Favorite Military Tradition (2 Viewers)

Currahee Chris

Currahee Chris

Sergeant Major
Joined
Apr 24, 2007
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4,776
I have broke the Defense Budget gobbling up Ken's Greek warriors (East of India)- in fact, I may have to float some debt instruments to the Chinese if I keep buying at this pace.

I sat at my table here the other evening just admiring the Greek Heavy Infantry that I had just purchased and it got me to wondering- what is my favorite military tradition?? What soldiers, in my opinion, CLEARLY stand apart from the others.

I thought on it for awhile and the ancient Greeks hold an ever so slight edge over the Feudal Japanese Samurai as my favorite military tradition. This isn't to take anything away from anyone else but, let's face it- just look at the Spartans- those initimidating helms with the decortive plummage, the phalanx formation, the shields and of course the "Come back with shield in hand or on it" C'MON!! Are you kidding me- what can be better than that?????????? We are talking about a military tradition where 300 THREE HUNDRED men stood against suicidal odds and knew they were going to die but took it on anyway. I have a hard enough time keeping three or four college graduates awake and focused during my audits- I cannot fathom the motivator Leonidas must have been- shame, the guy could have made a mint on the "motivational speaker" circuit. :D

Just curious what tradtions everyone else is really inspired by.
 
When Shaka was training his impis he told them to throw away their sandals. he then made them do a war dance on thorns. If you did not dance with enough enthusiasm you were put to death. The Zulu impis were almost as fast as cavalry in the broken terrain of Zululand.
Regards
Damian Clarke
 
For me, the Roman Legions, the Scottish Highlanders and the U.S. Marines would make the top of the list (in no particular order).
 
I have to go with the US Navy, here. From its beginning in the 1790's (I don't count the Continental and State Navies of ARW) it has always been characterized by professionalism, and a lot of really good stories come out of its history. Even while the US Army repeatedly displayed total incompetence in the early years of the US, the Navy did well, and was usually successful.
(I suppose I include US marines in here, since their histories are intertwined).
 
Robert E. Lee said:
The Confederate Infantry

Glad your back Chris:D
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Thanks bud- I was in GBurg over the weekend and I saw a sign "The Headquarters of Robert E Lee"- it was a stone building- I was going to snap a pic and send it to you but, alas, I was behind the wheel driving my battlecruiser through the narrow streets of GBurg
 
Alright man, them's is fighting words!!!
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The US Army is currently the World's premier fighting force! :)

But back from the 1790's to the War of 1812, it didn't do so well. Granted, this was largely due to the militias it had to work with, but you gotta admit, it didn't do so well in the war, nor did it perform well until Anthony Wayne took over during Little Turtle's War.
 
Tex said:
The US Army is currently the World's premier fighting force! :)

But back from the 1790's to the War of 1812, it didn't do so well. Granted, this was largely due to the militias it had to work with, but you gotta admit, it didn't do so well in the war, nor did it perform well until Anthony Wayne took over during Little Turtle's War.
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Rock on Bro!!! Second to none!!!

Well, those were our rebuilding years- every dynasty has it's peaks and valleys :D:D
 
Tex said:
Even while the US Army repeatedly displayed total incompetence in the early years of the US,
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Aaaaah....the wisdom of youth sometimes comes shining through like the blinding white light of truth......Ooooops, guess I'm for it now....!!!! Be gentle with me respondees.....I'm just a sensitive wee lad.....
LOL. :eek::eek::p:D:D
 
Currahee Chris said:
I have broke the Defense Budget gobbling up Ken's Greek warriors (East of India)- in fact, I may have to float some debt instruments to the Chinese if I keep buying at this pace.

I sat at my table here the other evening just admiring the Greek Heavy Infantry that I had just purchased and it got me to wondering- what is my favorite military tradition?? What soldiers, in my opinion, CLEARLY stand apart from the others.

I thought on it for awhile and the ancient Greeks hold an ever so slight edge over the Feudal Japanese Samurai as my favorite military tradition. This isn't to take anything away from anyone else but, let's face it- just look at the Spartans- those initimidating helms with the decortive plummage, the phalanx formation, the shields and of course the "Come back with shield in hand or on it" C'MON!! Are you kidding me- what can be better than that?????????? We are talking about a military tradition where 300 THREE HUNDRED men stood against suicidal odds and knew they were going to die but took it on anyway. I have a hard enough time keeping three or four college graduates awake and focused during my audits- I cannot fathom the motivator Leonidas must have been- shame, the guy could have made a mint on the "motivational speaker" circuit. :D

Just curious what tradtions everyone else is really inspired by.
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When you said “traditions” I thought you meant regimental traditions – such as the Cameronians always mounting an armed guard at Church Parade, a tradition from their formation during the religious wars in Scotland. Or the regiment whose officers eat in the mess armed with sabres, from the time when they were attacked by Red Indians during their service in North America.

Or the more modern tradition of the Household cavalryman who sneaks out early on Christmas morning to tie a nosebag round the neck of the bronze horse carrying the bronze Duke of Cambridge. The original horse was a household cavalryhorse, so someone decided he should have a Christmas present – and every year he gets one. Or look at my article on Sefton’s Saddle, a tradition from the last years of the 20th century that will probably last for several centuries. Every regiment has its own traditions, however I think you are writing of courage and bravery in battle.

