This is coolbert:
Precautions taken for a reason!!
Thanks to Freeper.
"All Belgian residents issued with iodine tablets to protect against radiation"
"The entire population of Belgium is to be issued with a ration of iodine tablets, months after warnings about the threat of Isil [the Islamic state] building a dirty bomb."
NOT NECESSARILY BUILDING THE DIRTY BOMB, THE RADIOLOGICAL WEAPON, TERRORISTS ATTACKING A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, BREACHING THE CONTAINMENT VESSEL WITH A SPEW OF RADIOACTIVE PARTICLES AS A CONSEQUENCE. A CHERNOBYL IN SITU TYPE EVENT OF APOCALYPTIC PROPORTIONS.
"Iodine pills, which help reduce radiation build-up in the thyroid gland, had previously only been issued to people living within 20km (14 miles) of the Tihange and Doel nuclear plants."
"Maggie De Block, the Health Minister, said that would be extended to 100km, covering the whole country of 11 million people, following advice from an expert council."
"The pills will be sent to pharmacies, and the public would be ordered to collect their ration in the event of a meltdown. Children, pregnant women and those breast-feeding would be given priority"
See previous blog entries the surveillance of Belgian nuclear facilities and key perssonel:
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/04/armageddon-isil.html
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2016/04/gwot-wmd.html
coolbert.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Barracuda.
This is coolbert:
Hey, I thought this was done deal. But evidently NOT. The Australians had been leaning to purchase a number of Sōryū-class submarines to replace the currently existing Aussie underwater fleet. Rather the French have gotten the contract so it seems!!
"French Barracuda submarine: the most complex artefact in Australia"
Barracuda as manufactured by the French for their own navy a NUCLEAR BOAT. The Australian version will be diesel/electric. A version referred to as Shortfin!
A $50 billion submarine contract!
"Over a series of meetings in Paris, L’Orient, Cherbourg and Adelaide, engineers from the French naval shipbuilder DCNS [French naval manufacturing firm] shared with Australian naval officers secret data on their submarine’s acoustic signature."
"the data showed that when the Barracuda accelerated, as any submarine must do when pursuing an enemy or evading an attacker, the French design was significantly quieter than rivals."
Quiet to the degree remarkably so when compared to other boats:
"This class [Barracuda] reportedly produces approximately 1/1000 of the detectable noise of the Redoutable-class boats (submarines), and they are ten times more sensitive in detecting other submarines"
"The French declared that they were willing to share all of their cutting-edge technology and they felt then that they had surprised and impressed the Australians."
"DCNS submitted a conventionally powered diesel-electric variation to the design – named the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A – to the competitive evaluation process (CEP) phase of Australia's Collins-class submarine replacement.. . . DCNS was chosen by the Australian Government on 26 April 2016 to build 12 of the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A variant at a projected AUD$50 billion."
That is almost $5 billion AUD [Australian dollar] per copy. NOBODY ever said warfare was cheap!
coolbert.
Hey, I thought this was done deal. But evidently NOT. The Australians had been leaning to purchase a number of Sōryū-class submarines to replace the currently existing Aussie underwater fleet. Rather the French have gotten the contract so it seems!!
"French Barracuda submarine: the most complex artefact in Australia"
Barracuda as manufactured by the French for their own navy a NUCLEAR BOAT. The Australian version will be diesel/electric. A version referred to as Shortfin!
A $50 billion submarine contract!
"Over a series of meetings in Paris, L’Orient, Cherbourg and Adelaide, engineers from the French naval shipbuilder DCNS [French naval manufacturing firm] shared with Australian naval officers secret data on their submarine’s acoustic signature."
"the data showed that when the Barracuda accelerated, as any submarine must do when pursuing an enemy or evading an attacker, the French design was significantly quieter than rivals."
Quiet to the degree remarkably so when compared to other boats:
"This class [Barracuda] reportedly produces approximately 1/1000 of the detectable noise of the Redoutable-class boats (submarines), and they are ten times more sensitive in detecting other submarines"
"The French declared that they were willing to share all of their cutting-edge technology and they felt then that they had surprised and impressed the Australians."
"DCNS submitted a conventionally powered diesel-electric variation to the design – named the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A – to the competitive evaluation process (CEP) phase of Australia's Collins-class submarine replacement.. . . DCNS was chosen by the Australian Government on 26 April 2016 to build 12 of the Shortfin Barracuda Block 1A variant at a projected AUD$50 billion."
That is almost $5 billion AUD [Australian dollar] per copy. NOBODY ever said warfare was cheap!
coolbert.
Ultimatum.
Only recently having viewed the BBC production: "37 Days" those events as transpired in 1914 that led to the Great War [WW1].
The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie by the Serb ultra-nationalist Gavrilo Princip setting off a chain reaction beyond the control of the existing world powers. War as a consequence!
The Austro-Hungarian Empire have issued to the Serb government a list of demands, ultimatums actually, as described in the movie as consisting of FIVE POINTS!
The ultimatum rather listing TEN DEMANDS!
"Content of the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum to Serbia"
The Serbian government required to by the ultimatum: [with all due speed and without even the slightest degree of hesitancy]
1. "Suppress all publications which 'incite hatred and contempt of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy' and are 'directed against its territorial integrity'."
2. "Dissolve the Serbian nationalist organization Narodna Odbrana . . . and all other such societies in Serbia."
3. "Eliminate without delay from schoolbooks and public documents all 'propaganda against Austria-Hungary'."
4. "Remove from the Serbian military and civil administration all officers and functionaries whose names the Austro-Hungarian Government will provide."
5. "Accept in Serbia 'representatives of the Austro-Hungarian Government' for the 'suppression of subversive movements'."
6. "Bring to trial all accessories to the Archduke's assassination and allow 'Austro-Hungarian delegates' (law enforcement officers) to take part in the investigations."
7. "Arrest Major Vojislav Tankosić and civil servant Milan Ciganović who were named as participants in the assassination plot."
8. "Cease the cooperation of the Serbian authorities in the 'traffic in arms and explosives across the frontier'; dismiss and punish the officials of Šabac and Loznica frontier service, 'guilty of having assisted the perpetrators of the Sarajevo crime'"
9. "Provide 'explanations' to the Austro-Hungarian Government regarding 'Serbian officials' who have expressed themselves in interviews 'in terms of hostility to the Austro-Hungarian Government'."
10. "Notify the Austro-Hungarian Government 'without delay' of the execution of the measures comprised in the ultimatum."
Demands of the ultimatum prior to the beginning of armed hostilities AGREED TO BY THE SERBS. AND YET THE GREAT WAR WITH ALL THAT MEANT BEGAN AND PROCEEDED FOR FOUR TERRIBLE YEARS ANYHOW! SO HOW IS THAT?
THAT EMBLEM AND LOGO OF THE SERBIAN BLACK HAND MIXING CHRISTIAN HOLY SYMBOLS, THE DAGGER AND BOMB, THE SKULL AND CROSSBONES OF THE PIRATE!!
coolbert.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
El Obeid & Mosul.
"What would make a history-based movie from 50 years ago more relevant today than when it premiered back in the mid-1960s? The answer is events; the world has changed and has made the movie more relevant, more vital."
ONLY the other day I am casually perusing the TV channels and come across quite by accident the first few minutes of the movie "Khartoum".
"A 50-year-old Movie More Relevant than Ever"
As was noted in a previous blog entry, not since events in the Sudan [1883] has a rag-tag bunch of fighters been able to defeat what appeared to be a professionally equipped and trained modern military force [the Iraqi National Army], 2014.
NOT ONLY the battle scene but the conversation between Prime Minister Gladstone of England and his privy council [1883] probably about the same as President Obama had with his military experts and national security council [2014].
"After this battle scene, the film cuts to England, where we’re privy to a meeting of Prime Minister Gladstone with his cabinet and military brass."
Question: "How can a modern army of ten thousand men be annihilated by desert dwellers armed with swords and spears?" - - Gladstone.
Answer: "Colonel Hicks and his men were fighting for wages. The Mahdi and his men were fighting a holy war. Also Hicks thought he was fighting an ignorant savage and he wasn’t. The Mahdi is the most extraordinary man the Sudan has ever seen. And he knows his people. He promised them a miracle, he had to deliver it." - - Colonel Stewart.
Also: "The Mahdi and his forces now have ten thousand rifle, five batteries of artillery and five million rounds of ammunition." - - Colonel Stewart.
THINK RATHER OF THE TWENTY-THREE HUNDRED HUMVEE AS CAPTURED BY THE ISLAMIC STATE IN MOSUL, 2014!
It was not for FIFTEEN YEARS that the army of the Dervish in the Sudan was finally subdued. And then only with monumental effort. With the Islamic State it will be more or less the same?
coolbert.
QZ.
This is coolbert:
Weapons testing in the communist nations with live human subjected to weapons fire not merely confined to the Soviet Union during the Stalinist era and the Cold War.
Albania also!
"Bunkers in Albania"
"During the nearly forty-year leadership of Enver Hoxha [Hoe-cha] of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, over 700,000 bunkers were built in the country – one for every four inhabitants. The bunkers . . . are still a ubiquitous sight in Albania"
"The prototype for the bunkers was built in the 1950s, with the chief engineer assuring Hoxha that it would withstand a full assault from a tank. Hoxha decided to test it, with the engineer inside, and when he emerged unscathed from the attack mass production began."
I guess fortification design and testing doesn't much more meticulous than that. If your design [as the chief engineer] works, you live, if it doesn't, you die! Get it right the first time.
coolbert.
Weapons testing in the communist nations with live human subjected to weapons fire not merely confined to the Soviet Union during the Stalinist era and the Cold War.
Albania also!
"Bunkers in Albania"
"During the nearly forty-year leadership of Enver Hoxha [Hoe-cha] of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, over 700,000 bunkers were built in the country – one for every four inhabitants. The bunkers . . . are still a ubiquitous sight in Albania"
"The prototype for the bunkers was built in the 1950s, with the chief engineer assuring Hoxha that it would withstand a full assault from a tank. Hoxha decided to test it, with the engineer inside, and when he emerged unscathed from the attack mass production began."
I guess fortification design and testing doesn't much more meticulous than that. If your design [as the chief engineer] works, you live, if it doesn't, you die! Get it right the first time.
coolbert.
Aggression!
This is coolbert:
From a blog entry at the Internet web site isegoria.net an extract with my commentary:
The Mexican-American War of 1848 always a contentious issue.
"One of History’s Most Successful Aggressor Nations"
"The Mexican war: this was absolutely a war of aggression, but it was a war of aggression by Mexico against the USA. The various letters and communications between the American ambassador in Mexico City, the Mexican government, the Texan government, and Washington DC are absolutely fascinating reading and make it completely clear that Mexico was spoiling for a fight and finally got one. Polk and Slidell (the ambassador) went to quite a lot of effort to try to avoid war. Mexico was simply not willing to admit that Texas had actually beaten them and that they didn’t control it anymore. American troops in Mexico City was pretty much the only way to reconcile them to it."
The Republic of Texas having been incorporated into the Union that BORDER BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES NEVER HAVING BEEN CLEARLY DEFINED AND AGREED UPON!!
The United States claiming the Rio Grande river as the border. Mexico claiming the Nueces river [further north of the Rio Grande] as the border. Between the two rivers there existing a no-mans land in dispute unresolved.
American troops having moved into the no-mans land and set up camp, raising the American flag, a casus belli? The Mexican responding with force, the American encampment attacked!!
Such was the war started!!
AMERICAN NEGOTIATORS IN THE AFTERMATH OF U.S. MILITARY VICTORY NOT ONLY RESOLVING THE BORDER CONFLICT BUT INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE UNITED STATES BY ONE-THIRD, THE ACQUISITION OF WHAT HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST AS A RESULT.
Original source documents as cited in keeping with the Rankeian school of historiography.
coolbert.
From a blog entry at the Internet web site isegoria.net an extract with my commentary:
The Mexican-American War of 1848 always a contentious issue.
"One of History’s Most Successful Aggressor Nations"
"The Mexican war: this was absolutely a war of aggression, but it was a war of aggression by Mexico against the USA. The various letters and communications between the American ambassador in Mexico City, the Mexican government, the Texan government, and Washington DC are absolutely fascinating reading and make it completely clear that Mexico was spoiling for a fight and finally got one. Polk and Slidell (the ambassador) went to quite a lot of effort to try to avoid war. Mexico was simply not willing to admit that Texas had actually beaten them and that they didn’t control it anymore. American troops in Mexico City was pretty much the only way to reconcile them to it."
The Republic of Texas having been incorporated into the Union that BORDER BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES NEVER HAVING BEEN CLEARLY DEFINED AND AGREED UPON!!
The United States claiming the Rio Grande river as the border. Mexico claiming the Nueces river [further north of the Rio Grande] as the border. Between the two rivers there existing a no-mans land in dispute unresolved.
