Nagashino June 29 1575 Strategic Context Takeda Katsuyori

Nagashino June 29, 1575 Strategic Context Takeda Katsuyori lays siege to Nagashino Castle, held by Okudaira Sadamasa. Takeda launches a few assaults by land, water, even digging mines under the fortress but all efforts fail. These failures convince Takeda to starve out the fortress rather than take it by force. Torii Suneemon heroically escapes Nagashino to inform Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu that the castle has only enough supplies for five days and requires relief – which the two allied daimyo send immediately. Stakes + A Takeda victory would strain the Oda. Tokugawa alliance and directly weaken both clans individually. + An Oda-Tokugawa victory would cripple the Takeda clan’s military and political standing and pave the way for Oda. Tokugawa expansion. By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

Nagashino, 1575 Strength §Takeda forces §Oda-Tokugawa forces §Takeda Katsuyori §Oda Nobunanga §Tokugawa Ieyasu § 10, 000 infantry § 5, 000 cavalry § 25, 000 infantry § 10, 000 cavalry § 3, 000 arquebusiers §Well By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

Takeda deploys realizes the 3, 000 ground infantry is too to besiege wet for a. Nagashino cavalry charge Castle after andhis deploys last proves thewith rest ineffectual of his army socavalry he in four dismounts groups, his one elite of which samurai a cavalry; reserve, Oda-Tokugawa against Oda-Tokugawa’s dohalted so as Baba and Yamagata chase Oda-Tokugawa’s bait infantry meager forces until theyis are both completely relief Takeda well. army. Although assaultsthe thecastle palisade, holds breaching only 500 the men, first it is line. a formidable Oda-Tokugawa’s fortress. arquebusiers Oda-Tokugawa can deploy only launch their army their volleys behind before a three-deep allowing wooden the infantry palisade to defend the at the palisade byensues heavy arquebus firethe and dense infantry formations. Takedawith respects the palisade as a. Takeda majorbecause hindrance protecting front. A bloody their melee arquebusiers, at enabling the palisade them to butfire instrength concentrated of Oda-Tokugawa’s volleys. Takedaposition is not concerned and numbers, despite their concept rising casualties, of concentrated force volleys to retreathe and attempts to particularly destroy using infantry acting as. Oda-Tokugawa too take ample casualties from arquebus and assumes outright once the previous again, day’s rainitinhas thespoiled south where their ammunition. the palisade issappers protected but by place a these river. small Oda-Tokugawa units beyond feel thetheir palisade right flank to serve is secure as bait enough for Takeda’s to fire detach aggressive a raiding subordinates. party. retreat. Takeda forces (Takeda Katsuyori) 10, 000 infantry 5, 000 cavalry Oda-Tokugawa forces (Oda-Tokugawa) Baba Okudaira Oda Naito Tokugawa Oda-Tokugawa forces (Oda Nobunanga & Tokugawa Ieyasu) 25, 000 infantry 10, 000 cavalry 3, 000 arquebusiers Yamagata Takeda forces (Takeda)

After failing in sothe many half-hearted Takeda now commits reserve inineffectual a final effort to smash entire line, particularly on a their flank Oda-Tokugawa send the order forattacks, retreat but suddenly reverse the order into a general pursuit. Oda-Tokugawa’s because has already ordered withdrawal Takeda realizes ground is too wet for a cavalry charge after hishis last proves so he dismounts his elite. Takeda samurai cavalry; Oda-Tokugawa do left so as where the palisade ends. Oda-Tokugawa’s right wing quickly dismisses Takeda’s attack while the rest of the front features fierce hand-to-hand where all samurai in the. Takeda face ofassaults severethe casualties. samurai jump on their horses and chase down Takeda’s battered army; its annihilation well. palisade, Oda-Tokugawa’s breaching the first line. Oda-Tokugawa’s arquebusiers can only launch their volleys before allowing thetotal infantry to defendisthe try and their Both understandably consider withdrawal; Oda-Tokugawa must rush over tocasualties, save their force left flank which front. A prove bloody melee ensues atsides the rearguard palisade butaction. the strength ofa Oda-Tokugawa’s position and numbers, despite rising Takeda to is retreat prevented only byvalour. Baba’s heroic Around the same time, Takeda’s camp andreserves siege lines are surprised and defeated byeroding the gradually while Takeda feelsgarrison he in is the fighting a joining battle thatishe no hope oftheir winning. Meanwhile, Oda-Tokugawa’s raiding party advances. outright party, once again, particularly south whereof the palisade protected by aat river. Oda-Tokugawa feel their right flank is secure enough to detach a raiding the castle’s even inattrition the pursuit tohas strike out former besiegers. party. Takeda forces (Takeda Katsuyori) 10, 000 infantry 5, 000 cavalry Oda-Tokugawa forces (Oda-Tokugawa) Baba Okudaira Oda Naito Tokugawa Oda-Tokugawa forces (Oda Nobunanga & Tokugawa Ieyasu) 25, 000 infantry 10, 000 cavalry 3, 000 arquebusiers Yamagata Takeda forces (Takeda)

Nagashino, 1575 Casualties & Aftermath Takeda forces: Oda-Tokugawa forces: 10, 000 6, 000 or or 66% 16% Remarkably, the Takeda clan limped on for seven more years despite its falling confidence in Takeda Katsuyori. Tokugawa campaigned against Takeda for six years after the battle until again combining forces with Nobunaga. As more land was annexed and more allies abandoned him, Takeda Katsuyori and his family committed suicide, officially destroying the Takeda clan. By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps http: //www. theartofbattle. com By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©