All British troops are expected to show courage and determination – which is why the highest military award is not for courage or bravery but “For Valour”. There are three hundred and fifty years of examples to choose from, from that first Battle Honour The Defence of Tangier to The Gulf.

The comment on Scarlett reminds me that when the grey whiskered officer gave the order to wheel and charge his men were crossing the remnants of vineyard. They had to watch their horses’ hooves amongst the stumps and it took a few minutes for them to wheel, form and charge. During that time Scarlett had wheeled and was charging sword extended, just behind him was his ADC and close behind the regimental trumpeter. Three men led by a grey haired officer who had never fired a shot in anger charged 3000 Russian heavy cavalry.

Shortly after they were joined by the Heavy brigade, the ‘Skins and the Greys who had charged together at Waterloo , but that as they say is another story.

It was not only Spartans who could show iron discipline. During the same war as Scarlett’s charge Sir Colin Campbell called out to the 93rd telling them they must die where they stood. “Aye, Sir Colin, we can do that” came the answer from the ranks. And what about Grenville and his small crew, outnumbered 53 ships to one, fighting the might of the Spanish navy alone, rather than leave their shipmates.
 
Bob said:
When you said “traditions” I thought you meant regimental traditions –

It was not only Spartans who could show iron discipline. During the same war as Scarlett’s charge Sir Colin Campbell called out to the 93rd telling them they must die where they stood. “Aye, Sir Colin, we can do that” came the answer from the ranks. And what about Grenville and his small crew, outnumbered 53 ships to one, fighting the might of the Spanish navy alone, rather than leave their shipmates.
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Hey Bob-

Yeah- I agree- it is kind of a misnomer- I posted it at like 3 or so in the morning while at work- pretty exhausted- perhaps warrior culture or ideology would have made more sense.

Certainly though, the Spartans do not have the market cornered on bravery and/ or courage under fire. I personally don't try to "glorify" war- I think it-war- is pretty pointless- If something is to be glorified out of the situation, it is the honor and the courage of the ordinary men and women who deliver the impossible when asked to.

But anyway, I digress- I just know the other night I was setting up my East of India Greeks and was just getting caught up in their "Warrior ethos" and how much of it still survives today. Looking back on their culture, it was a pretty fantastic period that does spark the imagination- in my opinion anyway.

Thank you for your response- I love hearing the various traditions like you had discussed.

CC
 
There's a story you might enjoy of the Old Zurich War in which the Swiss fought the French at the St Jacob Hospital. When the Swiss ran out of oarrows they pulled them from their bodies to fire back. OUtnumbered they were all killed save 10 - who went home to be reviled as to why they did not die with their comrades.
The French were so impressed they hired them and began that long association between the Swiss and France - the Swiss probably being the finest troops in the French army, although some will want that honour for the Irish. Just that the Swiss were there two centuries earlier (some might say the Scots were the finest troops in the French army but I digress).
Can probably find a copy of an old article on this

Ten went home from the Hospital - Heredotus tells an intersting story about 2 Spartans both suffering with eye problems -cant remembr the first name but he had his slave lead him into battle and blind he fought the Persians until killed. The other - Aristodemos - did not fight. He was refused fire and water througout Sparta. He was in the first rank at Platea to regain his name
 
Bob said:
There's a story you might enjoy of the Old Zurich War in which the Swiss fought the French at the St Jacob Hospital. When the Swiss ran out of oarrows they pulled them from their bodies to fire back. OUtnumbered they were all killed save 10 - who went home to be reviled as to why they did not die with their comrades.
The French were so impressed they hired them and began that long association between the Swiss and France - the Swiss probably being the finest troops in the French army, although some will want that honour for the Irish. Just that the Swiss were there two centuries earlier (some might say the Scots were the finest troops in the French army but I digress).
Can probably find a copy of an old article on this

Ten went home from the Hospital - Heredotus tells an intersting story about 2 Spartans both suffering with eye problems -cant remembr the first name but he had his slave lead him into battle and blind he fought the Persians until killed. The other - Aristodemos - did not fight. He was refused fire and water througout Sparta. He was in the first rank at Platea to regain his name
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Bob-thanks for the stories. I had heard of that battle that the Swiss were in but had forgotten it- getting old I guess:D

Not sure if you saw "300"- but Frank Miller was trying to use Aristodemos there during the battle and of course, that was him at Platea there at the end of the movie- a bit fanciful but truly a fun film.

Always wondered about those poor guys who got scorned by their societies- I mean what if you got thumped on the head and knocked out during the battle and the enemy just assumed you were dead. Later, you regain conciousness a day or 2 later- especially if you were one of the frontline troops but some schmuck gets hit by an arrow at the onset of the battle. The guy who gets knocked unconsious may fight like a man possessed but the one guy who got hit with the arrow could have been hundreds of yards from the fight-:eek::confused:
 
One of my (and just about everybody's) favorite British military stories is the Charge of the Light Brigade. Of the two Tennyson poems about Balacava, I prefer the Charge of the Heavy Brigade, particularly a line that describes one of my foreign policy beliefs:

"Involving ours--he needs must fight
To make true peace his own.
He needs must combat Might with Might
Or Might would rule alone..."
 
I know that they have a bad rep now, but the IDF has more than proved that they have the warrior ethos and that Jews can fight. Especially there armour and paras.
Steve
 
Aren't their main battle tanks a copied German or NATO design? I know the Kfir (Mirage III) jets they have were produced quasi-legally.
 
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