American troops having moved into the no-mans land and set up camp, raising the American flag, a casus belli? The Mexican responding with force, the American encampment attacked!!
Such was the war started!!
AMERICAN NEGOTIATORS IN THE AFTERMATH OF U.S. MILITARY VICTORY NOT ONLY RESOLVING THE BORDER CONFLICT BUT INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE UNITED STATES BY ONE-THIRD, THE ACQUISITION OF WHAT HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST AS A RESULT.
Original source documents as cited in keeping with the Rankeian school of historiography.
coolbert.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Havoc.
During the time of Stalin and at the height of the Gulag this sort of thing was more common?
As seen at Freeper:
"Soviet Engineers Tested Bulletproof Cockpits—With People Inside the Cockpits"
"The Mi-28 attack helicopter was developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War as an answer to America's AH-64 Apache . . . As such, the Havoc needed to be able to take hits—even to the cockpit—and keep flying."
"Soviet designers actually put a person inside a mock Mi-28 Havoc, then fired a number of different weapons at the armored glass. A number of guns appear to be trained at the glass, from what appear to be puny 7.62x39 rounds from an AK-47 all the way to a KPV 14.5-millimeter anti-aircraft heavy machine gun."
A close-up of the Havoc cockpit. Appears to have one compartment for the pilot and one for the gunner that operates and aims the ordnance.
"Only two things are for certain: the cockpit could really taking a beating, and being part of military testing in the Soviet Union was probably not the most fun job in the world."
During that area of Stalin and the Cold War condemned criminals [persons sentenced to death] were an important part of the Soviet munitions industry and weapons testing? This too was an instance of a condemned criminal strapped into a mock-up of a Havoc helicopter and subjected to live human testing with direct weapons fire?
coolbert.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Long Stick.
This is coolbert:
The most dangerous beast of them all!!
Yet more from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter with clarification.
"Pentagon starts using B-52s in war against ISIS"
21 April.
"The US air force has started to use its giant B-52 bombers against ISIS targets in Iraq. The plane, which entered service during the Vietnam War, is primarily intended for carpet bombing of targeted areas. A US military spokesman in Baghdad said that a B-52 carried out a precision strike against an ISIS arms depot in Qayyarah, about 60 kilometers south of Mosul, on Monday."
Carpet bombing as was the case during the Vietnam War a thing of the past now. Probably these B-52 bomber dropping JDAM's type munitions from high altitude. B-1 bomber flying out of Diego Garcia and as previously had the honor of dropping ordnance on Islamic State targets now having returned to the United States for an extended period of maintenance and replaced by the B-52.
B-52 also stationed in Qatar much closer to the scene of the action.
coolbert.
The most dangerous beast of them all!!
Yet more from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter with clarification.
"Pentagon starts using B-52s in war against ISIS"
21 April.
"The US air force has started to use its giant B-52 bombers against ISIS targets in Iraq. The plane, which entered service during the Vietnam War, is primarily intended for carpet bombing of targeted areas. A US military spokesman in Baghdad said that a B-52 carried out a precision strike against an ISIS arms depot in Qayyarah, about 60 kilometers south of Mosul, on Monday."
Carpet bombing as was the case during the Vietnam War a thing of the past now. Probably these B-52 bomber dropping JDAM's type munitions from high altitude. B-1 bomber flying out of Diego Garcia and as previously had the honor of dropping ordnance on Islamic State targets now having returned to the United States for an extended period of maintenance and replaced by the B-52.
B-52 also stationed in Qatar much closer to the scene of the action.
coolbert.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Assassins.
In the ancient and venerable tradition of the Middle East the assassin once again active. As it was during the time of the Mongol and the Old Man of the Mountain so it now during the time of the Syrian Civil War.
Hashshashin!!
From the DEBKAfile newsletter.
"Assassins operating in Damascus, terrifying senior officials: sources"
21 April.
"Arab sources said Thursday that groups of assassins are operating secretly in Damascus to kill senior figures of the Assad regime and sow fear and panic among others. The groups consist of several cells that operate independently at night. Some of the cells called 'oppressor deterrence battalions' consist of rebels from Assad's army."
These are dissidents that were once loyal to Assad? Not clear. Those North Korean bodyguards [if they are still guarding the despot] had better be wary.
IT CAN BE SUGGESTED THAT THERE IS EVEN A RELIGIOUS MOTIVE AND FACTOR INVOLVED IN THESE ASSASSINATIONS? THE ASSASSINS ARE ISMAILI IN OPPOSITION TO THE ALAWITE ASSAD?
OH, who knows! You can't tell the players in the field even with a scorecard.
coolbert.
Wall.
This is coolbert:
High and sturdy walls make for good neighbors! Between Israel and Lebanon too.
From the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
"IDF building concrete barrier on northern border"
20 April.
"The IDF has started to erect a 10-meter-high [33 feet] concrete barrier along its northern border, in a manner similar to the fence that is quickly being built in the area of Mishgav Am in the Upper Galilee."
"The thought here is to prevent roaming bands of Hezbollah fighters from crossing into Israel proper. I might imagine this wall intended to thwart squad and platoon size elements of Hezbollah combatants on suicide missions."
Barriers of this sort not intended to STOP in totality an aggressor but merely make it MORE difficult to cross. Allow responding forces to deploy and do so in a manner with the threat as it exists.
Manpower effective.
coolbert.
High and sturdy walls make for good neighbors! Between Israel and Lebanon too.
From the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
"IDF building concrete barrier on northern border"
20 April.
"The IDF has started to erect a 10-meter-high [33 feet] concrete barrier along its northern border, in a manner similar to the fence that is quickly being built in the area of Mishgav Am in the Upper Galilee."
"The thought here is to prevent roaming bands of Hezbollah fighters from crossing into Israel proper. I might imagine this wall intended to thwart squad and platoon size elements of Hezbollah combatants on suicide missions."
Barriers of this sort not intended to STOP in totality an aggressor but merely make it MORE difficult to cross. Allow responding forces to deploy and do so in a manner with the threat as it exists.
Manpower effective.
coolbert.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Bibi & Vlad.
This is coolbert:
From the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter further regarding the "encounter" between Israeli and Russian warplanes.
That trip of the Israeli Prime Minister to Moscow and concerns as expressed by same also including the situation on the ground in Syria.
1. "Netanyahu, Putin hold cordial meeting in Moscow, with Syria at center stage"
21 April.
"Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu flew back to Israel on Thursday evening after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The Russian leader greeted the prime minister warmly and admitted that the situation in Syria is 'complicated.' On his part, Netanyahu emphasized the need for maintaining the coordination between the two air forces, preventing Hizballah from obtaining advanced weapons, and preventing terrorists from opening a new front against Israel from the Golan Heights."
President Putin describing the situation in Syria. NO! The situation in Syria perhaps the most complicated in the history of modern warfare, only the Russian Civil War of almost one hundred years ago even comparable.
2. "Near clash of Israeli, Russian planes over Syria"
21 April.
"Western and Middle Eastern military sources monitoring the war in Syria, and networks monitoring Russian air force flights in the country, reported Wednesday afternoon that there was almost a clash earlier in the day between four Israeli F-15 fighters and two Russian Su-30 jets. The sources report that after a short time in which there was concern that a confrontation between the Russian and Israeli air forces was about to occur, both groups of jets turned back."
That "near clash" as described MORE than a "near clash". WEAPONS ACTUALLY FIRED AS REPORTED FROM OTHER SOURCES!
Things already extremely tense and now even exacerbated!!
coolbert.
From the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter further regarding the "encounter" between Israeli and Russian warplanes.
That trip of the Israeli Prime Minister to Moscow and concerns as expressed by same also including the situation on the ground in Syria.
1. "Netanyahu, Putin hold cordial meeting in Moscow, with Syria at center stage"
21 April.
"Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu flew back to Israel on Thursday evening after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The Russian leader greeted the prime minister warmly and admitted that the situation in Syria is 'complicated.' On his part, Netanyahu emphasized the need for maintaining the coordination between the two air forces, preventing Hizballah from obtaining advanced weapons, and preventing terrorists from opening a new front against Israel from the Golan Heights."
President Putin describing the situation in Syria. NO! The situation in Syria perhaps the most complicated in the history of modern warfare, only the Russian Civil War of almost one hundred years ago even comparable.
2. "Near clash of Israeli, Russian planes over Syria"
21 April.
"Western and Middle Eastern military sources monitoring the war in Syria, and networks monitoring Russian air force flights in the country, reported Wednesday afternoon that there was almost a clash earlier in the day between four Israeli F-15 fighters and two Russian Su-30 jets. The sources report that after a short time in which there was concern that a confrontation between the Russian and Israeli air forces was about to occur, both groups of jets turned back."
That "near clash" as described MORE than a "near clash". WEAPONS ACTUALLY FIRED AS REPORTED FROM OTHER SOURCES!
Things already extremely tense and now even exacerbated!!
coolbert.
Encounter.
This is coolbert:
There hasn't been anything like this in almost fifty years now!
Israeli and Russian combat pilots in a warplane encounter! [they called them Soviet back in 1970]
Thanks to Sheldon Adelson and his Israeli Internet newsletter Israel Hayom!
"Report: Russian fire at Israeli aircraft sparked PM's Moscow trip"
"The reason for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's impromptu visit to Moscow on Thursday was that Russian forces in Syria have fired at least twice on Israeli military aircraft, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Friday. The unsourced report gave no dates or locations for the incidents, nor any indication that Israeli planes were hit."
. . . .
"Separately, Israel's Channel 10 reported that a Russian warplane approached an Israeli warplane off the Mediterranean coast of Syria last week, but there was no contact between them."
NOT since 1970 and the Israeli air force engaging in Operation Rimon 20 has the Israeli and Russian [again they called them Soviet back then] squared off in the skies over the Middle East.
This was all supposed to be straightened out anyhow not so long ago! Consultations between the Russian and Israeli having occurred and agreements reached to prevent "incidents"!!
Is this confusion as during "heat of battle" or what?
coolbert.
There hasn't been anything like this in almost fifty years now!
Israeli and Russian combat pilots in a warplane encounter! [they called them Soviet back in 1970]
Thanks to Sheldon Adelson and his Israeli Internet newsletter Israel Hayom!
"Report: Russian fire at Israeli aircraft sparked PM's Moscow trip"
"The reason for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's impromptu visit to Moscow on Thursday was that Russian forces in Syria have fired at least twice on Israeli military aircraft, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Friday. The unsourced report gave no dates or locations for the incidents, nor any indication that Israeli planes were hit."
. . . .
"Separately, Israel's Channel 10 reported that a Russian warplane approached an Israeli warplane off the Mediterranean coast of Syria last week, but there was no contact between them."
NOT since 1970 and the Israeli air force engaging in Operation Rimon 20 has the Israeli and Russian [again they called them Soviet back then] squared off in the skies over the Middle East.
This was all supposed to be straightened out anyhow not so long ago! Consultations between the Russian and Israeli having occurred and agreements reached to prevent "incidents"!!
Is this confusion as during "heat of battle" or what?
coolbert.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Midway.
This is coolbert:
As extracted with commentary from the outstanding Internet web site isegoria.net:
"The Importance of the Battle of Midway"
"The victory at Midway aided allied strategy worldwide"
"Midway saves the decision by the Americans and British to focus their major effort against Germany, and the American and British military staffs are free to plan their invasion of North Africa."
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE KIDO BUTAI! The Japanese First Air Fleet. That assemblage of aircraft carriers and air crews that up unto Midway were absolutely unstoppable and ever-victorious. NOT ONLY THOSE JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK BUT THOSE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AND VERY ABLE AIR CREWS IRREPLACEABLE!!
From the time of Pearl Harbor until Midway there was one Japan, very strong, in the aftermath of Midway there was a second much weaker Japan. That latter NEVER ABLE TO RECOVER FROM MIDWAY.
Allied military planners, American and British both now able to concentrate 90 % of the war effort against Germany without further fear of Japanese advance.
WITH HINDSIGHT MIDWAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN REALIZED AND NOT WITH MERELY REGARD TO THE PACIFIC THEATER ALONE!
Yet more thanks to isegoria.net.
coolbert.
“We had not been defeated by these superior Japanese forces. Midway to us at the time meant that here is where we start from, here is where we really jump off in a hard, bitter war against the Japanese.” - - Ray Spruance.
As extracted with commentary from the outstanding Internet web site isegoria.net:
"The Importance of the Battle of Midway"
"The victory at Midway aided allied strategy worldwide"
"Midway saves the decision by the Americans and British to focus their major effort against Germany, and the American and British military staffs are free to plan their invasion of North Africa."
