Questions tagged [military]
Questions pertaining to characteristics of armed forces' structure, manpower, equipment, or expenditures.
720
questions
2
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3answers
149 views
Were Israeli-Arab conflicts in the Cold war testing grounds for NATO and Warsaw Pact equipment?
During the Cold War, Israel and it's Arab neighbors often came into conflict with each other and fought a number of wars during which Israel often used weaponry from the West (USA, UK and France) ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
When did the US start using sniper + spotter teams, rather than solo snipers?
The US sniper teams are a definite trope of TV and movies, but historically many armies have used solo snipers, without the spotter.
When I look for info, I either find gun info, sniper statistics or ...
2
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0answers
78 views
What actually happened during the elephant duel (Songkram Yutahatti) between King Naresuan of Ayutthaya/Siam and Mingy Swa of Hongsawadee/Burma?
Before we start, I just want to say that I find Thai history and the history of Southeast Asia in general to be extremely fascinating and interesting. I think that it’s just as interesting as Chinese ...
2
votes
1answer
98 views
What was the total megatonnage of all munitions expended in World War 2?
I'm wondering about the total megatonnage of all munitions expended during World War Two in all theaters.
I've seen estimates of 2, 3 and 5, but no concrete cited sources for a specific number.
-5
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0answers
102 views
Has the US ever been accused of using chemical weapons? [closed]
Even though the use of white phosphorous and depleted uranium as weapons, and also cluster munitions, are all uniquely terrible and banned, the US military openly uses them. Depending on the ...
-2
votes
0answers
147 views
Why didn't Hitler attack Soviet Union before France? [closed]
Why didn't Hitler attack Soviet Union before France? I think if he did so then he will get the help and aid of America and European countries and after gaining the rich oil resources in Stalingrad and ...
2
votes
1answer
168 views
How were wars financed under Islamic empires?
A related question is this thread, where the subject in question were banks, and how they operated and profited under Islamic rule.
In Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), charging interest on loans is ...
39
votes
2answers
8k views
Why did the German army execute so few soldiers in World War I compared to most other armies?
According to Alexander Watson's Ring of Steel and other sources during the whole of the First World War the German army only executed 48 of its soldiers, compared to over 300 in the British and 600-...
13
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2answers
362 views
How “successful” were WWII pigeon-guided missiles?
In World War II, a prototype missile guidance system was developed in Project Pigeon, whereby a pigeon's pecks (or pecks by multiple pigeons) would be used to guide a missile.
Test runs were ...
2
votes
1answer
170 views
Can anyone identify this possibly Czechoslovak uniform?
I have this photo of my Great Grandfather Antonin Hošek and his wife Elisabeth Hofrichter with my Grandma as a baby Alzběta Hošková. I am trying to find out more about my family's past and I'd love to ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
Can anyone identify this uniform? Time period is 1841
This is a charcoal drawing of my great great grandfather. He was born in 1819 and I was told he served for 7 years. It looks like in the lower right hand corner it shows 1841. I heard he served for ...
3
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3answers
103 views
Where can I find an official record of names and service dates for commanding officers of former US Navy vessels?
I'm particularly interested in records for the Indiana-class pre-dreadnought battleship named USS Massachusetts (BB-2). Can this information be found online?
-1
votes
2answers
173 views
How were the Burmese able to sack Ayutthaya when it was one of the wealthiest and most powerful cities in Asia at the time? [closed]
So I’m “watching” (more like skipping to the interesting scenes) the Thai lakorn/historical drama Sri Ayodhaya and in one episode, this one professor said that Ayutthaya was an incredibly wealthy and ...
3
votes
0answers
134 views
Can anyone identify the regiment and rank from this photograph?
Can anyone identify the regiment this officer belongs to and his rank please? He seems to be wearing an Indian General service medal (1895-1902 pattern) with a battle clasp, but I cannot make out the ...
5
votes
1answer
466 views
Did RAF fighter pilots wear ties while flying in WW2?
Did RAF fighter pilots wear ties while flying in WW2?
It seems like that would be uncomfortable, if not dangerous, while you are experiencing high-Gs and low oxygen. However, the above movie includes ...
18
votes
5answers
6k views
How did the Druids learn the Greek language by the time of Caesar's campaign in Gaul?
In Latin class, we are translating parts of Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War. One thing that struck me as odd is how Caesar describes the customs of the Gauls, especially in Book 6, where he ...
