Violation & Compromise.

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From today in the op ed section of the Chicago Tribune some commentary regarding those peace activists self-described and their only just recently trespass of the Oak Ridge Laboratory and their "penetration" of the defenses - - able to get right next to the walls of a building reputedly storing fissionable material weapons grade!!

"You wouldn't think ..."

"You wouldn't think that an 82 year-old nun and two fellow pacifists could penetrate the defenses of one of this nation's most important nuclear weapons plants at Oak Ridge, Tenn. You wouldn't think they'd be able to spend enough time inside to spray-paint anti-war slogans on a building that houses nuclear bomb fuel, and light candles in a 'Christmas peace ritual.' But that is exactly what happened, authorities say.

"The nun, Sister Megan Rice, and her friends apparently used bolt cutters to slip through fences, and passed security sensors, at the Y-12 National Security Complex. The facility houses more than 100 tons of highly enriched uranium, enough for thousand of bombs. Alarms and sensors apparently went off, but guards didn't respond promptly. They had complained of frequent false alarms, triggered by raccoons and deer. You wouldn't think - - no, they didnt' think - - intruders would be so brazen as to . . . it's obvious."

Such an event of course not without precedent. From several years ago now another group of self-described peace activists committing trespass on the naval storage facility Bangor WA and actually reaching a site where they allege nuclear weapons themselves are store.

Amateurs quite able to circumvent security and violate the integrity in a symbolic manner of nuclear weaponry [alleged] and nuclear fissionable material [alleged}!! Such trespass surprising so done with almost a nonchalance and ease, almost leisurely in fact much to the chagrin of the authorities:

"Plowshares activists convicted on all counts"


"Background"

"The five admitted . . . they cut through the chain link fence surrounding the Navy base at Bangor, during the night of the Feast of All Souls, November 2, 2009. They then walked undetected for hours nearly four miles inside the base to the Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific (SWFPAC). This top security area is where the Plowshares activists say hundreds of nuclear missiles are stored in bunkers. There, they cut through two more barbed wire fences and went inside. They put up two big banners which said 'Disarm Now Plowshares: Trident Illegal and Immoral,' scattered sunflower seeds, and prayed until they were arrested at dawn."

Put up banners, prayed and scattered sunflower seeds. The next time someone may decide NOT to be so peaceful! Perhaps some group NOT SO peaceful having a much more sinister agenda and wherewithal to do significant damage will be emboldened. A group of terrorists seeking the maximum publicity destroying with explosives in situ the nuclear material or weapons, creating a radiological event ["dirty bomb"] of maximum even mind-boggling proportions.

EVEN MORE THAN TEN YEARS AFTER 9/11 SECURITY AT THESE FACILITIES IS STILL WEAK IN A MANNER THAT MAKES ONE WONDER!!

My worry too is that these peace activists perhaps without themselves even realizing it are collaborating with a foreign power hostile to the United States - - proxies testing security of the most secure [supposedly] and vital American installations!!

coolbert.

Churchill.

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From a comment to that previous blog entry regarding the U-1226:

"anonymous said... Quebec City 2012.08.28"

"NOTHING TO DO WITH HUDSON'S BAY"

"It must be precised that the Churchill River (Formerly Hamilton) flows out directly in the North Atlantic, off the Coast of Labrador and well above the Island of Newfoundland."

"As for Hudson's Bay it is way off to the West and inland, bordered to the East by Province of Quebec and to the West by Ontario, Manitoba an the newly created Nunavik Territory. JAM Bornais"

Bert stands corrected most decidedly so and thank you Anonymous.

There is a Churchill River flowing into the Atlantic. 

"The Churchill River . . . is a river in Newfoundland and Labrador which flows east from the Smallwood Reservoir in Labrador into the Atlantic Ocean via Lake Melville. The river is 856 km (532 mi) long and drains an area of 79,800 km2 (30,800 sq mi); it is the longest river in the province. It was named Hamilton River until 1965."

AND there is a Churchill River flowing into Hudson Bay.

"The Churchill River . . .  is a major river in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada. From the head of the Churchill Lake it is 1,609 km long. It was named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough and governor of the Hudson's Bay Company from 1685 to 1691."

That submarine the U-1226 evidently found in the Churchill River [Atlantic] and not the Churchill River [Hudson Bay].

Confirmation awaits but this is more or less a certainty, and makes a lot more sense and is more plausible too.

coolbert.

MFO.

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Thanks to DEBKAfile we have the accounts of the MFO in the Sinai, and especially those American components, now coming under attack by Salafist oriented Bedouin allegedly affiliated with Al Qaeda.

MFO [Multinational Force and Observers] for a period of over thirty years performing yeoman duty in a very harsh and unforgiving part of the world now a situation exacerbated by COMBAT!!

August 12. 2012 Briefs:

• "Seven terrorists killed in battle near MFO’s North Sinai HQ
Egyptian security officials Sunday reported that government forces had killed seven terrorists in raids of their hideouts in the village of al-Ghora 30 kilometers south of El Arish in N. Sinai. They omitted to mention the battle was fought to lift the Islamist terrorists’ siege on the multinational force’s northern headquarters at al Ghora, most of whose members are Americans."

• "Sinai terrorists keep up attacks, target US peacekeepers
. . . early Sunday on a Sinai multinational force convoy on its way to the Sheikh Zawid base and Saturday night, against Egyptian troops patrolling the Israeli border near the same spot where they killed 16 Egyptian soldiers a week ago. No casualties in either attack. The American soldiers escorting the MFO convoys returned the fire"

August 14, 2012 Briefs:

• "Extra US arms for Sinai Multinational Force
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced Tuesday that extra military equipment would be supplied to the MFO to strengthen its ability to defend itself. The peacekeepers, drawn from 11 nations led by the US, monitors Sinai and the Egyptian-Israel borders under the 1979 Egyptian-Israel peace accords."

Again, for a period of over thirty years now the MFO in the Sinai and multi-national force the most significant component of which is American. Always prepared for combat if need be, that time being NOW!!

"The Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) is an international peacekeeping force overseeing the terms of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel."

"Following the signing of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty on March 26, 1979, the United Nations was asked to provide the peacekeeping forces for the Sinai Peninsula mandated in the treaty."

"Task Force Sinai is the US brigade-sized element of the Multinational Force and Observers ("MFO"), the peacekeeping organization in place in the Sinai Peninsula since 1982. The Task Force commander is a US Army colonel, who also serves as the MFO Chief of Staff."

Those U.S. personnel serving with Task Force Sinai under-going an intensive preparation prior to deployment overseas, combat ready and tested for such. And military personnel my understanding from all services, not merely U.S. Army but any volunteer willing and able and completing the course of instruction as held at Ft. Bragg!!

Salafists too seeking to emulate those first three generations of Muslims as lived during the time of Muhammad. These are Bedouin as Moses might have encountered during the time of the Exodus from Egypt? Probably so!

coolbert.

Spandau.

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Bond! James Bond!

From that previous blog entry:

"When James Bond describes the rounds of a German Spandau heavy machine gun being fired over his head, this is his recollection of Dieppe? Could be!!"

"The gun was sometimes called 'Spandau' by British troops from the manufacturer's plates noting the district of Berlin where some were produced, much like the Germans' own World War I MG 08 had been nicknamed.

NO! NOT Dieppe! Rather the Ardennes. A English naval 30AU mission undoubtedly circa 1945.

As described in the Ian Fleming novel "Dr. No". All thanks to Mr. Fleming.

"Bond's eyes went to the two men standing in the stern. They were pale-skinned Negroes. They wore neat khaki ducks and shirts, broad belts, and deep visored baseball caps of yellow straw. They were standing side by side, bracing themselves against the slow swell. One of them was holding a long black loud-hailer with a wire attached. The other was manning a machine gun on a tripod. It looked to Bond like a Spandau."