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE KIDO BUTAI! The Japanese First Air Fleet. That assemblage of aircraft carriers and air crews that up unto Midway were absolutely unstoppable and ever-victorious. NOT ONLY THOSE JAPANESE SHIPS SUNK BUT THOSE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AND VERY ABLE AIR CREWS IRREPLACEABLE!!
From the time of Pearl Harbor until Midway there was one Japan, very strong, in the aftermath of Midway there was a second much weaker Japan. That latter NEVER ABLE TO RECOVER FROM MIDWAY.
Allied military planners, American and British both now able to concentrate 90 % of the war effort against Germany without further fear of Japanese advance.
WITH HINDSIGHT MIDWAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN REALIZED AND NOT WITH MERELY REGARD TO THE PACIFIC THEATER ALONE!
Yet more thanks to isegoria.net.
coolbert.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
CB's.
This is coolbert:
As extracted from the outstanding Internet web site isegoria.net with commentary:
"Unrestricted Submarine Warfare"
”More objectively, speaking well after the war, Admiral 'Bull' Halsey observed, 'If I had to give credit to the instruments and machines that won us the war in the Pacific, I would rank them in this order; submarines, first, radar second, planes third, and bulldozers fourth.'”
With regard to number four [bulldozers] we are speaking of the naval Construction Battalions. SeaBee's [CB].
American advance across the Pacific in the aftermath of the Battle of Midway greatly facilitated by the actions of the CB's.
At least within the Pacific Theater able within a period of two weeks to take an island pristine jungle wilderness and construct:
* An airfield and all impedimental associated with same.
* A port facility and all impedimenta associated with same.
* Barracks, mess halls, hospitals, etc.
CB personnel for the most part already trained and experienced trade union craftsmen upon entering the military. Trade unionists now wearing a uniform and highly qualified in their respective craft. Trade unionists to include:
* Carpenters.
* Plumbers.
* Electricians.
* Masons.
* Iron workers.
* Heavy machine operators.
Officers for the most part having civil engineering degrees and also experienced at their profession.
Officers and enlisted both merely given a mission and the raw material, and told to go.
And did so with panache' for which all 'Americans can be most grateful.
And thank you isegoria.net.
coolbert.
As extracted from the outstanding Internet web site isegoria.net with commentary:
"Unrestricted Submarine Warfare"
”More objectively, speaking well after the war, Admiral 'Bull' Halsey observed, 'If I had to give credit to the instruments and machines that won us the war in the Pacific, I would rank them in this order; submarines, first, radar second, planes third, and bulldozers fourth.'”
With regard to number four [bulldozers] we are speaking of the naval Construction Battalions. SeaBee's [CB].
American advance across the Pacific in the aftermath of the Battle of Midway greatly facilitated by the actions of the CB's.
At least within the Pacific Theater able within a period of two weeks to take an island pristine jungle wilderness and construct:
* An airfield and all impedimental associated with same.
* A port facility and all impedimenta associated with same.
* Barracks, mess halls, hospitals, etc.
CB personnel for the most part already trained and experienced trade union craftsmen upon entering the military. Trade unionists now wearing a uniform and highly qualified in their respective craft. Trade unionists to include:
* Carpenters.
* Plumbers.
* Electricians.
* Masons.
* Iron workers.
* Heavy machine operators.
Officers for the most part having civil engineering degrees and also experienced at their profession.
Officers and enlisted both merely given a mission and the raw material, and told to go.
And did so with panache' for which all 'Americans can be most grateful.
And thank you isegoria.net.
coolbert.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Leopard.
This is coolbert:
So this sort of thing does occur!
Not necessarily paranormal activity but phenomenon rare and unexpected as detected and observed by the military observer and without any sort of preconceived notions.
"IDF spies rare predator in W. Bank"
"Field reconnaissance unit films big cat roaming near security fence"
"The military released footage from surveillance cameras this week that showed a leopard in the northern part of the West Bank."
"The spotting of a leopard roaming freely in the Samaria region was rare, as there are only a handful left in the wild in Israel. Most of the few known wild leopards are located further south, in the Judean desert and Negev mountains."
IN ALL OF ISRAEL THERE ARE ESTIMATED TO BE NO MORE THAN A DOZEN WILD AND FREE ROAMING LEOPARDS. AN ISRAELI CAN LIVE THEIR ENTIRE LIFETIME AND NEVER HOPE TO SEE EVEN ONCE A GLIMPSE OF THE BIG CATS.
Military units normally of the special operations type conducting a mission in a surreptitious manner, perhaps occupying a strategic reconnaissance [SR] hide spot more than likely to "detect and observe" whatever sort of phenomenon "rare and unexpected".
Think the novel "Almost Adam". A British soldier [occupying again a SR hide spot] in Kenya during the Mau Mau Rebellion in an accidental manner spotting undiscovered hominids, half-way between the human and the ape! You have to read the book to know the rest of the story.
MILITARY OBSERVERS TOO THOUGHT TO REPORT SUCH MATTERS IN A MORE RELIABLE MANNER WITHOUT AGENDA, DISPASSIONATE.
coolbert.
So this sort of thing does occur!
Not necessarily paranormal activity but phenomenon rare and unexpected as detected and observed by the military observer and without any sort of preconceived notions.
"IDF spies rare predator in W. Bank"
"Field reconnaissance unit films big cat roaming near security fence"
"The military released footage from surveillance cameras this week that showed a leopard in the northern part of the West Bank."
"The spotting of a leopard roaming freely in the Samaria region was rare, as there are only a handful left in the wild in Israel. Most of the few known wild leopards are located further south, in the Judean desert and Negev mountains."
IN ALL OF ISRAEL THERE ARE ESTIMATED TO BE NO MORE THAN A DOZEN WILD AND FREE ROAMING LEOPARDS. AN ISRAELI CAN LIVE THEIR ENTIRE LIFETIME AND NEVER HOPE TO SEE EVEN ONCE A GLIMPSE OF THE BIG CATS.
Military units normally of the special operations type conducting a mission in a surreptitious manner, perhaps occupying a strategic reconnaissance [SR] hide spot more than likely to "detect and observe" whatever sort of phenomenon "rare and unexpected".
Think the novel "Almost Adam". A British soldier [occupying again a SR hide spot] in Kenya during the Mau Mau Rebellion in an accidental manner spotting undiscovered hominids, half-way between the human and the ape! You have to read the book to know the rest of the story.
MILITARY OBSERVERS TOO THOUGHT TO REPORT SUCH MATTERS IN A MORE RELIABLE MANNER WITHOUT AGENDA, DISPASSIONATE.
coolbert.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
USS Cook Baltic.
This is coolbert:
As it was not so long ago in the Black Sea as it is now in the Baltic!
The USS Donald Cook, operating in the Baltic during joint operations with Polish military assets having the ship "buzzed" by Russian Su-24.
"Russia 'does not understand' US reaction to plane flyby"
"Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday the U.S. Navy ship that was buzzed by two Russian warplanes in the Baltic Sea this week could have opened fire under U.S. military rules of engagement."
"The USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) was conducting flight operations with a Polish helicopter Monday when two Russian Su-24 attack aircraft came within 1,000 yards of the destroyer, flying just 100 feet off the ground. The following day, a Russian jet came within 30 feet of the destroyer."
. . . .
"The U.S. believes the Russian actions may have violated a 1970s agreement meant to prevent unsafe incidents at sea. The agreement was between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union but remains in force with Russia."
"Russian jets buzzed the USS Donald Cook in the Black Sea in similarly provocative fashion in April 2014."
NOT MERELY THE DESTROYER BEING "BUZZED" BUT THE ACTION OCCURRING DURING FLIGHT OPERATIONS A TAKE OFF AND LANDING BY THE POLISH HELICOPTER EITHER IN PROGRESS OR IMMINENT.
Exactly the type of "incidents" that were common during the era of the Cold War. American aircraft carriers during routine take off and landing operations or organic warplanes having their path [the American carrier] blocked or impeded by the ubiquitous Soviet trawler.
DANGER EXCEEDINGLY WITH DELIBERATE INTENTION!
coolbert.
As it was not so long ago in the Black Sea as it is now in the Baltic!
The USS Donald Cook, operating in the Baltic during joint operations with Polish military assets having the ship "buzzed" by Russian Su-24.
"Russia 'does not understand' US reaction to plane flyby"
"Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday the U.S. Navy ship that was buzzed by two Russian warplanes in the Baltic Sea this week could have opened fire under U.S. military rules of engagement."
"The USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) was conducting flight operations with a Polish helicopter Monday when two Russian Su-24 attack aircraft came within 1,000 yards of the destroyer, flying just 100 feet off the ground. The following day, a Russian jet came within 30 feet of the destroyer."
. . . .
"The U.S. believes the Russian actions may have violated a 1970s agreement meant to prevent unsafe incidents at sea. The agreement was between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union but remains in force with Russia."
"Russian jets buzzed the USS Donald Cook in the Black Sea in similarly provocative fashion in April 2014."
NOT MERELY THE DESTROYER BEING "BUZZED" BUT THE ACTION OCCURRING DURING FLIGHT OPERATIONS A TAKE OFF AND LANDING BY THE POLISH HELICOPTER EITHER IN PROGRESS OR IMMINENT.
Exactly the type of "incidents" that were common during the era of the Cold War. American aircraft carriers during routine take off and landing operations or organic warplanes having their path [the American carrier] blocked or impeded by the ubiquitous Soviet trawler.
DANGER EXCEEDINGLY WITH DELIBERATE INTENTION!
coolbert.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Al Nusra & ISIL.
This is coolbert:
From Sputnik so many players in the game you need a score card to keep track and that doesn't even work.
Daesh = Islamic State [ISIL]. Al Nusra = Al Qaeda. Free Syrian Army = FSA. Government forces = Syrian National Army. Got it all?
"Daesh Seizes 11 Localities on Syria-Turkey Border in Aleppo Province"
"Daesh terrorists have captured 11 localities in the north of the Aleppo province near the Turkish border, local media reported Monday."
"Al-Nusra Front Deploys Up to 10,000 Terrorists Near Aleppo Ahead of Offensive - Russian Military"
"DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — According to the Al Mayadeen broadcaster, the localities were under control of the Free Syrian Army." Meanwhile, the Syrian government forces have repelled an assault of terrorists on a locality in the south of the Aleppo province, adjacent to the Damascus-Aleppo highway."
See my previous blog entry, the highway connecting Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Damascus the control of which most vital.
Al Nusra not the Islamic State! Sputnik wrong in this case.
coolbert.
From Sputnik so many players in the game you need a score card to keep track and that doesn't even work.
Daesh = Islamic State [ISIL]. Al Nusra = Al Qaeda. Free Syrian Army = FSA. Government forces = Syrian National Army. Got it all?
"Daesh Seizes 11 Localities on Syria-Turkey Border in Aleppo Province"
"Daesh terrorists have captured 11 localities in the north of the Aleppo province near the Turkish border, local media reported Monday."
"Al-Nusra Front Deploys Up to 10,000 Terrorists Near Aleppo Ahead of Offensive - Russian Military"
"DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — According to the Al Mayadeen broadcaster, the localities were under control of the Free Syrian Army." Meanwhile, the Syrian government forces have repelled an assault of terrorists on a locality in the south of the Aleppo province, adjacent to the Damascus-Aleppo highway."
See my previous blog entry, the highway connecting Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Damascus the control of which most vital.
Al Nusra not the Islamic State! Sputnik wrong in this case.
coolbert.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Cats.
This is coolbert:
From the Internet web site of the distinguished Israeli military historian and theoretician [?] Professor Martin Van Creveld yet another extract with my commentary:
“Not-Hot”
Professor Martin an Israeli but hardly an advocate for women serving in combat arms units. Combat arms usually referred to and defined as infantry, armor, artillery, air defense and army aviation.
These figures Professor Martin cites are confined specifically to the ground forces? I am not sure but think this is so!
Contrary to popular opinion women serving in combat units of the Israeli Defense Forces a very small percentage of the whole. Women conscripted but doing their duty in those type of units usually defined as combat support or combat service and support.
"First, the background. The IDF active force, including both regulars and conscripts, numbers 176,000 troops. Of those about 30 percent (58,000) are female. . . . According to the figures, the total number of female 'fighters' in the regular force is said to be 1,593. All are volunteers; unlike men, who are assigned, women only serve in 'combat' if and when they want to. In other words, under 3 percent of female soldiers serve in 'combat' units."
. . . .
"Now let’s take a closer look at what 'combat' actually entails. The largest group, 442 out of 1,593, serve in three mixed battalions named 'Caracal,' 'Leopard,' and 'Lions of the Jordan' respectively. In each of these they form 60 percent of the total. What all three have in common is that they are permanently deployed along the borders with Egypt and Jordan. Those in turn have this in common that, over the last forty years, they have seen hardly a shot fired in anger."
