Iron Arrowheads from Objects of the Xianbei Time of the Karban-I Complex (Northern Altai)

The article presents the results of a study of iron arrowheads discovered during excavations of objects of the Xianbei time of the Karban-I funerary complex. This site is located on the left bank of the Katun river, 1.7 km north-west of the Kuyus village, in the Chemal region of the Altai Republic. During the excavation of the Great Migration period burials, a collection of 14 iron arrowheads was discovered at this necropolis. As a result of the classification of these items, one group, one category, one section, two departments, five types of products with several options are distinguished. The analysis of the available materials allows us to assert that the three-bladed tiered arrowheads of types 1a, 2a belong to the Xiongnu military tradition and date back to the 2nd — 5th centuries AD. A specimen with equalsized layers of type 3a can be an early «transitional» to the South Siberian tradition. Iron arrowheads with a geometric feather of asymmetric-rhombic (type 4a) and rhombic (type 5 a) forms without support existed during the Xianbei-Rouran period (2nd — 5th centuries AD).

BLADED WEAPONS FROM GRAVE 16 DATING TO THE MIGRATION PERIOD AT THE DZHURGA-OBA CEMETERY IN THE EASTERN CRIMEA

Описывается погребение - кенотаф № 16 из могильника Джурга-Оба в Восточном Крыму. По найденным в нем вещам (элементы ременной гарнитуры) это погребение датируется второй половиной V - первой половиной VI в. Здесь было обнаружено оружие с прямым однолезвийным клинком, которое можно идентифицировать как скрамасакс. В его конструкции и декоре есть элементы как восточного происхождения (железная гарда), так и западного (накладки на ножны с декором в виде птичьих голов). Погребения со скрамасаксами немногочисленны в Северном Причерноморье и, возможно, отражают сасанидскую воинскую традицию. The paper publishes a cenotaph grave 16 from the Dzhurga-Oba cemetery in the Eastern Crimea. Based on the items retrieved from the grave (belt sets details), the grave is dated to the second half of the 5 - first half of the 6 centuries. Among the finds there is a straight single-edge knife that can be identified as scramasax. Its design and decoration reveal some elements of Oriental origin (iron guard) and Western origin (scabbard plates featuring bird heads as a decoration). The graves with scramasax are not numerous in the North Pontic region, possibly, they reflect a Sasanid military tradition.

The Backbone of Segregation

Chapter 3 examines African Americans’ struggle to integrate military units during World War II. Integration of this kind became for the first time ever a core element of black people’s civil rights demands, around which growing numbers of them and their allies rallied during the war. Their efforts fell far short of their intended goal. The forces in favor of the segregated status quo—Congress and the White House, military brass and military tradition, federal law and white public opinion—proved too formidable. Even so, African Americans’ wartime integrationist struggle laid the foundation for the postwar desegregation of the armed forces.

A “New Lens” on African Military Tradition

Asking the question, “Is there a common African military tradition?” leads to consideration of the all too readily accepted tripartite periodization of African history as precolonial, colonial, and postcolonial. Does such a model sufficiently encompass African agency and actions? Or instead—being keyed to the colonial moment in the African past—might it privilege institutions of a decidedly European character? As an alternative, this essay suggests examining Africa’s military tradition around four alternatively defined analytical touchstones, each built upon exemplars of indigenous African activity. It argues that using such a “new lens” offers an opportunity to consider if there are not a variety of African military traditions, rather than an over-generalized system of supposed military values historically common to all African soldiers.

‘Foreigners are said to be wise and honest but they teach us false things’: ‘On Military Tactics’ (1700/1701) by Ivan Pososhkov and Western military tradition

This article focuses on ‘On Military Tactics’ (‘O ratnom povedenii’), composed in winter 1700/1701 by Ivan Pososhkov and considered to be one of the first analytical military treatises written in the Russian language. Pososhkov heavily criticized foreign influences on native warfare, in particular, the Western infantry tactics and drill introduced by the tsar Peter the Great and his predecessors and reflected some controversial problems of contemporary military culture. Despite his declared hostility towards Western methods of warfare, Pososhkov acknowledged the utility of a ‘military science’ and read some foreign books on the subject.

2. 1861

“1861” describes the events of that year, which began with the appointment of Jefferson Davis as president of the Confederacy. Following the Confederate bombardment of Fort Sumter, Lincoln called for troops, appointed George McClellan to command Union forces, and imposed a blockade against the South. The first battles were chaotic. Union forces (“Yankees”) benefited from greater manpower and technology; Southerners (“Rebels”) had a stronger military tradition and familiar terrain. Although the war did not begin with the aim of abolishing slavery, the institution played a role in military and diplomatic developments. Abolitionists hoped that Union war aims would transform into a struggle against slavery.

Sweat and Blood: Swordsmanship and sabre in Fribourg

Following a long mercenary tradition, Switzerland had to build in the 19th century its own military tradition. In Cantons that have provided many officers and soldiers in the European Foreign Service, the French military influence remained strong. This article aims to analyze the development of sabre fencing in the canton of Fribourg (and its French influence) through the manuals of a former mercenary (Joseph Bonivini), a fencing master in the federal troops (Joseph Tinguely), and an officer who became later a gymnastics teacher (Léon Galley). These fencing manuals all address the recourse to fencing as physical training and gymnastic exercise, and not just as a combat system in a warlike context.

Papen’s Two-Faced Politics and the Military Tradition

This chapter discusses the problem of the “Numerical Strength of the Auxiliary Police.” This fades into insignificance compared with the question whether—with every German civilian recruited—the quota may not already be exceeded. The chapter also analyzes a speech by Franz von Papen, who was already carrying out those military “commandments” at his wartime diplomatic post in Washington. His recent unforgettable proclamation was designed to whet the world's appetite for “the most beautiful death in the world”—being slain by the enemy. Not that Papen was having an easy time. As the statesman who brokered the seizure of power, he had to endure as Hitler's Vice-Chancellor. But the inside knowledge he possessed, above all about the history of the movement since the Reichstag fire, enabled him to survive despite all the pressures.

Soldiers and Politics

When discussing the American military tradition, writers usually state that the US military has always been divorced from political affairs. Even cursory research into the subject reveals the opposite; the military has often played a major role in domestic politics, and for most of our history that role was considered normal and healthy. During the nineteenth century it was common practice for US generals to dabble in politics and to actually run for political office while still in uniform. Yet, such events are passed over lightly by historians, and many still write of an American military tradition stressing the noninvolvement of the military in politics throughout our history. That is a misreading of events, but the situation did change in the aftermath of World War II, especially around the time of the Vietnam War.