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  1. #24
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by plaid preacher View Post
    Has nothing to do with blood, however. Pioneers in infantry regiments are like combat engineers; cutting trees to build bridges -this the axe- and building things up (in the modern context). Like cymbal players in military bands wear protective aprons so that they do not mar their uniforms with their instruments, the apron was to protect the uniform from the rough work of carrying trees about.
    Sometimes it has everything to do with blood..!

    Depending on the regiment and its original fighting function and style (I mean before mechanisation and modern weaponry) there were individuals whose job it was to dispatch humanely wounded and maimed horses, and remove their hoof which carried its identity. They would be entered into the casualty list accordingly.

    The axe, unlike the lumber-duty felling-axe in the painting, was (still is, and is seen on ceremonial occasions) a form of short pole-axe, with a conical spike on one side and the cutting blade on the other. The spike was raised and brought down hard onto the poll of the poor horse, to give instant death. The cutting edge of the axe would then remove the neessary hoof and a 'poll' of the survivors would follow.

    These days, you see these axes paraded on ceremonial occasions, when the 'butchers' stand apart from the main fighting element, marching or parading a few steps behind the main body to give gory significance to their role, and the men whose duty it is are often chosen for their large size and strength. The axes are polished to a bright shine and may feature other decorations.

    These axemen will wear white aprons or other coverings, as if the show of blood is intentional - the more blood, the more glory.

    We often hear the expression that someone has been 'poleaxed' but very few of us have a real understanding of what that actually means - thankfully..!

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