Soldiers ?

Yep

Because with all of the men gone at war, there was no one to work, but the women stepped in to substitute for the men.

In one day 1 man does 1/200th of the work,

In one day 1 boy does 1/300th of the work,

so in one day 6 men and 11 boys do (6/200 + 11/300) of the work, ie (18 + 22)/600 or

1/15th so between them they take 15 days.

The Number of men required is 160

Explanation:

Let no. of men = m1 = 10

Let no. of days required = d1 = 8

Let no. of men required to finish the work in 1/2 days = m2

Let no of days required for m2 men = 1/2

Now we have to find the no. of men required to complete the work in 1/2 day so the calculation will be,

m1d1 = m2d2

(10)(8) = m2(1/2)

80 = m2(1/2) [ By taking the dividend 2 left side it will go into multiple ]

80 x 2 = m2

160 = m2

Therefore, Number of men required to finish the work in 1/2 day is **160 men**