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Miniatures Adventure => Interwar => Topic started by: Geudens on 28 February 2013, 08:55:48 AM

Title: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Geudens on 28 February 2013, 08:55:48 AM
This might give you some scrachtbuilding ideas for VBCW:

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/02/diy-weapons-of-the-syrian-rebels/100461/
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Rob_bresnen on 28 February 2013, 09:11:38 AM
wow that is awesome- thanks for the link. What incredible ingenuity showed there. Some very brave (or desperate) individuals there, especially the ones who gather up unexploded bombs to make extract the explosives for their own missiles.
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Arlequín on 28 February 2013, 10:37:58 AM
That was something else... I know the Viet Cong used to recycle US munitions, but actually seeing someone 'cooking' a pot of explosives, ready to pour into a shell is sobering, let alone that they get the explosives out the same way.
:o
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: joroas on 28 February 2013, 10:50:28 AM
Amzing stuff, almost out of the ancient era, their distant ancestors would recognise those weapons.....
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: former user on 28 February 2013, 12:07:22 PM
isn't it bizarre how inventive people get when it comes to killing each other....
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: former user on 28 February 2013, 12:21:09 PM
interesting
I'd like to read that too
where?
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: joroas on 28 February 2013, 12:32:34 PM
If Necessity is the mother of Invention, do I assume that Warfare is the father?
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: FramFramson on 28 February 2013, 01:59:56 PM
I have read arguments that the desire to slaughter your fellow man more efficiently has been the pre-eminent spur to technological development since the pointed stick.

But what if a man attacks you with fresh fruit?
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: joroas on 28 February 2013, 02:03:28 PM
Quote
George: Now, come off it, sir -- what about Mboto Gorge, for heaven's sake?
 
Edmund: Yes, that was a bit of a nasty one -- ten thousand Watusi warriors
        armed to the teeth with kiwi fruit and guava halves. After the battle,
        instead of taking prisoners, we simply made a huge fruit salad. No,
        when I joined up, I never imagined anything as awful as this war.

Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Arlequín on 28 February 2013, 02:10:09 PM
interesting
I'd like to read that too
where?

It's a common throwaway line found in a number of places, none of which spring to mind right now.

I'd say that technology certainly progresses more quickly during wartime, but indeed many of the common items we use on a daily basis have their origins in an item with a military application. Only the 'Space Race' has resulted in an equivalent number of items and that of course was a development of V-weapon research itself.
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: former user on 28 February 2013, 02:36:00 PM
it is actually a serious research question when the first warfare between humans can be evidenced.
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Traveler Man on 28 February 2013, 03:00:42 PM
An extraordinary collection of images.  :o I can certainly see the scope for AVBCW/SCW scratchbuilds. Sobering to think those weapons are being used even now. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Red Orc on 28 February 2013, 09:26:45 PM
But what if a man attacks you with fresh fruit?


"Ooh, ooh, ooh; want to learn how to defend yourself against pointed sticks, do we? Getting all high and mighty, eh? Fresh fruit not good enough for you, eh? Well let me tell you something my lad! When you're walking home tonight and some great homicidal maniac comes after YOU with a bunch of loganberries, don't come cryin' to me!"

 ;)
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Arlequín on 28 February 2013, 11:21:10 PM
it is actually a serious research question when the first warfare between humans can be evidenced.

Well Ötzi the Iceman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi) had an arrow lodged in his shoulder and he was from 3,000+ B.C.E. But that could have been just plain murder. It depends what you define as war; two small tribes fighting over territory/hunting grounds/women/whatever? Or must there be two proto-societies, however crude or unorganised, to count as 'War'


"Ooh, ooh, ooh; want to learn how to defend yourself against pointed sticks, do we? Getting all high and mighty, eh? Fresh fruit not good enough for you, eh? Well let me tell you something my lad! When you're walking home tonight and some great homicidal maniac comes after YOU with a bunch of loganberries, don't come cryin' to me!"
 ;)
.

The Tiger however, does not relish the peach!  :D
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Red Orc on 28 February 2013, 11:46:26 PM
Well Ötzi the Iceman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi) had an arrow lodged in his shoulder and he was from 3,000+ B.C.E. But that could have been just plain murder...

The whole narrative about Ötzi is very much disputed by archaeologists. As is what might be considered evidence for war.

It depends what you define as war; two small tribes fighting over territory/hunting grounds/women/whatever? Or must there be two proto-societies, however crude or unorganised, to count as 'War'...

I've had many a discussion over exactly that question.

...The Tiger however, does not relish the peach!  :D

That's why I always carry a crocodile.
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Hamilkar on 01 March 2013, 01:30:14 AM
Great stuff, love the creativity of the Syrians. 
Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: former user on 01 March 2013, 04:50:48 AM
I am not sure if I do not digress too much if I start sketching out the archaeological discourse about prehistoric warfare.

Anyway, the pictures from Syria are real informative, but I must admit that I fail to grasp in how far they inspire to scratch building something. is it about the improvised weapons? I found these rubber band catapults, well funny is not the exact description when it comes to lobbing explosives, didn't we have such things in WW I ?

Title: Re: A very Syrian civil war...
Post by: Arlequín on 01 March 2013, 11:20:16 AM
I am not sure if I do not digress too much if I start sketching out the archaeological discourse about prehistoric warfare.

Anyway, the pictures from Syria are real informative, but I must admit that I fail to grasp in how far they inspire to scratch building something. is it about the improvised weapons? I found these rubber band catapults, well funny is not the exact description when it comes to lobbing explosives, didn't we have such things in WW I ?

I think it would be a digression too far, even for one of the boards I moderate.  lol  A fitting topic for 'Open Talk' though and one I should imagine a few members will contribute to.

You're right though, catapults like the ones pictured were used in the Great War and the Trench Mortar was built on their success. Similar weapons, along with a few other novel designs, very much like the Syrians are doing now, were constructed all over the UK during the 'Invasion Scare' of 1940 too.