| S.Peelman said: Well the Mongols are an easy choice.
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They weren't halted by the Germans, Templars nor Polish. They withdrew from Europe due to in fighting mainly.
"As it developed, the Mongols did not remain long in Hungary, either. On December 11, 1241, Ogadei died in Asia. Upon learning of the great khan's death, Subotai reminded the three princes in his army of the law of succession as laid down by Genghis Khan: After the death of the ruler all offspring of the house of Genghis Khan, wherever they might be, must return to Mongolia to take part in the election of the new khakan. Recalling all their forces, the Mongols started back to their Mongolian capital of Karakorum, postponing their invasion of central Europe for another time–a time that would never come."
http://www.historynet.com/mongol-invasions-battle-of-liegnitz.htm
While even that link seems to draw a few things into question though. A few people commented on some things not being completely accurate in the article. However, there was no major Mongol defeat in Europe that I am aware of. They simply left is what I understand. I can't say that article is completely accurate but it does highlight some of their advance tactics.
"Things were not as they seemed to the European knights, however; they had fallen victim to one of the oldest tricks in the Mongols' book–the feigned retreat. The riders of the steppes, unlike the knights, had been taught to retreat as a tactical move, and in so doing, they drew the knights away from their infantry. Once that was accomplished, the Mongols swept to either side of the knights, who had strung out and lost their own measure of order, and showered them with arrows. Other Mongols had lain in ambush, prepared to meet the knights as they fell into the trap. Whenever the Mongols found that the knights' armor afforded effective protection against their arrows, they simply shot their horses. The dismounted knights were then easy prey for the Mongol heavy cavalrymen, who ran them down with lance or saber with little danger to themselves. The Knights Templar made a determined stand, only to be killed to a man."
You asked what they destroyed or conquered? How about China, Russia, Persia, etc.. While most of their land might have been "empty plains" they did conquer/destroy plenty of major cities. If you can show me a major battle they lost in their European campaign then I'm all ears (Mongols cutting off ear of each victim pun?). I just don't know of any and usually they even used retreat to their advantage.
