7 replies to this topic

[chinaking]

Ming General Qi Jiguang (戚继光) was said to devise a formation tactic known as "Mandarin Duck Formation" (called "Yuan Yang Zhen 鸳鸯阵" in chinese) to combat against the Japanese pirates.

Does anyone have more information about this formation?

[General_Zhaoyun]

Ming General Qi Jiguang (戚继光) was said to devise a formation tactic known as "Mandarin Duck Formation" (called "Yuan Yang Zhen 鸳鸯阵" in chinese) to combat against the Japanese pirates.

Does anyone have more information about this formation?

Warhead has already posted some info about this formation in
http://www.chinahist...p?showtopic=961

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There is an interesting chinese article about this formation at http://military.chin...6/12346215.html

I'll summarize the info:

Basically, in 1557, Ming Emperor Jia Jing summoned Qi Jiguang to be the commander in charge of defending the attack from the Japanese pirates. Qi Jiguang was sent to Zhejiang/Fujian region to train a new army there and recruited 3,000 men.

The Japanese pirates were used to using Heavy Bows, Lances and Samurai Swords to fight. In the region of Zhejiang/Fujian, the terrain was mountaineous and full of swamps, making it difficult for large forces to be dispatched or to be manouvered. The Japanese were also used to ambushed tactic and thus, only short-distance contact form of weapons/fighting can be utilized there.

Based on this situation, Qi Jiguang devised the so-called "Mandarin Duck Formation 鸳鸯阵". This was a fighting formation consisting of 12 men (units): A commander (队长), 2 shield carriers (盾牌手), 2 long bamboo lancers (狼筅手), 4 lancers (长枪手) , 2 swordsmen (短兵手), a cook (负责伙食的火兵) . Weapons in formation used comprised of short and long weapons.

Commander
If the commander dies in battle the rest was put to death, so all the unit has to do everything it can to protect the commander.

2 Shield Carriers
The Shield Carriers were comprised of two soldiers: one carrying a long shield and another carrying a rattan shield. The Long shield was used to defend against Japanese's Bows and Lance. The rattan shield soldier also carries the Javelin and Short Sword. The Shield Carrier's function was to cover up for the soldiers at the back while the soldiers at the back can advance and fight.

2 Long Bamboo Lancers
The two bamboo lancers carry a form of lance that was made of bamboo in the south. They were sharpened into blades and left 4 surrounding pitchforks of the bamboo trees around to kill.
Each lance is about 3 m long. The two bamboo lancers used their sharp blades to fight and cover up for the shield carriers in front and helps to allow the two lancers at the back to advance forward.

4 Lancers
There were 4 lancers, 2 on each side used for fighting in co-ordination with shield carriers and bamboo lancers in front.

2 Swordsmen
At the back of the 4 lancers are the 2 swordsmen. If the lancers did not manage to pierce the enemy, the 2 swordsmen will rush forward to hack the enemy.

Cook
The cook was in charge of food for the formation.

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The Mandarin Duck formation was a highly flexible formation that combines the use of lance, swords and shield . It can be re-organized into an single array (12 men), 2 arrays (left right) formation or 3 arrays (left, middle, right) formation.

Two arrays (left and right) formation is known as "Liang Cai Zhen 两才阵", while three arrays formation (left, middle, right) formation is known as "San Cai Zhen 三才阵".

2 Arrays Formation
Left array: Left shield Carrier will cover up for 1 left bamboo lancers, 2 left lancers and 1 left swordsman in order to advance forward
Right array: Right shield Carrier will cover up for 1 right bamboo lancers, 2 right lancers and 1 right swordsman in order to advance forward
Commander/Cook: In front/back

3 arrays (left, middle, right) formation
Left array: Left shield Carrier will cover up the side
Middle Array: 2 bamboo lancers, 4 lancers, 2 swordsman, Commander, Cook
Right array: Right shield Carrier will cover up the side

The change between one array, two arrays and three arrays is known as "Changing Mandarin Duck Formation (变鸳鸯阵)[/color]". It was extremely effective in combat against the Japanese pirates.

Below shows a picture of a model of mandarin duck formation:

[General_Zhaoyun]

I've drawn some sketch of the Mandarin duck formation. (Do correct me if I'm wrong).

[Ironhand]

Very interesting formation. Its the first time I learned formation tactics and got hungry at the same time. Um, mandarin duck, sounds pretty good: . I've never seen a cook be included into the formation. They really must have been some hungry people. Quick Chef Yu, distract them with your noodle making techniques and the secret recipe of your spicy duck dumplings.
You could probably find the unit by the smell of the food cooking. Sorry, had to make a joke on that one.

Edited by Ironhand, 19 July 2007 - 05:06 PM.

[Tan Wei]

Its strange.Most European and Mongol formations seem to put the General at the rear or in the middle of the battling troops.It was to protect the commander.
Were Commanders wearing heavier and more impregnable armor?

[Ashura]

Its strange.Most European and Mongol formations seem to put the General at the rear or in the middle of the battling troops.It was to protect the commander.
Were Commanders wearing heavier and more impregnable armor?

Looking at the formation, I can deduce that it is a platoon marching order, and the transformations of it are SOPs when encountered foes. It was not led by a general but minor officers (may not be even officers at all).

The reason for a special marching order was because there were lots of bushes for ambush in Southern China.

[Tan Wei]

Looking at the formation, I can deduce that it is a platoon marching order, and the transformations of it are SOPs when encountered foes. It was not led by a general but minor officers (may not be even officers at all).

The reason for a special marching order was because there were lots of bushes for ambush in Southern China.

Meaning of SOPs?

[Ashura]

Meaning of SOPs?

Standard operating procedures. Means the immediate actions when you encounter foes according to different situtations. The point is, the formation is not an assualt formation (although it can be changed into one); it is rather a marching formation for various purposes, such as patrol, intell. gathering, scout etc. The platoon is detached from its company and carry one with a different task. The main body in theory could march like this but it would be unlikely, as the formation is more suitable for a gurreilla type of warfare.