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DISTINGUISHED LECTURE & ARTICLES SERIES: THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR

GLOBAL 19TH CENTURY CONFLICT · Published 15 January 2025 at 8:39pm EDT · COMMENTS

“Annexation as War" – The 1844 Presidential Election and US-Mexican Conflict by Prof. Benjamin J. Swenson

ABOVE: Mexican-American War Overview Map. Source: Wikimedia.

The U.S. presidential election held in late autumn of 1844 was not merely a contest over which party would administer the executive branch of the federal government, it was a referendum on whether the nation would go to war with Mexico. The margin of victory was razor-thin but the ascendancy of James K. Polk to the post of Commander-in-chief meant a plurality of voting Americans believed the United States should annex the breakaway state and accept the consequences: that incorporation of the Lone Star Republic meant inheriting an ongoing war with Mexico   ☞ The full article

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE & ARTICLES SERIES: CLASSICAL MILITARY HISTORY 

CLASSICAL MILITARY HISTORY: c.1000 BCE-500 CE · Published 1 January 2025 at 10:03am EDT · COMMENTS

Focus on Military Organization: Rome’s “Polybian” Legion by Prof. Brian Todd Carey

ABOVE: Bas relief of three second century BCE Republican era legionaries in battle kit. Notice the oval shields (scutums) of the period and the wearing of Montefortino- type helmets and chain-mail body protection (lorica hamata). From the Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus on the Field of Mars in Rome. Louvre Museum, Paris.

When Rome first appeared as a city-state in the Tiber Valley sometime in the middle of the eighth century BCE, its first army differed little from those of other small communities in Latium. It is believed Rome’s first military organization was based on the tribal system, reflecting the three original Roman tribes (the Ramnes, the Tities, and the Luceres). Each tribe provided 1,000 infantry towards the army, made up of ten centuries consisting of 100 men. The tribal contingent was under the command of a tribunus or tribal officer.  Together, these 3,000 men made up a legio or levy. This infantry force was supplemented by a small body of 300 equites or “knights,” aristocratic cavalry drawn equally from the three tribes.  ☞ The full article

FEATURED ARTICLES SERIES - U.S. CIVIL WAR: 1861-1865

U.S. CIVIL WAR: 1861-1865 · Published 23 DECEMBER 2024 at 8:03pm EDT · COMMENTS

"They Shoot Horses, They Do!" by Randall S. Wells, Jr.

ABOVE: Harry Bensons Battery A, of the Second United States Artillery, and Horatio Gates Gibsons Batteries C and G, combined of the Third United States Artillery, near Fair Oaks, Virginia, June 1862, The photographic history of the Civil War - thousands of scenes photographed 1861-65, with text by many special authorities (1911).

Since time immemorial, mankind has used animals in one form or another during armed conflict. Ancient historian Livy tells of how the Romans used geese to avert an attack from Gallic barbarians in 386 B.C. Livy relates that as barbarian invaders silently scaled the walls of the Citadel, neither Roman guards nor dogs heard them. Roman Consul Marcus Manlius would have been slain had it not been for the flapping of goose wings. In 1207, the Mongols reportedly used cats to attack the city of Volohai by tying cotton to the cats’ tails and lighting them on fire. The terrified felines ran back into the city, igniting it on fire. The defenders were so busy fighting the fires that had erupted that the Mongols enjoyed a leisurely time breaching the city's walls. ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WORLD WAR II - ITALY

NORTH AFRICA AND ITALIAN CAMPAIGNS · Published 5 October 2023 at 8:17pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"17 January 1944: Fighting Among the Ruins - The Battle of Monte Cassino"

ABOVE: Monte Cassino, Italy. May 1944. British soldier with a Bren gun in the ruins of Monte Cassino. Source: Public Domain. Click to enlarge.

