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19TH CENTURY WAR AND CONFLICT 

In 1829, French general Gabriel Suchet published his Peninsular War (1808–14) memoirs and noted that in 1810 he believed the Spanish “appeared to yield ready compliance” to the French occupation – an assessment far from accurate. Rather, Suchet’s tenure as commander of Napoleon’s forces in northeast Spain witnessed some of the most intense fighting between Spanish guerrillas and French forces. A generation later, General Winfield Scott recalled his own role in the Mexican-American War (1846–48). In his memoirs, Scott lauded the “prowess” of the U.S. Army, but added that “valor and professional science could not alone have dictated a treaty of peace with double our numbers, in double the time, and with double the loss of life, without the measures of conciliation.”  ☞ Click image or here for full article

MEDIEVAL MILITARY HISTORY: c.500-c.1000 CE 

Ranged warfare in Western Civilization was influenced by a form of mechanical archery using crossbows beginning in the classical era and continuing through the medieval period and into the early modern era. First invented in China and dating back to the Zhou Dynasty’s (1046-256 BCE) Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the military crossbow saw wide usage in Chinese armies as a potent infantry and chariot-borne missile weapon. Its popularity in China continued through until the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) when Central Asian steppe cultures took control, and displaced mechanical archery with traditional archery, although it never fully disappeared from Chinese arsenals in the medieval and early modern eras.  ☞ Click image or here for full article

THE VIETNAM WAR: 1955-1975 

It is no secret that military troops have always prepared for war, and military readiness exercises are not something new. In some fashion, the world’s militaries have always exercised their combat capabilities. Whether the New Kingdom Egyptians, the ancient Greeks, Macedonians, or the Romans, the practice of exercising varying tactical formations abounds in military historiography. Even the Roman gladiatorial system employed specialized trainers in schools called ludi, which utilized a disciplined method to train ancient warriors for close-quarters combat (CQB) that became a foreshadowing of the “friendly versus friendly” mock combat that would develop over the centuries.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

19TH CENTURY CONFLICT AND MILITARY HISTORY 

The United States Navy was barely an experiment in the early 1800s. The country had no institutional structure for cultivating naval leadership, no permanent fleet, and no great maritime legacy. Often self-taught or informally trained, naval officers improvised doctrine instead of codifying it; ships were built erratically and run under limited funds. Yet within a generation, American vessels were patrolling distant shores, projecting power in the Mediterranean, and defeating seasoned British frigates in direct combat. This transformation did not occur in isolation, it emerged from a crucible of small wars, hard leadership, and contested waters.  ☞ Click image or here for full article

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

Merrill's Marauders, an elite U.S. Army long-range penetration special operations jungle warfare unit, etched their name in the annals of World War II history through their daring and audacious actions in the China-Burma-India Theater. Known officially as the 5307th Composite Unit, this exceptional group of soldiers left an indelible mark with their intricate and perilous deep-penetration missions behind enemy lines. They frequently engaged and defeated Japanese forces with superior numbers and resources by relying on their unparalleled skills, exceptional teamwork, and unyielding determination. Click image or here for full article

ANCIENT, CLASSICAL, AND MEDIEVAL POPULAR MILITARY HISTORY

The Thirty Years' War was a devastating conflict that raged across Europe from 1618 to 1648. It involved many of the major powers of the time, and its impact was felt for decades afterwards. The war was sparked by religious, political, and economic tensions, which led to a complex series of alliances and betrayals.The Thirty Years' War, spanning from 1618 to 1648, is among the most destructive and prolonged armed conflicts in European history, which involved almost the entire European continent. It took place primarily in Central Europe, involving numerous states and resulted in around 4.5 to 8 million deaths of civilians and soldiers due to battle, famine, and disease. Areas of modern-day Germany faced staggering population declines of over 50%. Click image for full article

ANCIENT, CLASSICAL, AND MEDIEVAL POPULAR MILITARY HISTORY

The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) was one of the most significant conflicts in the Middle Ages, spanning over 116 years and involving five generations of kings from two rival dynasties. This war was fought between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of England, ultimately leading to five generations of kings from two rival dynasties vying for the French throne. It was what historian Norman Davies observes as "... above all, an orgy of what later generations were to judge most despicable about 'medievalism'--endless killings, witless superstition, faithless chivalry, and countless particular interests pursued without regard to common weal." Click image for full article

