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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 18:55:21 GMT -5
Post by Sir John on Apr 7, 2013 18:55:21 GMT -5
Hitler was not in his right mind.
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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 19:17:04 GMT -5
Post by Sir John on Apr 7, 2013 19:17:04 GMT -5
I would hate to have been one of Hitlers Generals in WW2.
I can imagine my reaction to the suggestion that we invade Russia. I would have been in front of a firing squad that same day.
SJ
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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 19:36:34 GMT -5
Post by Swampy on Apr 7, 2013 19:36:34 GMT -5
I would have been fascinated by the challenge. They estimated 200 divisions, if I remember correctly, but, a few months after invading, General Halder said they've identified 350 divisions already.
The other problem, of course, was the geography - not only was Russia long, it was a steppe that widened the further east the invaders went, which meant their front would be spread ever broader, dissipating their forces.
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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 19:41:13 GMT -5
Post by Sir John on Apr 7, 2013 19:41:13 GMT -5
Like the wise man said, Russia's two greatest generals were General Miles, and General Winter.
SJ
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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 19:45:57 GMT -5
Post by Swampy on Apr 7, 2013 19:45:57 GMT -5
Like the wise man said, Russia's two greatest generals were General Miles, and General Winter. Hence the challenge, as in, can Russia be conquered despite those two?
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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 20:04:34 GMT -5
Post by Sir John on Apr 7, 2013 20:04:34 GMT -5
In a word,
NO!
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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 20:33:41 GMT -5
Post by Swampy on Apr 7, 2013 20:33:41 GMT -5
I'm not so sure, SJ. If they had focused their efforts on one thrust, going straight for Moscow, and, if they had not wasted their time in Africa, putting another handful of divisions at the front, they may have taken the Kremlin and negotiated for peace.
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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 20:43:29 GMT -5
Post by Sir John on Apr 7, 2013 20:43:29 GMT -5
#8,
A direct thrust from Germany etc to Moscow would have exposed 1000 miles or more of flank to be attacked, probably from both sides.
SJ
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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 20:44:43 GMT -5
Post by Sir John on Apr 7, 2013 20:44:43 GMT -5
#9,
How many tanks and planes did the Mongols have? And i think they came from the opposite direction.
SJ
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Moscow
Apr 7, 2013 21:33:10 GMT -5
Post by Swampy on Apr 7, 2013 21:33:10 GMT -5
Mule has a good point.
If the Mongols could do it without airplanes or armored vehicles, why can't a modern army do it with airplanes and armored vehicles?
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Moscow
Apr 8, 2013 0:35:22 GMT -5
Post by mcnoch on Apr 8, 2013 0:35:22 GMT -5
1.) the scale was much smaller back then, needing less logistics, 2.) there was no coordinated defense, they could do it city by city, village by village, 3.) they were used and equiped for the envrionment, 4.) the Mongols never occupied the land in the same way as the Europeans did. It was more or less a big Chevauchée, securing the local subjugation and moving on. Only in some areas they stayed longer. In the other areas, it was enough to show up or come close every few years, to secure the tribut payments for the next years.
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Moscow
Apr 8, 2013 17:48:41 GMT -5
Post by Sir John on Apr 8, 2013 17:48:41 GMT -5
Swampy,
I do not think the 'Compound' bow was invented/accepted until the late '60s I think, about the time I took up the sport. Prior to that it was the 'recurve' bow, and before that the 'Longbow'.
In fact, the 'Compound' was banned by FITA for some years and is now a separate comp within competitive Archery.
SJ
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Moscow
Apr 8, 2013 18:06:18 GMT -5
Post by Sir John on Apr 8, 2013 18:06:18 GMT -5
The laminated bow has been around for a long time, and virtually all recurves are laminated.
I shall have to talk to my good friends Mr Google. My memory is not what it was.
SJ
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Moscow
Apr 8, 2013 21:28:14 GMT -5
Post by Swampy on Apr 8, 2013 21:28:14 GMT -5
I'm not into archery - I'd rather play with a sniper rifle.
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Moscow
Apr 9, 2013 15:13:38 GMT -5
Post by Sir John on Apr 9, 2013 15:13:38 GMT -5
Archery is far more of a personal and physical challenge than a long range rifle and scope.
A man that brings down a deer (or a man) at 600 yards, that does not even know he is in danger, is no great feat. Try doing that with a bow.
SJ
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