Questions tagged [military]
Questions pertaining to characteristics of armed forces' structure, manpower, equipment, or expenditures.
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How did European militia weaponry evolve over time? [closed]
I was wondering, as in the title, what stages the typical weapons employed by militias in European villages and towns went through.
In particular, when reading about traditional German marksman's ...
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2answers
260 views
When and how did steel supplant iron for artillery?
When did steel supplant iron for use in making artillery pieces? And was it a peacetime innovation, or was it the result of wartime pressure to accept change?
In reading Reign of Iron, it becomes ...
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1answer
176 views
Did America help the Chinese nationalists to repel the communist advance?
As an answer said in this subject (What are some major military successes the Soviet Union achieved against the Western World?), it seems that the politics of USA had a great issue on the help of ...
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3answers
246 views
What is an example of effective flanking maneuvers in medieval battles?
I'm interested in better understanding medieval military tactics. I know that flanking maneuvers are often considered devastating in battles but I can find any good examples of this tactic being ...
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For how many years in the eighteenth century were Russian soldiers present within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth borders?
For modern Poland, the answer is rather simple. Russian, and later Soviet soldiers, were stationed inside the Polish borders for almost the whole 19th and 20th centuries (with a notable exception for ...
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4answers
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Why did the Korean War result in a stalemate?
In the Korean War, the United Nations forces lead by the US held overwhelming military and technological superiority over the Chinese. Even with the initial set back from the Chinese ambush AFTER the ...
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1answer
283 views
Is this a Masonic Ring?
I told by my Auntie that she had a Masonic ring that came from my Great Grandfather from my mum’s side of the family and I’m skeptical if this ring she sent a photo of is really a Masonic ring. I ...
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1answer
278 views
How would an SS officer travel from Auschwitz to Berlin?
To get to Berlin from Auschwitz in early July 1944, before the attempt on Hitler's life, would an SS officer be apt to take a night train? How regularly would trains run from Oswiecim, i.e. would ...
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1answer
127 views
Seeking identification of a military uniform in a watercolor painting
Can anyone provide information for the uniform in this watercolor? It was discovered in an estate sale in New York City as part of a larger art collection (no other similar pieces). The lettering at ...
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1answer
127 views
Torpedo boat with mechanical problems accompanying the Wilhelm Gustloff
The Wilhelm Gustloff was a german cruise ship that was used as part as a means of evacuating refugees from Gotenhafen (today Gdynia) in January 1945.
The Wikipedia article reads:
The ship left ...
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1answer
262 views
What did NATO AFCENT commander Bennecke do during World War 2?
The commander of Headquarters, Allied Forces Central Europe (AFCENT) from 1968–1973 was (Konrad Max Arthur) Jürgen Bennecke, a German.
In short: Bennecke's publically available bio has some gaps in ...
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4answers
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What was the last profitable war? [closed]
I was having a conversation with family and friends this weekend and this question came up: "what was the last profitable war?" Of course in history there were wars that turned a profit, ones I can ...
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Where can I find data on the amount of fuel carried by WWII Warships and what their operational ranges were?
I am looking for a fairly comprehensive source where can I find data on the amount of fuel carried by WWII Warships and what their operational ranges were? I mean, I want to look up this information ...
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3answers
407 views
At what point did the United States have a truly federal army?
Wikipedia states that:
The Congress of the Confederation created the current United States Army on 3 June 1784.
But how much was it truly a federal force? I assume it had one central command from ...
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1answer
290 views
Why aren't all front-line soldiers issued suicide pills? [closed]
I know that certain soldiers (on secret missions) and spies have been issued them,
One of the objectives of the Dieppe Raid in August 1942 was to discover the importance and performance capability ...
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2answers
766 views
Did USS Buck (DD-761) send the message “Temper, Temper”?
In a March 26, 2019 Reddit post with 1.1k upvotes, there is a picture with a story as follows (emphasis added).