. . . .

"The machine gunner trained his gun into the tops of the mangroves behind the beach. There came the swift rattling roar Bond had last heard coming from the German lines in the Ardennes. The bullets made the same old sound of frightened pigeons whistling overhead. Then there was silence."



. . . .

"This time the crash of noise was terrific. The bullets howled into the corner of the headland. Fragments of splintered rock whined over the beach like hornets. Ricochets twanged and buzzed off into the hinterland. Behind it all there was the steady road-drill hammer of the gun."

According to my knowledge and recollection the Ardennes during World War Two [WW2] was strictly either French or American sans British. Unless 30AU [40 Commando RN] was active in the area during the latter stages of WW2, forging ahead of the advancing American troops, attempting to capture intact to the greatest degree possible German secret weaponry, scientists, engineers, documents, etc.

30AU of which Commander Bond was a team leader perhaps, at the forefront of the action, where the fray was the thickest as you might expect.

This bears researching!!

coolbert.



Olympics.

This is coolbert:

I was right about this.

The Olympic competitive firearm shooting events at the London Games just concluded so very much different from decades ago.

NO LONGER featuring in any manner the long-range military style rifle competition. And NO team competition either. Such events are still found during national or international competitions BUT not at the Olympics anymore.

See the results for yourself:

"Round-up: Shooting competition hits the mark"

All events where a rifle or pistol used now strictly small-bore, .22 caliber [5.6mm] OR air rifle and air pistol.

That modern pentathlon the one event specifically designed for the Olympics that has a military dimension to it also changed to a degree from the competition as held for the first time in Stockholm one hundred years ago now [1912].

"Round-up: Modern Pentathlon revels in final-day spotlight"

Modern Pentathlon now all five events [run, swim, fence, shoot, ride] held in one day, the running and shooting events combined. You must run a cross country run of 4,000 meters [?] stopping along the way to shoot with a pistol for score your heart racing and beating fast - - accuracy very complicated by the exertion!!

"the shooting and running elements were put together into a biathlon-style combined event"

The shooting/run stage of the event NOT EVEN using real firearm or even an air pistol anymore, NOW using a laser pistol.

A LASER PISTOL. George S. Patton in 1912 would NOT have approved!!

coolbert.

Olympic Gold.

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"The press of this country has never taken much interest in rifle shooting, and though the big rifle matches of the country involve an enormous number of competitors, they are rarely even reported by the big newspapers and certainly are never treated as fully as are other competitive sports."  - - Lieutenant Commander Harris Laning, 1912 

Before there was Phelps and before there was Spitz there was Osburn, Lee and Spooner!!

Each and every one a military man and each and every one winning a clutch of Olympic medals, gold and otherwise! The sport competitive rifle shooting!!

1. Carl Osburn. Olympian from the early period, a naval career office and a shootist of renown.

"He competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics, 1920 Summer Olympics, and 1924 Summer Olympics, winning a total of eleven Olympic medals: five gold medals (including two individual gold medals), four silver medals, and two bronze medals. He is the most successful shooter at the Olympic Games when individual and team medals are both taken into the account."

"Among American male Olympians, Carl Osburn trails only Michael Phelps, thru 2010, in terms of Olympic medals won."

2. Willis Lee. American naval career officer and also a shootist of renown. AND during the Second World War [WW2] an admiral commanding during those various naval battles during the Guadalcanal campaign.

"[attended the] U.S. Naval Academy from which he graduated in 1908. While a midshipman in 1907, he became the only person to win the national championship in rifle and pistol shooting in the same year. He was a member of the Navy rifle teams of 1908, 1909, 1913, 1919, and 1930."

3. Lloyd Spooner. American army officer a competitor participating in the "most events participated in at one Olympic". Also successful as a military marksman and Olympic competitor almost unequalled!!

"In 1920, First Lieutenant Lloyd Spooner of the U.S. Army’s 47th Infantry competed in 12 events at the Antwerp Olympic Games – an absolute record for the most events participated in at one Olympics. As above, he won seven medals in these events, which also stood as a record until the 1980 Olympics"

4. Finally from a much modern era we have the "marksman" Margaret Murdock!! A captain in the U.S. Army and a woman competing in the same shooting events as men and WINNING! At one time Margaret probably rated as the # 1 "marksman" in the entire world.

"Margaret Murdock (born August 25, 1942) is a nurse and former United States Army officer most widely known for her success in international shooting competitions, including a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics.."

"Murdock is the first woman to win a medal in Shooting at the Summer Olympics and the first to win an individual open World Shooting Championship. In international competition Murdock set four individual world records and nine team world records."

Margaret for the better part of a decade representing the United States at international rifle competition and more or less the BEST, ALMOST WITHOUT PEER AND SURPASSING THE MEN AND OFTEN DOING SO WITH EASE!!

Olympic competitive rifle shooting using the military rifle, long-range fire with the high-power rifle NOW a thing of the past never to be seen again. The feats of Osburn, Lee and Spooner never again to be witnessed. Indeed only small-bore rifle competition still an event at the Olympics the trend now to use AIR RIFLES AND AIR PISTOLS. The Olympics is supposed to be about peace and good will toward men firearm competition not being in keeping with Olympic ideals??

coolbert.

Jubilee.

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Thanks to the Canadian Global News we have this headline and story that is somewhat misleading.

"Breaking German codes real reason for 1942 Dieppe raid: historian"

The Dieppe raid. Jubilee. Abortive landings on the French coast by combined British and Canadian units with a smattering of American Rangers included in the mix. Heavy even prohibitive casualties the results of raid felt to be almost nil, only in disaster could be comfort found from lessons learned of WHAT NOT TO DO!!


The BEST military units the English could muster sent into battle and decimated by second-rate German army units using second-rate equipment. A mission the historians have debated as to WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE REAL INTENT!

Historians have assigned many purposes to the disastrous raid":

* "to gather intelligence from prisoners and captured materials"
* "to assess Germany’s response to amphibious raids"
* "to boost Allied morale"
* "to assure the Soviets"

SECRET at the time and now only made apparent that among the raiders was the British 30AU unit. Tasked with capturing German naval four-rotor enigma machines, personnel, documents, etc.

Those "many purposes" for the Dieppe raid all valid to some extent NOW add to the list the secret mission of 30AU [assault unit].

30AU under the command of Ian Fleming and tasked with the capture of enemy top secret weaponry, scientists and engineers, documents, experimental models. 30AU operating incognito and heading of the most forward advancing friendly element.

Royal Marine commando under naval control again operating in mufti and incorporated into the Dieppe raider force with a special mission, grab a four-rotor naval Enigma cryptographic machine intact and return to England with same!! Please recall that James Bond as described by Ian Fleming a Royal Marine officer who fought during WW2 as a commando at least in the mind of Fleming probably a trooper landing at Dieppe!!


"Ian Fleming and the 30 Assault Unit"

"During the Second World War, Ian Fleming — the legendary author of the James Bond spy series novels — acted as a personal assistant to Britain’s head of naval intelligence, Admiral John Godfrey."


"He, along with other naval intelligence specialists, created the No. 30 Commando or the 30 Assault Unit (30AU) — a team of special commandos that were put into the Dieppe operation under the unit name No. 40 Royal Marine Commando."

The German army Enigma cryptographic machine having three rotors and the plug board, the German navy having introduced the four-rotor machine with plug board, much harder to analyze and "break' secret messages so vital to success during the Battle of the Atlantic.

"Pinching" a weapon felt to the the quick and dirty answer to the problem. A "pinch" not possible at Dieppe, the resistance so fierce, British forces unable to complete the mission and capture a naval four-rotor Engima.

