“Old Ironsides” Gives 21-gun Salute on Independence Day
The USS Constitution, known as Old Ironsides, sailed into Boston Harbor to fire her guns to mark the Fourth of July. Old Ironsides left its…
Soviet BTR Series of Armored Personnel Carriers – Facts and Photos
Armored personnel carriers (APCs) played an important part in military thinking during the Cold War. Despite the growth of heavy weapons and advanced technology, infantry…
Last of His Crew – Flying Fortress Captain Tells his Story
George Starks was nineteen when he pinned on his pilot’s wings and learned to fly the Flying Fortress. Then he was off to Pyote, Texas,…
Pescadores: Japan’s Conquest of Taiwan
Part of Japan’s imperial efforts during the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 included the conquest of Taiwan. Having tried to take the island once before,…
Are US Tactics Evolving? – Comparing Vietnam to Afghanistan & Iraq
Between 1965 and 1972, the US fought a traditional war against the North Vietnamese army. At the same time, they fought a counterinsurgency (COIN) campaign…
Remember the “Haunted” Alamo?
The citadel was originally named Mission San Antonio de Valero, built as a home for missionaries and their American Indian converts in 1724. In 1793,…
Playing at War: Zarnitsa – The Soviet Youth Military Exercises
Zarnitsa was a mass sports game of the 20th century. It was a team competition with elements of military field exercises. “Oh, yes, we also…
The Crazy Major – WW2’s First Partisan
When, in 1939, Germany and USSR conquered Poland, Polish soldiers found themselves in a dire situation. They had to choose whether to give up all…
Sir Charles McCarthy – Colonial Governor’s Skull became a Gold Plated Drinking Cup
Born in the largest Irish county of Cork, Sir Charles McCarthy was a knighted Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal African Corps before his appointment as…
Over 30 Years Ago – U.S. Navy Destroyed an Airliner with 290 Civilians On Board
When Iraq invaded Iran in September of 1980 problems arose between the United States and Iran when the U.S. helped Iraq. By 1988, the conflict…
UK to Release Sealed Docs on Operation Blue Star
In 1984, Indira Gandhi, then the prime minister of India, ordered a military raid on the Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple). She had been forewarned…
The German Leopard Tank – From Concept to Conflict
The Leopard tank, designed and produced in Western Germany, has over the years proven to be one of the very best Main Battle Tanks (MBTs)…