Toxics.

This is coolbert:

From the  Internet web site Common Dreams.org and the article by by Kenny Stancil.

"US Military Ordered 'Clandestine Burning' of Toxic Chemicals in Poor Neighborhoods: Study"

"Congress needs to throw cold water on the Pentagon's mad dash to burn toxic firefighting foam," which 'threatens the health of millions of Americans.'"

"New research conducted by environmental justice scholars at Vermont's Bennington College reveals that between 2016 and 2020, the U.S. military oversaw the 'clandestine burning' of more than 20 million pounds of Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam in low-income communities around the country—even though there is no evidence that incineration destroys the toxic 'forever chemicals' that make up the foam and are linked to a range of cancers, developmental disorders, immune dysfunction, and infertility."

Clandestine! Forever! Poor! Mad-dash!

All the correct "dog whistle" words.

"'dog whistle' is a coded message communicated through words or phrases commonly understood by a particular group of people, but not by others."

This is aqueous foam. Very efficient at fighting fuel fires. As might be present when an aircraft crashes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefighting_foam#Environmental_and_health_concerns

True too the military has a history of producing products such as nerve gas the constituent elements of themselves are very toxic. Area 51 off limits to non-essential personnel for instance in large measure because of toxicity of the soil in some locations.

coolbert.

Downwind II.

 

This is coolbert:

Conclusion!

 The John Wayne portion of this post having been made in a much prior blog entry now deleted. 

Nuclear radiation poisoning, "downwind" of the nuclear weapons test site, Nevada USA to including St. George Utah USA and as discussed the site of the movie "The Conqueror".

See also: https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/03/downwind.html

"'The Conqueror': The John Wayne Film That Killed Nearly Half its Cast and Crew"

CAST AND CREW OF "THE CONQUEROR" CONTRACTING AND DYING OF CANCER AT A RATE THREE TIMES BEYOND NORMAL OF THE GENERAL POPULATION.

What occurred to the cast and crew of the movie even the subject of a science-fiction short story!

"Martyrs of the Upshot Knothole [short story]" by James Morrow

Upshot Knothole a series of above-ground atomic tests occurring within a time frame close to when the movie "The Conqueror" filmed.

"A fictionalized account of a real event.  The martyrs of the Upshot Knothole are the actors and crew who participated in the filming of 'The Conqueror', a film about the life of Genghis Khan.   The area where the film was shot was contaminated with radioactivity, and a number of them came down with cancer.   In this film, the unnamed narrator, who played the Khan's mother (played by Agnes Moorehead in real life), and John Wayne undergo a form of psychic therapy to control their cancer."

See additional blog entries, excess cancers and deaths as attributed to nuclear munitions testing and radioactive fallout from same:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2017/07/cancer.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/03/private-parts.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/08/collateral-damage.html

coolbert.

Palma.

This is coolbert:

More Mozambique stuff. Sounds grim. "The purpose of terror is to terrorize!"

Thanks to the tip from the Coffee or Die webzine and the tweets by Eric Morier-Genoud.

Visual summary of the Palma attack #CaboDelgado #Mozambique by Eric Morier-Genoud @emorier From 12 hours ago:

@TheTimes  focused on expatriates.  https://thetimes.co.uk/article/one-briton-killed-in-islamist-attack-on-hotel-compound-in-mozambique-sznzmh875

Five days now! Click on image to see an expanded view. These jihadists their plans immaculate and flawless it seems. A lot of moxie.

See all the full and complete tweets. None of this sounds very good.

Also refer to the most recent blog entries the jihadists on the offensive and winning:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/03/moz-ii.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/03/moz-i.html

coolbert.

Beurling.

This is coolbert:

"Nine of his kills on Malta were Italian pilots. About them he used to say: 'The Jerrie are probably better over-all pilots than the Italians, but they certainly let the Eyeties do their fighting for them when the going got tough. When we get around to adding the final score for this show I hope somebody thinks of that'."

Billy Bishop the Canadian war hero WW1 I have heard of. George Beurling from the era of WW2 I had not heard of.

George a combat fighter pilot aviator perhaps in the same league as a Pat Pattle or an Erich Hartmann?