The Italian Campaign of World War II holds a significant place in the annals of military history, despite its long-standing overshadowing by the more famous Normandy invasion. The campaign was fought across multiple fronts in Italy, beginning with the invasion of Sicily and culminating in the capture of Rome and the eventual defeat of Axis forces in Italy. The campaign was a protracted and grueling fight, characterized by difficult terrain, extreme weather, and a tenacious German defense. However, the lessons learned on the Italian front proved to be invaluable tactical and logistical experience that would pay dividends for the Allies in later battles.   ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WORLD WAR II - ENGLAND

D-DAY AND THE WAR IN WESTERN EUROPE · Published 29 December 2023 at 9:00pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"20 January 1944: Those Tricky Allies - The Ghost Army of World War II"

ABOVE: Inflatable tank lifted by four soldiers of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. Source: Wikimedia. In the Public Domain. Click to enlarge.

The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, popularly known as the “Ghost Army,” was one of the most innovative and unique units of the United States Army during the Second World War. Officially designated as a tactical deception unit, the Ghost Army was responsible for misleading and deceiving the enemy by creating illusionary military formations and positions, thereby contributing significantly to the Allied victory in Europe. Activated on 20 January 1944, the Ghost Army comprised an authorized strength of 82 officers and 1023 men under the leadership of Colonel Harry L. Reeder, a veteran of the US Army.  ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: THE VIETNAM WAR: 1955-75

THE VIETNAM WAR: 1955-75 · Published 12 November 2023 at 2:21pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"21 January 1968: Fighting in the Hills - The Battle of Khe Sanh Begins"

Khe Sanh, January 1968. CH-46A Sea Knight helicopters drop U.S. Marines at Khe Sanh Combat Base. Public Domain, click to enlarge.

The Battle of Khe Sanh, which took place in the Khe Sanh area of northwestern Quảng Trị Province, Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), during the Vietnam War, is often considered one of the most significant battles of the conflict. The battle was fought from 21 January to 9 July 1968, between two divisional-size elements of the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and two regiments of the United States Marine Corps (6000 strong), with support from the United States Army, the U.S. Air Force, and a small number of Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) troops.   ☞  Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: THE VIETNAM WAR 

THE VIETNAM WAR ERA: 1955-75 · Published 20 January 2023 at 10:18pm EDT · COMMENT AND CONVERSATION

"22 January-18 March 1969: Operation Dewey Canyon"

ABOVE: Leathernecks of the 2d Battalion, 9th Marines [2/9] trudge across a mountain stream in search of the enemy during Operation Dewey Canyon in the northern A Shau Valley complex (official USMC photo by Lance Corporal Bill Carroll). From the Jonathan F. Abel Collection (COLL/3611), Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections, Quantico, Virginia. OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOGRAPH. Click to enlarge.

The Vietnam War was characterized by numerous military campaigns and operations, but Operation Dewey Canyon stands out as one of the significant engagements by the United States Marine Corps. In the latter stages of the conflict, particularly throughout 1967 and 1968, Marine units in the northern I Corps region of South Vietnam had been tethered to combat bases along the border in alignment with the strategic defensive blueprint known as the McNamara Line.  ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WORLD WAR II - ENGLAND

D-DAY AND THE WAR IN WESTERN EUROPE · Published 1 JANUARY 2024 at 11:50am EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"23 January 1940: Bletchley Park's First Break into Enigma"

ABOVE: Staff members working at Bletchley Park. Source: Wikipedia; in the Public Domain. Click to enlarge.

During the Second World War, one of the most guarded secrets of the Allies was the work done at a seemingly nondescript country house in Bletchley, Milton Keynes. This was Bletchley Park, which became the nerve centre of Allied code-breaking. The work done here helped to shorten the war by two to four years, and without it, the outcome of the war would have been uncertain. The establishment of Bletchley Park can be traced back to the First World War, during which the British intelligence broke the German diplomatic code.   ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: LENINGRAD AND THE EASTERN FRONT

THE EASTERN FRONT · Published 14 October 2023 at 7:33pm EDT · COMMENT

"27 January 1944: 872 Days of Starvation and Death - The Siege of Leningrad Ends"

Right: Leningrad, Soviet Union. September 1941. German soldiers in front of burning houses and a church. Source: Wikimedia. Click to enlarge.