"According to the newly-discovered files, while Fleming and the 30 AU were looking to hit various German vessels that were in Dieppe’s harbour, their primary target was the German headquarters, located at Hotel Moderne near the main harbour in Dieppe."


"The main target"

"A search plan revealed that British naval intelligence considered Hotel Moderne to be the German naval headquarters and control centre. They believed the hotel room would house Enigma coding machines and a safe with enough material regarding German war operations for the next six to eight months."

I was aware of 30AU and their activities in France and Germany AT THE END OF THE WAR - - BUT obviously the Ian Fleming contingent participated in more missions for the totality of the war in an unheard of and unrecognized way, AT LEAST UNTIL NOW!!

When James Bond describes the rounds of a German Spandau heavy machine gun being fired over his head, this is his recollection of Dieppe? Could be!!

coolbert.

Game-Changer?

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Here with a compilation of items slightly dated but still relevant from the DEBKAfile, the use of lethal chemical weapons by the despot Assad now even more real?

That line in the sand possibly has been crossed. - - foreign intervention in the Syrian crisis might very well result in Assad giving the green light to use toxic chemicals as retaliation!

The Turk with the approval [?] of the American administration now passing out Stinger surface-air missiles, the Free Syrian Army [FSA] now having a counter against the fixed and rotary wing aviation of the dictator. MANPAD [man portable air defense] already taking a toll, one MiG-21 shot down, those Frogfoot Su-25 ground attack aircraft now having to fly much higher and taking evasive action, bombing runs much less effective.

So far chemicals HAVE NOT been used but we wait with baited breath! Everyone is making ready, preparations at hand if and when the worst is realized! Merely supplying advanced armaments to the Syrian rebels might be considered to be foreign intervention [Turk = NATO]?


1. "Clinton: Chemical warfare planned for. Syrian rebels get Stingers"

"11 Aug. Hillary Clinton announced in Istanbul Saturday [11 Aug.] . . . that US and Turkish intelligence services and military were to set up a joint working team to plan for “many contingencies including the very horrible scenario of the use of chemical weapons.”


"Turkey has sent a first batch of anti-air, shoulder-carried Stinger missiles to Syrian rebels in Aleppo. Bashar Assad may regard this as a game-changer in the war and hit back with chemical attacks on the rebels, Turkey, Israel and Jordan."

GAME-CHANGER!!

2. "US teams up with Israel, Turkey, Jordan against chemical strike"

"12 Aug. The United States last week began laying plans for the contingency of Syrian chemical warfare by setting up joint military, intelligence and medical working teams with Israel, Turkey and Jordan . . . all three countries under potential threat have put their medical services on the ready."

"Because Jordan lacks the appropriate medical facilities, the United States and France have freighted over to the kingdom special forces trained in chemical warfare, military hospitals and hundreds of tons of medical equipment."

Again, everyone is making ready, preparations and contingencies made, all on the mark and prepared to go!

"14 Aug. . . . The Obama administration first agreed to Turkey arming the Free Syrian Army with FIM-92 anti-air Stinger missiles . . . The FSA is now equipped to defend safe havens . . . This development could bring the Syrian ruler closer than ever before to launching his chemical and biological weapons against his enemies."

Some devoted readers to the blog will remember quite well that the arming of the Afghan fighters with Stinger missiles during the Soviet-Afghan conflict was also considered to be a major "game-changer" precipitating the quickened withdrawal of the Soviet military from Afghan. Frogfoot Su-25 and HIND Mi-24  previously unchallenged Soviet combat aviation no longer having impunity from counter-attack a goodly number shot out of the sky almost in a leisurely manner,

Stinger too spells doom for Assad? Or will cause an escalation with dire consequences for all? Time only will tell!

coolbert.

Giovanni.

This is coolbert:

Thanks to Joseph Heller and the tip from DEC at the Jungle Trader blog.

 "Frankly, I'd like to see the government get out of war altogether and leave the whole field to private industry." - - First Lieutenant Milo Minderbinder 

Be careful what you wish for. You may get it and YOU MAY TOO NOT LIKE IT!!

Professional free enterprise military private industry as practiced in the past. The way of war as conducted by the mercenary of the period between the end of the Crusades and the advent of the Black Powder era.

The condottieri! Professional men-at-arms, hired mercenaries, soldiers of fortune and businessmen one and the same of varying nationalities fighting without allegiance but rather for those THAT PAY!!

"Condottieri . . . were the mercenary soldier leaders (or warlords) of the professional, military free companies contracted by the Italian city-states and the Papacy, from the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance."

Those Italian city-states either unwilling or unable to field an army from their own internal resources relying upon the foreign element to do the fighting if and when war erupted. The paladin the gun for hire [actually mostly using a sword]. Condottieri still using "the grand armoured knight and medieval weapons and tactics" at least for several hundred years until the advent of "pikemen and musketeers".

BUT BEWARE the condottieri the hired gun turning on the master in that split second capricious as stated in the wiki entry!!

"Once aware of their military power monopoly in Italy, the condottieri bands became notorious for their capriciousness, and soon dictated terms to their ostensible employers."

Perhaps that most famous hired gun of the era the Englishman John Hawkwood! So far from home but at ease with the mercenary life a private free enterprise for profit military career most successful!! And I would have to assume hardly a man to trifle with!

"Sir John Hawkwood (died 1394) was an English mercenary or condottiero who was active in 14th century Italy . . . Hawkwood served first the Pope and then various factions in Italy for over 30 years."

Blackwater, Sandline, Executive Outcomes all modern manifestations of the condottierri? Such military adventure has a future? That venerable tradition of mercenary is enjoying a comeback of John Hawkwood would be proud? Milo look out!!

coolbert.

Panache.

This is coolbert:

From a prior blog entry, Sir John Keegan the British military historian of the opinion that those "great and inspirational military commanders" possessing a "strongly developed and cultivated 'theatrical impulse'", theatrics of which dress is one aspect, obviously the most visible.

"Keegan having been of the opinion that the great and inspirational military commanders have all possessed what is best called a strongly developed and cultivated 'theatrical impulse.'. Outward and ostentatious displays designed to impress"

“'The leader of men in warfare can show himself to his followers only through a mask,' he wrote, 'a mask that he must make for himself, but a mask made in such a form as will mark him to men of his time and place as the leader they want and need.'”

Douglas MacArthur during the Second World War [WW2] most famous for the wearing of the crush cap [with plentiful amounts of "egg salad" what it is called], the sunglasses, the corncob pipe, the man instantaneously recognizable even at a distance, and unmistakeably so!!

Also from a much earlier period, that time of the Great War [WW1], MacArthur an outstanding leader on the battlefield decorated repeatedly for courage and combat valor numerous times [according to enlisted men serving under him, each and every decoration will earned and deserved], adopting unorthodox and unconventional attire [probably totally in violation of regulation!!

MacArthur while in France adopting and cultivating an aura somewhat in the manner of those French military officers also noted and renowned for combat heroics and ostentatious displays of dress and comportment.

As witnessed by MacArthur that exemplar the French general officer Henri Gouraud.

From "Old Soldiers Never Die":

"At forty-six Gouraud was the youngest army commander in France. With his red beard and awesome reputation as a fighting soldier, he seemed like a character out of Beau Geste. . . he walked with a severe limp, their result of a serious hip wound . . . . . commanding the French corps that fought at Gallipoli, he had left an arm there [and had broken both legs in the same instance of wounding that resulted in that lost arm!!]. His empty left sleeve, pinned to a jacket pocket, was a decoration in itself. Gouraud wore his general's kepi at a jaunty angle that insouciantly conveyed a fearless nature and a young man's delight in field soldiering. Smiling, alert and courageous, vivacious in manner despite the constant pain of his wounds."

