The ask a Historical Question thread

[OttoFIN]

Did Normandy's infrastructure evolve after WWII? How much different could the modern maps be from WWII ones of Normandy?

[Black Watch 1745]

  I cannot be certain but I imagine that the road system would have improved somewhat since 1945, that being more tarmacked roads and perhaps slightly more of them. Railways again I am not too sure about, I don't know if the French had an equivalent of a Dr Beeching so they might have kept more of their lines open. Buildings would be different in some places as many would have been rebuilt after the war and the population has grown a little since 1945 (I think the population of France was somewhere around 40 million in the 1940's and it now stands at 65 million, don't know about Normandy specifically though).
  I would guess the modern day maps would not be too far off, the settlements and the location of many roads would be the same.

[The Mighty McLovin]

Does anyone have a high resolution picture of Edourd Detaille's painting "The Hunt for Information"? I think that's the name of it, though if it isn't its along them lines. Its in a book of mine but I cant seem to find it online. Basically, its dragoon officers questioning civilians at a windmill for more information.

[Volk]

Does anyone have a high resolution picture of Edourd Detaille's painting "The Hunt for Information"? I think that's the name of it, though if it isn't its along them lines. Its in a book of mine but I cant seem to find it online. Basically, its dragoon officers questioning civilians at a windmill for more information.

This?

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[The Mighty McLovin]

Nope, thanks for trying though.

[Cara]

Called "Renseignements à l'Etat-Major, 1805"

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without the tag :

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[The Mighty McLovin]

Thank you! I shall search for a bigger image now

[JUAN THE GREAT!]

Is this image accurate to the Russian line infantry during the 1790s?

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Its really hard for me to tell with how almost modern it looks compared to its predecessors in the early 1800s. I mean, the guy on the top is what is really getting me in a stitch. I mean his shako for instance looks like a kepi.

[Frederik]

Its the so called "potemkin-uniform" which was worn from 1786-96.
I dont know about the shalo, but the uniform wasvery moderen and was replaced when paul I. became zar and reintroduced the old Uniforms

[JUAN THE GREAT!]

Thanks Frederik

[Bluehawk]

It was a forage cap. It looks cylindrical because it has a protective flap that wraps around the back and sides to cover the neck and cheeks in the winter, but could be tied up around the head during the summer.


This particular sample is for a garrison regiment.

[Volk]

Is this image accurate to the Russian line infantry during the 1790s?

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Its really hard for me to tell with how almost modern it looks compared to its predecessors in the early 1800s. I mean, the guy on the top is what is really getting me in a stitch. I mean his shako for instance looks like a kepi.

God those uniforms are terrible. Good thing we switched to better ones during Napoleonic Wars

[JUAN THE GREAT!]

The uniforms were pretty alright(cept for the ones you saw)
Like this

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 or this

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Also saying that the Napoleonic uniforms were better is kinda a overstatement. After looking up information on this, Apparently troops loved the uniforms they were given before peter 1 reformed it to the more prussianized versions in 1796. The reasons for this was that the old uniforms were more comfortable for the troops and even more practical. When peter introduced the Prussian uniform sample, many, and I mean many problems aroused. Troops and Generals alike complained about the uniforms being too tight, uncomfortable, and even too German like. Over time reforms did better the uniforms by 1812, but problems still persisted. Although, I can agree that the Napoleonic uniform is much better looking

[Bluehawk]

Paul I, not Peter I. There's a world of difference between their reigns 

[Volk]

Paul I, not Peter I. There's a world of difference between their reigns 

^ This