Devoted readers to the blog already familiar with the mixed-gender combat-arms battalions such as "Caracal". Caracal a desert cat the appearance of an undetermined gender when viewed from a distance. You cannot tell if it is a male or female!
These mixed-gender units primarily their mission is patrolling, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and direct combat. That is my understanding.
See previous blog entries regarding the mixed-gender Israeli combat arms units:
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2011/07/lieutenant-noy.html
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/05/team-mor.html
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/06/lions-of-jordan.html
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/06/negev-tavor.html
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/09/caracal-mout.html
coolbert.
From the Internet web site of the distinguished Israeli military historian and theoretician [?] Professor Martin Van Creveld yet another extract with my commentary:
“Not-Hot”
Professor Martin an Israeli but hardly an advocate for women serving in combat arms units. Combat arms usually referred to and defined as infantry, armor, artillery, air defense and army aviation.
These figures Professor Martin cites are confined specifically to the ground forces? I am not sure but think this is so!
Contrary to popular opinion women serving in combat units of the Israeli Defense Forces a very small percentage of the whole. Women conscripted but doing their duty in those type of units usually defined as combat support or combat service and support.
"First, the background. The IDF active force, including both regulars and conscripts, numbers 176,000 troops. Of those about 30 percent (58,000) are female. . . . According to the figures, the total number of female 'fighters' in the regular force is said to be 1,593. All are volunteers; unlike men, who are assigned, women only serve in 'combat' if and when they want to. In other words, under 3 percent of female soldiers serve in 'combat' units."
. . . .
"Now let’s take a closer look at what 'combat' actually entails. The largest group, 442 out of 1,593, serve in three mixed battalions named 'Caracal,' 'Leopard,' and 'Lions of the Jordan' respectively. In each of these they form 60 percent of the total. What all three have in common is that they are permanently deployed along the borders with Egypt and Jordan. Those in turn have this in common that, over the last forty years, they have seen hardly a shot fired in anger."
Devoted readers to the blog already familiar with the mixed-gender combat-arms battalions such as "Caracal". Caracal a desert cat the appearance of an undetermined gender when viewed from a distance. You cannot tell if it is a male or female!
These mixed-gender units primarily their mission is patrolling, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering and direct combat. That is my understanding.
See previous blog entries regarding the mixed-gender Israeli combat arms units:
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2011/07/lieutenant-noy.html
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/05/team-mor.html
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/06/lions-of-jordan.html
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/06/negev-tavor.html
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/09/caracal-mout.html
coolbert.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
ACTUV Hunter.
This is coolbert:
The concept became the plan, the plan has now become fruition. Drones not only in the sky but on the water and presumably below too!!
GHOST IS NOT ON THE DRAWING BOARDS ANYMORE! GHOST IS NOW!
" DARPA Unveils Plans For World’s First Flotilla of Killer Robot Warships Within 5 Years – 'Sea Hunter'"
"While the global drone arms race heats up across the planet, filling the sky with automated weapons of war, it makes perfect sense that the seas would soon follow."
. . . .
"DARPA’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program has designed, developed and constructed an entirely new class of ocean-going vessel—one intended to traverse thousands of kilometers over the open seas for months at a time, all without a single crew member aboard."
Go see the embedded video of the "Hunter" in action. Intended to be UNMANNED BUT THIS FIRST OF A KIND SEEMS TO HAVE BRIDGE WITH HELM?
ALSO NOT A KILLER ROBOT. ACTUV A VESSEL THE MISSION OF WHICH IS TO ACQUIRE, STALK AND TRACK ENEMY SUBMARINES AND NOTHING MORE.
More specifically so "Hunter" cheap and dirty and can be proliferated in great numbers. Swarm the opposition! Cost of operation per day over a conventionally manned vessel fare less!
coolbert.
"As above, so below."
The concept became the plan, the plan has now become fruition. Drones not only in the sky but on the water and presumably below too!!
GHOST IS NOT ON THE DRAWING BOARDS ANYMORE! GHOST IS NOW!
" DARPA Unveils Plans For World’s First Flotilla of Killer Robot Warships Within 5 Years – 'Sea Hunter'"
"While the global drone arms race heats up across the planet, filling the sky with automated weapons of war, it makes perfect sense that the seas would soon follow."
. . . .
"DARPA’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program has designed, developed and constructed an entirely new class of ocean-going vessel—one intended to traverse thousands of kilometers over the open seas for months at a time, all without a single crew member aboard."
Go see the embedded video of the "Hunter" in action. Intended to be UNMANNED BUT THIS FIRST OF A KIND SEEMS TO HAVE BRIDGE WITH HELM?
ALSO NOT A KILLER ROBOT. ACTUV A VESSEL THE MISSION OF WHICH IS TO ACQUIRE, STALK AND TRACK ENEMY SUBMARINES AND NOTHING MORE.
More specifically so "Hunter" cheap and dirty and can be proliferated in great numbers. Swarm the opposition! Cost of operation per day over a conventionally manned vessel fare less!
coolbert.
Ghost.
If the Russian does not like the ACTUV, then the ACTUV must be good? This we can reasonably infer?
"US Robot Ship Inches Toward Completion With New Anti-Sub Sonar"
Robot ship not only able to detect stealthy submarines but track and follow for months at a time and do so UNMANNED! "The unmanned ship is expected to begin testing in early 2016."
"The vessel is 132 ft (40 m) long, weighs 140 tons, and is expected to cost $15,000-$20,000 to operate per day, compared to $700,000 per day for a destroyer."
"DARPA is also developing a system to allow identification of the ship, as currently the ship's operation violates maritime law by not being able to correctly provide identification while unmanned."
Identification as what I believe they mean as ELECTRONIC INTERROGATION. A FORM OF IDENTIFICATION FRIEND OR FOE [IFF]!
And the GHOST will not be able to respond to query involving lights, flags, semaphores, etc.
THE RUSSIAN APPARENTLY FEARS THE GHOST AND WILL ATTEMPT ALL MEANS FAIR AND FOUL TO PREVENT THE GHOST FROM SAILING.
coolbert.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Kiev & Palmyra.
This is coolbert:
As it is in Palmyra 2016 so it was in Kiev 1941. An entire city rigged to blow with thousands of remotely detonated mines, demolitions, booby traps, IED, etc.
From 911 blogger and thanks:
"Wireless detonation in the course of history"
"militaries have been using forms of wireless detonation for explosives at least since WW II."
“During the Second World War, Nazi Germany occupied Kiev on 19 September 1941 . . . Overall, the battle proved disastrous for the Soviet side but it significantly delayed the German advances."
"Before the evacuation [of Kiev], the Red Army planted more than ten thousand mines throughout Kiev, controlled by wireless detonators. On September 24, when the German invaders had settled into the city, the mines were detonated, causing many of the major buildings to collapse, and setting the city ablaze for five days. More than a thousand Germans were killed in what was 'the biggest and most sophisticated booby trap in history.'"
Correct! The German having occupied Kiev finding themselves in the midst of an inferno, mines remotely detonated! The entire city blowing up around them and causing massive casualties and damage to infrastructure.
coolbert.
As it is in Palmyra 2016 so it was in Kiev 1941. An entire city rigged to blow with thousands of remotely detonated mines, demolitions, booby traps, IED, etc.
From 911 blogger and thanks:
"Wireless detonation in the course of history"
"militaries have been using forms of wireless detonation for explosives at least since WW II."
“During the Second World War, Nazi Germany occupied Kiev on 19 September 1941 . . . Overall, the battle proved disastrous for the Soviet side but it significantly delayed the German advances."
"Before the evacuation [of Kiev], the Red Army planted more than ten thousand mines throughout Kiev, controlled by wireless detonators. On September 24, when the German invaders had settled into the city, the mines were detonated, causing many of the major buildings to collapse, and setting the city ablaze for five days. More than a thousand Germans were killed in what was 'the biggest and most sophisticated booby trap in history.'"
Correct! The German having occupied Kiev finding themselves in the midst of an inferno, mines remotely detonated! The entire city blowing up around them and causing massive casualties and damage to infrastructure.
coolbert.
Kidnapped!
This is coolbert:
Hey! I thought the Islamic State was "down-and-out, on-the-ropes" and all that. And then you read this:
1. "250 Syrians missing after ISIS attack Damascus"
"Around 250 Syrian civilians are feared kidnapped after an attack by ISIS on a cement factory east of Damascus, residents told AFP on Thursday."
The taking of hostages for ransom or to be used as human shields either a violation of the laws of land warfare or a crime against humanity. BUT WHO EVER SAID THAT ISIL EVER FOLLOWED THE RULES? NO ONE!
2. "ISIS has begun releasing 170 cement workers it kidnapped outside Damascus, human rights group claims – contradicting reports that the civilians had been executed"
* "175 of the 300 cement workers feared to have been executed by ISIS"
* "Extremists seized the labourers from an area to the northeast of Damascus"
* "Taken near spot where militants had launched an assault on Assad's forces"
* "Hostages are workers and contractors of the Al Badia Cement company"
Perhaps the Shia were separated from the Sunni? The former in for a rough time at the hands of ISIL.
coolbert.
Hey! I thought the Islamic State was "down-and-out, on-the-ropes" and all that. And then you read this:
1. "250 Syrians missing after ISIS attack Damascus"
"Around 250 Syrian civilians are feared kidnapped after an attack by ISIS on a cement factory east of Damascus, residents told AFP on Thursday."
The taking of hostages for ransom or to be used as human shields either a violation of the laws of land warfare or a crime against humanity. BUT WHO EVER SAID THAT ISIL EVER FOLLOWED THE RULES? NO ONE!
2. "ISIS has begun releasing 170 cement workers it kidnapped outside Damascus, human rights group claims – contradicting reports that the civilians had been executed"
* "175 of the 300 cement workers feared to have been executed by ISIS"
* "Extremists seized the labourers from an area to the northeast of Damascus"
* "Taken near spot where militants had launched an assault on Assad's forces"
* "Hostages are workers and contractors of the Al Badia Cement company"
Perhaps the Shia were separated from the Sunni? The former in for a rough time at the hands of ISIL.
coolbert.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Chemicals Syria.
This is coolbert:
As reported by the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter the Islamic State now using chemical munitions against Syrian forces and proxies as in opposition to ISIL. The Kurd is not alone in being subjected to chemical warfare.
"Damascus claims ISIS used mustard gas in Deir ez-Zour drive"
5 April.
"Syrian state media reported that ISIS forces fired rockets carrying mustard gas against Syrian army troops in an offensive to capture the heavily defended Syrian military airport south of Deir ez-Zour Monday. The province is a vital link between the ISIS Syrian base at Raqqa and its Iraqi fighters. The claim was not independently verified."
Those captured rockets containing mustard agent in all instances now being put to good use by the Islamic State? ISIL now incorporating chemical agents in all military operations. Or at least the threat of use of WMD! Determined and ruthless in the extreme!
EVEN IF THE CHEMICALS IN THE ROCKETS DECAYED STILL CONTAINING AMOUNTS OF RESIDUE THE TOXICITY OF WHICH DANGEROUS!
coolbert.
As reported by the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter the Islamic State now using chemical munitions against Syrian forces and proxies as in opposition to ISIL. The Kurd is not alone in being subjected to chemical warfare.
"Damascus claims ISIS used mustard gas in Deir ez-Zour drive"
5 April.
"Syrian state media reported that ISIS forces fired rockets carrying mustard gas against Syrian army troops in an offensive to capture the heavily defended Syrian military airport south of Deir ez-Zour Monday. The province is a vital link between the ISIS Syrian base at Raqqa and its Iraqi fighters. The claim was not independently verified."
Those captured rockets containing mustard agent in all instances now being put to good use by the Islamic State? ISIL now incorporating chemical agents in all military operations. Or at least the threat of use of WMD! Determined and ruthless in the extreme!
EVEN IF THE CHEMICALS IN THE ROCKETS DECAYED STILL CONTAINING AMOUNTS OF RESIDUE THE TOXICITY OF WHICH DANGEROUS!
coolbert.
Palmyra.
This is coolbert:
First we take Palmyra, then we take Berlin. NOT exactly of course.
But that combination of Russian warplanes and groups consisting of contingents from the Syrian National Army, Hezbollah, Iran and Iraqi Shia militia continuing their advance. Thanks to the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
"Russian-backed Syrian and allied forces take ISIS-held town"
4 April.
"After more than 40 Russian air strikes, the Syrian army and allies Monday entered the ISIS-held town of al-Qaryatain, 100km west of Palmyra, which was recaptured last week from the Islamic State. This is reported by Syrian State TV."