WORLD WAR I AND THE INTERWAR YEARS 

Amid the unyielding battlegrounds of World War One, one particular engagement stands out as a testament to valor and strength, etching an indelible mark in the annals of warfare. The Battle of Belleau Wood, fought between the U.S. Marine Corps and the German Army from June 1st to June 26th, 1918, near the Marne River in France, remains not just a military triumph but an emblem of human resilience against overwhelming odds. With the German spring offensive looming large on the Western Front, the Allies faced a critical juncture. Their backs against the wall, the U.S. 2nd and 3rd Divisions, bolstered by relentless infantry and strategic maneuvering, stood firm against the German tide. This article delves into the Battle of Belleau Wood, dissecting its critical moments and unraveling the profound significance that reverberated across the landscape of World War One.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

WWII: BATTLE FOR THE SEAS 

The Battle of Midway, fought between 4 and 7 June 1942, stands as one of the pivotal battles in the Pacific Theater and turning point from which Japan would not recover. Six months on from Japan's raid on Pearl Harbor and a month after the Battle of the Coral Sea, the United States Navy won a decisive victory over the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). Two strategic factors contributed to the battle: the Japanese intended to establish a "barrier" to extend their defensive perimeter following the Doolittle air raid on Tokyo and aimed to entice American carriers into a trap to clear for further offensives. Conversely, American cryptographers' remarkable breakthroughs enabled the U.S. Navy to set an ambush of their own, tipping the scales before a single shot was fired.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

WORLD WAR I AND THE INTERWAR YEARS

Sergeant Alvin Cullum York stands as one of the most celebrated and studied figures of American military history, renowned for his acts of gallantry during World War I. The transformation of York from a rural Tennessee farmer to a national hero exemplifies broader themes of duty, morality, and individual agency in wartime. Analyzing his early life, military training and deployment, and especially his actions during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive offers valuable insights into the nature of heroism and the dynamics of the First World War. Click image for full article

D-DAY AND THE WAR IN EUROPE 

The images of the Normandy landings taken by photographers such as Life Magazine photographer Robert Capa and Coast Guard Chief Photographer’s Mate Robert F. Sargent are ingrained in the collective memory of World War II. These visual testimonies provide an insight into one of history's pivotal moments, laden with raw emotion, perilous endeavors, and unyielding courage. Robert F. Sargent captured "Into the Jaws of Death," an image enveloped with the same raw authenticity as Capa’s, portraying the immediate moments of troops braving the surf under fire. While Sargent remained on his landing craft, Capa dared further, stepping onto the deadly beach and documenting the soldiers' arduous progress amidst chaos and bombardment.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

NORTH AFRICA AND THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN

The North African Campaign, spanned from June 1940 until May 1943, encapsulating a series of operations and battles that involved vast maneuvers across desert terrains by both Axis and Allied forces. This campaign was characterized by a series of strategic thrusts and counterthrusts over control of Libya and Egypt and is a testament to the tenacity and resourcefulness of the involved forces. Initiated on September 13, 1940, with the Italian advance on British-held Egypt, the campaign swiftly escalated. The subsequent Operation Compass—a British assault that launched in December 1940—yielded key victories at the Battle of Sidi Barrani and the Battle of Bardia. Continued Allied success led to the significant capture of Tobruk, signaling the first major surrender of Italian forces. ☞ Click image or here for full article

THE VIETNAM WAR ERA: 1955-1975 

Studying the Pentagon Papers remains relevant today, as there are ongoing concerns about transparency and honesty from the past Biden administration in the U.S. Pundits and analysts have shown Joe Biden and members of that administration of not being forthright and honest with Congress and the American public on critical policy decisions and issues adversely affecting domestic security and public safety, drawing comparisons to the lack of transparency revealed by the Pentagon Papers about the Johnson administration's handling of the Vietnam War. While the contexts differ, the underlying issues of government accountability, truthfulness, and the public's right to know are pertinent in both cases.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

WAR IN THE PACIFIC 

The Battle of Saipan, fought from 15 June to 9 July 1944, was a critical episode in the Pacific campaign of World War II. This clash unfolded on the island of Saipan, located within the Mariana Islands, marking a pivotal moment in Operation Forager. The meticulously orchestrated assault was initiated when the expansive fleet set sail from Pearl Harbor, a strategic movement that occurred concurrently with the operations of Operation Overlord in Europe.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

WORLD WAR II - THE EASTERN FRONT 

Operation Barbarossa stands as one of the most monumental military endeavors and a seminal turning point in the history of World War II. Launched on June 22, 1941, this invasion by Nazi Germany into the heartland of the Soviet Union, was not only the largest land offensive in human history, involving around 10 million combatants, but also a catastrophic error in strategic judgment by Adolf Hitler. Searheaded by German forces and supported by Axis allies, the operation, named after the medieval Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, sought to decimate communism and forcibly seize territory for German repopulation. In its wake, Operation Barbarossa hoped to commandeer economic resources, including the oil reserves of the Caucasus, and the fertile grounds of Ukraine and Byelorussia.  ☞ Click image or here for full article

