Lances at San Pascual

[kronckew]

yes, the swiss made mincemeat of the overconfident austrian knights in a number of battles. they were assisted by skillful use of anti-armour defences like caltrops and lillies (small pits with spikes in the bottom) and use of the terrain to funnel and slow the knights to their doom. once immobile the halberders could hook them off their horses, their western lances were no longer maneuverable and the long hafted spiked axes outreached their swords,maces and hammers. the swiss were well practiced, using their halberds as farm implements when not fighting to build up their skills & muscles... every swiss still takes his weapon home with him when he leaves the army and forms the reserve. there is the old story of a german ambassador to switzerland viewing a shutzenfest with the swiss defence minister, he happened to mention that the germans had a professional army of two million men waiting on the swiss border and switzerland only had a population of one million, what could he do if they invade? the minister said 'shoot twice and go home'. the germans never invaded.


short lances. - boarding pikes!

still a USN issue weapon

Pike drill, USS Constitution, which is still in commission.