Again, from "Old Soldiers Never Die":

"to the French, le style c 'est l' homme, and MacArthur by that time had certainly developed his own style, especially in the way he dressed."

"No one else . . . did it with MacArthur's panache."

"he took the grommet out his cap, making it look shapeless and jaunty. He wore a thick turtleneck sweater and purple muffler seven feet long that Pinky [the mother] had knitted for him a protection against the coldness and dampness of the trenches. He strode through the incessant mud of the marlaceous, war-torn fields of France in shiny, calf-hugging boots. He did not carry a weapon. Instead his large, powerful hands clenched a riding crop or a swagger stick"

MacArthur from that period of the Great War aboard what appears to be a troopship dressed most unconventionally the boa like scarf and that long fur coat not regulation. Note too the carrying of the riding crop! As stated, NONE did it as well as MacArthur! 

NONE OF THAT WEARING OF THE UNIFORM OUT OF REGULATION WOULD BE ALLOWED TODAY EVEN FOR THAT OFFICER OF THE HIGHEST RANK! REGARDLESS OF MOTIVATION OR INTENT UNIFORMITY NOT ONLY THE RULE BUT STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF REGS A MUST ALMOST TO A FAULT, NO EXCEPTIONS!!

coolbert.

Black.

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"black — adj - 10. causing or deserving dishonour or censure"

Here we have from the Middle Ages the Black Prince. A military man of renown his reputation as such acknowledged.

Edward of England.

"Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales . . . (15 June 1330 – 8 June 1376) . . . more recently been popularly known as the Black Prince. He was an exceptional military leader, and his victories over the French at the Battles of Crécy and Poitiers made him very popular during his lifetime."

The Black Prince an advocate of chivalry as that term understood but not always a practitioner of same.

"his chivalric tendencies were overridden by expediency on many occasions. The Black Prince's repeated use of the chevauchée"

"[the] strategy (burning and pillaging towns and farms) was not in keeping with contemporary notions of chivalry"

As to the chevauchee:

NOT only arson and pillage but murder and rape of the peasantry as well. And NOT ONLY occurring but encouraged and tolerated as what was desired by the most senior commander. De-moralize and intimidate the civilian population and goad your enemy into ill-advised action, a challenge that could not be ignored.

Edward referred to by the sobriquet "Black Prince" that term the origins of which not totally agreed upon:

* "that it is derived from Edward's black shield, and/or his black armour."

* "that it is derived from Edward's brutal reputation, particularly towards the French in Aquitaine."

From much more modern times we also have another Black Prince.

Junio Valerio Borghese. From that era of the Second World War [WW2] an Italian fighting man of repute, a devoted and convinced fascist to the very end.

"Prince Junio Valerio Scipione Borghese (6 June 1906 – 26 August 1974), nicknamed The Black Prince, was an Italian Navy commander during the regime of Benito Mussolini's National Fascist Party and was a prominent hard-line fascist politician in post-war Italy."

Prince Borghese a talented and courageous naval officer commanding the Italian Decima Flottiglia MAS. Decima MAS pioneering naval commando and special operations as that term understood at the present time.

In the aftermath of Italian surrender to the allies, Prince Borghese continuing the fight on the side of the Germans Decima MAS noted for anti-partisan warfare activity - - brutal and unremitting combat with no-holds-barred!

"He chose to continue fighting with the Italian Social Republic (RSI) alongside the German Armed Forces (Wehrmacht)"

It should be noted that subsequent to Italian surrender, Decima MAS naval special operations contingents fought both with the allies and the Germans. If an invasion of Japan had actually occurred [fall 1945], American and British naval commando units as trained by personnel from Decima MAS would  have seen action!!

coolbert.

U-1226.

This is coolbert:

Indeed, if this be so, such a discovery is quite significant even EXTRAORDINARILY SO!

Thanks to Harry and "Sharkhunters" www.sharkhunters.com we have the preliminaries - - A GERMAN SUBMARINE FROM THE ERA OF WORLD WAR TWO [WW2] FOUND SUBMERGED AND PARTIALLY BURIED IN THE CHURCHILL RIVER, CANADA, FAR UPSTREAM FROM THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER - - HUDSON BAY!!

 This is unprecedented??

This is believed to be the German U-1226 for a long time thought to have been lost in the Atlantic, NOT heard of after reporting snorkel problems!!

Long lost and now found??

And found where no one would have ever suspected to look?

As described by Harry:

 "The boat in question . . . would be U-1226.  The boat is far up the Churchill River and sunk in the sand with only the conning tower protruding out of the river bottom.  What was this boat doing way up a river in Canada - and in late 1944?"

From the wiki entry for the U-1226:

"German submarine U-1226) was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II."

"The U-boat, built for service in the Battle of the Atlantic, was completed in Hamburg in November 1943 . . . embarking on her only operational patrol from Horten in Norway during September 1944."

"The last contact with the boat was on 23 October 1944 reporting trouble with its Schnorchel underwater-breathing apparatus after which nothing more was heard from her"

That Churchill River flowing into Hudson Bay and a significant body of water at the mouth - - deep enough to accommodate and allow a submerged vessel to travel far upstream without detection?

These dates as given for the single and only voyage of the U-1226 a threat existing of significant surface ice as present both in Hudson Bay and even possibly in the Churchill River itself at that time of the year. Such is my instantaneous reaction! An submerged voyage upriver would have been too susceptible to snorkel damage and the risks too great!

coolbert.

Stupid!

This is coolbert:

Spent a portion of the day perusing the various blogs devoted to submarines and authored presumably in many cases by submariners. Hope to find reaction, input and comments regarding the Akula allegations! Russian nuclear submarine sailing in Caribbean waters for weeks or months [?] even and not even detected much less countered.

But was very disappointed with what I found. A dearth of material across the board with ONLY ONE exception.

I had expected to find a beehive of activity regarding the Gertz article but this was NOT the case at all!

Thanks to Joel and his outstanding submariner blog: "The Stupid Shall Be Punished" we have that one exception:

"Not Everything You Read On The Internet Is True"

The Akula incident [I refer to it as an incident] either DID NOT HAPPEN AT ALL or IS MEANINGLESS IF IT DID OCCUR!!

Allegations of the Akula and the recent "incident" as reported by Mr. Gertz are way over the top, part of an agenda at work here designed to scare in a way that is unseemly and not needed?

coolbert.

King's Bay.

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Thanks to the submariner blog of Vigilis we have additional regarding the parachutists, skydivers intruding onto the naval base at King's Bay. The topic of one of my previous blog entries also.

Perhaps I am not being paranoid? Perhaps I am right on the money with my observations and comments? Others ARE thinking the same way I am or at least have suspicions!

"UPDATE: Skydiving on Kings Bay Sub Base"

"Leading Motive and Suspect(s)? Skydiving on Kings Bay Sub Base"

It is duly noted that on seven occasions such similar incidents have occurred!! Marine guards reacting with rapidity and capable of using lethal force if needed!!

The operator of this skydiving facility too has been admonished and warned about the security at King's Bay and been TOLD to take and assume proper precautions at all times!!

So what to make of this. You the devoted reader to the blog have your observations and comments too?

coolbert.

Mad.

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I  had totally forgotten about this man.

Yet more military man for which the appellation of "Mad" has been applied. An inspired and adept battlefield commander noted for impetuosity and courage almost foolhardy like during combat, strict with his men and meticulous almost a fault during training and preparation!

"Mad" Anthony Wayne. Hero and superlative commander during the American Revolutionary War and subsequently the Northwest Indian War.

"Anthony Wayne (January 1, 1745 – December 15, 1796) was a United States Army general and statesman . . . his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of Mad Anthony."

"sobriquet — n - a humorous epithet, assumed name, or nickname"

American impetuous military officer esteemed for his courage  on the battlefield. Also able to succeed where other commanders failed - - even from a relatively early age another one of those gifted and adept untrained amateurs able to compete and defeat the professional!

