Orders of battle for the Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1408–1410)

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Ava and Hanthawaddy forces fought in Arakan on the western coast and along the Sittaung river near Pegu in 1408–1410.

This is a list of orders of battle for the 1408–1410 campaigns of the Ava–Hanthawaddy War (1408–1418).

Background[edit]

Sources[edit]

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[edit]

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)[edit]

Hanthawaddy Pegu[edit]

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[edit]

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)[edit]

Ava[edit]

Invasion armies[edit]

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 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[edit]

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[edit]

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)[edit]

Ava[edit]

Ava Order of Battle, August 1408
Unit Commander Strength[note 4] Reference(s)
Rearguard Army Sithu 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 of Yamethin

Hanthawaddy Pegu[edit]

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)[edit]

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[edit]

Ava Order of Battle, 1408–1409
Unit Commander Strength[note 4] Reference(s)
Ava Expeditionary Force Thray Sithu of Myinsaing ? [1]

Hanthawaddy and Launggyet[edit]

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)[edit]

Ava[edit]

Invasion armies[edit]

Ava Order of Battle, December 1409
Unit Commander Strength[note 4] Reference(s)
Ava Vanguard Army Sithu 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 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[edit]

Ava Order of Battle, December 1409
Unit Commander Strength[note 4] Reference(s)
Capital Defense Corps Crown Prince Minye Kyawswa ? [note 19]

Hanthawaddy Pegu[edit]

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[edit]

  1. ^ 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).
  2. ^ See (Pan Hla 2005: 240–271).
  3. ^ 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."
  4. ^ 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).
  5. ^ 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]
  6. ^ 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]
  7. ^ 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]

  8. ^ The Maha Yazawin, Yazawin Thit and Hmannan chronicles report 40,000 troops, 2000 cavalry and 200 elephants for the Tatmadaw.[6][7][8]
  9. ^ 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]
  10. ^ 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]
  11. ^
    • The Razadarit reports 80,000 troops, 600+ elephants.[12] It does not report commander names. Smin Ye-Thin-Yan was in charge of the Capital Defense Corps.[13]
    • The Maha Yazawin, Yazawin Thit and Hmannan give 10 regiments, 80,000 troops, 3000 cavalry, 200 elephants[10][7][11]
  12. ^ Per the Razadarit.[13]
  13. ^ [14][15][16]
  14. ^ Per the main chronicles.[17][15][16] The Razadarit does not reports only the army that chased Minkhaung's army.[13]
  15. ^ 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]
  16. ^ Per the Razadarit.[13]
  17. ^ 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]
  18. ^ 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)
  19. ^ Per the main chronicles.[22][23][24]
  20. ^ Per the Razadarit Ayedawbon.[25]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Sandamala Linkara Vol. 2 1999: 10
  2. ^ a b Pan Hla 2005: 240
  3. ^ Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 332
  4. ^ Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 228
  5. ^ Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 474
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 334
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 229
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 476–477
  9. ^ Pan Hla 2005: 242–243
  10. ^ a b c d Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 334–335
  11. ^ a b c d Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 477
  12. ^ a b Pan Hla 2005: 243
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Pan Hla 2005: 263
  14. ^ Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 339
  15. ^ a b c Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 233
  16. ^ a b c Hmannan Vol. 1 2003: 484
  17. ^ a b c Maha Yazawin Vol. 1 2006: 340
  18. ^ Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 28–29
  19. ^ Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 237–238
  20. ^ Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 5–6
  21. ^ Pan Hla 2005: 274
  22. ^ a b Maha Yazawin Vol. 2 2006: 26–27
  23. ^ a b Yazawin Thit Vol. 1 2012: 236
  24. ^ a b Hmannan Vol. 2 2003: 2
  25. ^ Pan Hla 2005: 270–271
  26. ^ Pan Hla 2005: 269

Bibliography[edit]

  • 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 0-691-05407-X.
  • 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.
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