"Canadian fighter ace George Beurling, known as the “Knight of Malta”, shot down 27 Axis aircraft in just 14 days over the skies of Malta during the summer of 1942."

"Beurling was recognised as 'Canada's most famous hero of Second World War', as 'The Falcon of Malta' and the 'Knight of Malta', having been credited with shooting down 27 Axis aircraft in just 14 days over the besieged Mediterranean island. Before the war ended his official total climbed to either 31 or 31​1⁄3"

SHARED A KILL WITH ANOTHER PILOT!

My instantaneous thought was that George most of his "kills" over Malta were against enemy aviators and aircraft less than worthy opponents. Beurling had an unfair advantage?

Apparently I am incorrect and unashamedly admit so.

Most famous "Canadian war hero" WW2 and we can agree on that?

coolbert.

Napoleon CC.

This is coolbert:

TWO HUNDRED YEARS [CC] SINCE THE DEATH OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. AND HOW SHALL THE MAN BE REMEMBERED?

"France can’t cancel Napoleon"

As extracted from the article BY JOHN LICHFIELD.

How will Emmanuel Macron mark the general's difficult bicentenary?

"Paris may have avenues, boulevards, bridges and a railway station named after their most famous military leader’s armies, battles and treaties. But nowhere will you find an Avenue or Place or Boulevard named after Napoleon Bonaparte himself — apart from a narrow Rue Bonaparte on the Left Bank."

In 21st century France, Bonaparte is everywhere. And nowhere.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF NAPOLEON OF COURSE NOT LIMITED TO THE BATTLEFIED AND WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED AS BEING SO!

"The Napoleonic Code of 1804 remains the basis of French law (and that of several other European and Latin American countries). He created the baccaulaureat, the départements, the prefects, investigating magistrates, lycées, the Banque de France, the légion d’honneur."

NAPOLEON OBVIOUSLY A GREAT MAN IN THE BIBLICAL SENSE OF THE WORD GREAT. A MAN WIELDING POWER AND DOING SO ON A CONTINENTAL BASIS WITHOUT CONSTRAINTS.

Modern France as it exists today acknowledged as a CREATION of Napoleon. Precepts of the French Revolution institutionalized and done so because of the efforts of Bonaparte.

Napoleon too [perhaps and this is the fear] seen as NOT great by modern standards. Rather perceived as a megalomaniac not the slightest hesitant to wage war on a colossal scale to achieve his ends.

Historical figures of repute held to such a high standard by modern standards are not exempt from having their statues ripped down and their reputations denigrated to the extreme. Even a Napoleon not exempt.

Step easy says Macron? So I see it as being so.

coolbert.

Moz II.

This is coolbert:

Additional flash precedence message traffic!

More Mozambique. Courtesy acknowledged African authority and thanks to same.

"Big story developing in Northern Mozambique.  French Foreign Legion [FFL] have moved in in a bid to rescue hostages. It seems that there are quite a few Westerners dead and man in hiding from the Jihadis in the jungle. Their infiltration [jihadi] has been tactically excellent. Nothing in the international media about any of this."

"I received an audio recording made by one of Dyck's guys on Friday night describing their day . . .  It appears these insurgents are very tactically astute in how they have executed this raid on Palma, putting in a feint on a nearby town to cause the population to flee to Palma and joined them, concealing their weapons knowing no one would be screening the fleeing villagers on arrival. Once in Palma they unwrapped their weapons and put in an attack at 3 points."

 "Most of the expats [expatriates] in the area fled to the Amarula Palma hotel (+_200) and after surrounding it and waiting, the insurgents put in another feint against the Italian Bonatti camp on Friday evening very nearby. When this was going in a South African led a 17 vehicle convoy escape out of the hotel and this was ambushed by the insurgents at the entrance where only 7 vehicles escaped and a number of expats were killed, with some vehicles turning back to the hotel. The last I heard the hotel had since been overrun, but not yet confirmed."

 "Apparently these expats were of the belief there were boats at a beach nearby waiting to evacuate them but one of Dyck's choppers did a recce [reconnaissance] earlier and saw nothing which they reported back to the hotel and told them to sit tight and they would be back in the morning to evacuate them once they had rearmed and refueled. "

 "The government Mi's [Soviet/Russian Mi helicopters] that were meant to be taking over ops from DAG [Lionel Dyck PMC] flew in on Friday, one took hits from ground fire and put down at the airfield, another put down through a maintenance issue and others flown by Ukrainians put down at the nearby airfield and refused to get involved. When they flew out, they overflew a government troop relief advancing towards Palma and shot them up believing they were insurgents."