The Siege and Battle for Leningrad (8 September 1941 – 27 January 1944) were events of enormous significance, yet they are often overlooked in the history of World War II. This was a microcosm of the War on the Eastern Front, an epic clash that had far-reaching implications for both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. In September 1941, Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, with the primary objective of capturing Leningrad, which was situated in the north. Hitler's strategy was to clear his Baltic flank and link up with Finnish troops, downplaying the importance of Moscow despite the objections of his army commanders.   ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: THE HOLOCAUST, SHOAH

THE HOLOCAUST "SHOAH" · Published 25 October 2023 at 8:20pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVO

"27 January 1945: Auschwitz is Liberated by the Soviet Red Army"

ABOVE: Wearing adult-size prisoner jackets, child survivors of Auschwitz are led by relief workers and Soviet soldiers through a narrow passage between two barbed-wire fences. Standing next to the nurse are Miriam and Eva Mozes. Behind them (wearing white hats) are Judy and Lea Csenghery. Both sets of sisters are twins. From the Soviet film of the liberation of Auschwitz, taken by the film unit of the First Ukrainian Front. Photo Source: Wytwornia Filmow Dokumentalnych i Fabularnych. Copyright: Public Domain. Click to enlarge.

On 27 January 1945, the Soviet army entered Auschwitz concentration camp and liberated around 7,000 prisoners still alive in the Main Camp, Birkenau, and Monowitz. For years, this complex had served as a killing center for Nazi Germany, where over 1.1 million people had been murdered, mostly Jews. The prisoners who were mostly ill and dying greeted them as true liberators. This historic moment marked the end of the deadliest phase of the Holocaust, which saw millions of Jews and others brutally killed by Nazi Germany between 1940 and 1945.    ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WORLD WAR II - THE PHILIPPINES

WAR IN THE PACIFIC · Published 25 DECEMBER 2023 at 4:27pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"30 January 1945: To Freedom: The Raid at Cabanatuan"

ABOVE: Philippines, 1945: The Alamo Scouts after the Raid at Cabanautan. Top row left to right: Gil Cox, Wilbert Wismer, Harold Hard, Andy Smith, and Francis Laquier. Bottom row left to right: Galen Kittleson, Rufo Vaquilar, Bill Nellist, Tom Rounsaville, and Frank Fox. Source: In the Public Domain, click to enlarge. Click to enlarge.

The Raid at Cabanatuan, also known as the Great Raid, was one of the most daring and successful rescue missions of World War II. The mission, which took place on 30 January 1945, involved a small force of United States Army Rangers, Alamo Scouts, and Filipino guerrillas who traveled over thirty miles behind Japanese lines to liberate over 500 American and other Allied prisoners of war and civilians from the Cabanatuan prison camp in Nueva Ecija, Philippines.   ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WORLD WAR II - THE PACIFIC

WAR IN THE PACIFIC · Published 27 October 2023 at 9:26pm EDT · COMMENT

"31 January 1944: Island Hopping - The Battle of Kwajalein"

ABOVE: Marine infantry fighting their way inland. Kwajalein USMC Photo No. K-20. From the Frederick R. Findtner Collection (COLL/3890), Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections. OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOGRAPH. Click to enlarge.

The Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign marked a significant chapter in the Pacific theatre of World War II, with a series of battles spanning from August 1942 to February 1944. Led by the United States Pacific Fleet and Marine Corps, the primary objective was to establish airfields and naval bases, vital for air and naval support operations across the Central Pacific. Under the code names Operation Galvanic, Kourbash, Flintlock and Catchpole, the campaign involved seizing control of strategic locations such as Tarawa, Makin, Kwajalein, Eniwetok and Majuro.   ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: THE VIETNAM WAR

THE VIETNAM WAR: 1955-75 · Published 10 November 2023 at 7:41pm EDT · COMMENT

31 January 1968: The War in Vietnam Turns - The Battle of Hue Begins"

ABOVE: Hue, South Vietnam, 4 February 1968: U.S. Marine infantry firing from cover behind a wall, keeping low from NVA sniper fire. Possibly at the Citadel. Public Domain, click to enlarge.

