Most Popular
1500 questions
19
votes
4 answers
Do any historians consider superior German airpower as the most important factor in the Battle of France?
In the Battle of France, the Allies and Germans had roughly equal number of divisions and troops, and the Allies actually had more artillery and tanks. But the one area where the Germans had a clear superiority was airpower, with roughly a two to…
Tom Au
- 104,554
- 17
- 253
- 530
19
votes
4 answers
Why was Eisenhower chosen to be Supreme Allied Commander in Europe?
Dwight D. Eisenhower "Ike", graduated from West Point in 1915 ranked 61st in a class of 164 better known for his abilities on the football field than in the classroom. Upon graduation from West Point he seriously considered a civilian life, rather…
user27618
19
votes
4 answers
Why did few French and no Dutch pilots (but many Poles and Czechs) take part in the Battle of Britain?
Among the non-British pilots, at least 141 were Polish, 84 Czech and 28 Belgian, but only 13 were French and none were Dutch, Norwegian or Danish.
The reasons why there were many Polish, Czech and Commonwealth pilots are clear enough, as are the…
Lars Bosteen
- 107,936
- 20
- 483
- 554
19
votes
2 answers
What is the meaning of a glove on the tail of monsters in illuminated manuscripts?
I've seen several images from illuminated manuscripts depicting odd-looking creatures with gloves showing two raised fingers on their tails:
What is the meaning if this device?
orome
- 1,026
- 7
- 19
19
votes
1 answer
What is the silver object on the desk and what is 'Elizabeth I' doing with it?
Hollywood movies have never been known for their historical accuracy, which is often sacrificed in the pursuit of entertainment, and the plot & script of the 1939 film 'The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex' take more liberties than…
Lars Bosteen
- 107,936
- 20
- 483
- 554
19
votes
3 answers
Did Truman really believe that Hiroshima was a military base?
Harry Truman claimed, in his July 25, 1945 diary entry, that:
I have told [Stimson] to use [the first nuclear bomb] so that military objectives and soldiers and sailors are the target and not women and children. Even if the Japs are savages,…
user2848
19
votes
2 answers
What crops were part of the medieval spring harvest?
I am listening to a lecture series and the professor mentioned a "spring harvest" starting in mid to late March. I think this is a mistake - the winter crops were not harvested until the Summer - but I could be wrong.
was there a spring harvest?…
cwallenpoole
- 843
- 4
- 13
19
votes
2 answers
When did nonporous ceramic become widespread?
Nonporous ceramic (glazed earthenware, stoneware and porcelain) has the advantage that it doesn't absorb water and today it's vastly predominant.
Since pottery manufacturing started with earthenware biscuit (non-glazed and therefore porous…
Fructibus
- 465
- 4
- 14
19
votes
3 answers
Did Julius Caesar say: "Africa, I have grabbed you"?
Someone once told me that when Julius Caesar stepped off the boat onto the North African shore, he tripped and landed flat on his face, to which he then said (in an amazing comeback to onlookers trying hard not to laugh):
"Africa, I have grabbed…
ezra
- 1,315
- 2
- 11
- 21
19
votes
2 answers
Was mortality higher on French slave ships and if so, why?
I was recently at the African American museum; part of the large history exhibit included a wall of slave-bearing ships with the name, dates, and flag under which the ship sailed. I noticed a pattern: most of the ships killed between 1/4 and 1/3 of…
anon
- 191
- 2
- 4
19
votes
2 answers
What did the average German citizen know about the war?
How much did the average German citizen know about the advancements and losses of the German armed forces; more specifically, did the citizens know in 1943 to 1945 that German forces were being pushed back on all fronts? What did German news papers…
Erich
- 191
- 3
19
votes
6 answers
Was there significant interbreeding between Romans and Native Britons?
During the days of Roman occupation in Britain (43AD to 450AD), did the Roman occupants of Britain interbreed and intermarry with the native British population substantially (is not only a couple of cases but repeatedly)? If so, to what extent was…
Charlie
- 2,999
- 3
- 19
- 35
19
votes
5 answers
Was Russia the only country in WWII that succeeded in expansionist war aims?
Germany, Italy, Russia, and Japan all initiated combat against peaceful countries for the clear purpose of territorial expansion. Of these only Russia ended the war with more territory than it started with. Were there any other countries that did so…
Readin
- 441
- 3
- 10
19
votes
2 answers
Are there non-Biblical references to collecting foreskins?
The Old Testament is awfully big on foreskins (e.g. Genesis 34 and 1 Samuel 18:27). In particular, the Israelites are fond of collecting the foreskins of their enemies, usually after they have been slain, but occasionally beforehand.
It's such a…
David
- 465
- 3
- 6
19
votes
1 answer
Is this anecdote about Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill true?
The first time I heard the story about the plans for German officers once the surrender happened was that Stalin wanted to summarily execute 50 thousand of them, Churchill was very angry about this idea and Roosevelt jokingly tried to diffuse the…
Jeff
- 3,783
- 1
- 18
- 32