How Did Armies Keep Archers Supplied With Arrows While Fighting?

Slate ^ | July 27, 2015 | By Stephen Tempest

[central_va]

Tracer rounds.

[RedStateRocker]

Wouldn’t the Roman Empire had need of these, and many other things, on a scale that would dwarf anything in Europe at that time?

[TigersEye]

And where did they get the rubber tomahawks?

[BigCinBigD]

Bass Pro Shop?

[AppyPappy]

Tweetsie Railroad

[AzSteven]

Strangely, the Romans were not much into archery or bows - missile troops tended to be drawn from auxilliaries from conquered provinces, client states or even mercenary formations. The Romans were, however, into heavier weapons like the ballista, as well as thrown darts and the famous pilum.

However, digs at several long-term legionary forts in Germany and the UK have found the remnants of facilities for mass producing pila and ballista darts, and it would not be terribly surprising if they could also crank out large numbers of arrows for the auxilliaries.

[InvisibleChurch]

the enemy would find that offensive

[wtd]

"We simply don’t understand how good ancient archers were. We are now relearning their secrets. This Dane is making it happen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zGnxeSbb3g He’s the best “real combat” archer in the world."

That was awesome. Thanks for posting.

[elcid1970]

History channel did a show on the weapons used at Agincourt. How longbows were made, what wood they were cut from, was an English archer able to have five arrows in the air at once, etc.

The arrows were designed to be armor-piercing with a heavier than normal warhead (?) that imparted greater momentum. Launched by longbow with a high trajectory, these English arrows pierced French breastplates with great effectiveness.

The French had Venetian crossbowmen whose bolts were also effective against plate armor but they took much longer to recock using a two-handed winch. Advantage: England.

[TigersEye]

lol

[tumblindice]

They bought great lots from Viking businessmen?

[Covenantor]

Those would be bodkin points.

[vetvetdoug]

With all of those arrows in the air, the French fought in the shade.

[TexasGator]

“That would have been a lot of arrows... “

You are assuming the French fired back ...

[MrB]

Pull ‘em out of the dead guy next to you

[RJS1950]

I might try to find the article. I’ve subscribed since 1964 and have all of those issues stored.

[DUMBGRUNT]

And the Iranian, who claimed he could darken the sky with arrows?

The logistics would be complicated and difficult to sustain.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Ha!

[Steely Tom]

It would have been sometime between 1975 and 1985, I believe. Sorry I can’t narrow it down more, but they published an index every six months (as you probably know).

[SoCal Pubbie]

The Romans weren’t big on cavalry either. I believe many of their horsemen were auxiliaries also. Heavy infantry was their forte.