1
vote
1answer
135 views
During the Korean War, what B-29 crew roles did the abbreviations IVO, CFC, and VC mean?
I was researching a B-29 crash that my grandfather was in during the Korean War, and he was listed as the IVO on the flight. I couldn't find what that abbreviation meant, nor could I find some of the ...
5
votes
0answers
100 views
Who would have used this c1890s canvas bag?
I have an OLD canvas bag measuring 14 x 11", opens to two pouches. It has a leather strap on the back that makes it look like it was possibly used as a backpack.
Printed on the front is "2 SEP.CO. ...
4
votes
0answers
153 views
Help identify details from a Soviet military uniform?
My family on my great-grandfather's side came from Romania and I have a picture of one of his brothers in a soviet military uniform.
I know nothing of his involvement in the military and was hoping ...
-5
votes
2answers
131 views
How to you reply to Henry Ford and Otto von Bismarck? [closed]
All history is bunk -- Ford
All history is fairy tales rewritten by the winner of the last war --
Bismarck
There is a LOT of truth to what they say. And with PhD thesis like
the courtmartial of ...
26
votes
5answers
13k views
How was the Luftwaffe able to destroy nearly 4000 Soviet aircraft in 3 days of operation Barbarossa?
According to Wikipedia:
a Soviet archival document recorded the loss of 3,922 Soviet aircraft
in the first three days against an estimated loss of 78 German
aircraft.
How were German combat ...
2
votes
0answers
189 views
Could someone help me identify this button from a WW2 prison camp field?
I'm struggling to identify a button found in a field in Italy, where WW2's prison camps were built.
Searching online I found a lot of American's Civil War buttons that could be related to it, based on ...
3
votes
0answers
328 views
Is The King (2019) historically realistic?
The King (2019) by Netflix is about king Henry V.
A few aspects of the movie struck me as either unbelievable, or contradicting what little even I know about history.
In no particular order:
The ...
-2
votes
1answer
362 views
Rifle with bayonet thrown like a javelin
I mean certainly there had to be a circumstance at one point where a soldier's only chance was to throw his rifle and somehow ended up winning? my searches have garnered no luck..
edit:for the 150 ...
4
votes
1answer
206 views
Can someone identify this military uniform?
I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me anything about this military uniform. Thanks so much for any help!
1
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0answers
126 views
Can anyone identify the uniforms in these pics, dated 1903 - 1904, Calcutta?
A little background... his father was a merchant with offices in Bremen and Calcutta; his mother tutored the children of the Viceroy of India. In later documents he states he was a member of the Royal ...
0
votes
5answers
736 views
Were Allied high commanders that bad at the end of WW2?
I have heard by some friends, speaking of military history, that Allied commanders were well known for being, at best, mediocre in their performance of fight. They were not able to give precise ...
0
votes
1answer
134 views
Can anyone identify this military uniform (1900-1915)?
Can anyone identify this uniform? Uncertain of the time frame, suspect it is 1900 - 1915.
4
votes
0answers
172 views
What uniform is my great great Cossack grandfather wearing?
The man bellow with the medals and the beard is my great great grandfather. He was a cossack in the Urals, I have been looking for ages but I can not find what Cossack uniform he is wearing.
I really ...
37
votes
2answers
10k views
Did the Soviet army intentionally send troops (e.g. penal battalions) running over minefields?
You can hear this story/claim stated in various way, from just regular troops doing it, to just penal battalions, to strenuous denial nobody ever did this in the Soviet army. (Just look at a Quora ...
5
votes
1answer
264 views
Would Victorian era British soldiers wear their short sword bayonets while wearing uniform when off duty?
In depictions of the Victorian era we often see lower ranks of soldiers wearing uniform when off duty in pubs or frequenting fairs, or just milling about as extras in the background etc.
My question ...
19
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2answers
3k views
How did Roman armies survive in the desert?
I'm writing a novel set in the third century. A general is marching his army through the middle of the Syrian Desert. How did Roman armies with tens of thousands of soldiers survive in the arid ...
2
votes
2answers
153 views
What uniform is Alexander Duncan McLennan wearing?
I am trying to identify this uniform. It’s a photo of my great grandfather Alexander Duncan McLennan 1861 - 1919.
He was born in Glasgow in 1861 so was Scottish. The only record I can find of an A ...