Those commanders before him, Harmer and St. Clair both failing, even disastrously so. But not Mad Anthony!!

"lead an expedition in the Northwest Indian War, which up to that point had been a disaster for the United States."

"Wayne established a basic training facility at Legionville to prepare professional soldiers for his force. Wayne's was the first attempt to provide basic training for regular U.S. Army recruits"

 "Wayne mounted an assault on the Indian confederacy at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, in modern Maumee, Ohio (just south of present-day Toledo), which was a decisive victory for the U.S. forces, ending the war"

As has been the topic of other previous blog entries, the "sobriquet" of "Mad" having been applied to other military commanders of recent times as well, each and every man without exception noted for their daring tactics [some might say foolhardy] and extreme personal courage on the battlefield.

Commanders to include:

"Mad" Mike Hoare. English mercenary commander of Five Commando in the Congo, early 1960's.

"Mad" Mike Calvert. Outstanding English general officer of the Second World War, commanding Chindits during the CBI [China-Burma-India] campaign. Mike Calvert by his own account killing a Japanese officer in  mortal combat to the death hand-to-hand, both men NAKED!

"Mad" Colin Campbell Mitchell. English [Scottish] battalion commander of British troops in Aden during British withdrawal from that strategic choke point and colonial possession. Noted for his strict discipline, training methods, and command presence.

["Mad" Anthony Wayne also noted for his strict discipline, training methods and command presence.]

"Mad" Mike Williams. American professional soldier and second-in-command [2iC] of the Rhodesian cavalry unit Grey's Scouts during the Rhodesian Bush War.

Devoted readers to the blog can suggest other military commanders that have been deemed and given the "nickname" or appellation of "Mad"?

coolbert.

Alfaro & Romero.

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As it was several hundred years ago as it is in the present.

ONLY from several days ago we have accounts of the Guarani Indians residing in that border area of Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil. The Guarani [ghwar-a-nee] set upon by armed and hired criminal thugs. The unarmed Guarani threatened and then shot down, callous and uncalled for violence.

"Full-scale gun attack on Brazilian Indians ends in leader’s kidnap"

"More than 50 gunmen have launched a full-scale attack on an Indian community in southwest Brazil, shooting, threatening and then reportedly kidnapping one of their leaders."

"The violence began on Friday, shortly after the Guarani community reoccupied part of its ancestral land, which is now occupied by ranchers."

The Guarani hoping to regain ancestral lands but thwarted and in armed conflict with outside forces AS HAS BEEN THE CASE FOR ALMOST FOUR HUNDRED YEARS NOW THIS LATEST INCIDENT OF COURSE NOT WITHOUT PRECEDENT!!

The Guarani War as seen in the Robert De Niro movie: "The Mission", the Guarani organized, trained and equipped to fight as a military force but routed [1756] by the combined armies of the Spanish and Portuguese!!

"The Guarani War . . . of 1756, also called the War of the Seven Reductions, took place between the Guaraní tribes of seven Jesuit Reductions and joint Spanish-Portuguese forces"

The Guarani from a much earlier period [1641] organized, trained and equipped by the Jesuit missionaries  to fight as a conventional military force and doing so quite successfully. This was Mborore!!

"The Battle of Mbororé was a battle between the Guaraní living in the Jesuit Missions and the bandeirantes, explorers and adventurers [slave raiders] based in São Paulo. It occurred on 11 March 1641 near the Mbororé mountain, now the town of Panambí in the Misiones Province, Argentina."

"1641 – Guaraní forces living in the Jesuit Reductions defeat bandeirantes loyal to the Portuguese Empire at the Battle of Mbororé in present-day Panambí, Argentina."

The bandeirantes, a motley crew of riflemen, musketeers and American Indians armed with bow and arrow a rather unique military force, that mix of firearms and more primitive weaponry not so totally unusual however for the period.

[recall that a Polish cavalryman of that era would have carried a musket, pistols, lance, rapier, sabre, bow and arrows and war hammer all on the same troop!!]

"The city [Sao Paulo] organized a huge bandeira with 450 Dutch and Portuguese armed with rifles and muskets, 700 canoes and 2,700 Tupi archers . . . The aim of the expedition was to take and destroy everything that was in Uruguay and Paraná rivers, taking all potential slaves."

Guarani trained by Spanish soldiers, that military force led into battle at Mborore by the Jesuit priests Father Alfaro and Father Romero, JESUITS THAT RELIGIOUS ORDER ORGANIZED ALONG MILITARY LINES!!

Christian doctrine not precluding self-defense and the just war what it is called. Having priests lead troops into combat not a contradiction. Recall the Cristero War, the combat commanders of which included a pharmacist, a priest and two ranch hands!!

coolbert.

Akula!

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This was a minor news item this morning. Bill Gertz as heard on the Don Wade and Roma Show, WLS talk radio 890.

Russian Akula class submarine operating in the Gulf of Mexico for some months [?] or weeks [?] undetected !

"Silent Running"

"Russian attack submarine sailed in Gulf of Mexico undetected for weeks, U.S. officials say"

"A Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine armed with long-range cruise missiles operated undetected in the Gulf of Mexico for several weeks and its travel in strategic U.S. waters was only confirmed after it left the region, the Washington Free Beacon has learned."

"It could not be learned whether the submarine in the Gulf of Mexico was an Akula 1 type submarine or a more advanced Akula 2."

There currently exist [?] the Akula in types I, II, and III that Akula I also existing in an improved version!

"Project 971 . . . is a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) first deployed by the Soviet Navy in 1986 . . . There are four sub-classes or flights of Shchuka, consisting of the original seven 'Akula I' submarines which were commissioned between 1984 and 1990, six "Improved Akula" submarines commissioned between 1991 and 2009, one "Akula II" submarine commissioned in 1995 and one Akula III commissioned in 2001"

My first thought was this was an Alfa class sub but NO, Akula [Shark] is of a different breed. Lots of firepower from one warship, Akula only having a limited number available for sailing at any given moment. That Akula III the export version has been sold to India so presumably from friendly sources the U.S. may know a lot about this sub? Let us hope so.

coolbert.

Proxies?

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Honestly, each and every time I read about one of these incidents I intuitively and instantly think Russian Spetsnaz and "pink terror"

I am referring to persons able to penetrate an American nuclear installation and approach or get very near to nuclear weapons and delivery systems, or the crews serving same!!

Supposedly very secure and heavily guarded military, DoD and civilian atomic installations that "inner sanctum" of which you would think that outsiders would be strictly forbidden from - - breached and most easily and decidedly so by what seems to be amateurs.

The question I constantly ask remains the same. These persons violating and compromising [in a very general sense] nuclear facilities are wittingly or unwittingly working for a foreign power, the Russians perhaps!

My paranoia is not justified or is it?

1.  "Skydivers land on submarine base near Ga. coast"

"KINGS BAY, Ga. (AP) — The military is investigating after two skydivers missed an airport and landed on a high-security submarine base along Georgia's coast."

"St. Marys Airport officials say they were told Sunday that the U.S.Navy had two skydivers in custody after they landed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. The base is the East Coast hub for the Navy's
nuclear-missile armed submarines."

These submarines are of the Trident class a constituent part of the American nuclear deterrent with a nuclear storage facility also on the base?

Skydivers, parachutists, inadvertently blown off course and landing on the naval base a stupid mistake the result of strong winds blowing in the wrong direction. Described as an "act of GOD"!

 "the skydivers landed on a baseball diamond on base.. . . the Navy doesn't want skydivers landing on the base, but Navy officials were understanding after an 'act of God' like the strong winds that blew the skydivers off-course. Base security officers released the jumpers after verifying their identities."