15 Mar 1952: The Wisconsin receives her first direct hit in her history when one of ...
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1answer
214 views
How long did it take US fleet submarines during World War 2 to charge their batteries?
How long did it take a US fleet submarine running on the surface to recharge its battery fully for maximum duration submergence?
I realize that the answer depends on how many engines were being used ...
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1answer
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Difference between acts of “merit” and acts of “valor” in military decorations? (e.g. V device)
I used to think valor is for combat and merit is non-combat. Then I realize Purple heart, a successor of Badge of Military Merit, is awarded for "being wounded or killed in any action against an enemy"...
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Trying to identify what military service, war and rank by the uniform
I have been searching google images, tried a reverse search and found nothing. I have looked on many sites and cannot identify the service. I do know he has 9 buttons on his coat, 3 on the cuffs, red ...
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1answer
223 views
Can you explain how officers were able to refuse orders historically in France? Elsewhere?
I've read several biographies that pertained to military history in England and France especially around the time of Napoleon. I noticed that the authors referenced the ruler requesting the service of ...
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305 views
Can anyone help to identify and date this uniform or the medals?
Found in my late Aunt's possessions. Photograph of unidentified uniform:
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218 views
What was the timetable for Germany's Invasion of the Low Countries (Fall Gelb) in WW2?
I was watching the 1969 classic movie 'Battle of Britain' the other day and noted numerous scenes where the British were very concerned about a German invasion; "what are they waiting for?" was a ...
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What is this Uniform and Medal Ribbon?
I am trying to help someone. She has sent me a black & white photo. I think the battle dress is post WW2? And the man could be an officer? Ie the wearing of a tie. I just cannot work out the ...
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10answers
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Why did it take so long to abandon sail after steamships were demonstrated?
1807, Robert Fulton's Clermont the first ship to demonstrate the feasibility of steam propulsion for commercial use, but it also carried sail.
1819, The first steamship to cross the Atlantic was the ...
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1answer
232 views
Military reforms after the battle of Manzikert?
After the battle of Manzikert and during Alexius's reign was there any attempt towards military reform to go back to the theme peasant-soldier system instead of mercenaries?
In John Julius Norwich's ...
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1answer
328 views
Number of foreigners in the Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht during WWII
During World War II, thousands of non-German men fought in the Waffen-SS and in the Wehrmacht. People from all Europe, volunteers from neutral and occupied countries and enemy prisoners. Even Russian ...
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helmet change from Greek to Macedon, Rome and Medieval period
Why did Roman helmets not cover the mouth like their greek counterparts? Did individual soldiers need to shout commands? Same for companion calvary Boeotian helmet vs that of medieval knights.
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1answer
241 views
Identity of pre 1930s US battleship
Need help in identifying this battleship--USS Nevada, Pennsylvannia or Arizona?
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59 views
Identify prior 1930's US Battleship and US Navy plane [duplicate]
Looking to identify this battleship--USS Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arizona?
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1answer
202 views
Did Japan have secret films about going into the US in the 40s?
This film (narrated by Ronald Regan) was produced in the 40s. It discusses detailed planning for an air mission into an area in Japan.
Did Japan have similar fims in the time period to aid them in ...
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2answers
456 views
Why would high-ranking officers wear a helmet exhibiting their rank near the enemy?
Buckner had arrived with his standard three stars showing on the front of his steel helmet and a nearby Marine outpost sent a signal to Buckner's position stating that they could clearly see the ...
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1answer
222 views
Why were general and flag officers allowed to fly aircraft in combat?
LTG Frank M Andrews and Maj Gen Robert Worley both died while piloting combat aircraft in a war.
I'm assuming that generals and admirals are less skilled or prepared to pilot aircraft, as their ...
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8answers
5k views
Operation Vengeance and Individual Targeting of Enemy Commanders
Operation Vengeance (1943) was a US military operation aimed specifically to kill Japanese Admiral Yamamoto.
It looks like something weird in contemporary era: are there any similar military ...
