Questions tagged [military]
Questions pertaining to characteristics of armed forces' structure, manpower, equipment, or expenditures.
40
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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433 views
Is there evidence for the use of the solenarion in late Medieval Ethiopia?
Shihab al-Umari, an Arab historian of the 14th century, wrote much of what's know of Emperor of Ethiopia Amda Seyon I campaigns against the Muslim States, namely Awfat, Dawaru, Arababni, Hadya, ...
7
votes
0answers
163 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 ...
5
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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. ...
5
votes
0answers
380 views
How did the Prussians work out what fraction of the population to recruit to the military?
Here's a quote from a teacher and author John Taylor Gatto, which I found intriguing:
The military which is quite an expensive institution to maintain even in times of peace is always constituted ...
4
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0answers
156 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 ...
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 ...
4
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0answers
124 views
What regiments of the British East India Company were in southeastern India in the late 1790s?
I have been researching ranks and positions that existed in various regiments and civil branches of the British East India Company during the late 1790s to early 1800s. Those aren't as hard as finding ...
4
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0answers
303 views
Who participated in the Gran Sasso raid/Operation Eiche?
I am looking for a list of all soldiers who participated in the Gran Sasso raid/Operation Eiche.
The Wikipedia list only the 4 who received Knight's Cross, and the 9 with German Cross in Gold.
But ...
3
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0answers
139 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 ...
3
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0answers
329 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 ...
3
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0answers
128 views
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 ...
3
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0answers
103 views
How did succession work in the modern Argentine military dictatorships?
For example, it says on the wikipedia page for Alfredo Oscar Saint Jean, an Argentine president and general: "Saint-Jean's brief period as President in June and July 1982 ended when he was succeeded ...
3
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165 views
Can you identify this military uniform? Montana 1850-1920
Portrait taken in Montana-best guess between 1850 and 1920. WWI?? Slouch hat. Single-breasted coat with 5 or 6 buttons. Breast pocket on each side; diagonal, flap with button. Knee-high boots. Curvy ...
3
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0answers
97 views
Palestinian Troop Strength During 1948 War
I am trying to estimate the strength of the Palestinian irregular forces during the 1947-49 War.
I find two well documented groups:
Army of the Holy War, commanded by Husayni, based in Ramalla,
...
3
votes
0answers
280 views
History about Triplex Plate Armour?
An example of triplex plate armour was discovered and dated to the War of the Roses at the Royal Armoury of Leeds. They even had a reproduction made by A Plaisance Armouries for a crossbow and musket ...
3
votes
0answers
739 views
How many German soldiers were there by the time Nazi Germany surrendered?
How many German soldiers were out there fighting by the time Nazi Germany surrendered ? (What I mean by surrendered is 8th of may 1945)
I read this and it says in early may there were around 800K ...
3
votes
0answers
2k views
How many samurai warriors were there during the Sengoku period?
I was trying to estimate the number of warriors who were part of the samurai class. I am mainly interested in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Trying to search for that, I came across this. It states ...
3
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0answers
192 views
Which Field Marshal famously used to fire Staff Officers if they could not write orders within two pages?
I recall a military anecdote which described a Field Marshal who considered Officers ineffectual if they were unable to write concisely.
I believe the standard applied was that all plans or orders ...
3
votes
1answer
349 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
196 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
359 views
Where can I find documents on the 1992 fight between French soldiers and Somalian fighters?
I read in this French blog that before the battle of Mogadishu in 1993, French soldiers did fight successfully and manage to achieve their mission in June 1992 during the Oryx Operation (They were ...
2
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0answers
81 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
172 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 ...
2
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0answers
191 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 ...
2
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0answers
142 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 ...
2
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0answers
114 views
Where was this destroyed bridge in South Vietnam?
Can anyone provide the location of this destroyed bridge during the Vietnam War? I believe the sign at the end of the bridge refers to the Big Red One, 1st Infantry Division
2
votes
0answers
223 views
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 ...
2
votes
0answers
177 views
What was the troop ratio between the red and white army in the Russian revolution?
I am making a game over the Russian Revolution for English class. I want to make this game a somewhat accurate representation of the Russian Revolution. I have been able find the answers to all of my ...
2
votes
0answers
105 views
Mutual support in Latin American wars of independence
Nascent Latin American countries expelled Spain with some mutual aid from each other. Between 1815 and 1822, independent Argentina and Chile sent newly acquired naval forces (under Bouchard, Brown, ...
2
votes
0answers
218 views
What kind of medal is this?
I found this medal in UK. As far as I know the medal is from CCCP. I am living in Latvia and it used to be CCCP as well. On the medal you can see LIEPAJ and if there is missing letter then that must ...
2
votes
0answers
77 views
First Century (or earlier) gesture signifying peace between two parties?
I am working on a painting set in the first century which shows a military group confronting another group in the Middle East.
I am trying to find a gesture which the leader of one army would make ...
2
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0answers
86 views
A memorial Georgia (U.S.) plaque
This memorial plaque lists the numbers of Georgians who served in various wars and details the casualties. What I find odd is that for WWI, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf round numbers are given for the ...
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vote
0answers
127 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 ...
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vote
0answers
129 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!...
1
vote
0answers
78 views
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
115 views
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.
1
vote
0answers
322 views
Tomb of the Unknown soldier: why do they relax their jaw?
During the changing of the guard, I have always noticed the relief commander either relaxes their jaw before most sentences they say, or actively juts it out for every sentence (depending on the ...
1
vote
0answers
707 views
Why did the Lead Dart replace the Pilum?
As I understand it, early through to mid Roman Armies use the javelin style Pilum. I've read that the late Roman army used Lead Darts, or Plumbata, in the same or a very similar fashion.
Was the ...
1
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0answers
162 views
What was the significance of Bitchu-Takamatsu Castle from a military/political perspective?
What was a strategic intention for building Bitchu-Takamatsu Castle?
Its placement in a swamp, in a basin surrounded by mountains might on three sides made the castle impregnable, but also quite ...
0
votes
0answers
100 views
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 ...