 "An Olympic [mess] other than DAGs choppers flying rescue and attack sorties throughout. There are now expats and locals scattered all over the shateen [bush, forest] there. Foreign Legion [FFL] were en route from a nearby location but to assist in evacuations not kinetic operations."

FFL THEIR MISSION STRICTLY TO EVACUATE EXPATS AND NOT ENGAGE THE ADVERSARY JIHADI!

This story continues!

coolbert.

Moz I.

This is coolbert:

Flash high precedence traffic! Mozambique situation not good.

Thanks to the tip from Dieter.

As from an acknowledged African authority whose repute is unquestionable:

""Big [doings] in northern Mozambique with a bunch of Westerners cut off in a hotel by the Jihadists in the port of Palma (we're talking hundreds)." 

"Some, including SA [South African] nationals already killed by the rebels after fleeing into the bush."

 "Lionel Dyck's choppers (company already fired by the Mozambique army but begged to go in and help) trying to airlift some out."

"One of their helicopters went in last night, the pilot saying in a Whatsapp home that 'a terrible night lies ahead'. Nothing heard since."

 "Nobody knows what . . . is going on except that French navy and aircraft already deployed out of Mayotte (French Comes) and two European nations about to put boots on the ground there, as are the American, but for training "

Situation rather bad in Mozambique already. The military of the national government not able to handle the jihadi threat. Private Military Contractors [PMC] their performance to date lackluster. 

See previous blog entries [some with additional embedded links] the topic Mozambique:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/03/green-beret.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/11/dag.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/10/machababos.html

Bad to worse and fast. Stay tuned!

coolbert.

Eject II.

This is coolbert:

Conclusion!

Some random thoughts regarding the tragic deaths of Russian airmen prematurely ejected from the Tu-22 Backfire bomber. Aircraft in pre-flight mode, still on the tarmac, not having taken off!

1. Tu-22 Blinder.

Original Tu-22 [NATO code name Blinder] ejection seats downward trajectory. My instantaneous thought was that the more modern Tu-22 [NATO code name Backfire] had the same ejection system. No further elaboration necessary as to why crew perished if that was the case.

This is not so! Backfire ejects crew upwards than downwards. 

As to the Blinder warplane:

"three crew: a navigator in the nose, a pilot in the cockpit, and a gunner / radio operator behind the pilot. All three sat on K-22 downward-firing ejection seats, with a minimum safe ejection altitude of 250 meters (820 feet)."

2. Zero-zero. 

Backfire ejection seats evidently not what is called zero-zero. 

"A zero-zero ejection seat is designed to safely extract upward and land its occupant from a grounded stationary position (zero altitude and zero airspeed):

American naval aviation warplane with zero-zero ejection system saving the life an aviator as an out-of-control A-7 Corsair plunges over the side of the ship. Pilot in great peril yet manages to escape thanks to zero-zero. Note the reaction of the scattering crew.

3. Crusty. Tu-134.

Recall previous blog entries the Soviet era commercial airliner Tu-134 [NATO code name Crusty] used for training Backfire pilots. Cockpit of Crusty and Backfire nearly identical the aircraft too their handling quite similar.

Controls and cockpit switches of Crusty and Backfire very similar but probably not exactly the same. Crusty minus the switch[s] for ejection seat activation.

Pilot of the Backfire in this instance just accidentally hit the wrong switch at the wrong time. Nothing more than that?

4. G-force.

Even with a zero-zero ejection seat and a successful escape from a damaged warplane injuries potentially of a life-altering nature possible:

"1960s–70s era Soviet technology often goes up to 20–22 g (with SM-1 and KM-1 gunbarrel-type ejection seats). Compression fractures of vertebrae are a recurrent side effect of ejection."

HEY, you did say you wanted to fly  airplanes, didn't you!

coolbert.

W.H. Lamon.

This is coolbert:

Courtesy Freeper and the archive headline from the New York Times [1861] tensions as described Fort Sumter continue to escalate.

