) | ||
Capital Defense Corps | Smin Ye-Thin-Yan | ? | [26] |
Notes
- ^ See (Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 332–340), (Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 26–27), (Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 228–236), (Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 474–484), and (Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 2).
- ^ See (Pan Hla 2005: 240–271).
- ^ See (Harvey 1925: 333–335)'s "Numerical Note". (Lieberman 2014: 98) writing on the First Toungoo period concurs: "Military mobilizations were probably more of a boast than a realistic estimate. Modern industrial states have difficulty placing 10% of their people under arms."
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Unless otherwise stated, the military mobilization figures in this article are reduced by an order of magnitude from those reported in the royal chronicles, per G.E. Harvey's analysis in his History of Burma (1925) in the section Numerical Note (pp. 333–335).
- ^ Various chronicles report differing figures:
- The Razadarit Ayedawbon gives 5000 troops with "several" cavalry and elephants for the strength of the first army, and the same for the second army. The commanders of the two armies were Smin Paik-Nye and Smin Maw-Khwin, respectively. It does not mention Byat Za (or Dein) as part of the expedition force in any capacity at all.[2]
- The Maha Yazawin says the overall strike force consisted of 40,000 troops and 300 elephants, and the commander-in-chief was Gen. Byat Za.[3]
- The Yazawin Thit gives 40,000 troops and 200 elephants as the overall strength.[4]
- The Hmannan Yazawin says 40,000 troops and 100 elephants for the overall strike force, commanded by Byat Za.[5]
- The Rakhine Razawin Thit says 50,000 troops, and the commander-in-chief was Dein Mani-Yut. Smin Maw-Khwin remained in Launggyet with a Hanthawaddy regiment after Min Khayi was placed on the Launggyet throne.[1]
- ^ None of the chronicles provide any prewar strength figures for Ava's Arakan Area forces. The Razadarit says the victorious Hanthawaddy forces captured over 3000 troops (i.e. 300 troops, adjusted down).[2]
- ^ Chronicles report slightly different figures:
- The Maha Yazawin gives 22 regiments (200,000 troops, 20,000 cavalry, 800 elephants).[6]
- The Yazawin Thit gives 21 regiments (220,000 troops, 20,000 cavalry, 800 elephants).[7]
- The Hmannan Yazawin gives 22 regiments (220,000 troops, 20,000 cavalry, 800 elephants)[8]
- The Razadarit, which reports from Hanthawaddy's perspective, estimates the enemy's strength as 15,000 troops, 600 cavalry and 60 elephants.[9]
One key difference is that the Yazawin Thit says Crown Prince Minye Kyawswa did not go to the front, rather he remained at Ava to lead the Capital Defense Corps[7] whereas both the Maha Yazawin and Hmannan chronicles say Minye Kyawswa did go to the front.[6][8]
- ^ The Maha Yazawin, Yazawin Thit and Hmannan chronicles report 40,000 troops, 2000 cavalry and 200 elephants for the Tatmadaw.[6][7][8]
- ^ All three main chronicles say the Capital Defense Corps consisted of four regiments. The Maha Yazawin says Prince Thihathu was the overall commander[6] while the Yazawin Thit says Crown Prince Minye Kyawswa was in charge.[7] The Hmannan sides with the Maha Yazawin.[8]
- ^ Chronicles do not mention the overall commander of the Prome Defense Corps. It was not Gov. Letya Pyanchi, who went to the front in the vanguard army.[6][7][8]
- ^
- ^ Per the Razadarit.[13]
- ^ [14][15][16]
- ^ Per the main chronicles.[17][15][16] The Razadarit does not reports only the army that chased Minkhaung's army.[13]
- ^ The main chronicles say the 2nd Army consisted of six regiments, including one led by Smin Ye-Thin-Yan.[17][15][16] The Razadarit does not list the 2nd Army or its commanders but does say that Ye-Thin-Yan remained in charge of the Capital Defense Corps in Pegu.[13]
- ^ Per the Razadarit.[13]
- ^ The Rakhine Razawin Thit says it was Min Khayi that accompanied the Hanthwaddy army.[1] However, the main chronicles and the Razadarit all say Min Saw Mon was still in charge of Launggyet in early 1411 when he faced Minye Kyawswa's invasion army for a second time.[18][19][20][21]
- ^ Per the main chronicles:[22][23][24]
- The Vanguard Army consisted of 10 regiments (100,000 troops, 10,000 cavalry, 800 elephants)
- The Royal Main Army consisted of 4 regiments (40,000 troops, 4000 cavalry, 200 elephants)
- ^ Per the main chronicles.[22][23][24]
- ^ Per the Razadarit Ayedawbon.[25]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Sandamala Linkara Vol. 2 1999: 10
- ^ a b Pan Hla 2005: 240
- ^ Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 332
- ^ Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 228
- ^ Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 474
- ^ a b c d e f g Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 334
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 229
- ^ a b c d e f g Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 476–477
- ^ Pan Hla 2005: 242–243
- ^ a b c d Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 334–335
- ^ a b c d Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 477
- ^ a b Pan Hla 2005: 243
- ^ a b c d e f g Pan Hla 2005: 263
- ^ Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 339
- ^ a b c Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 233
- ^ a b c Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 484
- ^ a b c Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 340
- ^ Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 28–29
- ^ Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 237–238
- ^ Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 5–6
- ^ Pan Hla 2005: 274
- ^ a b Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 26–27
- ^ a b Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 236
- ^ a b Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 2
- ^ Pan Hla 2005: 270–271
- ^ Pan Hla 2005: 269
Bibliography
- Harvey, G. E. (1925). History of Burma: From the Earliest Times to 10 March 1824. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd.
- Kala, U (2006) [1724]. Maha Yazawin (in Burmese). Vol. 1–3 (4th printing ed.). Yangon: Ya-Pyei Publishing.
- Lieberman, Victor B. (2014) [1984]. Burmese Administrative Cycles: Anarchy and Conquest, c. 1580–1760. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-05407-0.
- Maha Sithu (2012) [1798]. Myint Swe; Kyaw Win; Thein Hlaing (eds.). Yazawin Thit (in Burmese). Vol. 1–3 (2nd printing ed.). Yangon: Ya-Pyei Publishing.
- Pan Hla, Nai (2005) [1968]. Razadarit Ayedawbon (in Burmese) (8th printing ed.). Yangon: Armanthit Sarpay.
- Royal Historical Commission of Burma (2003) [1832]. Hmannan Yazawin (in Burmese). Vol. 1–3. Yangon: Ministry of Information, Myanmar.
- Sandamala Linkara, Ashin (1997–1999) [1931]. Rakhine Yazawinthit Kyan (in Burmese). Vol. 1–2. Yangon: Tetlan Sarpay.