The Battle of Hue, also known as the Siege of Hue, was one of the most significant and bloody events of the Vietnam War. The intense fighting between the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces, and U.S. Marines and Army soldiers and ARVN (South Vietnamese troops) lasted from 31 January to 2 March 1968, resulting in the death of thousands of soldiers and civilians. This battle challenged the confidence of the American public, who increasingly questioned the U.S. military involvement in the conflict.   ☞ The full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: THE EASTERN FRONT

THE EASTERN FRONT · Published 27 JANUARY 2024 at 6:33pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"2 February 1943: Wehrmacht Defeat on the Eastern Front: The Battle of Stalingrad Ends"

ABOVE: Stalingrad, Soviet Union, 15 December 1942. German soldiers of the 24th Panzer Division in action during the fighting for the southern station of Stalingrad. Source: Wikimedia. This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or fewer. Click to enlarge.

The Battle of Stalingrad, fought between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union from August 1942 to February 1943, was a turning point for the war in the Eastern Front. The battle was marked by intense urban warfare and direct assaults on civilians in air raids. It was the bloodiest battle of the Second World War, with both sides suffering enormous casualties. Devastated by the Nazi invasion, the Soviet Union was determined to defend Stalingrad, a strategically important industrial and transport hub on the Volga River.  ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WORLD WAR II - NORTH AFRICA

WAR IN NORTH AFRICA · Published 23 November 2023 at 8:46pm EDT · COMMENT

"19-24 February 1943: First Blood - The Battle of Kasserine Pass"

ABOVE: North Africa, Tunis.- Field Marshal Erwin Rommel (saluting with marshal's baton) and Lieutenant Colonel Fritz Bayerlein, standing in the car, passing motorized troops, including soldiers in captured American half-track M3. Source: Wikipemia, Public Domain. Click to enlarge.

The Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia was a significant moment during World War II as it marked the first major engagement between American and German forces. The Kasserine Pass was a critical point of convergence for the Allied supply lines, which were essential for the success of the North African campaign. The battle took place in Tunisia on 14 February 1943 and was a resounding defeat for the United States Army.    ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WAR IN THE PACIFIC

WAR IN THE PACIFIC · Published 29 October 2023 at 9:51pm EDT · COMMENT AND CONVERSATION

"19 February 1945: 'Uncommon valor was a common virtue' and 'A Marine Corps for the next 500 years' - The Battle of Iwo Jima Begins"

ABOVE: Marines landing on the beaches of Iwo Jima. Source: Archives Branch, USMC History Division. Click to enlarge.

The Battle of Iwo Jima was a pivotal moment in the Pacific War during World War II. The United States military launched Operation Detachment on 19 February 1945, with the objective of capturing the island of Iwo Jima from the Imperial Japanese Army. The island had two airfields, South Field and Central Field, that the Americans needed to capture as they would provide important airstrips for their planes. In the following weeks, the battle saw some of the most vicious fighting of the Pacific War, leading to the deaths of thousands on both sides.   ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: THE VIETNAM WAR

THE VIETNAM WAR · Published 9 December 2023 at 2:16pm EDT · COMMENT

"22 February 1967: Operation Junction City - The First U.S. Army Combat Airborne Operation in Vietnam Begins"

ABOVE: Tay Ninh City, Vietnam 1967. Operation Junction City was the largest U.S. operation of the Vietnam War to "find and break the spine of the Viet Cong, destroy the headquarters," focusing on one target, the northern base of Tay Ninh. The operation was divided into two waves. Source: Public Domain. Click to enlarge.