"IMPORTANT INTELLIGENCE: LATEST REPORTS FROM FORT SUMPTER; FROM CHARLESTON: Affairs at Fort Sumpter; Editorial-The Tariff and Secession (3/26/1861)"

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 3/26/1861

"Civil War Expected in Texas and Alabama. About the New-York Appointments. PROCEEDINGS OF THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION. COL. LAMON AT CHARLESTON. CHARLESTON, Monday, March 25. Col. LAMON had an interview with Gov. PICKENS and Gen. BEAUREGARD, this morning, and left in company with Col. DURYEA for Fort Sumpter. The opinion is prevalent that Major ANDERSON will evacuate Fort Sumpter on Wednesday of this week. However, the time is to be determined."

This Colonel Lamon not a military man. A U.S. Marshal and appointed so by Lincoln to act as a personal emissary to the Confederates, engage in dialog and discussion. 

At this point in time evacuation of Fort Sumter still seen as a possible! Augustus Fox and the SS Baltic making steam south. 

coolbert.

Downwind.

This is coolbert:

Startling! You the devoted readers to the blog decide for yourselves!!

Thanks to the Internet web site Anti-Empire.com  and the article by Tim Fernholz.

"US Nuclear Tests Killed More Civilians Than Hiroshima and Nagasaki"

"Eventually between 340,000 and 690,000 Americans had their lives shortened by drinking contaminated milk far from the test sites

"When the US entered the nuclear age, it did so recklessly. New research suggests that the hidden cost of developing nuclear weapons were far larger than previous estimates, with radioactive fallout responsible for 340,000 to 690,000 American deaths from 1951 to 1973."

"The study, performed by University of Arizona economist Keith Meyers, uses a novel method (pdf) to trace the deadly effects of this radiation, which was often consumed by Americans drinking milk far from the site of atomic tests."

DAIRY COWS GRAZING IN A FIELD OR BEING FED SILAGE ABSORBING TRACES OF DOWNWIND RADIOACTIVITY INTO THEIR SYSTEM FROM ATOMIC ABOVE-GROUND NUCLEAR TESTS PRODUCING MILK [AND OTHER DAIRY PRODUCT I ASSUME] CONTAMINATED WHEN CONSUMED A LONG-TERM INCREASE IN DEATH FROM CANCERS A RESULT.

"silage noun: fodder (such as hay or corn) converted into succulent feed for livestock through processes of anaerobic bacterial fermentation (as in a silo)"

Within context consider too that currently the # 1 rated retirement community in the USA St. George Utah. Located about 100 miles [160 kilometers] east of the Nevada nuclear test site and "dusted" about a hundred or so times by above-ground nuclear tests. St. George residents rather cool and collected about the whole matter, seemingly not excessively concerned?

I am too flippant?

coolbert.

RYaN.

This is coolbert:

Much to do about nothing? War scare totally or near totally unfounded?

RYaN = Russian acronym for surprise nuclear attack.

"THE MYTHICAL WAR SCARE OF 1983"

Thanks to the Internet web site War on the Rocks and the article by SIMON MILES.

"But did the scenario for NATO’s Able Archer 83 command-post exercise nearly become dangerously real? Did the world really come to the brink of nuclear war?"

NATO command post exercise [CPX] and within context the prior simulated war-game Proud Prophet caused such consternation and excessive concern among the Soviet military and at the highest level of the national political command authority that a nuclear atomic thermonuclear war nearly occurred?

Such as alleged. And has been "gospel" for quite a while now.

ACCORDING TO "GOSPEL" THE SOVIETS SAW THE NATO CPX ABLE ARCHER AS A PRETEXT FOR A PRE-EMPTIVE NUCLEAR ATTACK ON THE SOVIET UNION. A PERSPECTIVE AND INTERPRETATION THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE SOVIETS TO LAUNCH THEIR OWN PRE-EMPTIVE ATOMIC ATTACK!

Rather the CPX was correctly perceived by the Soviets for what it was and concerns NOT unduly raised?

coolbert.

Eject I.

This is coolbert:

From the Aviationist and thanks to same an incident that I am sure is going to have some folks scratching their heads.