An inadvertent act of GOD perhaps but nonetheless a demonstration of how security at an important military installation COULD be breached in a time of war or near war unanticipated and unexpected both!!

2. Another breaching of nuclear facilities also occurring recently, persons self-described as religious protesters penetrating security at the Oak Ridge Laboratory, cutting through fences and able to reach out and touch with their hands the very walls of the building that is the sole repository for American enriched weapons grade nuclear material!!

In this specific instance surely NOT an "act of GOD" but an intentional and deliberate act of mischief and mayhem, "protesters" again self-described committing a very criminal act with purpose and malice aforethought!

AMATEURS ABLE TO COMPROMISE WHAT IS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN A VERY SECURE AND WELL GUARDED ATOMIC INSTALLATION OF THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE, AND DONE SO WITH RELATIVE EASE AND IMPUNITY!!

My paranoia tells me that these folks without even realizing it are working on the behalf of an unfriendly foreign power, Russia perhaps? Proxies testing security for a foreign power and doing the work well?

How secure exactly are these weapons, delivery system, crews, etc. How easy to penetrate the facility or base, how long for security to respond and exactly in what manner do they respond and  from what direction, in what force, are there hidden and unforeseen impediments or is all you need a parachute or a bolt and wire cutters to gain access.

[persons a number of years ago now were very ABLE to disable a Minuteman ICBM launch facility with the use of a rail bender jack and nothing more! This sort of thing happens more often than you think!]

That "pink terror" of the Soviet/Russian special purpose units in those hours just prior to overt warfare the mission of which is the destruction to the greatest extent possible of the American nuclear arsenal. INCLUDING THE RENDERING AS INOPERABLE THE NUCLEAR WARHEADS IN STORAGE OR THE FISSILE MATERIAL FOR SAME!!

That naval base and Oak Ridge Laboratory now demonstrably not secure to the extent desired, such knowledge being of use in advance to the spetsnaz or for that matter any other hostile foreign power?

On my part too, this is all excessive and unwarranted worry and concern of the wrong type? Devoted readers to the blog you decide.

coolbert.

Free Kurdish Army.

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In a previous blog entry I had mentioned the various players currently active during the insurrection in Syria.

Internal and foreign elements either involved directly in the fighting or aiding and abetting [in both good ways and bad] the insurrection or attempting to suppress. And Israel also sitting on the sidelines but paying close and intense interests, poised and ready to "enter the game" if need be.

In one shape, form or other those various elements currently including:

* That Alawite dominated government of Assad.
* Syrian militias and criminal gangs allied with Assad.
* Iran. [Shia]
* Hezbollah. [Shia]
* Russia. [supply gas masks, know how and thermobaric warheads]
* Turkey. [with NATO in the background]
* Free Syrian Army. [the insurgents comprising of many Syrian Army deserters]
* Israel. [making ready for contingencies]

Thanks to JCPA and Colonel Jacques we have the dope also on yet one more "player" in the game, the Kurds.

The Free Kurdish Army now having entered the fray as well? Insurgent combatants of those Kurds having also risen in rebellion against the regime of the despot and already controlling some towns in areas of Syria somewhat remote from Aleppo and Damascus.

Kurds to some degree allied with the PKK, the PKK deemed by the Turk and Americans as a terrorist group.

Kurds taking advantage of situation to exert autonomy in furtherance of their desire for independent nationhood. Syrian Kurds also receiving aid and assistance from that Kurdish autonomous region of Iraq. For a period of at least twenty years the Kurd in northern Iraq exercising to a large degree self-government, having their own military potential, and also part and parcel of the Iraqi government as installed by the Americans.

That Kurdish independence movement of great concern to the Turk in particular, but also worrisome for other nations in the Middle East as well. The Kurd long suffering but having a lot of staying power and now posing a problem for strategic planners dealing with the Syrian situation.

The participation of the Kurd complicates and makes much difficult the situation in Syria? Hard to say at this point.

So much chaos and so much division! All chiefs with plenty of Indians but not focused and concentrated energy and force.

Recall the famous Kurd Saladin from that era of the Crusades! There was a man that knew to bring order out of chaos, the man everyone rallied around, concentrated and focused energy the result. NO such person exists today regrettably for all involved.

coolbert.

Dust.

This is coolbert:

Bert needs some help with this one.

Devoted readers to the blog have some insight and knowledge of this topic?

Dust explosions as an INSTITUTIONALIZED WEAPON OF WAR! Such I have heard to be the case!

Dust in explosive quantities known to be deadly and a factor taken into consideration during particular industrial operations the explosive nature of DUST taken advantage of by the German during the Warsaw Uprising [1944].

Normally a hazard of an  industrial process SOLELY at that moment [1944] an instrument and tactic of battle and incorporated subsequently into all operations as standard procedure!

Almost analogous to the thermobaric or fuel air explosive dust surprisingly explosive the brutal and cruel Nazi during WW2 during city fighting using dust explosions to obliterate in a quite conscious and overt manner entire city blocks containing guerrilla fighters and civilians both. Whole buildings and city blocks totally demolished and laid waste by DUST and the explosive properties thereof!

"A dust explosion is the fast combustion of dust particles suspended in the air in an enclosed location. Coal dust explosions are a frequent hazard in underground coal mines, but dust explosions can occur where any powdered combustible material is present in an enclosed atmosphere."

During that Warsaw Uprising [1944] the German in the habit of setting off one small explosive at ground level to create a cloud of dust, plaster and brick both, a second explosive within moments afterwards igniting that dust and producing a much more larger and destructive explosion, perhaps even leveling the entire building in the process?

This did occur??

Damn Germans! Of course the Americans in Vietnam did something like this too didn't they?

coolbert.

Thermobarics.

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From Ynet a misleading headline?

Assad in his effort to destroy the insurgents now employing a weapon of mass destruction, the thermobaric weapon as supplied by the Russian. So this headline would suggest?

"Assad's termobarics – courtesy of Russia"

"Syrian civil war reveals presence of new lethal weapon in Middle East. Israel believes advanced arms reached Damascus via Moscow; have already reached Hezbollah"

"The civil war raging in Syria exposed the existence of a new weapon in the region – thermobarics."

"Thermobarics are lethal weapons also known as 'fuel-air bomb,' which explode above a target area with a massive blast and suck air in, leaving a vacuum."

Thermobarics normally understood as a BOMB as dropped by a warplane on a target, exploding with a force only surpassed by the atomic bomb!!

First used by the American military in Vietnam, a bomb as dropped by a transport C-130 aircraft, dangled at the end of a parachute, exploding above ground, a massive amount of propane gas as released into the atmosphere prior to detonation, once more a detonation and explosion perhaps only exceed by the atomic bomb and no other.

This is not the case with the weaponry as being used by the minions of Assad in Syria? These are a much reduced in size round as fired by the RPG-29. We were just talking about this the other day. Those rocket propelled grenade rounds [RPG] at one time only firing an anti-tank HEAT projectile now capable of launching a fragmentation or thermobaric warhead, much more capable and destructive in that regard.

Indeed, it seems that first the Soviet and then the Russian has developed entire lines of thermobaric weaponry and used same in combat, Grozny and such!

This Ynet article not totally wrong but not totally right in the alarmist headline as creating a sensation and dismay in some quarters?

coolbert.

Plum.

This is coolbert:

Once again yet one more strange case of the wartime traitor [?] and radio propaganda broadcaster.

Eva Toguri, Mildred Gillars, William Joyce, John Amery, Ezra Pound!

Add to that list the Englishman and famous author and "humorist" P.G. Wodehouse.

"Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE (15 October 1881 – 14 February 1975) was an English humorist, whose body of work includes novels, short stories, plays, poems, song lyrics, and numerous pieces of journalism. He enjoyed enormous popular success during a career that lasted more than seventy years and his many writings continue to be widely read."

