FReeper Canteen ~ Part VII of The Mongols ~ December 21, 2004

www.coldsiberia.org ^ | December 21, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

ANCIENT WARFARE





Part VII of The Mongols

cont'd Mongolian Bow: The Shooting

The Old Mongols have their own technique for shooting, known as the "Mongolian release." The Mongols, if right-handed, keep their bow in the left hand, pushes it forward as the right arm pulls the string all the way back to behind the ear. The left arm is now fully extended, and the release is near. However, now comes an interesting part. Since this bow has immense power, the Mongols have to use a special technique to hold the string during the drawing of the bow and before the arrow is released. The technique is as follows: The string is held by the thumb, since this is the strongest finger. Still, it is not easy to hold 166 pounds comfortably. Thus, the thumb is supported with the index finger curling around, placed atop the outermost joint, exactly at the base of the nail. The other fingers are also curled, forming a fist. Even so, this is not enough. Hence, the Mongols use a special ring on which the string is hooked before release. This thumb ring, a cylinder that fits around the outer part of the thumb and protects its pad from damage as the string is released, is typically made from Chinese jade or agate, but leather, metal and bone is also known to have been used.

Mongolian soldiers used to shoot while sitting on horseback, and with deadly accuracy. This was done by skilfully timing the shots to the moment when the hooves of the horse were in mid-air, so as to avoid disturbing the aim when they hit the ground.

The Arrows

Birch is a typical material for arrows too. The normal length of an arrow is between 80 and 100 cm, and the shaft's diameter is around 10 mm.

As for fletchings, tail feathers of crane are favored, but tail feathers of all birds are usable. Eagle feathers make a particularly exclusive arrow, but since eagles are rare most arrows obviously cannot have fletchings from eagle's tail feathers. Feathers taken from the wings are said to flow less smoothly through the air, so if given the choice tail feathers are picked. The Mongols characteristically pay close attention to minutest of details. The placement of the fletchings in relation to their size, and what part of the bird they were taken from, is of great importance for correct rotation and good balance in the air. Consequently these factors are painstakingly considered when making arrows after the Old Mongol standard.

The arrowheads, or points, could be everything from wide metal blades used for big game (or in war) to bone and wooden points, which are used for hunting birds and small animals. The high impact of this bow ensures that a bony point will be lethal when hitting the body of a smaller animal or a bird. In addition to these kinds of arrows, whistling arrows are useful during hunting, because the effect on animals of an arrow whistling away high above the ground is often to make it stop, curious to see what is in the air. This gives the hunter time to launch a second arrow, this time with a game head to kill the animal. How are these whistling arrows made? They are made by inserting an arrowhead of bone in which air channels have been created. When shot, such arrowheads make a very audible sound through the air.

Source: http://www.coldsiberia.org/monbow.htm

Next Tuesday Part VIII of The Mongols

[Lady Jag]

Yeah, but you post really touching stories, thanks!

That's a true compliment coming from you. Thank you!

[AZamericonnie]

Hi-Jinx
Here's a tissue alert! I don't know if it has already been posted before...I just recieved it today.

A stunning tribute! To all who serve, may we strive to be worthy.

http://www.soldierworks.com/191/untilthen.swf

[USAF_TSgt]

I can't imagine what life was like before my 256 MB flashdrive. Of course, now I see 1 GB flashdrives for the same price as my 256 MB just two, maybe three months ago!

[E.G.C.]

Good afternoon, Old Sarge. How's it going?

[beachn4fun]

me too! I'll see you tomorrow!

[Lady Jag]

CYA, Count Your Assets, too, Shaggy!

[HiJinx]

Oh, man...thanks!

This is the first time I've had this posted while I was home and could listen to it.

Wow...powerful stuff...

[AZamericonnie]

Powerfull indeed. I shouldn't watch these things at work...people come in & wonder why I have tears in my eyes! Did you take the week off?

[blackie]

The Mongols and hot drinks and sweets with Tonk ~ Bump!

[blackie]

Hot black coffee with Kathy ~ Bump!

[HiJinx]

No, just this afternoon...a sneaky winter cold slapped me upside the head last night, and I decided that now is as good a time as any to stay home and let it run its course.

It also gives me a chance to go to the Post Office and mail a package, shop for one or two more last-minute gifts, wrap gifts that have been hiding in my sock drawer for a month (wonder if Mrs. HJ found those?), and spend an afternoon being lazy with my granddaughter. Well, maybe not that last...don't want to give her my cold!

[AZamericonnie]

That doesn't sound very restfull to me! I hope your all better soo...you've gotta get better before Christmas!

[HiJinx]

Eating a bowl of hot chicken soup right now!

[Lady Jag]

See ya and have a great afternoon!

[Radix]

 

Sgt. Bill Whittaker, with the 361st Psychological Operations Battalion, shakes hands with a young Iraqi man in Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 13. Whittaker was handing out fliers with important information for Iraqi citizens as he conducted a foot patrol. 

 

Sgt. 1st Class Eugene Hicks, a member of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team, kneels at a security post in Mosul, Iraq, on Dec. 10. 

 

Spc. Charlie Massingill, of Waco, Texas, a team leader with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, conducts a dismounted patrol of an apartment complex in Baghdad with his team on Wednesday.

Members of a U.S. honor guard salute at the Mardasson War Memorial monument in Bastogne, Belgium, on Saturday. King Albert II and other dignitaries marked the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge on Saturday, honoring thousands of American soldiers who died fighting Nazi Germany's desperate bid to stop the Allied advance across Western Europe during World War II. 

 

Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Recruit Jason Vach, assigned to the ‘Swordsmen’ of Fighter Squadron Three Two (VF-32), cleans the canopy of an F-14B Tomcat on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Persian Gulf on Dec. 9.

Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Megan Truncer, assigned to the ‘Dusty Dogs’ of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Seven (HS-7) gives the signal to the pilot of an MH-53E Sea Dragon that he is clear for takeoff from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the Persian Gulf on Dec. 6. 

 

Staff Sgt. John Christian, foreground, salutes as Airman 1st Class Curtis Latham, left, and Kristin Ruleau, members of the base’s Blue Knights Honor Guard, lower the flag to half-mast in honor of fallen airmen during the 32nd anniversary of the Arch Light Memorial ceremony on Friday at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Staff Sgt. Eric Croughwell, an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crew chief from the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, inspects his helicopter after returning from a mission to Clark Airfield, Philippines. 

Curt Anderson, Englewood, Colorado, a U.S. Marine from 3rd battalion, 1st Marines, gets ready for patrol in the Iraqi town of Falluja, 30 miles west of Baghdad, December 21, 2004.

Just another day at the office for our Troops.

 

[Lady Jag]

How about a Kodak moment or two from you? Why do we have to wait till Jan. 19?

You should play it safe on leaving ahead of the storm. Remember that weather forecasting is low on accuracy.

[Lady Jag]

Hey, Sarge, I can getcha one of these if you want.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Radix, for today's pictures of our troops at work. Please, God, may loved ones see loved ones.

[StarCMC]

:o) I am preparing th "P" list -- anything P or after is appreciated!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

beachie.....#150!!