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Subject: Alternative Armies
TrustButVerify    3/18/2008 1:21:01 PM
I recall a fun little cyberpunk story by Bruce Sterling ("Mozart In Mirrorshades," 1985) in which near-future corporations have taken to tapping the resources of alternate timelines for fun and profit- and this includes manpower. This leads to some entertaining mashups, such as Roman legionaries as private security for a petroleum operation in 18th century Austria, commandos drawn from the ranks of Genghis Khan, and so forth. So here's the thread starter: Assume you're responsible for recruiting and staffing one of these crosstime mercenary outfits. Where will you go for your manpower?
 
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TrustButVerify    By the way,   3/18/2008 1:23:49 PM
 
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TrustButVerify    By the way,   3/18/2008 1:24:37 PM
You can read the original story here.... (PDF format)
 
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Treadgar       3/18/2008 8:15:31 PM
They're not exactly what you'd call mercenaries, but I'd go for some Trojans. The Numentides were pretty tough on the Romans, they'd make good shock troops. And I've always been fascinated by the German Army, it was a hard fight against them. I can think of more, but I'd like to see what others say.

Treadgar
 
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Ehran       3/19/2008 12:26:05 PM
really need a bit more information before you can answer this.  primarily when/where are the troops going to be posted.
 
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TrustButVerify       3/19/2008 1:58:30 PM
Given the nature of the undertaking, they might be deployed anywhere/anywhen, although I think your paratime corporation would probably decide to steer clear of the 19th and 20th centuries. Let's say, arbitrarily, two locations- southern France, circa 1500 AD, and the Huai river region of China circa 1000 AD. Mission in both cases is to provide security for the establishment of an initial base and logistical support area in preparation for sustained operations. This would be similar to setting up a FOB.
Equipment is up to you- Bronze Age to 21st century. If you want to put a company of Serbian cavalry in UH-60s, for instance, have at it and be prepared to justify the expense to your superior.

 
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ker       4/13/2008 8:54:04 PM
I think Alexander the Great need twelve Army Special forces personel from 2008. Can you say  "peace in our time".
 
 
Other wise Golden Hord mounted archers on a American Cival war battle feild interests me.
 
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Ehran       4/14/2008 3:43:18 PM
probably doesn't matter a lot who the guys are if you run them through your training program a la the british army of say 1900 or so.  give them lee enfields and some lewis guns along with some of the little french 75 arty pieces and you should be good to go against most any historical army in a standup fight.
 
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Ehran       4/14/2008 3:47:32 PM

Other wise Golden Hord mounted archers on a American Cival war battle feild interests me.

the rifled muskets would give the civil war guys a pretty convincing edge until the Horde closed the range and brought their rof advantage into play.  think i'd bet on the civil war troops if i had to put money on it.
 
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flamingknives       4/14/2008 5:44:32 PM
Was it Napoleon who opined that God fights on the side with the most artillery? Considering that the US Civil War army would have some artillery, and the Golden Horde would have none, the balance is most certainly against the horse archers. I'd hate to think what the effect of grapeshot or shrapnel would be. It would be a bit of a surprise the first time
 
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andyf       4/15/2008 4:06:04 PM
theres a series of books by willian r forschen that basically deals with exacty that scenario.
only the mongol archers are 7' tall cannibals
pretty good
 
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