It is interesting to note how many pro-intervention, pro- “boots on the ground” neoconservatives have never served in the military. I’m grateful that America treats its veterans better now than it did in decades past. My father was spit on by hippies when he came home from Vietnam. Yet, “thank you for your service” comments…
Category: Military History
Military Weapons From The Past: STG-44’s in Africa?
This is a neat follow-up to an event I had strong doubts about being authentic in the first place.-SF A while back, a video made the rounds of a cache of StG-44 rifles being found in (allegedly) Syria – I commented on it here, in fact. It was pretty much without any context, though. Where…
World War Two Movies Worth A Damn: Cross of Iron (1977)
Sam Peckinpah is without a doubt, one of my favorite movie directors (and screenwriters) of all time. If you have not seen it already, I highly urge you to watch the 2004 Documentary “Sam Peckinpah’s West: The Legacy of a Hollywood Renegade.” It is a fitting tribute to a true artist.-SF ‘Cross of Iron’…
Military Defense News: New Boomer Submarine Set to go to Sea in 2030?
Wow…14 years is a LONG time to build ONE missile boat. Maybe we should pick up the pace a tad considering the state of affairs right now with Russia and China? Just Sayin…-SF General Dynamics’ storied Electric Boat division is set to deliver its detailed design proposal for the new Ohio Replacement Program (ORP) ballistic…
Military Weapons From the Past: Mauser 712 Machine Pistol aka the “Schnellfeuer”
The Schnellfeuer, or Model 712, was Mauser’s answer to the Spanish production of selective fire C96 lookalikes. Just over 100,000 of these pistols were made by Mauser in the 1930s, mostly going to China (although some did see use in other countries, and also with the SS). They use 10- and 20-round detachable magazines, and…
Modern War: The Decade of the Mercenary
Contrary to popular belief, Mercenaries are the “Silent Majority” in Obama’s Military, and the president’s “light footprint” approach to war has relied on thousands of Americans paid to fight — and die — in the shadows. Last weekend, the New York Times published one of what will be many takes on President Barack Obama’s legacy…
Guerilla Warfare History: Pictorial History of the IRA and “The Troubles”
From 1968 to 1998, Northern Ireland was the battleground of a guerrilla war known as The Troubles. On one side was the Protestant majority called the Unionists, who wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. On the other side were the Nationalists, a Catholic minority who sought to become part of the…
Ancient History: 10 Recent Discoveries
Not very long ago, the common consensus was that “civilization” developed slowly in Europe. Outside of the Mediterranean civilizations of Greece and Italy, ancient Europe was a backwater full of barbaric tribesmen who mostly lived in hut-like dwellings. Most laymen and many historians would say that compared to Sumer, Babylon, China, Egypt, and the Indus…
History of the Middle Ages: King John, The Worst Monarch in English History?
I would be amiss not to mention the excellent Sword-play movie set during this very time period, Ironclad, with Paul Giamatti playing the role of King John. -SF When it comes to Kings (and Queens) of England, there is strong competition as to who can claim the title of being the worst in the nation’s…
Today in History: “Top Gun” The Movie Turns 30 Years Old Today!
OMG, I am feeling old…I remember going to see this like 3 times at the theaters when it first came out (you know you are getting old when you preface a lot of your sentences with “I Remember!”) I have to admit, now when I watch this movie, I find it all a bit corny…