| It has been known that the Chinese used | | | | missions. Crossbows have also been used as |
| crossbows as weapons of war as early as the | | | | support equipment by the military and law |
| 3rd century BC. There are carvings of crossbows | | | | enforcement for such things as propelling climbing |
| of Roman origin as early as the 3rd century AD | | | | ropes, draw lines and for numerous other more |
| which suggested their use in Roman military | | | | secretive purposes. |
| campaigns. In 1066 the Normans introduced the | | | | Crossbows have a long history that dates back |
| crossbow to England where it was quickly included | | | | as far as three or more thousand years. It's |
| in English armaments of war. In 1192 the | | | | astonishing how little the basic crossbow design |
| Crusaders won a victory at Jaffa aided | | | | has changed over the last millennia. However, |
| significantly by their use of crossbows. The | | | | there have been some significant modifications |
| Chinese continued to use crossbows as military | | | | that have made crossbows lighter, more |
| weapons well into the 19th century. In fact, they | | | | powerful, quieter, and more accurate. But the |
| developed the repeating crossbow and used it | | | | basic design has remained largely unchanged |
| quite effectively for a time. | | | | through the centuries. There is much more history |
| During the 20th century crossbows continued to | | | | to tell regarding the use of the crossbow as a |
| play a role in modern warfare. The "Arrowspeed" | | | | military weapon, both during ancient times and in |
| crossbow was used by Australian commandos | | | | recent years. Future articles will expand upon |
| during World War 2 in the Pacific Theatre. From | | | | some of the unique ways in which both military |
| the mid twentieth century through the Vietnam | | | | and civilian agencies around the world have |
| conflict, the Montagnard people of southern Asia | | | | employed crossbow technology. It's interesting to |
| used crossbows in their many conflicts. They also | | | | note in closing, that except for the stone, stick |
| used them while supporting American forces | | | | and spear, the bow and crossbow have perhaps |
| during the Vietnam War years. American military | | | | the longest history of use as a weapon of war |
| personnel also used crossbows as a silent weapon | | | | and in the hunting and harvesting of game for |
| in the jungle and for secret reconnaissance | | | | food. |