Question of the Hour

[ackland]

Caligae Heavy military sandals that used iron hob-nails as treads, similar to modern day athletic cleats. The leather thongs continued half way up the shin and tied there, and in cold weather could be stuffed with wool or fur. Eventually these would be replaced by a heavier style of actual boot. Caligae was also the term from which the Emperor Gaius (Caligula) got his nickname. He was the son of the enormously popular Legate Germanicus and accompanied his Legions on several northern campaigns. As a boy the Legionaries saw him as a good luck mascot and called him Caligula for "Little Boots".

GladiusGladius The Roman short sword. It was a double-edged weapon about 18 long and two inches wide, often with a corrugated bone grip formed to the Legionaries hand. A large round ball at the end helped with the balance. The primary use was for thrusting at short range. It was carried high on the right hand side so as to be clear of the legs and the shield arm.

Pugio The Roman dagger was anywhere from 7 to 11 inches long in similar width to the gladius. It could be highly decorative or very plain, but was a very useful secondary weapon in case of being disarmed. It was attached to the belt on the left hand side.

 

[redleafjumper]

An excellent answer TR; bonus marks for the Caligula information.  The weapons answers are good ones. 

What other weapon(s) may a Roman Legionary have employed?

 

[muffin]

All of these

http://www.unrv.com/military/legionary-weapons-equipment.php

muffin

 

[redleafjumper]

Yes, muffin, all these and more.  From that website one might add the Parazonium (the officer's sword) and the Pilum (the legionary's principal  weapon).  But I see no mention of the caltrop, a remarkable four pointed device used to break up attacks from cavalry or chariot mounted soldiers.  They would be strewn on the ground in front of the infantry formation; the horses would step on the upward point and injure themselves.  This would result in throwing the rider or otherwise disrupting the charge.  Caltrops are used nowaday in various forms to stop rubber tired traffic.

What is a buckler?

 

[Fishbone Jones]

What is a buckler?

A small hand held shield, usually round. It was used for punching or deflecting. Held in the fist as opposed to worn on the arm like a normal shield.

 

[redleafjumper]

Hey Recceguy, that's a buckler!  Here is an interesting web site that mentions Black History month: http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/engraph/news/details_e.aspx?id=349

What's a shiavona?





(Modified to add website address)

 

[armyvern]

What's a shiavona?

"It's a medieval sword which reached it's height of development in the 1600s. It 's design was inspired by complex south German bastard sword designs, and was used by Slavonic mercenaries. The name Schiavona is short for 'Spada Shiavona' which means Slavonic sword in Italian."


[url]http://swordplayalliance.com/swordgallery/swo1.html]
http://swordplayalliance.com/swordgallery/swo1.html

 

[Nfld Sapper]

Excatly what Vern said, here is another link with some dimensions to the sword.

http://www.phoenixmetalcreations.com/schiavona.html

 

[Acorn]

TR - if you cut and paste, the guidelines for this site require you to cite the source - i.e. the website muffin posted. Your answer is verbatim from that website.

 

[3rd Herd]

The first military historians started writting in the 5th Century BC. Though they were not conscious military historians their works inevitably dealt with military events. Who are these two?

 

[muffin]

Thucydides and Herodotus

Though Thucydides is considered the "father of History" becuase Herodotus used referenced to lore and gods in his writing while Thucydides relied on science.

5th century was when Thucydides wrote "History of the Peloponnesian War."

muffin

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac24

 

[3rd Herd]

Muffin earns herself another gold star. "The first known histories-those of Herodotus and Thucydides- though they were not conscious military historians their works inevitably dealt with military events. And about the same time, in China Sun Tzu was composing his treatise "The Art of War".
Next question please.

 

[larry Strong]

What was the last military award institued and issued to German soldier's in the dying days of WW2.

Hint. It would not be made out of metal.

 

[geo]

the order of the 9mm parabellum
issued by security troops to soldiers with cold feet

 

[larry Strong]

No not quite, it's an official award. Remember they used different means to show military valor,....ummm this on is more on a group level, as opposed to an individual award. As they always were saying in the molithia "think outside the box" Hope this helps.

 

[geo]

24hr furlough with the Liebenstraum ladies

 

[dangerboy]

The Kurland Cuff Tittle -

 

[3rd Herd]

Subsituting for Larry,
You get a blue star, a source to go with your very correct answer would have seen you get a gold star. Next question please

Note from Larry:
The "Kurland" cuff title. It was instituted 12.03.45 and was manufactured locally within the area of Armygroup "Kurland"

my Reference is:

Badges and Insignia of the Third Reich 1933-194 by Brian Leigh Davis

 

[dangerboy]

Source is from the book "Bridgehead Kurland: The six Epic Battles of Heeresgruppe Kurland" by Franz Kurowski published by J.J. Fedorwicz Publishing, Inc

 

[3rd Herd]

Thanks very much Danger Boy for providing a source, you get a gold star. Next question to ask is all yours.