The use of the bow during modern times for combat use has always been an interest of mine. However, it will probably take someone like Cliff Huntington to do the research so we can have the facts.
In our early history, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin favored the bow for use in the Revolutionary War, believing they were superior to the firearms available. This idea was laid to rest when it was determined that the manufacture of the bows and arrows was not practical. (Fred Bear and Ben Pearson would not come along for another 150 years.)
There are reports of combat bow use in WWII, but I cannot find the details.
When the Viet Nam war came along in the 60's, Larry Hatfied states that a couple hundred short recurves (Mamba and Hi-Speed) were ordered by the military for their use. Actual use of the bows as combat weapons by our soldiers cannot be verified (at least by me).
There are also reports of Black Widow bows being sent to Southeast Asia.
The bows were most likely used as gifts or trade bait to some tribes or may have been used by our soldiers for recreation. Others say some short takedown bows were used as survival gear for our pilots who happened to be shot down.
We all know that bows and related equipment have been sent to Iraq, but not for combat use.
Topic: Did you know.......... (Read 879 times)
