With all the hoopla lately between Russia and Turkey, this is an interesting article to consider. As I have been studying the history of the Middle East this year, I have added The Fall of the Ottomans to my 2016 reading list. -SF “Our national borders pass through Antioch and span east-ward, containing Mosul,…
Category: Military History
The Lessons of Debaltseve: Armored Vehicles Still Matter
After nearly fifteen years of counterinsurgency in Iraq and Afghanistan, American advocates of heavy armored forces interpreted Ukrainian forces’ defeat at the battle of Debaltseve as an indication that “tanks still matter.” But the key lesson of the Debaltseve fight is a broader one: Combat vehicles of whatever kind must provide the mobility, protection,…
Cold War Files: John F. Kennedy was the Absolute Worst U.S. President of the 20th Century
As I studied the Vietnam war over the last 14 months, I began to think that John F. Kennedy probably was the worst American president of the previous century. In retrospect, he spent his 35 months in the White House stumbling from crisis to fiasco. He came into office and okayed the Bay of Pigs…
Military History: The Forgotten Task Force of the Forgotten War
The Korean War has often been referred to as the forgotten war. Sandwiched between WWII and Vietnam the Korean War is often lost in our histories and remembrances. There is very little in this war that is “sexy” for historians. In the end the final lines end pretty much where they started and nothing was…
The Curse of the Filipino Moro’s Return; 7 Christian Farmers Murdered in Philippines on Christmas Eve
For those of you familiar with 20th century Military History, you know the story of General “Blackjack” Pershing and the Filipino Moro Rebellion that lasted from 1899-1913. This was America’s first brush with militant islamist, and now, the Moro’s descendants are carrying on the same legacy of murder and mayhem. Just another example of islam…
USMC Ingenuity At It’s Best: The Ribbon Bridge
Much of the equipment the United States has given to the Iraqi army has ended up in the hands of the Islamic State. But now, with Iraqi troops fighting to take back Ramadi from the terror group, there’s finally a feel-good story about American-provided military supplies, and it involves a floating bridge. On Tuesday, Army…
Inspirational: World War Two Hero Still Leads by Example after 70 Years
Years after clearing paths through the Battle of Iwo Jima with a flamethrower, Woody Williams is still serving his country. In early December, I had the humbling honor of being connected with a former Marine named Hershel “Woody” Williams, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient. Williams, a man with blood ties to…
World War Two History: “NUTS!” The Story of General Mcauliffe’s 1944 Christmas Letter
An Appropriate story for Military History buffs to read about on Christmas Eve; this happened 71 years ago today. An Amazing Piece of History! -SF Editor’s Note: In honor of Christmas Eve, we proudly publish the text of Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe’s 1944 Christmas letter to the U.S. 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne. An image of…
The Truth About SpyWar and How 21st Century Espionage Really Works
Espionage is a constant in human civilization. Spying features prominently in theOld Testament and it’s often called the “second oldest profession” with good reason. The ancient Chinese sage Sun Tzu wrote eloquently about the strategic importance of espionage and counterespionage fully 2,500 years ago. As long as people have lived in anything resembling societies, they…
Military History: The Legendary Christmas Truce of 1914
This month’s original Task & Purpose comic is in the spirit of the season. During the Christmas Truce of 1914, German and British soldiers laid down their arms and met in no man’s land to play a spirited game of soccer. An incredible story that’s hard to imagine ever occurring. Read the Remainder of the…