Operation Junction City was an 82-day military operation that took place during the Vietnam War in 1967. The operation was a joint effort between United States and Republic of Vietnam (RVN) forces aimed at locating the elusive Communist uprising in South Vietnam, the Central Office of South Vietnam. The operation involved the equivalent of nearly three divisions of U.S. troops and was the first U.S. combat airborne operation since the Korean War. The grand tactical plan for Junction City involved a "hammer and anvil" tactic, with airborne forces "flushing out" the VC headquarters and driving it against a prepared "anvil" of other forces.  ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR - WORLD WAR I AND THE INTERWAR YEARS

WORLD WAR I AND THE INTERWAR YEARS - THE GATHERING STORM · Published 6 April 2024 at 9:55pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"8 March 1917 - The February Revolution: Prelude to Tsardom's Fall and Global Impact"

ABOVE: Winter Palace, Petrograd (Later Leningrad and now Saint Petersburg) 1917. Russian army officers take the oath of allegiance to the October Revolution. Soldiers gathered in the square of the Winter Palace, many of whom previously supported the Provisional Government. Source: License assigned to War History Network. Click to enlarge.

On the precipice of World War I in 1917, Russia found herself at the heart of an immense historical upheaval that would alter not only her course but the world's as well. Two revolutions unfolded, each rippling across the globe, signaling irreversible change. When Nicholas II ascended the throne in 1894, it was with the expectation of lifelong rule, continuing the lineage of absolute power bequeathed by his father, Alexander III. Yet, barely two decades into his reign, Nicholas would witness the disintegration of both his authority and the tsarist regime itself—a monumental descent catalyzed by socioeconomic tribulations.   ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR - THE VIETNAM WAR ERA: 1955-75

THE VIETNAM WAR ERA - 1955-75 · Published 4 December 2023 at 8:58pm EDT · COMMENT

"13 March 1954: Prologue to Vietnam: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu Begins"

ABOVE: 2 April 1954: French union soldiers with automatic weapons move up over the battered Dien Bien Phu terrain in Indochina during a counterattack on communist-led Vietminh besiegers. The French garrison commander called for paratroop reinforcements today to help withstand continued suicidal assaults by the rebels trying to penetrate the northwestern Vietnam bastion. Source: In the Public Domain. Click to enlarge.

The occurrence of significant historical events is never a coincidence, especially when it comes to major conflicts and wars throughout history. These events are shaped by a multitude of political, economic, imperialistic, and societal factors that are instrumental in propelling countries into war. The Vietnam War, for instance, cannot be fully understood without considering the aftermath of World War II. One indelible event that ought to be considered in this context is the pivotal Battle of Dien Bien Phu. This battle was a significant turning point in Vietnamese history, and it marked the end of French colonial influence in the region.  ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: POPULAR MEDIEVAL MILITARY HISTORY

ANCIENT, CLASSICAL, AND MEDIEVAL MILITARY POPULAR HISTORY · Published 17 FEBRUARY 2023 at 11:41pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"First War of Scottish Independence: 26 March 1296-1 May 1328 and the Battle of Bannockburn: 23–24 June 1314"

ABOVE: The statue of King Robert I (also known as Robert The Bruce), who secured Scotland's independence from England. In the background National Wallace Monument commemorates Sir William Wallace. Source: War History Network license. Click to enlarge.

The inaugural conflict for Scottish freedom, known as the First War of Scottish Independence, is a defining segment in Scotland's storied past. Within this turbulent era, spanning from the onset of English incursions in 1296 until the affirmation of Scottish independence via the Treaty of Edinburgh–Northampton in 1328, the gritty narrative of Scotland's fight for self-governance unfolded. Culminating from this period's chronicled events was Scotland's fortified stand, solidified by their heralded victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: U.S. CIVIL WAR

U.S. CIVIL WAR 1861-65 AND RECONSTRUCTION · Published 21 DECEMBER 2023 at 8:22pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"29 March to 9 April 1865: War of Brother Against Brother Ends - The Appomattox Campaign" 

ABOVE: The Appomattox courthouse in April 1865. Source: Library of Congress. Click to enlarge.