[P.G. known to his friends as "Plum"]

During that period of World War Two [WW2] Wodehouse an Englishman living in France subsequent to the Battle of France [1940] confined by the German as an enemy alien. Released subsequently and making propaganda broadcasts the target audience of which was in America [does that matter].

Wodehouse investigated but at no time arrested, tried, convicted, or executed in the manner of a William Joyce or a John Amery. Both Joyce and Amery quite willingly collaborating with the German and making propaganda broadcasts. Joyce and Amery also both EXECUTED IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE WAR FOR TREASON AND COLLABORATION WITH THE ENEMY!!

But not P.G. Wodehouse. NOT hung and NOT even having his nobility taken away!! And WHY is this?

The case too of the American Ezra Pound comes to mind instantly. Pound living in Italy for some time prior to the outbreak of World War Two [WW2], a fascist sympathizer and also perhaps to a degree mentally deranged making a series of propaganda broadcasts, the man delusional and eccentric, the foremost living poetry expert in the entire world notwithstanding. Pound for a period of years institutionalized in a mental asylum a pathetic figure.

Amery as well from descriptions a mentally deranged individual living in a fantasy world not fully understanding his surroundings, used by the German in a manner also pathetic the circumstances of his treasonous behavior almost laughable.

It also has occurred to me that we have not [?] recently heard from Adam Gadahn. That American traitorous spokesman for Al Qaeda and has been silent for some time now! And the significance of that is?

coolbert.

Sir John.

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"I have never been in battle, nor near one, nor heard one from afar, nor seen the aftermath."

From only three days ago and was noted in the Chicago Tribune, the death of Sir John Keegan. Noted English military historian. Perhaps at the time of his passing THE MOST NOTED MILITARY HISTORIAN WRITING IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, AND BEYOND THAT PERHAPS THE MOST NOTED MILITARY HISTORIAN IN THE WORLD!

"John Keegan dies at 78; military historian wrote 'Face of Battle'"

"John Keegan, a British military historian whose critically acclaimed books spanned ancient and modern warfare and included the bestselling 'The Face of Battle,' has died. He was 78."

Wrote in a manner so as to be understood by the general educated public and wrote well. Most noted for his works: "Face of Battle" and "The Mask of Command".

Keegan a long time lecturer and the British military academy Sandhurst a military historian  having never even served in the military.

[Trevor Dupuy was of the opinion that only military men and further more military men that had seen combat were qualified to write accurate and valid military history!!]

Keegan having been of the opinion that the great and inspirational military commanders have all possessed what is best called a strongly developed and cultivated “theatrical impulse.”. Outward and ostentatious displays designed to impress:

“'The leader of men in warfare can show himself to his followers only through a mask,' he wrote, 'a mask that he must make for himself, but a mask made in such a form as will mark him to men of his time and place as the leader they want and need.'”

Instantaneously the names of Patton and Mac Arthur from the relatively recent era come to mind. Both men fond of adopting uniforms, mannerisms, and "theatrical gestures" that set them apart from their contemporaries.

Patton the helmet, the riding boots, the riding crop, the pair of revolvers. Mac Arthur the crush cap, the corn cob pipe, the sunglasses and cane. Deliberate and again ostentatious displays with intent creating an "aura" inspired leadership motivating men to follow!!

That sort of behavior and the wearing of unique and outlandish uniform NOT ALLOWED TODAY!! NOT according to regulation and highly discouraged. Uniformity by regulation the norm deviation inexcusable even for the highest command leadership echelon!!

coolbert.

Tubercular?

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From a comment to a blog entry from several years ago now:

"A question that I have been pondering ... Why did Hitler serve in the German Army during WW1 and not the Austro-Hungarian army? Was it b/c he hated the Habsburg monarchy, the Catholicism of the monarchy or some other reason? I know he bounced from Vienna to Germany prior to the war and may have been living in Germany when the war broke out. But why not return to Austria to enlist with his countrymen?"

A. Hitler in 1913 failing his pre-induction physical for the Austro-Hungarian army, conscription a possible but A. Hitler found to be tubercular and unfit for military service.

"He moved to Munich in 1913, which was declared by Austria-Hungary as a draft-dodging. After being arrested and returned to Vienna, he was found unfit for military service"

ONLY several months later the same man [A. Hitler] inducted into the Bavarian reserve regiment, swearing personal allegiance and fealty to King Ludwig!

And how is this possible? An unanswered question, unfit one moment but fix almost at the next moment? HOW SO?

That man the family physician to the Hitler family and undoubtedly the same doctor who attended not only to the mother Klara but also to Adolf as a boy and young man, Doctor Bloch has some insight and too finds the matter mysterious?

From the article as published in the American magazine "Colliers" [1941]:

“My Patient, Hitler,” by Dr. Eduard Bloch "March 15 and March 22, 1941,"

"I cannot understand the many references to his [Hitler] lung trouble as a youth. I was the only doctor treating him during the period in which he is supposed to have suffered from this. My records
show nothing of the sort. To be sure, he didn't have the rosy cheeks and the robust good health of most of the other youngsters; but at the same time he was not sickly."

Tubercular as meaning having the symptoms of precursor of the disease [tuberculosis] but not necessarily the illness requiring treatment [at the time a very primitive and ineffective treatment at that!]?

"TUBERCULAR"

"1 a : of, relating to, or affected with tuberculosis : tuberculous 2: characterized by lesions that are or resemble tubercles"

Hitler indeed if tubercular the disease surely would have manifested itself during those four years of the Great War, the cramped and almost inhuman living conditions, the sparse and insufficient diet, the exposure to poison gas, etc., Hitler evidently NOT quite as sickly as assumed. NOT a robust individual by any means but NOT sickly!

coolbert.

Gideon.

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 From that previous blog entry the person of Orde Wingate most controversial and unconventional. Serving with distinction during World War Two [WW2] Wingate meeting an untimely death in a glider crash, David Ben Gurion having made the decision to offer the command of the Israeli army if and when Wingate had survived the war so highly thought of was Wingate by the Jews of the Palestinian Mandate.

Wingate a religious man with a unconventional religious outlook AND BELIEVING HIMSELF DIVINELY ORDAINED AND INSPIRED, A CHRISTIAN ZIONIST WHOSE BELIEF IN THE REDEMPTION OF THE JEWS WAS EXTREMELY STRONG.

This makes for a sound and stable mind? A lot of folks including brother officers of the British Army did not think so. Wingate was recognized for ways as an "odd type" but also being very talented and for the most was tolerated regardless of his peculiarities.

Further evidence of the mental outlook of Wingate obvious when one considers the military unit under the command of the man [Wingate] that distinguished itself during what Churchill called the "Abyssinian Campaign". This unit called by Wingate the Gideon Force a unit of unconventional fighters the irregular waging war in Ethiopia and most successful!!

"Formed by then Lieutenant Colonel Orde Wingate in January 1941, the Gideon Force operated under the direction of the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) . . . Comprised of 50 British officers and 20 British non-commissioned officers in charge of 800 members of the Sudan Frontier Battalion and 800 Ethiopian (Abyssinian) troops,"

That large battalion in combat with a defeating much large and well-armed Italian army units, Wingate demonstrating a skill that established his repute at the highest levels of the British government [Churchill included!].

"the Gideon Force fought a daring guerrilla campaign and succeeded not only in establishing Haile Selassie in a base at Gojjam, Ethiopia, but also in escorting him to the very capital of the country, Addis Ababa, and returning him to power"

That name Gideon Force obviously chosen in an intentional manner, Wingate having an intimate knowledge of the Bible and thoroughly aware of the story of the Hebrew Judge Gideon. Wingate saw himself as Gideon and the unit under his command as those three hundred ancient Hebrews, fighting an unconventional battle against a numerically superior foe and emerging victorious. At that exact moment Wingate became Gideon!!

