Question of the Hour

[George Wallace]

I was there on the survey party when Hannibal crossed the Alps for his Italian vacation.   Those nifty messtins were great when we got them, but it seems my memory of the old days ain't what it used to was...

Is it true then that elephant dung burns longer and hoter than cow and horse patties?

 

[Kat Stevens]

Yup, also great for chapped lips... doesn't cure it, but sure as hell stops you licking them!

 

[Danjanou]

Kat, Armyvern, when we started this thread on so many many pages and questions ago, there was an unofficial agreement among the two or three amateur (or profesional) military historians,and trivia buffs not to post right away to give everyone else a chance to answer.

Hmm guess we have to start dragging out the obscure questions that may not show up on google. 8)

 

[redleafjumper]

No one has yet answered the question as to who was the designer of the Canadian trigger group for the Sterling C1 smg...

 

[redleafjumper]

Since no one bit on Colonel Silas P. Richmond's subsequent command after the 3rd Massachusetts infantry, the answer is that from June 1862 he commanded the 58th Massachusetts infantry.

 

[redleafjumper]

Gosh, I hope that this simple question about the designer of the Canadian C1 SMG trigger group hasn't killed this thread!   It isn't a google friendly question but surely someone out there must know.

In the mean time how about another easy one to get people going again:

What is the latin name for the multi-part plate armour worn by some Roman Legions?

 

[Michael OLeary]

Let's close this one off:

Re: Canadian Berlin Battalion

Correct so far for units: The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Les Fusiliers Mont Royal, The Argyll and Sutherland Highrs (Princess Louise's)

Now: date of formation of the battalion?, period of service?, under command of what higher formation?

Shall I add: who was the Commanding Officer, and what unit did he come from?

A composite Canadian Battalion was also formed to join the occupation forces in Berlin. Representing the 1st , 2nd and 4th Divisions, The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Les Fusiliers Mont Royal and The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders each contributed elements to the "Canadian Berlin Battalion", commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel A.F. Cotton, DSO of the Argylls. The battalion included a headquarters, four rifle companies, a support company, provost section, band, and detachments from the Royal Canadian Dental Corps and the Auxiliary Services. It was formed on 17 June 1945, and served in Berlin from 4 to 26 July 1945 under the 131st British Lorried Infantry Brigade. The battalion was disbanded upon return to the Netherlands.

Source: Operational Handbook for the First Canadian Army 1944-1945; Formation Organization, Staff Technique and Administration, Compiled and written by John J. Grodzinski, 1996

 

[larry Strong]

What is the latin name for the multi-part plate armour worn by some Roman Legions?

Lorica Segmentata: Armoured Jacket believed to have been introduced around the 1st cent AD.

 

[Island Ryhno]

Not counting the US, Canada and The Republic of South Korea how many United Nations Countries sent combat troops to Korea? Bonus points for naming the countries!

 

[redleafjumper]

From: http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/korea_unlist.htm:

Twenty including:

Korea: United Nations Force Contributions
A listing of countries and level of contribution:
Australia: Two infantry battalions, part of the 1st Commonwealth Division; two destroyers or frigates; one aircraft carrier and a fighter squadron.

Belgium: One infantry battalion.

Canada: One reinforced infantry brigade, including tank and artillery forces, part of the 1st Commonwealth Division; three destroyers; and a squadron of transport aircraft.

Colombia: One infantry battalion and a frigate

Ethiopia: One infantry battalion.

France: One reinforced infantry battalion.

Greece: One infantry battalion andd transport aircraft.

Luxembourg: One infantry platoon.

Netherlands: One infantry battalion and naval forces.

New Zealand: One regiment of artillery, part of the 1st Commonwealth Division

Thailand: One infantry battalion; naval forces; air and naval transports

Turkey: One infantry brigade.

Union of South Africa: One fighter squadron.

United Kingdom: Two infantry brigades, one armoured regiment, one and a half artillery regiments, one and a half engineer regiments and supporting ground forces, all part of the 1st Commonwealth Division; British Far East Fleet; and Sunderland aircraft of the RAF.

United States of America: The Eighth Army, of six army divisions and one Marine division; Naval Forces Far East (three task forces); and Far East Air Forces (three air forces).

Denmark, Italy, India, Norway and Sweden contributed medical units.

 

[redleafjumper]

Larry's answer regarding the Lorica Segmentata is correct!

Since no one has bitten on the C1 SMG trigger group I will reveal the answer - Les Ruffell, a draughtsman with Sterling (Dagenham, Essex) designed the "Ruffell" trigger group to meet Canadian needs for a stamped trigger group that had a removable trigger guard for arctic operations.   The trigger group worked better in tests than the existing British trigger group, but was not adopted by the British.  

What heir to a royal throne was killed in the Zulu wars while serving with the British Army as an observer?

 

[Danjanou]

What heir to a royal throne was killed in the Zulu wars while serving with the British Army as an observer?

Napoleon Eugene Louis John Joseph, (March 16, 1856 â “ June 1, 1879), Prince Imperial, was the only child of Emperor Napoleon III of France and his wife the Empress Eugénie.

He served as an officer in the British Army and volunteered to join the British expedition to Zululand. While out on reconnaissance prior to the battle of Ulundi he was surprised by Zulus and speared to death in a deserted kraal by the iTyotyosi river. His escort reportedly fled but evidence suggested that he had put up a brave resistance until the ammunition of his revolver ran out.

His death sent shock waves throughout Europe as he was the last dynastic hope for the restoration of the Bonapartes to the throne of France. The Zulus later claimed that they would not have killed him had they known who he was.

 

[redleafjumper]

Danjanou has nailed the correct answer - the loss of the Prince Imperial was a shattering blow to those hoping for the restoration of the Bonaparte line.


What was the name of the thing that Spartan mothers are attributed by Plutarch as having said to their warrior sons to come home with or on?

 

[big bad john]

Their Shield.

 

[Kat Stevens]

"Bring this shield home, or be brought home dead upon it."

 

[redleafjumper]

The thing is a shield, but not so fast, what is its name?

 

[Fishbone Jones]

The shield is called a hoplon, from which comes the name hoplite for the Greek infantryman

 

[big bad john]

The shield is called a hoplon, from which comes the name hoplite for the Greek infantryman

I am hanging my head in shame!

 

[redleafjumper]

A good try, but hoplon is not the correct answer as it actually means "arms" or "weapons" rather than "shield".  

The word hoplon is believed to have been used since the 5th century to describe the hoplite shield, but there is a name from the time of the hoplites which actually means that particular shield, and that is the name that I am seeking.

 

[mo-litia]

I think the hoplon's shield was originally called an aspis.