Tag: Heroism

That must have been an “interesting” firefight

A total of eight medals for valor in action have been awarded for a single engagement in Afghanistan in 2019.  It was fought by a helicopter-borne group of Marine Raiders, so that must represent a pretty large proportion of those involved. A Marine master sergeant blasted his way into a building filled with at least… Continue reading That must have been an “interesting” firefight

Two interesting articles about the Russian Front in WW2

I recently came across two articles at the Warfare History Network, recounting the experiences of German servicemen on the Russian front during World War II. From the Luftwaffe: Joachim Benz on the Eastern Front After a seven-day journey through East Prussia and Lithuania, we reached Newel. Then we were off-loaded and drove through bitter cold… Continue reading Two interesting articles about the Russian Front in WW2

Bringing healing in the most ghastly place on earth

I recently came across an extended report about a Jewish doctor’s heroic self-imposed mission in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.  It’s a remarkable story of human endurance and courage under the worst possible circumstances.  Here’s an excerpt. [Dr.] Perl was one of five doctors and four nurses ordered to establish a hospital… Continue reading Bringing healing in the most ghastly place on earth

75 years ago today: Victory in Europe (VE Day)

On May 8th, 1945, the Second World War came to an end in Europe.  The date has become known as “Victory in Europe Day”, or simply “VE Day”.  Fighting would continue in the Pacific campaign against Japan for just over three more months, leading to “Victory in Japan Day” or “VJ Day” in August. My… Continue reading 75 years ago today: Victory in Europe (VE Day)

Saturday Snippet: a hero who outraged the military establishment

Michael Calvert is one of the greatest figures in military special operations history in any nation.  He rose from obscurity to Brigadier‘s rank in the British Army during World War II, twice being awarded the Distinguished Service Order (the equivalent of the US Army’s Distinguished Service Cross), as well as the US Silver Star and other… Continue reading Saturday Snippet: a hero who outraged the military establishment

Shangani Patrol – the movie

Last Saturday I put up a snippet from Frederick Russell Burnham‘s book, “Scouting on Two Continents“. The excerpt concerned the famous Shangani Patrol, that was wiped out in a legendary “last stand” fight against the Matabele tribe in 1893.  In colonial Rhodesia the incident was regarded in the same light as the last stand at… Continue reading Shangani Patrol – the movie

Saturday Snippet: An American with the Shangani Patrol

The so-called Shangani Patrol was a legendary encounter in 1893 between colonial forces and the Matabele tribe of Lobengula in what is today Zimbabwe.  The entire patrol was annihilated, after having killed more than ten times its own number in an epic fight through the bush.  In colonial Rhodesia, it was regarded in the same… Continue reading Saturday Snippet: An American with the Shangani Patrol

Saturday Snippet: Cossack patriotic overkill

In 1835, Nikolai Gogol published his famous work Taras Bulba. It’s an over-the-top patriotic panegyric to the Cossack people and culture of the time, wildly exaggerated, but very popular ever since.  Wikipedia says of it: The main character is based on several historical personalities, and other characters are not as exaggerated or grotesque as was… Continue reading Saturday Snippet: Cossack patriotic overkill

“Trouble in the Wind”

Earlier this year, authors Chris Kennedy and James Young partnered to bring to market a trilogy of alternate-history short story anthologies of combat.  They called it “The Phases of Mars“.  The first book, “Those in Peril“, dealt with the sea and naval combat.  The second volume, “To Slip the Surly Bonds“, dealt with aircraft and… Continue reading “Trouble in the Wind”