29erUK (sj@c1944.demon.co.uk)
Tue, 7 Dec 1999 18:31:43 +0000
In message <LG$W1AADcQT4MwQg@pomian.demon.co.uk>, Medieval Siege Society
<MSS@pomian.demon.co.uk> writes
>This was why even in Napoleonic times there was a movement to form
>regiments of Longbowmen. I do not know the relative range of the
>longbow against the muskets of the day, but the rate of fire of the
>longbow was superior.
>
>I am not sure how seriously it was taken, but the lack of trained
>longbowmen was a problem, as the medieval archers would train from
>childhood.
>
Yes, and a certain standard of physical fitness too, as the Longbow has
a fearsome pull (I read somewhere it was close to 100 pounds?). All the
musketeer needs is a fairly complete set of teeth and average manual
dexterity.
>An arrow form a bow (or a bolt from a crossbow) will penetrate most
>bullet proof body protection, and can even penetrate bullet proof glass.
Absolutely. And shot for shot, these missiles are far more powerful
than a lot of stuff on section 1 FAC! High powered hunting crossbows
are part of the inventory available to Special Forces today, as they are
exteremly accurate and kill silently.
When the Falklands was invaded in 1982, the SAS had to raid the school
of infantry museum in Warminster, Wiltshire, to requisition one of the
exhibits, the De Lisle silenced carbine. This had been used to quietly
take out sentrie etc. from long range in WWII. The crossbow was
reintroduced subsequently to this.
This story came directly from Lt. Col. Wilson, the museum's curator.
-- Stuart K Jarman 29th US infantry Division WWII reenactors (UK)
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