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION 

The significance of the Battle of Little Bighorn extends well beyond the immediate outcome of the conflict. This consequential showdown between Native American tribes and United States forces encapsulates the height of struggle for control over the Great Plains. Painted against a backdrop of tension, the resounding Native American victory underscored their fortitude in repelling encroachment upon their lands, while simultaneously foreshadowing a devastating aftermath for the indigenous tribes – an ultimate defeat and relegation to reservations. It stands as a pivotal yet paradoxical chapter in their resistance; a poignant triumph followed by the erosion of freedom and age-old traditions.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

THE KOREAN WAR 

On 25 June 1950, seven divisions of highly trained and well-equipped North Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel, the boundary between North and South Korea, initiating a full-scale invasion of South Korea. The North Korean People's Army (NKPA), numbering over 90,000 soldiers and bolstered by Soviet-supplied artillery and tanks, aimed to swiftly overrun the South Korean defenses and unite the Korean Peninsula under communist rule. Click image or here for full article

MODERN WAR AND ARMED CONFLICT

Operation Red Wings, also referred to as the Battle of Abbas Ghar, stands as a pivotal and tragic episode within the broader context of the U.S.-led Global War on Terror. Conducted in June 2005, this operation has received significant scholarly and public attention, notably through its depiction in Lone Survivor, both a bestselling book by Marcus Luttrell and a subsequent film adaptation. The engagement is marked by extraordinary heroism, profound sacrifice, and the severe realities encountered by special operations forces in Afghanistan’s formidable terrain.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

WAR IN THE PACIFIC 

The New Georgia Campaign (June–October 1943) in the Solomon Islands represents a pivotal series of engagements within the broader context of the Pacific Theater of World War II. Undertaken by Allied forces, predominantly United States Army and Marine units, with substantial contributions from New Zealand and Australia, this campaign sought to neutralize Japanese positions in the Central Solomons and hasten the encirclement of the major Japanese bastion at Rabaul. Characterized by convoluted terrain, logistics challenges, and protracted combat against tenacious Japanese resistance, the campaign proved both a strategic and operational learning experience for the Allies.  ☞ Click image or here for full article

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION 

The Battle of Gettysburg represented a pivotal moment in the Civil War. Over the course of three days, the conflict resulted in more than 50,000 estimated casualties, making it the bloodiest single battle of the war. Following a series of defensive successes in Virginia, General Lee aimed to secure a victory north of the Mason-Dixon line, intending to compel a negotiated end to the hostilities. However, his defeat at Gettysburg thwarted this objective. Subsequently, the beleaguered general retreated southward, accompanied by a wagon train of wounded soldiers heading towards the Potomac. Union General Meade did not capitalize on this moment to pursue the retreating Confederates, missing a critical chance to encircle Lee's forces and force a Confederate surrender. Consequently, the deeply divisive war continued for an additional two years.  ☞ Click image or here for full article

WORLD WAR I & THE INTERWAR YEARS

The Battle of the Somme, fought between July and November of 1916, was one of the costliest and most traumatic conflicts of World War I. Its significance in shaping the course of the war and the fate of Europe cannot be overstated. The primary objective of the battle was to alleviate the pressure on the French army at Verdun, which had been under relentless attack by the Germans since February of that year. But the battle became much more than that, and the fighting would last for months with no clear victor. Click image for full article

THE EASTERN FRONT 

The Battle of Stalingrad was a turning point in World War II, pitting the armies of Nazi Germany and its allies against the Soviet Union. It has become one of the most studied and remembered battles in history due to its significance in deciding the war in Europe. It began on 17 July 1942 and lasted until 2 February 1943 and caused an estimated 1.8 million casualties on both sides. 80% of all German casualties during World War II occurred on the Eastern Front, marking Soviet victory on the Eastern Front pivotal in defeating Nazi Germany in Europe.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

WORLD WAR I & THE INTERWAR YEARS

The use of animals in warfare is an ancient practice, yet few individual animals have achieved the renown or impact of Sergeant Stubby, a stray Boston terrier who accompanied the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I. Sergeant Stubby exemplifies the pivotal and diverse roles that animals, particularly dogs, played in the conflict, serving not only as mascots and companions but as contributors to military operations. This article details Sergeant Stubby’s biography, his involvement with the 102nd Infantry of the 26th Division, and highlights the broader significance of animals in the First World War, with reference to Ann Bausum’s comprehensive study, Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation. (Click image for full article.)