3
votes
1answer
383 views
How long did men have to serve in the US army until they were promoted to sergeants during WW2?
During the Second World War men rose through ranks much quicker than they do today due to heavy losses and they went from private to corporal and corporal to sergeant after serving only a small amount ...
7
votes
0answers
160 views
Did the German ship SS Hansa (former Albert Ballin) continue her journey to the West after 30 January 1945?
Looking for refugees or families of refugees who were on board the Hansa on January 30th 1945 when she left Gotenhafen with the Wilhelm Gustloff. I am trying to find out what happened to the Hansa ...
1
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0answers
128 views
What branch of service and rank is this 1860 photo?
This is a cabinet photo taken by Kelley's in New York, but we are having a difficult time identifying his branch of service and rank. Any leads to this genealogical effort would be greatly appreciated!...
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votes
1answer
209 views
What are some instances of professional army funding being stolen in full?
It feels like with large empires using professional armies for distant provinces, especially during classical or medieval times, funding of those armies were most likely to be bottlenecked by small ...
3
votes
1answer
140 views
Could British India have realistically allied with both Afghanistan and the Punjab?
In his book The Return of a King, historian William Dalrymple is strongly critical of British policy toward Afghanistan prior to the disastrous invasion of 1839. He implies, quoting the British envoy ...
-2
votes
3answers
292 views
Which, if any, successful invasions have been planned by one person without relying on specialized experts?
10 years ago, I read the following quote
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a ...
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votes
3answers
529 views
Has a sniper ever disabled a tank?
In theory, a sniper can disable a tank.
shoot out the gun sight
shoot out the driver sight
wait for crew to open the hatch because they can't see
shoot the crew
Has this ever happened? The snipers ...
4
votes
5answers
753 views
Is there any example of one country devastating a third? [closed]
My question comes from a video game I am playing:
I am playing Austria, in Napoleonic wars. I am fighting France as main adversary, but I just captured and looted Bavaria and Saxony, two little ...
2
votes
0answers
141 views
Can anybody identify the cap-badge and/or uniform in this image?
Can anybody identify the cap-badge and/or uniform in this image?
I'm hoping the period is c. 1899/1900 and should be UK based???
My searches to date have turned up a blank; but then I have no ...
-1
votes
1answer
157 views
Was the Horo Cavalry “Balloon cloak” effective?
Was the Horo Cavalry Balloon cloak effective? and if so is there a European/Non Japanese Variant?
My understanding is to defend against arrowfire positioning armor away from the body is ...
1
vote
7answers
544 views
Have there been any great female military commanders?
From Alexander the Great to Saladin, from Muqali to Horatio Nelson, from Napoleon I to Winfield Scott, history is loaded with great male generals.
Have there been any great female generals? Warfare ...
0
votes
2answers
265 views
How rigorously do combat engineers follow command hierarchy?
This is related to chain of command
I am interested if certain branches are looser than others when it comes to chain of command. The reason being that engineering, especially combat engineering, ...
28
votes
6answers
8k views
Why command hierarchy, if the chain of command is standing next to each other?
Screenshot's from 1:08:19. I transcribe:
2: Order the 58th to withdraw.
1 to 3: Fraser, order the 58th to withdraw.
3: Yes sir.
I don't understand this command hierachy:
Similarly, an ...
6
votes
1answer
243 views
What kind of uniform is this? (Circa 1940s, possibly Israeli)
This photo is in a photo album from Jersusalem, with mostly family-type photos, some with Hebrew writing on the back. Some of the photos are dated and they range from the 1930s to the 1950s, and this ...
7
votes
1answer
392 views
What kind of bullet did I find in Swiss glacial ice?
I found this bullet frozen in glacial ice in Switzerland. There is no visible stamp on it anymore and unfortunately did not have any precise measuring equipment with me. I can measure the size of my ...
6
votes
2answers
714 views
When the Swiss Guard was formed, was the height requirement 174 cm (5' 8 1/2")?
The current minimum height required for the Swiss Guard at the Vatican is 5'8 1/2" or 174 cm (Swiss Guard requirements).
Has that always been the case? I remember reading years ago that the minimum ...
0
votes
1answer
124 views
Is there a source for Medieval army composition and tactics across cultures?
It's mostly a source question, because the topic is too large to be covered by simple questions and answers, so im sorry if i posted this in the wrong place.
I'm trying to research on the ...