"After Palmyra, Al-Qaryatain, Syrian army heads for ISIS-held Sukhneh"
5 April.
"After capturing Palmyra and Al Qaryatain from the Islamic State in a week, the Syrian army and allies, backed by heavy Russian air strikes, next turns to Sukhneh on the Palmyra-Deir Ez-Zour highway. The predominantly Christian pilgrimage town of Al Qaryatain, which lies midway between Palmyra and Damascus, was strewn by ISIS with mines and explosives before its retreat. The 5th century St. Elian monastery had been bulldozed and the church and cemetery desecrated"
Reading these various reports you would think the combatants of the Islamic State are on the ropes in the proverbial boxing match. Down and out, taking body punches that are hurting them very badly. When retiring from the battlefield ISIL making widespread use of mines and demolitions, booby traps, IED, etc. Creating a wasteland and leaving towns and cities uninhabitable.
coolbert.
First we take Palmyra, then we take Berlin. NOT exactly of course.
But that combination of Russian warplanes and groups consisting of contingents from the Syrian National Army, Hezbollah, Iran and Iraqi Shia militia continuing their advance. Thanks to the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
"Russian-backed Syrian and allied forces take ISIS-held town"
4 April.
"After more than 40 Russian air strikes, the Syrian army and allies Monday entered the ISIS-held town of al-Qaryatain, 100km west of Palmyra, which was recaptured last week from the Islamic State. This is reported by Syrian State TV."
"After Palmyra, Al-Qaryatain, Syrian army heads for ISIS-held Sukhneh"
5 April.
"After capturing Palmyra and Al Qaryatain from the Islamic State in a week, the Syrian army and allies, backed by heavy Russian air strikes, next turns to Sukhneh on the Palmyra-Deir Ez-Zour highway. The predominantly Christian pilgrimage town of Al Qaryatain, which lies midway between Palmyra and Damascus, was strewn by ISIS with mines and explosives before its retreat. The 5th century St. Elian monastery had been bulldozed and the church and cemetery desecrated"
Reading these various reports you would think the combatants of the Islamic State are on the ropes in the proverbial boxing match. Down and out, taking body punches that are hurting them very badly. When retiring from the battlefield ISIL making widespread use of mines and demolitions, booby traps, IED, etc. Creating a wasteland and leaving towns and cities uninhabitable.
coolbert.
Suicide Baghdad.
This is coolbert:
Yet more from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
ISIL maintaining an offensive capability into the very heart of the Iraqi Shia homeland.
"Three suicide bombers kill 30 people in S. Iraq"
4 April.
"A suicide bomber blew himself up Monday in a restaurant frequented by Shiite paramilitary military fighters at Dhi Qar province south of Baghdad, killing at least 14 people and injuring another 27. Earlier, two separate suicide attacks outside Baghdad killed at least 10 Iraqi troops"
Never underestimate the resolve, the determination and implacable ruthlessness of the Islamic State. NOTHING is beyond their reach so it seems. And they are saying that to the whole world over and over.
coolbert.
Yet more from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
ISIL maintaining an offensive capability into the very heart of the Iraqi Shia homeland.
"Three suicide bombers kill 30 people in S. Iraq"
4 April.
"A suicide bomber blew himself up Monday in a restaurant frequented by Shiite paramilitary military fighters at Dhi Qar province south of Baghdad, killing at least 14 people and injuring another 27. Earlier, two separate suicide attacks outside Baghdad killed at least 10 Iraqi troops"
Never underestimate the resolve, the determination and implacable ruthlessness of the Islamic State. NOTHING is beyond their reach so it seems. And they are saying that to the whole world over and over.
coolbert.
Palmyra EOD.
This is coolbert:
Also from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter. Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
"Moscow flies a special mine-sweeping unit to Palmyra"
2 April.
"A special Russian army unit based at the Chkalovsky near Moscow was flown to Palmyra Friday to defuse the thousands of mines, explosives, IEDs and booby-traps which the Islamic State rigged in buildings and on streets."
"THOUSAND OF MINES, EXPLOSIVES, IED'S AND BOOBY TRAPS"! THOUSANDS! MANY EMBEDDED IN CONCRETE. The entire assemblage as designed to be remotely detonated and exploded in a coordinated fashion. For some reason NO spontaneous or planned explosions occurring,.
Read from Russian Times a report describing the EOD problem as now is the case in Palmyra.
coolbert.
Also from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter. Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
"Moscow flies a special mine-sweeping unit to Palmyra"
2 April.
"A special Russian army unit based at the Chkalovsky near Moscow was flown to Palmyra Friday to defuse the thousands of mines, explosives, IEDs and booby-traps which the Islamic State rigged in buildings and on streets."
"THOUSAND OF MINES, EXPLOSIVES, IED'S AND BOOBY TRAPS"! THOUSANDS! MANY EMBEDDED IN CONCRETE. The entire assemblage as designed to be remotely detonated and exploded in a coordinated fashion. For some reason NO spontaneous or planned explosions occurring,.
Read from Russian Times a report describing the EOD problem as now is the case in Palmyra.
coolbert.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Iskander-M Israel.
This is coolbert;
The deployment of the Russian Iskander-M to Syria seen by the Israeli as a threat?
As reported and seen in the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
"Russian Dep. C-of-S due in Israel to discuss Iskander's arrival in Syria"
2 April.
"Russian Deputy Chief of Staff Col-Gen. Nikolai Bogdanovski heads a military delegation due in Israel Monday to discuss with his counterpart IDF Deputy C-of-S Maj. General. Yair Golan adjustments n the coordination arrangements between the two armies and air forces, in view of Moscow's deployment of two advanced missiles systems in Syria."
Russian and Israeli Deputy Chief of Staff conferring. I guess the Israeli concern is that the Iskander-M NOT become operationally controlled by any of the proxy forces as involved in the Syrian Civil War. To include Hezbollah and the Iranian contingents. ALSO ISLANDER-M HOPEFULLY NOT INTRODUCING NUCLEAR WARHEADS INTO THE AREA DURING A TIME OF CIVIL WAR.
Those two advanced missile systems the Iskander-M AND the S-400 SAM.
coolbert.
The deployment of the Russian Iskander-M to Syria seen by the Israeli as a threat?
As reported and seen in the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter.
"Russian Dep. C-of-S due in Israel to discuss Iskander's arrival in Syria"
2 April.
"Russian Deputy Chief of Staff Col-Gen. Nikolai Bogdanovski heads a military delegation due in Israel Monday to discuss with his counterpart IDF Deputy C-of-S Maj. General. Yair Golan adjustments n the coordination arrangements between the two armies and air forces, in view of Moscow's deployment of two advanced missiles systems in Syria."
Russian and Israeli Deputy Chief of Staff conferring. I guess the Israeli concern is that the Iskander-M NOT become operationally controlled by any of the proxy forces as involved in the Syrian Civil War. To include Hezbollah and the Iranian contingents. ALSO ISLANDER-M HOPEFULLY NOT INTRODUCING NUCLEAR WARHEADS INTO THE AREA DURING A TIME OF CIVIL WAR.
Those two advanced missile systems the Iskander-M AND the S-400 SAM.
coolbert.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Lackland AFB.
This is coolbert:
It is apparent now this was not an attack of the home-grown, lone-wolf, self-radicalized jihadist!
1. "BREAKING: At least two dead in Lackland Air Force Base shooting: Sheriff"
"Law enforcement responded to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas on Friday on reports of an active shooter."
2. "Senior U.S. official: Airman fatally shot his commander, self at Lackland AFB"
"SAN ANTONIO - The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is reporting at least two people are dead in a shooting at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base."
"The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is reporting that the gunman is still active and the base is presently on lockdown."
3. "2 dead in Lackland Air Force Base shooting, authorities say"
"Police: Two dead in Lackland Air Force Base shooting"
"(CNN) Two people are dead after a shooting Friday morning at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland -- an incident that involved an airman shooting his squadron commander, a Pentagon official told CNN on condition of anonymity."
The disgruntled and angry [for whatever reason] American airman shoots his commanding officer and then commits suicide.
My instantaneous thought is that this was a jihadist attack. BUT NO!
THOSE RESPONDIUNG TOO NOT MERELY MILITARY PERSONNEL, THE AIR FORCE SECURITY FORCE BUT CIVILIAN OFF-POST LAW ENFORCEMENT.
coolbert.
It is apparent now this was not an attack of the home-grown, lone-wolf, self-radicalized jihadist!
1. "BREAKING: At least two dead in Lackland Air Force Base shooting: Sheriff"
"Law enforcement responded to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas on Friday on reports of an active shooter."
2. "Senior U.S. official: Airman fatally shot his commander, self at Lackland AFB"
"SAN ANTONIO - The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is reporting at least two people are dead in a shooting at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Air Force Base."
"The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is reporting that the gunman is still active and the base is presently on lockdown."
3. "2 dead in Lackland Air Force Base shooting, authorities say"
"Police: Two dead in Lackland Air Force Base shooting"
"(CNN) Two people are dead after a shooting Friday morning at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland -- an incident that involved an airman shooting his squadron commander, a Pentagon official told CNN on condition of anonymity."
The disgruntled and angry [for whatever reason] American airman shoots his commanding officer and then commits suicide.
My instantaneous thought is that this was a jihadist attack. BUT NO!
THOSE RESPONDIUNG TOO NOT MERELY MILITARY PERSONNEL, THE AIR FORCE SECURITY FORCE BUT CIVILIAN OFF-POST LAW ENFORCEMENT.
coolbert.
CoS Milley.
This is coolbert:
The fear here is the lone-wolf, home-grown, self-radicalized jihadist attacking a recruitment office!
As extracted from the testimony of Chief of Staff [CoS] Milley before Congress and for your edification:
Thanks to the Briefing Room and the tip from Freeper. Well, you just gotta read it.
SEMI-NEWS/SEMI-SATIRE:
"Army Chief Opposes Private Weapons for Troops"
"In testimony before a congressional committee investigating the murders of military personnel at military facilities, Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley told Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) that he was opposed to letting troops carry personal weapons to defend themselves."
"'Let me assure Congress that our higher ranking officers are well protected by the existing procedures,' the General said. 'Base commanders have a contingent of armed guards between themselves and any potential assailant. I am confident that no intruders could get to them without themselves being shot.'"
"'What about lower ranking soldiers?' Lee asked. 'They don't have guards assigned to them. Why shouldn't they be allowed to carry their own handguns for self-defense?'"
"'Well, there's a danger that these personal weapons would be inappropriately used,' Milley replied. 'Do we really want troops to make the decision to discharge their weapons before being give the order to do so by a commanding officer? Can we afford to break this link in the chain of command just to save a few lives in the lower ranks? Asking a handful of soldiers to sacrifice themselves in order to keep their superiors safer better prioritizes the human assets we have at our disposal.'"
PRIVATE WEAPONS NO BUT THAT NOT PRECLUDING THE USE OF MILITARY ISSUED WEAPONRY OF SOME SORT. A HANDGUN, HOLSTER, AMMO, AND PROPER TRAINING IN THE USE OF SAME WITH QUALIFICATION TO INCLUDE A MARKSMANSHIP STANDARD.
coolbert.
The fear here is the lone-wolf, home-grown, self-radicalized jihadist attacking a recruitment office!
As extracted from the testimony of Chief of Staff [CoS] Milley before Congress and for your edification:
Thanks to the Briefing Room and the tip from Freeper. Well, you just gotta read it.
SEMI-NEWS/SEMI-SATIRE:
"Army Chief Opposes Private Weapons for Troops"
"In testimony before a congressional committee investigating the murders of military personnel at military facilities, Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley told Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) that he was opposed to letting troops carry personal weapons to defend themselves."
"'Let me assure Congress that our higher ranking officers are well protected by the existing procedures,' the General said. 'Base commanders have a contingent of armed guards between themselves and any potential assailant. I am confident that no intruders could get to them without themselves being shot.'"
"'What about lower ranking soldiers?' Lee asked. 'They don't have guards assigned to them. Why shouldn't they be allowed to carry their own handguns for self-defense?'"
"'Well, there's a danger that these personal weapons would be inappropriately used,' Milley replied. 'Do we really want troops to make the decision to discharge their weapons before being give the order to do so by a commanding officer? Can we afford to break this link in the chain of command just to save a few lives in the lower ranks? Asking a handful of soldiers to sacrifice themselves in order to keep their superiors safer better prioritizes the human assets we have at our disposal.'"
PRIVATE WEAPONS NO BUT THAT NOT PRECLUDING THE USE OF MILITARY ISSUED WEAPONRY OF SOME SORT. A HANDGUN, HOLSTER, AMMO, AND PROPER TRAINING IN THE USE OF SAME WITH QUALIFICATION TO INCLUDE A MARKSMANSHIP STANDARD.
coolbert.
Bowie Knife.
This is coolbert:
The fear here is the lone-wolf, home-grown, self-radicalized jihadist attacking a recruitment office!
"Army Chief of Staff Opposes Private Weapons for Protection on U.S. Military Installations"
"(CNSNews.com) - 'I've been around guns all my life. I know how to use them, and arming our people on our military bases and allowing them to carry concealed, privately owned weapons -- I do not recommend that as a force protection,' Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley told Congress on Thursday."