"[Updated] Ejection Seats Activation During Preflight Operations On Russian Tu-22M3 Bomber Kills Three Crew Members"

"The incident occurred as the Russian Air Force Tu-22M3 [NATO code name Backfire] prepared for a mission at Shaikovka airfield, near Kaluga, Russia."

"Three crew members perished in an incident that occurred on Mar. 23, 2021, as the aircrew of a Russian Air Force Tu-22M3 bomber . . . was preparing for take off at Shaikovka, a base located near Kaluga Oblast, in western Russia."

"According to the information released by the Russian Defense Ministry, for reasons yet to be determined, crew were ejected during the preflight operations."

DURING PREFLIGHT CHECK THE PILOT EJECTING THE THREE OTHER CREW MEMBERS BUT NOT HIMSELF. BACKFIRE ALLOWING THE  PILOT TO DO THIS?

SEEMS STRANGE INDEED. THIS MIGHT ACTUALLY BE THOUGHT TO BE MORE THAN  AN ACCIDENT? 

coolbert.

Project 636-M.

This is coolbert:

Once more from Harry at Sharkhunters a Hot Mail item of interest:

 • "An informed source has confirmed that the Black Fleet’s Rostov-on-Don diesel-electric attack submarine which disappeared from NATO radar [sonar] screens last week remains in contact with command and is transmitting information. NATO’s anti-submarine warfare forces have been trying to find the Rostov-on-Don for a week now. Attempts to find it have not met with success. At the same time, Russian command remains in contact with the sub, the source said."

Further and in addition from Internet media:

"Danger – a Russian submarine missing from NATO radars"

"The submarine of the Black Sea Fleet 'Rostov-on-Don' passed the Strait of Gibraltar submerged and is currently moving to the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. This was reported by a source close to the fleet."

"Earlier it was reported that a diesel-electric submarine of the Varshavyanka project managed to deceive NATO anti-submarine forces and has been avoiding detection for more than a week."

ROSTOV-ON-DON ASSIGNED TO THE BLACK SEA FLEET BUT OBSERVED PASSING FROM WEST TO EAST THROUGH THE STRAINT OF GIBRALTAR?

coolbert.

Fox USN.

This is coolbert:

The garrison Fort Sumter their plight without remedy or amelioration. Gustavus Fox USN to the rescue.

As reported in the New York Times as of 1861.

"NATIONAL AFFAIRS: A Special Government Messenger to Fort Sumpter; Editorials-An Extra Session of Congress, Secession Designs (3/23/1861)"

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 3/23/1861

"WASHINGTON, Friday, March 22. A MESSENGER AT SUMPTER. A dispatch has reached this city from Charleston, which states that Dr. Fox, of the United States Navy, a special messenger from the Government to Major ANDERSON, had reached that city, and had visited Port Sumpter by permission, in company with Captain HARTSTEIN. Of course the exact nature of his mission was not publicly known, but there was little doubt that it related to the evacuation of the Fort"

As to Gustavus Fox USN:

"At the start of the American Civil War he volunteered for service. President Abraham Lincoln gave him a temporary appointment in the Navy and sent him in the steamer [SS] Baltic to the relief of Fort Sumter. Fox could not relieve the fort before Confederate bombardment forced its surrender, but afterwards he brought away the garrison."

The story of course continues with the go-no-go, make-or-break moment at hand.

coolbert.

Poseidon P-8A.

This is coolbert: 

"Myth? Who says I'm myth?"

From the Hotmail thanks to Harry at Sharkhunters.

 • "The Pentagon has approved the sale of five Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Germany, with the deal green lighted even though Berlin considers the planes too expensive to replace its Navy’s ageing stocks of Lockheed P-3C Orions."

 • "The Department of Defence issued a formal notice approving the sale earlier this month, with the $1.77 billion [USD] price tag indicating a per-plane price of $354 million [USD], far above the $83 million [USD] apiece contract Boeing penned with the US Navy, South Korean and New Zealand militaries last year."

NONE OF THIS MAKES SENSE. THAT COST TO THE GERMAN PER WARPLANE FOUR TIMES GREATER THAN AS WAS THE SAME [?] AIRCRAFT SOLD TO OTHER NATIONS!

