Caltrop
Template:Short description Template:For Template:Use dmy dates
A caltrop (also known as caltrap, galtrop, cheval trap, galthrap,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> galtrap, calthrop, jackrock or crow's foot<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name = "Alesia-2006" >Battle of Alesia (Caesar's conquest of Gaul in 52 BC), Battlefield Detectives program, (2006), rebroadcast: 2008-09-08 on History Channel International (13:00-14:00 hrs EDST); Note: No mention of name caltrop at all, but illustrated and given as battle key to defend Roman lines of circumvallation per recent digs evidence.</ref>) is an area denial weapon made up of usually four, but possibly more, sharp nails or spines arranged in such a manner that one of them always points upward from a stable base (for example, a tetrahedron). Historically, caltrops were part of defences that served to slow the advance of troops, especially horses, chariots, and war elephants, and were particularly effective against the soft feet of camels.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In modern times, caltrops are effective when used against wheeled vehicles with pneumatic tires.<ref name=HistoryNet>Template:Cite web</ref>
Name
[edit]The modern name "caltrop" is derived from the Old English Template:Lang (heel-trap),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> such as in the French usage Template:Lang (shoe-trap). The Latin word Template:Lang originally referred to this and provides part of the modern scientific name of a plant commonly called the caltrop, Tribulus terrestris, whose spiked seed cases resemble caltrops and can injure feet and puncture bicycle tires. This plant can also be compared to Centaurea calcitrapa, which is also sometimes referred to as the "caltrop". Trapa natans, a water plant with similarly shaped spiked seeds and edible fruit, is called the "water caltrop".
History
[edit].jpg){kind=link}
The caltrop was called Template:Lang<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> by the ancient Romans, or sometimes Template:Lang,<ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> the latter meaning "jagged iron" (literally "iron spiny snail-shell"). The former term derives from the ancient Greek word Template:Lang meaning three spikes.<ref>Template:LSJ</ref>
The late Roman writer Vegetius, referring in his work De re militari to scythed chariots, wrote:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Another example of the use of caltrops was found in Jamestown, Virginia, in the United States:<ref>American Heritage. Template:Webarchive, March 1963.</ref>
The Japanese version of the caltrop is called Template:Lang. Makibishi were sharp spiked objects that were used in feudal Japan to slow pursuers and also were used in the defence of samurai fortifications. Iron makibishi were called Template:Lang, while the makibishi made from the dried seed pod of the water caltrop, or water chestnut (genus Trapa), formed a natural type of makibashi called Template:Lang. Both types of makibishi could penetrate the thin soles of shoes, such as the Template:Lang sandals, which were commonly worn in feudal Japan.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan, Karl Friday, Psychology Press, 2004 P. 119.</ref>
-
Traditional caltrops and mines from the Mongol Empire
.jpg){kind=link}
Modern uses
[edit]
World War I
[edit]During service in World War I, Australian Light Horse troops collected caltrops as keepsakes. These caltrops were either made by welding two pieces of wire together to form a four-pointed star or pouring molten steel into a mould to form a solid, seven-pointed star. The purpose of these devices was to disable horses. They were exchanged with French troops for bullets. The Australian Light Horse troops referred to them as "Horse Chestnuts".Template:Citation needed
World War II
[edit]Caltrops were used extensively and effectively during World War II. The modifications and variants produced by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) of the United StatesTemplate:Sfn are still in use today within special forces and law enforcement bodies.Template:Who
The Germans dropped crow's feet (Template:Langx).Template:Sfn These were made from two segments of sheet metal welded together into a tetrapod with four barbed points and then painted in camouflage colours. They came in two sizes with a side length of either Template:Convert. They were dropped from aircraft in containers the same size as Template:Convert bombs and were dispersed by a small explosive charge.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tire deflation device
[edit]
Inventors patented caltrop-like devices to deflate vehicle tires in a manner useful to law enforcement agencies or the military.<ref> Template:Cite web </ref><ref> Template:Cite web </ref> They are currently used by the military and police.<ref name=HistoryNet/>
Labour disputes
[edit]Caltrops have been used at times during labour strikes and other disputes. Such devices were used by some to destroy the tires of management and replacement workers.
Caltrops, referred to as "jack rocks" in news articles, were used during the Caterpillar strike in 1995, puncturing tires on vehicles crossing the picket line in Peoria, Illinois. Because of their small size and the difficulty proving their source, both the company and the United Auto Workers blamed each other. Collateral damage included a school bus and a walking mail carrier.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In Illinois, the state legislature passed a law making the possession of such devices a misdemeanor.<ref>Template:ILCSTemplate:Dead link</ref>
Via drones
[edit]During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine has used drones to drop caltrops on key roads to disrupt wheeled vehicles carrying Russian military materiel, and make them easier to target with loitering munitions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Symbol
[edit]A caltrop has a variety of symbolic uses and is commonly found as a charge in heraldry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For instance, the Finnish noble family Fotangel (Swedish for 'caltrop') had arms gules, three caltrops argent.Template:Citation needed
It has also been adopted by military units: the caltrop is the symbol of the US Army's III Corps, which is based at Fort Cavazos, Texas. III Corps traces its lineage to the days of horse cavalry, which used the caltrop as a defensive area denial weapon.Template:Citation needed
The caltrop is also the symbol of the United States Marine Corps' 3rd Division, formed on 16 September 1942.Template:Citation needed
-
Coat of arms of Stirling
-
Shoulder insignia of III Corps (United States)
Similar devices
[edit]
Punji sticks perform a similar role to caltrops. These are sharpened sticks placed vertically in the ground. Their use in modern times targets the body and limbs of a falling victim by means of a pit or tripwire.Template:Citation needed
During the Second World War, large caltrop-shaped objects made from reinforced concrete were used as anti-tank devices, although it seems that these were rare.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Much more common were concrete devices called dragon's teeth, which were designed to wedge into tank treads. Large ones weighing over Template:Convert are still used defensively to deny access to wheeled vehicles, especially in camp areas. As dragon's teeth are immobile, the analogy with the caltrop is inexact. Another caltrop-like defence during World War II was the massive steel, freestanding Czech hedgehog; the works were designed as anti-tank obstacles and could also damage landing craft and warships that came too close to shore. These were used by the Germans to defend beaches in Normandy and other coastal areas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Czech hedgehogs are heavily featured and plainly visible in the 1998 Steven Spielberg-directed American epic war film Saving Private Ryan, throughout the scenes early in the film depicting the JuneTemplate:Spaces6, 1944 Omaha Beach assault (part of the Normandy landings during World War II).
Tetrapods are concrete blocks shaped like caltrops, which interlock when piled up. They are used as riprap in the construction of breakwaters and other sea defences, as they have been found to let the water pass through them and interrupt natural processes less than some other defenses.Template:Citation needed
See also
[edit]- Area denial weapon
- Booby trap
- Knucklebones, a game, with similar hazards
- Triskelion
Footnotes
[edit]References
[edit]- Clan Drummond, a brief history, at Scot Clans
- John L. Cotter and J. Paul Hudson, New Discoveries at Jamestown, Site of the First Successful English Settlement in America, 1957 Project Gutenberg
- Template:Cite book
- Official documents