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1answer
3k views
Did firing trials of pre-WW1 British dreadnoughts involve actually firing at them?
On the Wikipedia page of HMS Dreadnought it is mentioned that during firing trials against HMS Hero there were some vulnerabilities of its fire control systems revealed: namely, wiring and voice tubes ...
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2answers
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What was the function of the walls of Jericho?
The walls of old Jericho have been dated to around 8000bc. This is thousands of years before the nascent civilisations of Babylon and Egypt built similar fortifications and thousands of years before ...
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3answers
447 views
Was it possible to organize a women's uprising or feminist movement in the Middle Ages? [closed]
Women in Europe endured thousands of years of gender inequality, culminating in the Middle Ages. Women in the Middle Ages had few rights and were treated like minors and properties, yet they did very ...
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2answers
190 views
How were the Roman Triarii trained?
Unlike the Hastati and Principe, the Triarii were spear based and they also the oldest veteran elite troops. So did they initially fight with the sword and then go to the spear (and if so why) or were ...
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3answers
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Have revolutions been won without the military establishment?
Various historical and political theorists (for instance, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita) have asserted that the support, or, at most, the abstention of a country's military is necessary for a successful ...
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1answer
108 views
Revolutions: which side does the nation's military join? [closed]
Historically, when there has been a notably significant revolution to overthrow the standing government, does the military typically defend the government or join the revolutionists?
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1answer
277 views
How large were Victorian British military forces?
I was wondering roughly how many people were members of military services in Britain during the later Victorian era, and had no luck finding any information on the subject online, apart from the ...
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1answer
1k views
Did 20th century militaries have their own fire-fighter units?
I tried googling this but fire-fighter is too similar to fire-fight (as in gun fight or shootout) so I keep getting the wrong results. I'm asking about fire-fighting as in containing and extinguishing ...
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2answers
445 views
At the start of the Second Punic War, why didn't Hannibal engage Publius Scipio in Hispania, but crossed the alps instead?
Sorry, I forgot exactly where I remember this from but as Hannibal moved towards the Alps with around 50,000 troops, he was pursued by Scipio with fewer troops (actually, if anyone can find a source ...
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1answer
130 views
Please help identify this medal… German military?
Found this in my late father's possessions. Probably belonged to his father or grandfather. Prussian? German? war related? I have no idea...
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1answer
1k views
What is a WW1 water detail?
Looking at my grandfathers files from Canadian military archives WW 1.
He was in the medical corps as a stretcher bearer. One of his tasks was
to be put on water detail. Would anyone know what being ...
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1answer
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Is there a location to find the personnel roster of the No. 300 Polish Bomber Squadron during WW2?
I'm working on a research project and I am looking to confirm that certain individuals were part of the No. 300 Polish Bomber Squadron during WW2.
Is there a place online or offline where one could ...
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1answer
4k views
What ship is this and which military campaign?
On back of card, Army Transport USS Maricu - life on board - nothing to do. I can not find any information on this ship. Is it WWI or WWII?
The reverse of the card is shown below:
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1answer
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What is the name and meaning of a World War 2 CCC Medal with both the Polish Eagle and British Statant Gardant Lion?
While looking through a collection of World War 2 medals, I came across this one (picture attached) and have been unable to identify it.
It is in the form of a shield, appears to have a Polish eagle ...
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1answer
175 views
Youngest age for the militia in the middle ages
I know it probably differed from village to village, town to town, city to city, but what was the standard bare minimum age for anyone to join the local militia or receive any sort of combat/survival ...
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What is the latest case of employment of Cretan archers in Antiquity?
It is known that Cretan archers were widely used (presumably as mercenaries) across Mediterranean by Greek armies and were occasionally included in Roman armies of Republic and of Imperial period. I ...
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For the French Army under Jean Martinet (d1672) how and why were cavalry used instead of infantry?
For France's army of the period of Jean Martinet (d1672) in the Early modern, how and why were cavalry used instead of infantry?
In European warfare the default company is the infantry company. This ...
