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PROF. BRIAN TODD CAREY'S READINGS IN MILITARY PHILOSOPHY

France under Louis XIV (the “Sun King” r.1614-1715) was the most powerful state in Western Europe through the eighteenth century as it sought to maintain and at times, expand its influence over the continent. During Europe’s Dynastic Age of warfare (1648-1789), talented aristocratic officers rose through the ranks of the French army, some French born, others of foreign aristocratic birth. One such talented officer was Maurice de Saxe (1696-1750). As an officer and commander, the Marshal de Saxe penned an important treatise published posthumously in 1757 entitled Reveries on the Art of War (Reveries sur l'Art de la Guerre), a profoundly influential treatment on the importance of discipline and morale on troop performance, as well as practical guidance on tactical formations, logistics, and fortifications, often referencing earlier Roman models tuned for contemporary applications. (click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR I AND THE INTERWAR YEARS

In late 1926, British military historian and strategist Captain Basil Henry Liddell Hart published a work titled, A Greater than Napoleon, Scipio Africanus. Throughout the nineteenth century, Napoleon was lauded as the penultimate tactician who informed successive generations on the value of military maneuvers, maxims, and lessons in leadership. However, in the aftermath of World War One, and the tragedy surrounding the war of attrition that laid waste to an entire generation of young men throughout Europe, Hart found something more appealing in the Roman general renowned for his successful campaign against Carthage in the Second Punic War (218–201BC).  (click image for the complete article)

PROFESSOR BENJAMIN J. SWENSON'S WRITINGS ON 18th & 19th CENTURY HISTORY

Like the Americans in the Revolutionary War (1775–83), Mexicans during their war of independence (1810–21) were labeled “traitors” and “rebels,” but a new designation arose out of the emergence of a novel system of insurgent warfare originating in Spain. The Patriot Wars in the Gulf coincided with the advent of modern “guerrilla” warfare, which initially affected how Mexicans were depicted in the press until the U.S. government formalized nomenclature in support of the revolutions there and elsewhere in Spanish America by adopting the term “patriot.” In short, the new (and illegal) mode of warfare was downplayed in favor of the more politically palatable and propagandist term invoking the spirit of radical republicanism opposed to European monarchical rule.  (Click image for the complete article)

THE HOLOCAUST

Renowned Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz defined war as “an act of violence to compel our opponent to fulfil our will.”1 Given Germany’s martial legacy, it should come as no surprise that a Prussian general penned those words. Baron Antoine-Henri Jomini, a Swiss officer and contemporary of Clausewitz, expounded upon the definition of war when he stated, “The most just war is one founded on undoubted rights.”2 Jomini felt that public (civilian) interest must be considered before resorting to military action. Unfortunately, most Western powers have failed to heed Jomini’s dictum and have instead placed their own interests before those of the public. As a result, many millions of innocent civilians have perished because of state-sponsored war. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: D-DAY

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. The unit was a top-secret project that was tasked with simulating two whole divisions, comprising approximately 30,000 men, using visual, sonic, and radio deception techniques. The Ghost Army achieved this daunting task by using fake tanks, sound trucks, fake radio transmissions, scripts, and pretense. (Click image for the complete article)

THE VIETNAM WAR

In the rugged, mist-shrouded highlands of South Vietnam's Quảng Trị Province, just a few miles from the Laotian border and the demilitarized zone (DMZ), lies a plateau known as Khe Sanh. In 1968, this remote outpost became the epicenter of one of the longest, deadliest, and most controversial battles of the Vietnam War. The 77-day siege of the Khe Sanh Combat Base pitted elite U.S. Marine and Army units against a numerically superior force of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), creating a brutal crucible of attrition, airpower, and infantry resolve. The battle would become a symbol of the American war effort, highlighting both the immense destructive power of its military and the perplexing strategic questions that defined the conflict. (Click image for the complete article)

THE VIETNAM WAR ERA: 1955-1975

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. This system – a meld of infantry hubs and electronic ground sensors – was devised with the intent to stymie the North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) infiltration into South Vietnamese territory via the concealed routes of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. However, the stationary and defensive posture required by the McNamara Line contrasted sharply with the traditional and aggressive combat style historically favored by the Marines. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: CODEBREAKERS

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. In the Second World War, the Germans had vastly improved their encryption systems, and the Allies were struggling to decipher them. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: THE HOLOCAUST

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 (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: WAR IN THE PACIFIC

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. In a daring and heroic mission during World War II, the U.S. Army's 6th Ranger Battalion, C Company, commanded by Captain Robert Prince and reinforced with F Company's platoon, accompanied by Lt. Colonel Henry Mucci, set out to rescue 511 prisoners of war from deep behind Japanese lines in the Philippines. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: WAR IN THE PACIFIC

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. The fiercely fought battles during the Battle of Tarawa on 20–23 November and the Battle of Makin on 20–24 November 1943 were particularly significant, with several military tactics and warfare strategies employed. The successful seizing of these islands allowed the United States to establish a firm foothold in the Central Pacific, paving the way for further missions and ultimately, contributing to the outcome of the overall Pacific theatre of World War II. (Click image for the complete article)

THE VIETNAM WAR

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 battle for the city of Hue was a significant moment in the larger military operations that were being conducted across Vietnam. The city was a vital transportation hub on the vital coastal Highway 1, which was essential to the supply routes used by both the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) and the United States military. Subsequently, controlling Hue was a high priority for the North Vietnamese. Strategically, control over the city would have been a significant blow to the Allied efforts in the region.(Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER

The construction of the Burma Railroad, infamously known as the Death Railway, stands as one of the most harrowing episodes of World War II. Built by the Empire of Japan between 1942 and 1943, this 415-kilometer (258-mile) railway line was designed to connect Thanbyuzayat, Burma (present-day Myanmar), with Ban Pong, Thailand. Its purpose was strategic: to create a secure, overland supply route for Japanese forces campaigning in the Burma theater. However, the project's execution was characterized by systematic brutality, forced labor, and an immense human cost, earning it a dark place in military history. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: THE EASTERN FRONT

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. Not only was control of Stalingrad vital for access to the oil fields of the Caucasus but also for control of the entire Volga. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR I: 1914-1918

Winston Churchill, a man with a burning ambition and a delusion of grandeur, his innate desire to take control and command of the situation, led to the catastrophic failure of the Gallipoli campaign. The ambitious Churchill could visualize great movements and combinations in his mind, which he believed could have turned the tide in favor of Britain during the Great War. Churchill had proposed a bold strategy to break the deadly stalemate in the Western Front. It involved Britain and the French-led Allied forces attacking the Gallipoli Peninsula on the northern side of the narrow 38-mile Dardanelles strait in northwest Turkey. The invasion was aimed at giving the British a clear sea route to their ally, Russia, and also knocking the fading Ottoman Empire, the “sick man of Europe” out of the war. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: THE WAR IN NORTH AFRICA

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. The German offensive, led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, was a prelude to a series of clashes that became known as the Battle of Kasserine Pass, which lasted for one week. The battle was a sobering moment for the Allied forces, as it exposed the weaknesses in their strategy, chain of supply, and military tactics. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: WAR IN THE PACIFIC

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. (click image for the complete article

THE VIETNAM WAR ERA: 1955-1975

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. The U.S. forces included most of the 1st Infantry Division and the 25th Infantry Division, including the airborne troops of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and large armored elements of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. (Click image for the complete article)

THE INTERWAR YEARS: 1918-1939

On the night of 27 February 1933, the Reichstag building in Berlin—the seat of the German parliament and a potent symbol of the Weimar Republic’s fragile democracy—was engulfed in flames. This pivotal event served as the catalyst for the rapid consolidation of Nazi power, marking the definitive end of democratic governance in Germany and setting the nation on a trajectory toward the devastation of World War II. To understand the significance of the Reichstag Fire, one must examine the precarious state of the Weimar Republic in early 1933. Germany was grappling with the severe economic fallout of the Great Depression, which had radicalized the electorate and swelled the ranks of both the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) and the Communist Party of Germany (KPD). (click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: THE WAR IN WESTERN EUROPE

The Battle of Remagen was a pivotal moment in the Allied invasion of Germany during World War II. This battle was fought in the small German town of Remagen across the River Rhine, which separated the Allies from Nazi Germany. The American Army's capture of the Ludendorff Bridge is considered to be a crucial turning point in the war. The capture of the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine provided the Allied forces with an unexpected and crucial crossing point into the German heartland, allowing them to rapidly establish a strong bridgehead on the eastern side of the river. This strategic victory enabled the Allies to transport five divisions across the Rhine into the Ruhr, Germany's industrial heartland. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR I: 1914-1918

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.The societal fabric of Russia bore scars from economic stagnation intertwined with burgeoning industrialization, leading to widespread urban food shortages and rural discontent over sluggish land reform. Political unrest fomented among moderates, who pressed for Western-inspired liberalism, and socialist factions championed more drastic solutions. However, it was the catalyst of war that ignited change, cumulating in the February revolution. (Click image for the complete article)

THE VIETNAM WAR ERA: 1955-1975

On 8 March 1965, the character of American involvement in Vietnam underwent a fundamental transformation. On that day, 3,500 United States Marines of the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade waded ashore on the beaches near Da Nang, South Vietnam. This event marked the official deployment of the first U.S. combat ground troops, signaling the beginning of America's ground war and a significant escalation of the conflict. The Marines' arrival was not a spontaneous decision but the result of evolving political calculations and military strategies in Washington and Saigon. (click image for the complete article)

THE VIETNAM WAR: PROLOGUE

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. It lasted for over two months, from March to May 1954, and had a detrimental effect on both sides of the war. Dien Bien Phu was fought between French troops, who aimed to maintain their empire by controlling Indochina, and Vietnamese soldiers, who were motivated by the desire to reclaim their sovereignty. The Vietnamese were ultimately successful, thanks to their superior tactics, and with this, colonialism in Asia faced a grueling defeat that would shape the region's future. The impact of the Battle of Dien Bien Phu went beyond just Vietnam, as it inspired nationalist movements throughout the entire Asian continent. (click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: WAR IN WESTERN EUROPE

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. On the night of 24th to 25th March 1944, under the pervading darkness, the notorious mass escape from Stalag Luft III, now etched into the annals of military history as 'The Great Escape’, was set into motion. Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, with his legal acumen, marshaled the efforts of the Escape Committee, leading the audacious plan to fruition. Group Captain Herbert Massey gave his crucial approval, recognizing that the unprecedented scale of the escape demanded the meticulous digging of not one but three tunnels—Tom, Dick, and Harry—to confound the guards with an unimaginable duplicity in their efforts. (click image for the complete article)

THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR: WAR BETWEEN THE STATES

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. (Click image for the complete article)

WORLD WAR II: WAR IN THE PACIFIC

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. The scale of the conflict was immense, and the battle resulted in significant losses for both sides. The Japanese lost more soldiers and sailors at the Battle of Okinawa than in any other battle of the Second World War, and the civilian population suffered alongside them. More than one-third of the entire Okinawan population lost their lives during the 82 days of war, with many perishing at the hands of American firepower, and tens of thousands more by the Japanese Army. (click image for the complete article)