Military installation so broadly defined as to mean and include any recruiting office.
That prohibition against military personnel possessing and carrying a privately owned weapon WHILE ON DUTY a legacy of the Vietnam War? Carry a weapon YES but only when the army says it is OK to do so and then ONLY that weapon as issued to you?
From the era of fifty years ago personally owned weapons in the war-zone prohibited on the direct order of General Westmoreland, too many BAD INSTANCES OF TROOPS USING THEM ON ONE ANOTHER DURING BRAWLS!
My own personal experience in this matter was the first thirty minutes of arriving at the Oakland Army Terminal [OART] in 1966 prior to shipping out for overseas.
About half the troops present when briefed that carrying a privately owned weapon in Vietnam was a courts martial offense turned in either a huge Bowie knife or a handgun. OART collecting the weapons and storing for safekeeping upon your return from the war-zone.
AND DON'T MESS WITH ANY OF THOSE GUYS EITHER!
coolbert.
The fear here is the lone-wolf, home-grown, self-radicalized jihadist attacking a recruitment office!
"Army Chief of Staff Opposes Private Weapons for Protection on U.S. Military Installations"
"(CNSNews.com) - 'I've been around guns all my life. I know how to use them, and arming our people on our military bases and allowing them to carry concealed, privately owned weapons -- I do not recommend that as a force protection,' Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley told Congress on Thursday."
Military installation so broadly defined as to mean and include any recruiting office.
That prohibition against military personnel possessing and carrying a privately owned weapon WHILE ON DUTY a legacy of the Vietnam War? Carry a weapon YES but only when the army says it is OK to do so and then ONLY that weapon as issued to you?
From the era of fifty years ago personally owned weapons in the war-zone prohibited on the direct order of General Westmoreland, too many BAD INSTANCES OF TROOPS USING THEM ON ONE ANOTHER DURING BRAWLS!
My own personal experience in this matter was the first thirty minutes of arriving at the Oakland Army Terminal [OART] in 1966 prior to shipping out for overseas.
About half the troops present when briefed that carrying a privately owned weapon in Vietnam was a courts martial offense turned in either a huge Bowie knife or a handgun. OART collecting the weapons and storing for safekeeping upon your return from the war-zone.
AND DON'T MESS WITH ANY OF THOSE GUYS EITHER!
coolbert.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Laggards.
This is coolbert:
It is not only Donald Trump and the rest of the chattering class that finds criticism with the various constituent members of NATO.
American elected representatives have too!
"Senators Slam NATO ‘Free-Riders’ in Closed-Door Meeting With Secretary General"
"Donald Trump has spent much of his campaign deriding NATO allies for “ripping off” the American taxpayer and failing to contribute to the world’s most powerful military alliance. But on Wednesday, his fellow Republicans joined the chorus during a closed-door meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg"
"For under an hour, senators grilled Stoltenberg, a former prime minister of Norway, about why only five members of the 28-nation club [NATO] spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, the official amount NATO recommends each nation set aside. Some expressed particular dissatisfaction with Germany, the fourth largest economy in the world, which does not meet the 2 percent threshold."
European nations members of NATO for some time having scaled back their military forces, ended conscription, those budget demands for the generous welfare state too important to the politician of whatever electorate.
Don't expect change for the better soon if ever. Austerity rules and that means LESS!
coolbert.
It is not only Donald Trump and the rest of the chattering class that finds criticism with the various constituent members of NATO.
American elected representatives have too!
"Senators Slam NATO ‘Free-Riders’ in Closed-Door Meeting With Secretary General"
"Donald Trump has spent much of his campaign deriding NATO allies for “ripping off” the American taxpayer and failing to contribute to the world’s most powerful military alliance. But on Wednesday, his fellow Republicans joined the chorus during a closed-door meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg"
"For under an hour, senators grilled Stoltenberg, a former prime minister of Norway, about why only five members of the 28-nation club [NATO] spend at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, the official amount NATO recommends each nation set aside. Some expressed particular dissatisfaction with Germany, the fourth largest economy in the world, which does not meet the 2 percent threshold."
European nations members of NATO for some time having scaled back their military forces, ended conscription, those budget demands for the generous welfare state too important to the politician of whatever electorate.
Don't expect change for the better soon if ever. Austerity rules and that means LESS!
coolbert.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Sabotage III.
This is coolbert.
Conclusion!
Impressed and forced labor during the Second World War indeed able to sabotage the war effort of the enemy!
Sabotage Japan, American style.
Understand that it was not alone impressed and forced labor of the Nazi that occurred in World War Two [WW2]. American and allied prisoners-of-war [POW] of the Japanese also compelled to work at in heavy industry, performing a variety of tasks to include that of dock worker and low-level menial.
From the book: "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand.
"At work sites, Omori's POW's were waging a guerrilla war. At the rail yards and docks, they switched mailing labels, rewrote delivery addresses, and changed the labeling on boxcars, sending tons of goods to the wrong destinations. They threw fistfuls of dirt into gas tanks and broke anything mechanical that passed through their hands. Forced to build engine blocks, American Milton McMullen crafted the exterior well enough to pass inspection but fashioned the interiors so the engines would never run. POW's loading at docks 'accidentally' dropped fragile items, including a large shipment of wine and furniture en route to a Nazi ambassador. . . . Coming upon the suitcases of the German envoy, POW's shredded the clothes soaked them in mud and oil, and replaced them with friendly notes signed 'Winston Churchill.' They drank huge quantities of tea and peed [urinated] profusely on nearly every bag of rice they loaded. And in one celebrated incident, POW's loading heavy goods onto a barge hurled the material down with such force that they sank the barge, blocking a canal."
The entire aspect of forced and impressed labor during World War Two also closely related to the topic of "Hell Ships". Devoted readers to the blog might want to see those archived blog entries regarding the "Hell Ship" in both European and Pacific theaters.
coolbert.
Conclusion!
Impressed and forced labor during the Second World War indeed able to sabotage the war effort of the enemy!
Sabotage Japan, American style.
Understand that it was not alone impressed and forced labor of the Nazi that occurred in World War Two [WW2]. American and allied prisoners-of-war [POW] of the Japanese also compelled to work at in heavy industry, performing a variety of tasks to include that of dock worker and low-level menial.
From the book: "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand.
"At work sites, Omori's POW's were waging a guerrilla war. At the rail yards and docks, they switched mailing labels, rewrote delivery addresses, and changed the labeling on boxcars, sending tons of goods to the wrong destinations. They threw fistfuls of dirt into gas tanks and broke anything mechanical that passed through their hands. Forced to build engine blocks, American Milton McMullen crafted the exterior well enough to pass inspection but fashioned the interiors so the engines would never run. POW's loading at docks 'accidentally' dropped fragile items, including a large shipment of wine and furniture en route to a Nazi ambassador. . . . Coming upon the suitcases of the German envoy, POW's shredded the clothes soaked them in mud and oil, and replaced them with friendly notes signed 'Winston Churchill.' They drank huge quantities of tea and peed [urinated] profusely on nearly every bag of rice they loaded. And in one celebrated incident, POW's loading heavy goods onto a barge hurled the material down with such force that they sank the barge, blocking a canal."
The entire aspect of forced and impressed labor during World War Two also closely related to the topic of "Hell Ships". Devoted readers to the blog might want to see those archived blog entries regarding the "Hell Ship" in both European and Pacific theaters.
coolbert.
Sabotage II.
This is coolbert:
Continuing with the topic of forced and impressed labor during the Second World War.
"Sabotage by forced labour"
[all spellings of labour in the British manner!]
Svetlana has written or is writing a fictional novel the setting of which is Germany at the very end of the Second World War. The role of the impressed or forced laborer an integral aspect of the novel.
As researched by Svetlana and as extracted from entries to the forum:
"I've [Svetlana] been researching forced labor (Ostarbeit, Zwangsarbeit but not KZ or POW) in Berlin for my novel. One of my protagonists is an Ostarbeiterin who worked at Rheinmetall-Borsig in Berlin-Tegel. Here are some of my findings."
"For all their fears and antipathy, foreign labourers were to become the very cornerstone of the German wartime economy. They served almost every business in Berlin, from the largest industrial concerns - such as Daimler-Benz, AEG and Bosch - down to the smallest independent tradesman or shopkeeper. In the summer of 1943, the number of foreign and forced labourers in Berlin topped 400,000, comprising one in five of the capital's total workforce. Siemens, for instance, employed nearly 15,000 foreign labourers in the capital, housed in over 100 camps. German Railways employed a further 13,000, Speer's Berlin Building Inspectorate 10,000 and AEG, 9,000." - - "Berlin at War" by Roger Moorhouse
"At that time, Berlin was covered with wooden barracks. In even the tiniest space in the capital, there were rows of brown, wooden blocks, covered in roofing felt. Greater Berlin resembled a single camp, which had been scattered between the sturdy buildings, the monuments, the office blocks, the rail stations and the factories" - - "Berlin at War" by Roger Moorhouse
"From the information I have collected on forced labor at Rheinmetall-Borsig it appears that the low-level sabotage was fairly common at that factory."
"Although sabotage was very dangerous (as a German worker put it, it would be a suicide), it was present nevertheless. A Russian former labourer from Kiev recounted his work in the construction team at Borsig. When they poured in a concrete foundation for heavy equipment, they would make a weak concrete mix. The foundation would then deteriorate faster from the vibration and shocks when the machinery was in operation. His opinion was that the low-key sabotage was common among the forced laborers."
"A Dutch former laborer, who was a university student prior to coming to Borsig, stated that the productivity among his fellow Dutch students was 20%-30% lower than of German workers. But they got away with it for a long time because they were considered 'amateurs' and the management didn't expect much of them, although the work hours and conditions were grueling. There were some tricks like dropping a precision part so it would deform a tiny bit and malfunction down the line. In the end the Dutch worker was transferred to a quality control post because his work performance at the machine was not improving. At the quality control post the supervisor told him to watch out for sabotage because it was all too common. In the end, the Dutch worker himself got arrested and sent to KZ Sachsenhausen, a mere few weeks before it was liberated by the Soviet Army."
"Another personal account of a Russian former Ostarbeiterin describes how some Russian young women laborers sabotaged work at Borsig. She worked on a lathe which required the cutting tool to be positioned precisely. Although she had had experience operating machinery at her pre-war factory job in the Soviet Union, she intentionally mis-positioned the tool. It would get damaged when the equipment was in operation, and she would have to sit and wait for a replacement. With the supervisors she played dumb, pretending to be unable to understand the process. The usual punishment was being left without her food ration for the day. In the barracks, the Russian girls pooled their rations to share with friends left without food because of their poor work performance."
"a Russian woman recalled how she stuffed paper in artillery shells at a munitions factory in Germany. Then she and a few more Russian girls ran away from the factory, got caught and sent to a concentration camp."
Thank you Svetlana!
See more on Svetlana and her historical novel!
coolbert.
Continuing with the topic of forced and impressed labor during the Second World War.
"Sabotage by forced labour"
[all spellings of labour in the British manner!]
Svetlana has written or is writing a fictional novel the setting of which is Germany at the very end of the Second World War. The role of the impressed or forced laborer an integral aspect of the novel.
As researched by Svetlana and as extracted from entries to the forum:
"I've [Svetlana] been researching forced labor (Ostarbeit, Zwangsarbeit but not KZ or POW) in Berlin for my novel. One of my protagonists is an Ostarbeiterin who worked at Rheinmetall-Borsig in Berlin-Tegel. Here are some of my findings."
"For all their fears and antipathy, foreign labourers were to become the very cornerstone of the German wartime economy. They served almost every business in Berlin, from the largest industrial concerns - such as Daimler-Benz, AEG and Bosch - down to the smallest independent tradesman or shopkeeper. In the summer of 1943, the number of foreign and forced labourers in Berlin topped 400,000, comprising one in five of the capital's total workforce. Siemens, for instance, employed nearly 15,000 foreign labourers in the capital, housed in over 100 camps. German Railways employed a further 13,000, Speer's Berlin Building Inspectorate 10,000 and AEG, 9,000." - - "Berlin at War" by Roger Moorhouse
"At that time, Berlin was covered with wooden barracks. In even the tiniest space in the capital, there were rows of brown, wooden blocks, covered in roofing felt. Greater Berlin resembled a single camp, which had been scattered between the sturdy buildings, the monuments, the office blocks, the rail stations and the factories" - - "Berlin at War" by Roger Moorhouse
"From the information I have collected on forced labor at Rheinmetall-Borsig it appears that the low-level sabotage was fairly common at that factory."
