DBA Armies

III/62 SUNG CHINESE 960 AD - 1279 AD

The Sung dynasty originated in a general’s coup which overthrew the Later Chou. Between 960 and 979, it conquered the rival Chinese dynasties but failed to drive the Khitan and Hsi-Hsia from the north. These became the main external enemies, requiring emphasis on cavalry, artillery and fortifications. In 1125-7 the Jurchen-Chin, having destroyed the Khitan, invaded China and pushed the Sung south of the mighty Yangtze river. Loss of horse-breeding areas greatly limited Sung cavalry numbers, but water-borne mobility was a partial substitute and dense cultivation inconvenienced mounted opponents. The Jurchen-Chin were destroyed in 1235 by the Mongols, who fought the Sung until their final victory in 1279. Sung Imperial infantry were armoured and organised in units with a front rank of spearmen, 3 ranks of crossbows and a final rank of archers. These can be represented as a single element with mixed spear and crossbowmen figures or as a double element with crossbows behind a row of spearmen. Picked men with long sword or axe led assaults. Cavalry mostly had unarmoured horses and halberds or later fire lance. Provincial foot were poor in quality; and militia morale had to be boosted with numerous flags and drums. Zhuang were javelinmen with 1 in 3 also having a big rattan shield. Reference: Soldiers of the Dragon C. Peers, Defending Heaven J. Waterson.

III/62a — Northern Sung Army 960 AD - 1126 AD

List: 1 x General (Cv), 1 x cavalry (Cv), 1 x picked infantry (3/4Bd), 4 x imperial infantry (4Cb or 8Cb), 2 x provincial infantry (3Ax or 3Bw), 2 x militia (7Hd), 1 x heavy bolt or stone-throwers (Art)
Terrain: Arable
Aggression: 3
Enemies:
Allies: II/61d or III/39

III/62b — Southern Sung Army 1127 AD - 1279 AD

List: 1 x General (Cv), 1 x cavalry (Cv, or if some modelled with fire-lance 3Kn), 1 x picked infantry (3/4Bd) or Mongols (LH), 4 x imperial infantry (4Cb), 1 x imperial infantry (3Pk/4Bd) or provincial infantry (3Ax/3Bw) or Zhuang tribesmen (4Ax) or other tribesmen (3Ax), 2 x militia (7Hd), 1 x bolt or bomb throwers (Art), 1 x fire- lance foot (Ps) or hand-held rocketeers (Art)
Terrain: Littoral
Aggression: 0
Enemies: