• We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.

Herbert West

Field Marshal
71 Badges
Jul 24, 2006
3.753
15.171
  • Stellaris: Apocalypse
  • Stellaris: Nemesis
  • Stellaris: Necroids
  • Stellaris: Federations
  • Stellaris: Lithoids
  • Stellaris: Ancient Relics
  • Stellaris: Megacorp
  • Shadowrun: Dragonfall
  • Stellaris: Humanoids Species Pack
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Expansion Pass
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Death or Dishonor
  • Victoria 2: Heart of Darkness
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Darkest Hour
  • Shadowrun: Hong Kong
  • BATTLETECH
  • Victoria 2
How did people differentiate friend from foe in a melee before uniforms and such? Once the battle is joined, and everyone is covered in blood, mud, and sweat (and in cases of civil wars, speaks the same tounge), how do you sort out who to strike at and who not to strike at once the lines break?
 
Armies used same color scarfs, bands and other dress items (for example, sewn crosses or other marks) for friend identification. Also infantry usually fought in formation (shieldwall and other - depending on epoch) and melee was orderly and formations were maintained to the critical point, than shown on Hollywood films.
 
Armies used same color scarfs, bands and other dress items (for example, sewn crosses or other marks) for friend identification.

And if cloth was unavailable, flowers, leaves, twigs & twine tied to specific shoulders/helmet parts, etc., frequently agreed to with the enemy in pre-battle formalities.

Of course, these twigs didn't always stay put. So there was slogans/passwords at encounters. Also just plain familiarity did its bit. Armies did they always rush around the entire field. You know your friends by face & accent.
 
As mentioned, twigs, flowers, and other such identifying marks (including scarves) also battle-cries.
 
Flags, banners, different styles of equipment, war cries, field signs as mentioned such as wearing particular items or colours, distinct colours among medieval retinues. None of this is foolproof, there are recorded instances of troops not recognising allies or enemies coming towards them from an unexpected direction. Although the same thing can be said of uniformed troops, with "blue on blue" being the currently common euphimism for shooting some of your allies.
 
Flags, banners, different styles of equipment, war cries, field signs as mentioned such as wearing particular items or colours, distinct colours among medieval retinues. None of this is foolproof, there are recorded instances of troops not recognising allies or enemies coming towards them from an unexpected direction. Although the same thing can be said of uniformed troops, with "blue on blue" being the currently common euphimism for shooting some of your allies.
What is the name of that hilariously terrible battle with the Austrians fighting the Turks?
 
And if cloth was unavailable, flowers, leaves, twigs & twine tied to specific shoulders/helmet parts, etc., frequently agreed to with the enemy in pre-battle formalities.

Of course, these twigs didn't always stay put. So there was slogans/passwords at encounters. Also just plain familiarity did its bit. Armies did they always rush around the entire field. You know your friends by face & accent.
Just to expand a bit, for example how according to legend Davy Sant (St David, patron of the Welsh) told the Cymru to stick a leek in their hats as a battlefield identifier. Very useful, and could be used in a tasty snack after victory too. And it's why we get the English rose, the Scotish thistle, the Irish shamrock, and... the Welsh leek.:)