"Although sabotage was very dangerous (as a German worker put it, it would be a suicide), it was present nevertheless. A Russian former labourer from Kiev recounted his work in the construction team at Borsig. When they poured in a concrete foundation for heavy equipment, they would make a weak concrete mix. The foundation would then deteriorate faster from the vibration and shocks when the machinery was in operation. His opinion was that the low-key sabotage was common among the forced laborers."
"A Dutch former laborer, who was a university student prior to coming to Borsig, stated that the productivity among his fellow Dutch students was 20%-30% lower than of German workers. But they got away with it for a long time because they were considered 'amateurs' and the management didn't expect much of them, although the work hours and conditions were grueling. There were some tricks like dropping a precision part so it would deform a tiny bit and malfunction down the line. In the end the Dutch worker was transferred to a quality control post because his work performance at the machine was not improving. At the quality control post the supervisor told him to watch out for sabotage because it was all too common. In the end, the Dutch worker himself got arrested and sent to KZ Sachsenhausen, a mere few weeks before it was liberated by the Soviet Army."
"Another personal account of a Russian former Ostarbeiterin describes how some Russian young women laborers sabotaged work at Borsig. She worked on a lathe which required the cutting tool to be positioned precisely. Although she had had experience operating machinery at her pre-war factory job in the Soviet Union, she intentionally mis-positioned the tool. It would get damaged when the equipment was in operation, and she would have to sit and wait for a replacement. With the supervisors she played dumb, pretending to be unable to understand the process. The usual punishment was being left without her food ration for the day. In the barracks, the Russian girls pooled their rations to share with friends left without food because of their poor work performance."
"a Russian woman recalled how she stuffed paper in artillery shells at a munitions factory in Germany. Then she and a few more Russian girls ran away from the factory, got caught and sent to a concentration camp."
Thank you Svetlana!
See more on Svetlana and her historical novel!
coolbert.
Sabotage I.
This is coolbert:
Back to the topic of impressed or forced labor as used by the German during the Second World War [WW2]. Persons working under duress and involved in the manufacture of military munitions producing the a product I might assume the quality of which would be highly suspect and questionable.
Here from an Internet web site a forum devoted to the subject with extracts from same
"Sabotage by forced labour"
[all spellings of labour in the British manner!]
The comments of one participant to the forum suggesting that sabotage as committed by forced labor during the Second World War [WW2] rather rare. That impressed work force [not so great in size to begin with?] for a variety of reasons not able to perpetrate damage as might be thought to be the case.
1. "Firstly, only a relatively small portion of the German workforce was comprised of foreign workers and concentration camp inmates. However, this number did increase during the later half of the war."
2. "Secondly, those who were interned in a POW camp or concentration camp were often happy to be able to work in a German factory, since this meant their food allowances were increased. They would not sabotage the equipment they were producing if they wanted to keep their job."
3. "Thirdly it was nearly impossible to sabotage their work. Of course there was strict quality controll, but besides that most of the time the people forced to work were performing unskilled labor. Hence the nature of their work was such there was nothing they could do wrong (or sabotage)."
4. "Fourthly the only effective means of sabotaging the German war effort as a forced worker was working as slow as possible, but this the Germans countered by assigning German workers to do the same job the forced workers had to do. In this way it would clearly show if one was working much slower than a properly motivated colleague doing the exact same thing."
5. "And last but not least, the people being interned in POW- or concentration camps had no way of knowing how the war was developing, especially if they had been there for some time. All they know was what German propaganda told them, and this was of course that the Germans were winning. So as far as they knew the German armies were on the doorstep of the Kremlin and London was being bombed to ruins by the V-weapons. Why would they risk their lives if the war would end in just a few months with a clear German victory anyway?"
See my previous blog entry regarding sabotage as committed by impressed [forced] labor during WW2 with comment:
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/11/sabotage.html
coolbert.
Back to the topic of impressed or forced labor as used by the German during the Second World War [WW2]. Persons working under duress and involved in the manufacture of military munitions producing the a product I might assume the quality of which would be highly suspect and questionable.
Here from an Internet web site a forum devoted to the subject with extracts from same
"Sabotage by forced labour"
[all spellings of labour in the British manner!]
The comments of one participant to the forum suggesting that sabotage as committed by forced labor during the Second World War [WW2] rather rare. That impressed work force [not so great in size to begin with?] for a variety of reasons not able to perpetrate damage as might be thought to be the case.
1. "Firstly, only a relatively small portion of the German workforce was comprised of foreign workers and concentration camp inmates. However, this number did increase during the later half of the war."
2. "Secondly, those who were interned in a POW camp or concentration camp were often happy to be able to work in a German factory, since this meant their food allowances were increased. They would not sabotage the equipment they were producing if they wanted to keep their job."
3. "Thirdly it was nearly impossible to sabotage their work. Of course there was strict quality controll, but besides that most of the time the people forced to work were performing unskilled labor. Hence the nature of their work was such there was nothing they could do wrong (or sabotage)."
4. "Fourthly the only effective means of sabotaging the German war effort as a forced worker was working as slow as possible, but this the Germans countered by assigning German workers to do the same job the forced workers had to do. In this way it would clearly show if one was working much slower than a properly motivated colleague doing the exact same thing."
5. "And last but not least, the people being interned in POW- or concentration camps had no way of knowing how the war was developing, especially if they had been there for some time. All they know was what German propaganda told them, and this was of course that the Germans were winning. So as far as they knew the German armies were on the doorstep of the Kremlin and London was being bombed to ruins by the V-weapons. Why would they risk their lives if the war would end in just a few months with a clear German victory anyway?"
See my previous blog entry regarding sabotage as committed by impressed [forced] labor during WW2 with comment:
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/11/sabotage.html
coolbert.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Armageddon ISIL.
This is coolbert;
From Sputnik that threat of the "dirty bomb" not so far fetched? The radiological weapon!
"Daesh Nuclear Attack 'Not Far-Fetched' as Experts Predict"
Don't alarm anyone but be alarmed?
"Recent terror attacks in Paris and Brussels have led to fears that Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State, could obtain a dirty bomb capable of casualties on a massive scale. While many experts have dismissed these fears as farfetched, a Harvard researcher now considers it a very real possibility."
"Since Daesh declared its caliphate in 2014, a number of anomalous incidents have occurred at nuclear power plant sites across Belgium. In August, a worker at Doel-4 drained a nuclear reactor valve, causing $100 million in damage. A worker from the same facility later left the country to join Daesh [ISIL] in Syria."
"In the wake of the recent Brussels attacks, authorities discovered that the bombers were in possession of surveillance footage of an expert at the SCK-CEN nuclear research facility. In another incident, a security guard at Belgium’s national radioactive elements institute was found murdered."
SCRAM! A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT LOSING COOLANT AND SHUTTING DOWN! IF NOT ABLE TO SHUT DOWN A MELTDOWN OCCURRING WITH ALL THAT MEANS. BREACHING OF THE CONTAINMENT VESSEL AND A PRODIGIOUS AMOUNT OF DEADLY RADIOACTIVITY RELEASED!!
THINK TOO THE AZF PLANT IN FRANCE. JUST SHORTLY AFTER 9/11 THE FRENCH AZT FERTILIZER PLANT BLOWN SKY HIGH IN WHAT WAS DEEMED AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY. AN ALLEGED PERPETRATOR AND POSSIBLE JIHADIST HAVING CAUSED A DETONATION OF THE PLANT HIS REMAINS FOUND WEARING FOUR UNDERSHORTS AND TWO PANTS. INDICATIVE OF A JIHADIST ON A SUICIDE MISSION!
coolbert.
From Sputnik that threat of the "dirty bomb" not so far fetched? The radiological weapon!
"Daesh Nuclear Attack 'Not Far-Fetched' as Experts Predict"
Don't alarm anyone but be alarmed?
"Recent terror attacks in Paris and Brussels have led to fears that Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State, could obtain a dirty bomb capable of casualties on a massive scale. While many experts have dismissed these fears as farfetched, a Harvard researcher now considers it a very real possibility."
"Since Daesh declared its caliphate in 2014, a number of anomalous incidents have occurred at nuclear power plant sites across Belgium. In August, a worker at Doel-4 drained a nuclear reactor valve, causing $100 million in damage. A worker from the same facility later left the country to join Daesh [ISIL] in Syria."
"In the wake of the recent Brussels attacks, authorities discovered that the bombers were in possession of surveillance footage of an expert at the SCK-CEN nuclear research facility. In another incident, a security guard at Belgium’s national radioactive elements institute was found murdered."
SCRAM! A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT LOSING COOLANT AND SHUTTING DOWN! IF NOT ABLE TO SHUT DOWN A MELTDOWN OCCURRING WITH ALL THAT MEANS. BREACHING OF THE CONTAINMENT VESSEL AND A PRODIGIOUS AMOUNT OF DEADLY RADIOACTIVITY RELEASED!!
THINK TOO THE AZF PLANT IN FRANCE. JUST SHORTLY AFTER 9/11 THE FRENCH AZT FERTILIZER PLANT BLOWN SKY HIGH IN WHAT WAS DEEMED AN UNSOLVED MYSTERY. AN ALLEGED PERPETRATOR AND POSSIBLE JIHADIST HAVING CAUSED A DETONATION OF THE PLANT HIS REMAINS FOUND WEARING FOUR UNDERSHORTS AND TWO PANTS. INDICATIVE OF A JIHADIST ON A SUICIDE MISSION!
coolbert.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Bird Trap.
This is coolbert:
From MARCONI through Harry:
SKYKING message of some importance?
"SKYKING messages are not commonly sent and normally deal with some urgent situation or event. They are normally of the following nature: IHM----------22---------------------------------------------------JQ. The first letters, rarely exceeding three, are the text. The next two numbers are the minutes after the hour at which the messages is sent and the last two letters are the confirmation that the message is genuine.To show how important the can be, last year when an F 18 crashed . . . in [the] UK, three SKYKINGs were sent soon afterward. These are almost NEVER more than one sent at a time.Words are rarely used, normally just letters as shown in the sample"
"04/April/2016 (Date received) 0447z (Time received) Frequencies:- 8992,usb 4724 usb kHz - 2 one word SKYKING messages in a row, RUSSIA and JAPAN, from BIRD TRAP (Call Sign of station sending.)"
SKYKING messages and Emergency Action Messages [EAM] usually [??] reserved for those U.S. military units having a nuclear mission!!
coolbert.
From MARCONI through Harry:
SKYKING message of some importance?
"SKYKING messages are not commonly sent and normally deal with some urgent situation or event. They are normally of the following nature: IHM----------22---------------------------------------------------JQ. The first letters, rarely exceeding three, are the text. The next two numbers are the minutes after the hour at which the messages is sent and the last two letters are the confirmation that the message is genuine.To show how important the can be, last year when an F 18 crashed . . . in [the] UK, three SKYKINGs were sent soon afterward. These are almost NEVER more than one sent at a time.Words are rarely used, normally just letters as shown in the sample"
"04/April/2016 (Date received) 0447z (Time received) Frequencies:- 8992,usb 4724 usb kHz - 2 one word SKYKING messages in a row, RUSSIA and JAPAN, from BIRD TRAP (Call Sign of station sending.)"
SKYKING messages and Emergency Action Messages [EAM] usually [??] reserved for those U.S. military units having a nuclear mission!!
coolbert.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Walid Phares.
This is coolbert:
Devoted readers to the blog will want to watch this You Tube video courtesy of the News Hour
The foreign policy adviser to Donald Trump discusses a variety of topics.
"Trump's foreign policy adviser on nukes, NATO and China"
"How does Donald Trump see the world? And how would he approach foreign policy as president? Walid Phares, foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the candidate’s stance on using nuclear weapons, reviewing the future of NATO, fighting ISIS and confronting China."
Furthermore regarding Mr. Phares:
"During the 1980s, Phares, a Maronite Christian, trained Lebanese militants in ideological beliefs justifying the war against Lebanon's Muslim and Druze factions, according to former colleagues. Phares, they say, advocated the hard-line view that Lebanon's Christians should work toward creating a separate, independent Christian enclave. A photo obtained by Mother Jones shows him conducting a press conference in 1986 for the Lebanese Forces, an umbrella group of Christian militias that has been accused of committing atrocities."
Mr. Phares only one of a number of persons advising Donald Trump on issues of foreign policy and national security.
Surprise everyone, but for decades all the various factions that fought in the many-years long war in Lebanon have constituted and occupied ethnic enclaves and continue to do so! Nothing unusual with that, rather a common practise in most parts of the world where you have warring entities.
coolbert.
Devoted readers to the blog will want to watch this You Tube video courtesy of the News Hour
The foreign policy adviser to Donald Trump discusses a variety of topics.
"Trump's foreign policy adviser on nukes, NATO and China"
"How does Donald Trump see the world? And how would he approach foreign policy as president? Walid Phares, foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign, joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the candidate’s stance on using nuclear weapons, reviewing the future of NATO, fighting ISIS and confronting China."