WAR IN THE PACIFIC 

The Battle of Tinian, fought between 24 July and 1 August 1944, was central to the Marianas campaign, and critical in undermining Japanese defenses and enabling American forces to gain a strategic foothold. A prelude to victory, the capture of Saipan set the stage for the assault on Tinian, a mere three miles away. The proximity of Tinian to Saipan rendered it a pivotal target for U.S. forces. The island's terrain, relatively flat compared to its neighbors, was perfectly suited for airfield construction, particularly for the deployment of the cutting-edge B-29 bombers. Japan's existing runways on Tinian were of great tactical interest to the American military, signaling the potential to position U.S. bombers within range of Japan's home islands.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

WORLD WAR ONE AND THE INTERWAR YEARS 

World War One was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. The war, which lasted from 1914 to 1918, resulted in an estimated nine million soldiers killed and 23 million wounded. Additionally, five million civilians died as a result of the fighting, hunger, and disease. Millions more died from genocide, and the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic was also exacerbated by the movement of combatants during the war.   ☞ Click image or here for full article

BATTLE FOR THE SEAS 

The USS Indianapolis, a Portland-class heavy cruiser, was commissioned into the United States Navy in 1932. It bore witness to pivotal moments of World War II, playing a crucial role as a flagship across various operations within the Pacific Theater. Notable among its engagements were the Aleutian Islands campaign and the formidable Battle of Okinawa. Yet, despite its decorated service, the USS Indianapolis met a harrowing fate, culminating in one of the most heartbreaking naval tragedies in American military annals—the devastating sinking in July of 1945   ☞ Click image or here for full article

D-DAY AND THE WAR IN WESTERN EUROPE 

The Warsaw Uprising stands as one of the more tragic events of World War II, exemplifying the extraordinary courage and resilience of the Polish Home Army and civilians under brutal German occupation. Not to be confused with the Jewish-only Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943, the Warsaw Uprising was launched on 1 August 1944, this valiant attempt to liberate Warsaw was both a testament to human spirit and a tragic tale of betrayal and loss.  ☞ Click image or here for full article

WAR IN THE PACIFIC 

The Battle of Guadalcanal was the earliest major ground battle of the Pacific War, fought between 7 August 1942, and 9 February 1943. It was a pivotal battle that saw the Allies, primarily the United States, take a crucial step towards victory in the Pacific Theater. The battle was the first offensive launched by the U.S. in the Pacific, and it was also the first time that the Japanese Imperial Army had been defeated on land. Additionally, the battle was a turning point in the war, and it marked the first stage of failure for the Japanese Empire. The Japanese had been using Guadalcanal as an airbase to launch attacks on Allied forces, and they had also been using the island to transport supplies and troops to other areas in the Pacific. The U.S. knew that if they could capture the island, they could disrupt the Japanese supply lines and gain a strategic foothold in the Pacific. The Marines landed on the island and quickly secured the airfield, which they renamed Henderson Field in honor of a Marine pilot who had been killed earlier in the campaign. The Japanese responded with a massive counter-offensive, and for the next six months, both sides engaged in a brutal and bloody battle for control of the island.  ☞ Click image or here for full article

THE VIETNAM WAR: 1955-1975 

The Tet Offensive, launched by communist North Vietnamese forces on 31 January 1968, was a series of attacks meant to weaken the morale of South Vietnam and its allies, ultimately leading to a communist victory. The attacks were meant to take place simultaneously throughout the country, targeting major cities and military installations. Among the most notable of these attacks were the three battles that took place in Khe Sanh, Hue, and Saigon. These battles are remembered as some of the fiercest encounters of the entire war, with U.S. and South Vietnamese troops fighting hand-to-hand against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces.  Click Image or here for full article

WAR IN FILM AND PROPAGANDA

HBO’s Band of Brothers, which debuted in 2001, stands as one of the seminal achievements in historical television. As the series approaches its 25th anniversary in 2026, its continued influence on audiences, scholars, and broader cultural discourse surrounding the Second World War remains remarkable. Next year, 2026, marks 25 years since the debut of HBO’s wildly successful 10-part miniseries Band of Brothers (2001). Following on the creative successes of their monumental hit Saving Private Ryan (1998), Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ Band of Brothers helped accelerate the rejuvenated interest in history of the Second World War, and more specifically, 1944’s Allied landings at Normandy. Click Image for Full Article