Carrying on from our chat last week about the Highland Divisions, here is a picture of members of the 26th Brigade, 9th Div in 1916 during the Battle of Bazentin.

Enjoy, Tiki.

Interesting, no kilt covers or leather sporran. I guess some did and some didn't, although I would have thought kilt covers to be a sensible piece of kit given the climate.

Look at the ruts that the wagons left. It must have been tough moving equipment in that muddy terrain.

gotta love that. only thing missing on those boys is a claymore (not the mine).
I wonder how classic broadsword technique would fare vs German bayonet doctrine?

Having done a bit of practical fencing in both the Western martial traditions and Chinese, you might as well have said Claymore vs Bread Knife!

I prefer the Mortuary Sword myself.

Tiki.

I used to fense epee. What is Mortuary sword?

Mortuary sword sounds fatal to me.

Most of my fencing in recent years has been with sharps ... I am actively engaged in the reconstruction and study of the traditional Western sword fighting arts; that means fencing with battle ready live blades. My favourite swords are those of the period of the English Civil War ... notably those carried by Oliver Cromwell - these were called Mortuary Hilt Swords.

Here is a picture to give you an idea ...



Best, Tiki.

I never realized how developed during the early middle ages the martial art/science of the broadsword, etc was - til I stumbled across some stuff somewhere - and there were 13th century elaborate manuals on various series of moves with these huge broadswords. It was fascinating. Have you heard of the underground broadsword fight clubs in Germany? They sharpen, if I have the right info, the last six inches, wear leather armor and tie a heavy cloth around their necks and go full tilt! UCSD's Saber instructor from decades ago moved to our area a few years ago and was going to take our epee club to new heights, but my schedule crowded it out of my life before I could get in on it.

Ok, Tik, besides pubside conversations on history of religions/spirituality, now we will have to include a melee if I ever get to the Blue Mts