The Great War Huts 'HutVent' Calendar, 2024, Day 14

[@andypeebles2242]

An excellent video, as always. Thanks Taff.

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thank you very much indeed, Andy.

[@PaulS57]

Very informative Taff

[@GreatWarHuts]

Thanks very much, Paul.

[@andrewgalea5412]

Thank you great piece of history

[@WW1Russ8335]

Fantastic content as always guys, Taff I'm probably wrong (as you didn't mention it) but I have also heard that as a lot of high ranking officers were cavalry officers who believed the cavalry would play a heavy part in the war, they wanted a longer bayonet to allow infantry to attack mounted troops, is this just a myth? Thanks so much.

[@andrewflindall9048]

Historically, the bayonet on a musket was the defence - or deterrent - against cavalry, replacing pikes as a separate weapon. I think the design logic was that a shorter rifle needed a longer bayonet to maintain the desired ~6' reach.

[@WW1Russ8335]

@@andrewflindall9048 makes total sense, I'd heard this thing about cavalry too, but it all makes sense either way.

[@GreatWarHuts]

The design was always about the furthest reach. Defence against cavalry using bayonets hadn’t changed and there is no indication that generals who were cavalrymen had any particular sway.

[@tg5834]

I have one of those shorter pointy 1903 bayonets in Australia, stamped R.F.I. on the end of the pommel. Do you know what those letters mean?

[@Smudger6938]

Could it be a '1'? As in 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers?

[@tg5834]

@Smudger6938 Definitely a I. for infantry probably.