I guess that is the question? The same aircraft? Perhaps the P-8A as to be sold to the Germans has enhanced features that greatly increase the cost? I am at a loss!

coolbert.

Sumpter II.

This is coolbert:

FORT SUMPTER 1861. NOT ONE STEP BACKWARDS!

Thanks to Freeper. As was reported by the New York Times 1861.

"NATIONAL AFFAIRS: Nothing Definite Relative to Fort Sumpter; Policy of the Administration; Health of the City; Editorial-Coercion and the Border States (3/22/1861)"

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 3/22/1861

"WASHINGTON, Thursday, March 21. THE QUESTION OF FORT SUMPTER. A report was received here, to-day, that the vessel sent to Charleston was not sent to bring away the troops from Fort Sumpter, but contained supplies and reinforcements for Major ANDERSON. The news created quite an excitement, but soon subsided when the report was contradicted. There is evidently no truth in the matter. Up to last evening no orders had been issued. The policy of the Administration is, however, to keep its movements a profound secret until its decisions are executed"

Situation Fort Sumter [Sumpter] dire. Provisions slim. Resupply needed. NONE forthcoming. See previous relevant blog entries:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/03/sumpter.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/02/crisis.html

coolbert.

Zampolit.

This is coolbert:

"In their hometowns and that of family and friends, for months they saw Federal court houses attacked, police stations burned, entire cities shut down, businesses destroyed, people raped and murdered in lawless areas, and even 'autonomous zones' set up in major cities – including Washington DC - with armed groups enforcing their diktats. These were politically driven just like as the attack on the capitol … but you don’t see that in the training, anywhere. This was an intentional oversight and mistake" - - Salamander.

 "Zampolit:  political commissar  Noun 1. political commissar - an official of the Communist Party who was assigned to teach party principles to a military unit"

ONCE MORE WITH TREPIDATION I MAKE AN BLOG ENTRY WITH A MUCH LESS THAN DESIRED POLITICAL, CONTROVERSIAL AND FRANK NATURE AND OVERTONE.

"Extremism Training: the One Eyed Horse"

"For those no longer on active duty or civilian employee of DOD, you haven’t had a chance yet to received your “extremism training.” Thanks to the Salamander underground, we now have a copy [scroll down to the bottom of the Salamander blog entry to see the link] for everyone."

"On a scale of 1 to 10 where a '1' is a solid, well done presentation, and a '10' is an intellectually sloppy, ham-fisted, neo-zampolit led struggle session, I will give this a 6 … edging towards a 7."

Thank you Commander Salamander and YES that choice of the word zampolit undoubtedly quite intentional.

coolbert.

Matt.

This is coolbert:

From the RICHARDNISLEY Internet web site an item of interest.

"General Ridgway’s Finest Hour"

ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF MATT RIDGWAY

Concerning Operation Vulture and American involvement in the First Indo-China war. 

"Enter the Army Chief of Staff, General Matthew B. Ridgway. He was uneasy [concerning American military involvement in Vietnam] from the start. He knew wars were settled on the ground, and on the ground the losses were always borne by his people, U.S. Army foot soldiers and Marines . . . Ridgway sent an Army survey team to Indochina to determine the requirements for fighting a ground war there."

Determine the requirements and the requirements quite extensive..

"The answers were chilling: minimal, five divisions and up to ten divisions if we wanted to clear out the enemy (as opposed to six divisions in Korea), plus fifty-five engineering battalions, between 500,000 and 1,000,000 men, plus enormous construction costs."

That war against an Asian adversary seen as too tough. Communist forces [Asian in particular] able to muster enormous manpower for the fight. And quite WILLING to use that manpower in a profligate manner, almost totally heedless of losses.

Note too that the general was most concerned with logistics. Engineer battalions galore. "Lieutenants think tactics, generals think logistics."

Ridgway in 1968 along with two other prominent general officers of stature advising President Johnson that the war in Vietnam no longer worth it.

With hindsight it would seem Matt was correct with his misgivings toward both the First and Second Indo-China wars.

coolbert.

Protection?

This is coolbert:

"prophylactic: defending or protecting from disease or infection, as a drug. preventive or protective."

That the relatively low percentage of American military personnel willing to be inoculated against the Covid-19 virus not so unremarkable?

