04-07-2007, 09:08 PM
Alexandr,
I agree that bayonet combat is a very specialized subject unto itself.
As you mention at the end of your last post, fighting with armour and shield may well have been a different experience, especially if neither side has significant missile weapons available.
With a big shield and an eight foot spear, standing 4 feet away from your enemy might well be the equivalent of having having a musket and shooting at enemies 50 feet away - and we agree that kind of combat was quite common.
Whereas, actually banging your shield on your enemies, and trying to kill him with a short sword (very short, if you are a Spartan) might have the same psychological impact that bayonetting an enemy would have for an 18th century grenadier.
I agree that bayonet combat is a very specialized subject unto itself.
As you mention at the end of your last post, fighting with armour and shield may well have been a different experience, especially if neither side has significant missile weapons available.
With a big shield and an eight foot spear, standing 4 feet away from your enemy might well be the equivalent of having having a musket and shooting at enemies 50 feet away - and we agree that kind of combat was quite common.
Whereas, actually banging your shield on your enemies, and trying to kill him with a short sword (very short, if you are a Spartan) might have the same psychological impact that bayonetting an enemy would have for an 18th century grenadier.
Felix Wang
