How should I use Longbow retinue?

[machine_parts]

I started my game as a Welsh duke and proclaimed the Kingdom of Wales before the first Crusade.
At the second Crusade to Jerusalem, my character finally succeed to earn the Kingdom of Jerusalem, but some of counties were still under the rule of Islamic states.
Hence, I started three holy wars to reclaim two counties that are supposed to be belong to my kingdom, but they were all fruitless.
During the campaign, bulk of my army was formed by approximately 4,000 strong longbow retinues, thousands of demesne and vassal levies, and Knights of Hospitaller, which usually numbered around 15k to 18k.
At first, I thought that such number would be quite sufficient to fight against my enemies, but my longbow retinues were being literally wiped out during many of field battles. The Knights were the ones who saved my pathetic rag-tag armies, but their number were diminishing constantly to a point where they numbered only 2k to 3k.
While I was observing field battles against the foes, I found that my archers were, even during the skirmish phase, sustaining heavy casualties and the situation got even worse during the melee phase.
So I removed some of my longbow retinues and added shock retinues and formed a new formation (3.8 longbow 1.2 heavy infantry), but nonetheless they were vulnerable too.
What might be the best way to use longbow retinues? I upgraded my cultural building up to the second level but their damage values are still negligible. Since I do not have an ample manpower compared to my huge neighbors, I've got to do something before the horrendous Mongolians approach to the holy city.

Any advice?

 

[ve3609]

I, too, am interested. King of Ireland.

 

[Hootieleece]

The only thing I can think of is have lots of Heavy Infantry and pikes in your Center.Put most of the Cavalry/Knights Levies on flanks.

With Longbow and any infantry heavy units. You want to reach province first, so your Defender and are able to take advantage of terrain modifiers.

But remember Knights and HorseArchers rule Combat on even terms.So if possible outnumber your enemy.

 

[Dracko81]

I have found with Longbow retinues, if you are going to be engaged with another enemy, attaching them to another army is best as in the skirmish phase they can do lots of damage and destroy your enemies morale before the melee phase. If you only have 4k longbows, put them on one flank, with a general who has cruel and brave(or patient), with one other minor levied unit for defence. The General should then use the:

massive_longbow_volley_tactic = {
	days = 18
	sprite = 6
	group = volley

	trigger = {
		phase = skirmish  
		archers = 0.01
		flank_has_leader = yes
		leader = {
			OR = {
				culture = english
				culture = welsh
			}
		}
	}

	mean_time_to_happen = {
		days = 3
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.5
			flank_has_leader = yes
			leader = {
				martial = 8
			}
			light_troops = { 
				who = archers
				value = 0.6
			}
		}
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.5
			flank_has_leader = yes
			leader = {
				martial = 12
			}
			light_troops = { 
				who = archers
				value = 0.5
			}
		}
		modifier = {
			factor = 1.5
			flank_has_leader = yes
			leader = {
				martial = 16
			}
			light_troops = { 
				who = archers
				value = 0.4
			}
		}
	}

	archers_offensive = 4.2
	
	enemy = {
		group = harass
		factor = 3
	}
	enemy = {
		group = charge
		factor = 3
	}
}

As the majority of thier troops are archers. With longbows you need to win combat before getting into the melee phase.

 

[Comrade Chaos]

But remember Knights and HorseArchers rule Combat on even terms.

Except HA shoot first.