Gideon also as described in the Bible an unconventional combatant, the irregular waging guerrilla warfare in ancient Judea, in battle with the Midianites, the Hebrew much outnumbered but using that correct and inspired combination ot tactics and stratagem able to defeat and rout and much numerically superior enemy.

That specially selected and highly motivated small combat unit able to defeat the much more powerful enemy the foe consisting of lesser men under the command of lesser men!! Those Hebrew equipped with in addition to their swords torches, jars and trumpets. The psychological overwhelming at night the physical advantage of the Midianites not sufficing.

From the Holy Bible Gideon as instructing his troops:

"'Watch me [Gideon],' he [Gideon] told them. 'Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon.' ' .... The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, 'A sword for the Lord and Gideon!' While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords." (Judges 7:17–22, NIV Bible)

Wingate did have for better or worse messianic ideas and a "complex" best described? Again for better or worse that was the man, talented and adept and skillful, charismatic and so in a way not often found in one man!!

coolbert.

RPG-30

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The Israeli Trophy/Windbreaker active protection system [APS] now field tested and successfully so recently and once prior [more than once?] also it should be noted has an antidote.

"infantry anti-tank system specifically designed to overcome active defence systems (ADS) for MBTs and other AFVs which are now entering service among major armies."

The solution [Trophy/Windbreaker] to the armor defeating rocket-propelled grenade [RPG] or the armor defeating anti-tank-guided-missile [ATGM] ITSELF can now be compromised.

That antidote to the antidote is the Russian RPG-30 single-shot and disposable RPG that possess the wherewithal to defeat any known APS!

"a man-portable, disposable anti-tank rocket launcher with a single shot capacity."

Designed as such and is a modified version of earlier RPG models all possessing the ability to defeat armor, reactive armor, and now APS.

"The RPG-30 . . . a modern anti-tank grenade launcher designed to address the threat of reactive armor and active protection systems (APS) on tanks."

The infantryman, the man-a-foot has the capability to defeat even the most robust armor of any nation, given training and a lot of guts and determination.

[these RPG are NOT long range stand off weapons, you need to get close to make an accurate and killing shot and MAY need to make repeat shots on the same target if you survive.]

The RPG-30 firing not only that tandem dual warhead, an explosive and HEAT warhead but what is called a precursor round as well. That precursor round a decoy "spoofing" and "fooling" the APS, allowing the main RPG warhead to escape detection and destruction unscathed.

"a smaller diameter precursor round in addition to the main round. This precursor acts as a false target, tricking the target's active protection system into engaging it, allowing the main round a clear path to the target"

Back in my day many decades ago now the only RPG available to Soviet and Soviet aligned military forces was the RPG-2 [called the B-40 by the VC/NVA] and the RPG-7. NOW the various RPG exist in staggering types and versions, RPG-26, RPG-29, RPG-30, RPG-32, etc. There was for a while talk of a RPG round with a penetrator rod of some sort, uranium or other dense metal able to also compromise the thickest armor of the heaviest tank!

APS today, RPG tomorrow. But tomorrow is NOW also!

coolbert.

Native?

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Here with some images of famous European and American military men having gone "native", assuming local customs and attire, senior commanders each and every one adaptable and flexible, responsive to the situation, rapport with their subordinates A MUST!

That term "gone native" pejorative rather for these individuals relished!!

Charles "Chinese" Gordon while in command of the Ever Victorious Army during the Taiping Rebellion.

Sir Francis Richard Burton. British Indian Army Captain and a polyglot of renown, able to speak to some extent two dozen languages, at least a dozen fluently. That most famous person of the Victorian era and perhaps one of the most accomplished persons that has ever lived, a master of the history of the sword and a swordsman of repute as well!!

The American Homer Lea as a commanding general of the Republic of China army. The foot wear not right in this image, Homer it seems wanting to be Chinese and assuming the appearance thereof, for better or worse.

T.E. Lawrence. Lawrence of Arabia. Able to pass as a Circassian, a blond and blue eyed Englishman relishing the role as savior to the Arab. Rated by Churchill as one of the seven most important men in the world [circa 1920]!!

Cannot find any pictures or images of Brookes Rajah of Sarawak or Frederick Townsend Ward in "native" dress. Ward having become a Chinese citizen and marrying a Chinese woman of noble birth, perhaps some such image does exist somewhere of Ward in Chinese garb? Orde Wingate early in his military career the well turned out British officer during the combat in China-Burma-India adopting a manner of attire not in keeping with the official line, slovenly, the pith helmet and beard not in keeping with regulation but not "native" dress as defined.

coolbert.

Intercept!

 This is coolbert:

Thanks to YNet we have a description from only the other day of the Israeli Trophy/Windbreaker system in action, and successfully too. Mounted for the meantime on the Merkava tank but also has potentiality for any armored vehicle as well?

NOT the first time Trophy/Windbreaker has defeated an incoming RPG round or an anti-tank-guided-missile [ATGM] and will not be the last.

1. "IDF tank-shield intercepts missile"

"Merkava tank escapes missile hit thanks to 'Windbreaker' defense system"

"The IDF's Windbreaker defense system has intercepted an anti-tank missile fired at a tank in the central Gaza Strip, near Kissufim on Wednesday."

Israeli Merkava tank equipped with the Trophy/Windbreaker system detecting an incoming ATGM and destroying same. Trophy/Windbreaker sending for a spew of shot in the manner of a giant shotgun, prematurely detonating the warhead or destroying in flight the missile or RPG round.

Trophy/Windbreaker system effective against either an RPG round or an ATGM!!

Trophy/Windbreaker active during combat so far a RARE EVENT!!

"The IDF considers the firing of the missile a very unusual event. Windbreaker has rarely been called into action since becoming operational two years ago." [last use of Trophy/Windbreaker was in March 2011]

2. "Gaza: IDF tank-shield intercepts missile"

[this from 03.20.11,]

'Windbreaker' defense system intercepts missile fire on Merkava 4 tank"

"Exchanges of fire between IDF soldiers and Palestinians were reported at around noon Sunday near the Al-Bureij refugee camp in Gaza."

 "During the fighting, Palestinians fired an anti-tank missile at a Merkava 4 tank, which is equipped with the 'Windbreaker' defense system. The system intercepted the missile"

Trophy/Windbreaker as the counter-measure and antidote to the RPG round or the ATGM and it works!!

coolbert.

Fajr & Falaq.

This is coolbert:

I might be incorrect here but only marginally so.

Those 240 mm mulitiple rocket launcher rounds being fired by the Syrian government at those Aleppo insurgents might HAVE BEEN NOT PROVIDED BY THE RUSSIANS OR NORTH KOREANS BUT RATHER BY THE IRANIAN.

One of two varieties might be involved:

1. Fajr-3. A clone of the North Korean M-1985 model and manufactured by the Iranian in profusion [?] !

"The 240-millimeter Fajr-3 missile has a range of some 25 miles . . . Fajr-3 has the same caliber, range and warhead weight as three [two?]  known North Korean systems."

2. Falaq-1. An improved version of the Fajr-3 so it seems!

"The Falaq-1 missile is an Iranian made rocket system"

"The 240 mm unguided surface-to-surface rocket is very similar to the rocket used with the Russian 240 mm (12-round) BM-24 system.The Falaq-1 has a bore of 240 mm, and a weight of 111 kg, with the warhead weighing 50 kg.The 240 mm spin stabilised rockets have a maximum range of 10,000 m and are fitted with a nose-mounted fuze."

Crack the egg-shell with the sledge hammer again, those MRL designed and envisioned as being used on the battlefield, open country, and not in cities. But for the despot through the rules out the window!

coolbert.