Within context of the First Gulf War [1991] several untested and unverified vaccine and prophylactics given. Allegedly resulting in harmful side-effects.

1. "Pyridostigmine Bromide and Gulf War Veterans"

"VA and research organizations evaluated exposure to pyridostigmine bromide (PB), an anti-nerve agent pill Gulf War Veterans may have taken during military service, as a possible cause of chronic multi-symptom illnesses."

MEDICATIONS as issued to the troops in case of exposure to nerve gas. Thought to be possibly beneficial when taken in addition to the conventional atropine antidote for nerve gas poisoning. But not tested or or verified as being so conclusively.

2. Thanks to the wiki entry American and British soldiers Gulf War One inoculated against anthrax. Vaccine approved but never [?] subjected to widespread clinical trials.

"During Operation Desert Storm, 41% of U.S. combat soldiers and 75% of UK combat soldiers were vaccinated against anthrax. (Reactions included local skin irritation, some lasting for weeks or months. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine, it never went through large-scale clinical trials."

An APPROVED vaccine for anthrax but also not widely tested and evaluated as being beneficial.

3. "DID VACCINES TRIGGER ILLNESS OF GULF VETS?"

Consider a vaccine against botulism also among the mix of unverified medication as administered to the troops during the First Gulf War. NOT exactly experimental but not subjected to the normal protocol of clinical trials.

DON'T THINK ANY OF THE GULF WAR SYNDROME ILLNESS EVER SATISFACTORILY EXPLAINED? RESEARCH CONTINUES? 

coolbert.

Floating.

This is coolbert:

Continuing with extracts from the headline page of the New York Times 1861. Courtesy Freeper.

"NATIONAL AFFAIRS: The Latest Reports Relative to Fort Sumpter; Editorial-Peace or War; FROM CHARLESTON: The Floating-Battery Finished (3/20/1861)"

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 3/20/1861

"The time of the President and Cabinet has been mostly employed yesterday and to day upon the question of the evacuation of Fort Sumpter. No order has yet been issued. The matter is in the hands of the President. A Cabinet majority favors an evacuation."

Regarding what is called the floating battery:

"A floating battery is a kind of armed watercraft, often improvised or experimental, which carries heavy armament but has few other qualities as a warship."

Further from The Times the same edition:

"FROM CHARLESTON."

"The Floating-Battery Finished - - A Snow-storm-Inviting Vessels to be Wrecked - - The Hibernian Ball - Northern Men in the Southern Service , and c."

"The Floating Battery is at last finished, and the event was celebrated by a salute of seven guns for the States that are out of the Union, and after a slight pause, one  more for Arkansas, which is expected to follow in the wake of her devil-count-the-cost sisters." 

A crescendo approaches! Everyone has made ready. Climactic events shortly to occur!

coolbert.

Circle Trigons.

This is coolbert:

Thar be Dragons. Thar be Circle Trigons.

Too war with Esperanto? U.S. Army at one time thought so. 

OPFOR [Opposing Force] in the modern version [Fort Irwin] I am familiar with. OPFOR Circle Trigons much less so.

Circle Trigons a U.S. Army company-sized military unit trained to act as an opponent during field-training exercise [FTX]. Even speaking a foreign language [Esperanto]. Quite a contrast to OPFOR Fort Irwin style. I can fully well understand the value of training interrogators this way. 

See this Internet web site and the artcle "Seventy Years of OPFOR" the evolution of a "dissimilar force" and the value of same. 

That OPFOR as resident Fort Irwin the most highly-rated competent and ready-to-go combat arms U.S. Army military unit.

coolbert.

Maneuvers.

This is coolbert:

FTX Louisiana 1941! Vaguely only was I aware of any of this. More extensive than I had thought.

From various Internet media to include the Internet web site War on the Rocks.

1. "SIMULATING WAR: THREE ENDURING LESSONS FROM THE LOUISIANA MANEUVERS"

The article by JENNIFER MCARDLE

"On Monday, Sept. 15, 1941, a special kind of war was declared. As a tropical storm sent torrential rains throughout the Gulf of Mexico, swelling rivers and caking the ground in mud, 472,000 troops bivouacked between Shreveport and Lake Charles, Louisiana, for the largest (simulated) force-on-force battle in U.S. history. The opposing “red” force’s mission: invade “blue” territory and destroy the enemy concentrated near Lake Charles . . . At 15:30 on Friday, just as the red force’s eastern flank at Natchitoches started to crumble, the exercise was halted. Blue had seemingly prevailed."

