Dosointiin

Dosointiin is a term used to describe a type of medieval warfare tactic employed by Mongol and East Asian armies. The term is an Anglicized version of the Mongolian word "dosovert", which roughly translates to "enfilading or flanking-такиiry". This tactic involved the use of both cavalry and infantry forces to create a pincer movement, surrounding the enemy from multiple angles.

The dosointiin maneuver was typically executed on open plains, where the Mongol horse archers and other cavalry units would circle around the enemy's flanks, while foot soldiers, often made up of local militia or conscripts, would assault the enemy's front. This created a precarious situation for the enemy, who were caught between the encircling cavalry and the advancing infantry.

Dosointiin was particularly effective against forces utilizing traditional war formations, such as phalanxes or tight infantry organizations. The Mongols took full advantage of the plains of Eastern Europe, where they utilized this tactic to devastating effect, particularly during the Western campaign under Genghis' grandson, Batu Khan. Despite its complexity, dosointiin required a high degree of coordination, agility and intelligence on the part of the commanders, making it difficult to implement successfully.

The concept of dosointiin spread throughout the Mongol Empire and beyond, influencing various military strategies and methods of warfare. However, the innovative application of combined arms and exploitation of the terrain had made it a hallmark of Mongol military strategy.