Furthermore regarding Mr. Phares:
"During the 1980s, Phares, a Maronite Christian, trained Lebanese militants in ideological beliefs justifying the war against Lebanon's Muslim and Druze factions, according to former colleagues. Phares, they say, advocated the hard-line view that Lebanon's Christians should work toward creating a separate, independent Christian enclave. A photo obtained by Mother Jones shows him conducting a press conference in 1986 for the Lebanese Forces, an umbrella group of Christian militias that has been accused of committing atrocities."
Mr. Phares only one of a number of persons advising Donald Trump on issues of foreign policy and national security.
Surprise everyone, but for decades all the various factions that fought in the many-years long war in Lebanon have constituted and occupied ethnic enclaves and continue to do so! Nothing unusual with that, rather a common practise in most parts of the world where you have warring entities.
coolbert.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Bulldozer.
This is coolbert:
From a variety of sources the same theme. U.S. out of NATO. All of sudden and in response to the blandishments of Donald Trump.
1. "Bulldozer Trump Says Get Rid of NATO" by Eric Margolis
"Donald Trump has been making many revolutionary proposals."
. . . .
"Last week, Trump claimed the USA was paying too much to sustain NATO. It was time, he asserted, to cut way back on US financial support and get Europe to pay its fair share for 'protecting itself from threats.'”
"More outrage greeted Trump’s attack on the post World War II status quo. But he was quite right. The US subsidizes about 73% of NATO’s total military, economic and social costs. NATO’s European members pay only about 1% of their gross national product."
2. "Is Trump Right About NATO?" by Pat Buchanan
"I am 'not isolationist, but I am ‘America First,’' Donald Trump told The New York times last weekend. 'I like the expression.'”
"Of NATO, where the U.S. underwrites three-fourths of the cost of defending Europe, Trump calls this arrangement 'unfair, economically, to us,'”
"But the ideas Trump aired should ignite a national debate over U.S. overseas commitments — especially NATO."
3. "Is it Time for America to Quit NATO?" by Ted Galen Carpenter
"NATO will celebrate its sixty-seventh anniversary in April. Instead of being an occasion for the usual expression of mind-numbing clichés about the alliance’s enduring importance both to U.S. security and world peace, it should become an opportunity for a long overdue assessment of whether the NATO commitment truly serves America’s best interests in the twenty-first century. There is mounting evidence that it does not."
4. "Trump Is Right—–Dump NATO Now" by David Stockman
"If you want to know why we have a $19 trillion national debt and a fiscal structure that will take that already staggering figure to $35 trillion and 140% of GDP within a decade, just consider the latest campaign fracas. That is, the shrieks of disbelief in response to Donald Trump’s sensible suggestion that the Europeans pay for their own defense."
At least if the United States not OUT of NATO the European partners paying a greater share of the cost or bearing more responsibility for their own defense.
NATO for a period of many decade WAS APPROPRIATE AND PREVENTED THE MUCH FEAR BIG RED MOVES WEST! That paradigm no longer exists and dynamics necessitate change?
So thinks Donald Trump and many others besides..
coolbert.
“If in 10 years, all American troops stationed in
Europe for national defense purposes have not been returned to the
United States, then this whole project [NATO] will have failed.” - - Gen. Eisenhower, February
1951.
From a variety of sources the same theme. U.S. out of NATO. All of sudden and in response to the blandishments of Donald Trump.
1. "Bulldozer Trump Says Get Rid of NATO" by Eric Margolis
"Donald Trump has been making many revolutionary proposals."
. . . .
"Last week, Trump claimed the USA was paying too much to sustain NATO. It was time, he asserted, to cut way back on US financial support and get Europe to pay its fair share for 'protecting itself from threats.'”
"More outrage greeted Trump’s attack on the post World War II status quo. But he was quite right. The US subsidizes about 73% of NATO’s total military, economic and social costs. NATO’s European members pay only about 1% of their gross national product."
2. "Is Trump Right About NATO?" by Pat Buchanan
"I am 'not isolationist, but I am ‘America First,’' Donald Trump told The New York times last weekend. 'I like the expression.'”
"Of NATO, where the U.S. underwrites three-fourths of the cost of defending Europe, Trump calls this arrangement 'unfair, economically, to us,'”
"But the ideas Trump aired should ignite a national debate over U.S. overseas commitments — especially NATO."
3. "Is it Time for America to Quit NATO?" by Ted Galen Carpenter
"NATO will celebrate its sixty-seventh anniversary in April. Instead of being an occasion for the usual expression of mind-numbing clichés about the alliance’s enduring importance both to U.S. security and world peace, it should become an opportunity for a long overdue assessment of whether the NATO commitment truly serves America’s best interests in the twenty-first century. There is mounting evidence that it does not."
4. "Trump Is Right—–Dump NATO Now" by David Stockman
"If you want to know why we have a $19 trillion national debt and a fiscal structure that will take that already staggering figure to $35 trillion and 140% of GDP within a decade, just consider the latest campaign fracas. That is, the shrieks of disbelief in response to Donald Trump’s sensible suggestion that the Europeans pay for their own defense."
At least if the United States not OUT of NATO the European partners paying a greater share of the cost or bearing more responsibility for their own defense.
NATO for a period of many decade WAS APPROPRIATE AND PREVENTED THE MUCH FEAR BIG RED MOVES WEST! That paradigm no longer exists and dynamics necessitate change?
So thinks Donald Trump and many others besides..
coolbert.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Reinforcements?
This is coolbert:
Simultaneous withdrawal and reinforcement of Russian military assets in Syria occurring.
Finally from DEBKAfile:
"Russia sending reinforcements, military equipment to Syria"
30 March.
"Contrary to President Vladimir Putin's March 14 order to scale back Russia's military forces in Syria, a Russian military transport and ice breaking ship that sailed out of Syria in the first week of March, is returning to Tartous, carrying heavy equipment."
"Up to 12 Russian military ships present in the Mediterranean included oil tankers, patrol ships and the Zeleniy Dol destroyer armed with Kalibr cruise missiles."
Forces having already been deployed to Syria and active in combat withdrawn, but replaced. This sounds more to be like troop replacement and rotation. An opportunity to field test in combat conditions the most advanced weapons systems the Russians have. The beat goes on.
coolbert.
Simultaneous withdrawal and reinforcement of Russian military assets in Syria occurring.
Finally from DEBKAfile:
"Russia sending reinforcements, military equipment to Syria"
30 March.
"Contrary to President Vladimir Putin's March 14 order to scale back Russia's military forces in Syria, a Russian military transport and ice breaking ship that sailed out of Syria in the first week of March, is returning to Tartous, carrying heavy equipment."
"Up to 12 Russian military ships present in the Mediterranean included oil tankers, patrol ships and the Zeleniy Dol destroyer armed with Kalibr cruise missiles."
Forces having already been deployed to Syria and active in combat withdrawn, but replaced. This sounds more to be like troop replacement and rotation. An opportunity to field test in combat conditions the most advanced weapons systems the Russians have. The beat goes on.
coolbert.
Iskander-M.
This is coolbert:
Not since the days of the Cold War has there been such a thing.
Once more from DEBKAfile:
"Russian nuclear-capable Iskander missiles deployed in Syria"
30 March.
"Russia has deployed to Syria in the last few days its most advanced tactical missile system, the Iskander-M . . . Capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, this missile has never been made available to any foreign army for operational use. The Russian missiles (NATO codenamed SS-26) have a range of 500km - up to the outskirts of Ankara and across the Mediterranean up to Cyprus. The deployment of the Iskander plus the formidable S-400 air defense missiles makes the Russian Hmeimim base in Syria the most advanced missile hub in the Middle East."
Iskander a tactical battlefield missile with prodigious capability. Nuclear capable yes, but also can deliver on target with great accuracy chemical, biological, and conventional munitions.
SYRIA DURING THAT PERIOD OF THE COLD WAR THE ONLY OTHER NATION OTHER THAN THE SOVIET UNION TO DEPLOY THE SA-5 GRIFFIN SURFACE-AIR-MISSILE. GRIFFIN REPUTED TO EVEN HAVE AN ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE POTENTIALITY.
coolbert.
Not since the days of the Cold War has there been such a thing.
Once more from DEBKAfile:
"Russian nuclear-capable Iskander missiles deployed in Syria"
30 March.
"Russia has deployed to Syria in the last few days its most advanced tactical missile system, the Iskander-M . . . Capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, this missile has never been made available to any foreign army for operational use. The Russian missiles (NATO codenamed SS-26) have a range of 500km - up to the outskirts of Ankara and across the Mediterranean up to Cyprus. The deployment of the Iskander plus the formidable S-400 air defense missiles makes the Russian Hmeimim base in Syria the most advanced missile hub in the Middle East."
Iskander a tactical battlefield missile with prodigious capability. Nuclear capable yes, but also can deliver on target with great accuracy chemical, biological, and conventional munitions.
SYRIA DURING THAT PERIOD OF THE COLD WAR THE ONLY OTHER NATION OTHER THAN THE SOVIET UNION TO DEPLOY THE SA-5 GRIFFIN SURFACE-AIR-MISSILE. GRIFFIN REPUTED TO EVEN HAVE AN ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE POTENTIALITY.
coolbert.
GWOT WMD.
This is coolbert:
Alarming news courtesy of the latest edition of the DEBKAfile news letter:
The villains in Brussels had the "dirty bomb" in mind. So it seems.
"The brothers behind the Brussels bombings were also after a 'dirty bomb'"
26 March.
"Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui, who were behind the Brussels bombings last Tuesday, also planted a hidden camera outside the home of Belgium's top nuclear researcher. The two terrorists were spying on the researcher to gather information for building a 'dirty bomb'."
Covert and surreptitious surveillance of a "top nuclear researcher" the intent was to compromise and compel cooperation. Provide the ingredients of a radiological weapon or something really bad is going to happen to you and your family!!
THE TERRORIST AN EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS BUT TO A LARGE DEGREE CONTROLLABLE NUISANCE BUT MUCH MORE LETHAL IF AND WHEN THEY OBTAIN WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
See that previous blog entry the subject the "dirty bomb", the radiological weapon:
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/12/embarrassment.html
coolbert.
"the purpose of terror is to terrorize" - - V. I. Lenin.
Alarming news courtesy of the latest edition of the DEBKAfile news letter:
The villains in Brussels had the "dirty bomb" in mind. So it seems.
"The brothers behind the Brussels bombings were also after a 'dirty bomb'"
26 March.
"Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui, who were behind the Brussels bombings last Tuesday, also planted a hidden camera outside the home of Belgium's top nuclear researcher. The two terrorists were spying on the researcher to gather information for building a 'dirty bomb'."
Covert and surreptitious surveillance of a "top nuclear researcher" the intent was to compromise and compel cooperation. Provide the ingredients of a radiological weapon or something really bad is going to happen to you and your family!!
THE TERRORIST AN EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS BUT TO A LARGE DEGREE CONTROLLABLE NUISANCE BUT MUCH MORE LETHAL IF AND WHEN THEY OBTAIN WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
See that previous blog entry the subject the "dirty bomb", the radiological weapon:
http://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/12/embarrassment.html
coolbert.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Crusader Syria.
See these two items of interest from the Bionic Mosquito thanks to the tip from Lew Rockwell.
In the proverbial nutshell as it is now in Syria as it was nine-hundred years ago during the time of the First Crusade? Eternal truths as exist on the ground in the military context not so totally dissimilar to what is the situation today?
"The Battle for Syria"
"There ran down the edges of the desert a string of cities and their connecting road – Aleppo, Homs, Damascus…."
THAT AREA WEST OF THE LINE ALEPPO-HOMS-DAMASCUS REFERRED TO AS AL-SHAMS. THE LEVANT.
"As long as these cities remain in enemy [Muslim] hands, the seacoast (Lebanon and Israel) will not be secure. But this isn’t a story taken from today’s age; so writes Hilaire Belloc in his book 'The Crusades: The World’s Debate', regarding the Holy Lands of Palestine. It is curious to contemplate this perspective when considering more recent events."
"The Battle for Syria, Part II"
"I continue with Hilaire Belloc and his book 'The Crusades: The World’s Debate'. Recall from my [Bionic Mosquito] previous post on this topic: Belloc offers that the Crusades might have been successful had the Crusaders taken the inland cities stretching from Aleppo to Damascus. Had they done so, they would have separated the Moslem east from the Moslem west and at the same time protected the access to Jerusalem as well as their holdings along the coast of what is today Israel and Lebanon."
Those Crusader forces from the time of the First Crusade [1098] able to capture the coast line cities of the Levant but not able to seize and hold inland objectives as needed for long-term security. The Assad regime in Damascus with the help Russian air power now able to consolidate a defense that line of cities from Aleppo south to Damascus. Unassailable!!
More recent events indeed!!
coolbert.