Posted: August 10, 1999 at 04:07:01: by Martin
: : Faramir's men were engaging in guerilla warfare. Heavy armors would have been a distinct disadvantage for them, and I believe Tolkien eschewed describing armor for them for that reason.: : Their tactics need not be based directly on modern warfare techniques, however. Classical (and perhaps medieval) writers record ambushes very similar to that set up by Faramir. I know that Roman cohorts were wiped out by the Celts of Britain in this way on more than one occasion. : >> I seem to remember Germanic tribes employing something similar- I think it was at a place called Teutoburger Wald, ever heard of that? : (tongue in cheek, I wrote my BA thesis on that battle and ensuing campaign). : ;-) palle "Varus give me back my legions!" - The sound of Augustus' head hitting the door frame.
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