The Appomattox campaign marked a turning point in the American Civil War. It was the culmination of four years of fighting, and the decisive victory by the Union Army signaled the end of the war and the beginning of a new era in American history. The Appomattox campaign was one of the most critical and decisive events of the United States Civil War. The campaign marked the end of the longest and most brutal conflict in American history and gave rise to the dawn of a new era, one in which slavery was abolished, and the prospects of unity and progress were enhanced.   ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WORLD WAR II - EUROPE

D-DAY AND THE WAR IN WESTERN EUROPE · Published 10 FEBRUARY 2024 at 11:16pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"24 March 1944: 'Big X' and the Night of the Great Escape"

ABOVE: Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, Leutnant Eberhardt (German Security), and Paddy Byrne. Byrne succeeded in escaping by feigning insanity, and as a consequence was repatriated. Source: Wikipedia; in the Public Domain. Click to enlarge.

Stalag Luft III marked a significant chapter in the history of World War II, particularly for the captured Western Allied Air personnel it confined. Situated in Sagan, Lower Silesia, the camp acquired notoriety for its sand-rich soil, a strategic detail that rendered escape through tunneling a formidable challenge. Despite the physical barriers, the prisoners within — resilient and determined — orchestrated daring breakouts that have since become the stuff of legends.  ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WAR IN THE PACIFIC

WAR IN THE PACIFIC · Published 14 DECEMBER 2023 at 9:19pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"1 April 1945: The Setting Sun at Okinawa - World War II's Last Battle"

ABOVE: Okinawa USMC Photo 17-2. "Marines firing on Japs with light machine gun." From the Eric Bonin Collection (COLL/5320), Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections, Quantico, Virginia. Official USMC photograph. Click to enlarge.

The island of Okinawa, located approximately 350 miles from Japan's home islands, was the largest land, air, and sea battle in history and longest of the Pacific War. The United States' goal was to secure the island, as its airfields and waters were essential staging areas for the planned invasion of Japan, known as Operations Olympic and Coronet. Winning the battle meant the potential deployment of an estimated one million troops authorized by President Harry S. Truman, further increasing the urgency and intensity of the fighting.  ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: U.S. CIVIL WAR - 1861-1865

U.S. CIVIL WAR - 1861-1865 · Published 13 JANUARY 2024 at 4:37pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"6-7 April 1862: Exorbitant Casualties in Tennessee: The Battle of Shiloh"

ABOVE: The Battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburg Landing, April 6th & 7th, 1862 / J.H. Bufford's lithograph, Boston. Names: J.H. Bufford's Lithograph. Created/Published: Boston: Published by Oliver Ditson & Co., c1862. Headings: United States, History, Civil War, 1861-1865-Campaigns & battles; Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Songs & music. Source: Library of Congress. Click to enlarge.

The Battle of Shiloh was a turning point in the American Civil War and a defining moment in the history of the United States. The two-day conflict, fought on April 6-7, 1862, between General Ulysses S. Grant's Union forces and General Albert Sidney Johnston's Confederate troops, resulted in a Union victory that changed the course of the war. The battle was fought in southwestern Tennessee, along the Tennessee River, and was known by the Union as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, after the landing where Grant's troops disembarked.   ☞ Read the full article

CENTURIES OF WAR CALENDAR: WAR IN THE PACIFIC - THE PHILIPPINES

WAR IN THE PACIFIC · Published 6 JANUARY 2024 at 3:57pm EDT · COMMENTS AND CONVERSATION

"9 April 1942: Walk to Live - The Bataan Death March Begins"

ABOVE: April 1942: U.S. Army soldiers surrendering on Bataan. Source: U.S. National Archives. In the Public Domain. Click to enlarge.

The Bataan Death March marked one of the darkest moments of the Second World War. In April 1942, the Imperial Japanese Army ordered nearly 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers, who had surrendered in the battle of Bataan, to march 65 miles through the sweltering heat of the Philippines without food, water, or medical care. The aim of this forced march was to take the prisoners to different prison camps where they would be held captive under brutal and inhumane conditions.  ☞ Read the full article