BLUE IS NEVER INTENDED TO LOSE. BLUE MUST ALWAYS WIN! RED IS THE AGGRESSOR AND THE BAD GUY!!

2. “Relax—It’s Only a Maneuver”

From The National Archives the article by Thaddeus Holt.

"The first army-versus-army maneuvers in American history, 'fought' in the fall of 1941, were an elaborate game—but they helped prepare American forces for World War II"

3. "Louisiana Maneuvers (1940-41)"

From Historn.net and the article by Mark Perry.

"The mock battles of what became known as the Louisiana Maneuvers had one purpose: to prepare America’s soldiers for the war that had already begun in Europe and was threatening to spread around the world."

George C. Marshall Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army should undoubtedly be considered one of the most significant persons in American history.

A practitioner of grand strategy perhaps unequaled in history. 

AND that most senior military officer while not a battlefield commander was tough when he needed to be. Especially when dismissing senior flag and field grade officers whose competence was questionable. BEFORE the war and DURING the war both.

Marshall when he needed to be hard was hard and we are all the better for it too.

coolbert.

Pantsir S1M.

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HEY! I had thought this Russian Pantsir was the top-of-the-line air defense [AD] weapon. Capability perhaps without peer and combat tested. This is not so?

From the Strategy Page article. 

"AIR DEFENSE: America Buys Another Russian Wonder Weapon"

WONDER WEAPON AS DESCRIBED BUT NOW YOU HAVE TO WONDER ABOUT IT.

"March 14, 2021: In January 2021 a Russian truck-mounted Pantsir S1 (SA-22) air-defense system captured in Libya was turned over to the U.S. at a German airbase. The UAE had, with assistance from American commandos and an American C-17 transport, obtained the Pantsir S1 and flown it out of an improvised landing strip west of Tripoli"

Pantsir S1 with the reputation as effective against warplanes, cruise missiles, drone. AND combat tested. 

All overblown? Deficiencies with the S1 model found and taken advantage of by adversaries [Israel for one]. Even the Russians understand this to be so?

Pantsir S1M now an improved model in the works as a replacement for the S1 variety.

From Deagel the appreciation of the Pantsir rather good:

"Pantsyr-S1 achieved a major success in Syria on April 2018 countering a FUKUS (France, UK and US) strike utilizing 100+ cruise missiles such as Tactical Tomahawk, Scalp EG/Storm Shadow and AGM-158B JASSM-ER."

FUKUS? Toot the horn but not too loud!

coolbert.

Green Beret.

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The military of Mozambique failed. The Russian PMC Wagner Group failed. South African Dyck PMC currently engaged situation in doubt.

PMC = Private military contractor.

NOW, American Special Forces enter the fray? Training only as described. Hold your horses and hold onto you hat. Islamic insurgents [Al-Sunna wa Jama’a] Mozambique hitherto victorious. No longer?

"US Sends Special Forces to Mozambique"

"A dozen US Army Green Berets are training Mozambican marines"

Thanks to the Internet website Anti-War and the article by Dave DeCamp.

"US special forces have deployed to Mozambique to train local forces to battle an insurgency in the country’s north. A dozen US Army Green Berets started training Mozambican marines this week and will continue to train them over the next two months."

Al-Sunna wa Jama’a insurgents as previous mentioned hitherto invincible. Occupy a swath of Mozambique with purported large deposits of natural gas. Territory as now under the control of the insurgents will become another haven for international jihadi as was the Islamic State?

See previous blog entries the situation in Mozambique. We have not the last of that nation and area of the world. This is a developing story.

coolbert.

Winterberg.

This is coolbert:

An article as extracted from the BBC courtesy Hugh Schofield.

Gruesome, World War One!

"Discovering WW1 tunnel of death hidden in France for a century"

"Not since the 1970s has there been such an important discovery from the Great War in France. In woods on a ridge not far from the city of Reims, the bodies of more than 270 German soldiers have lain for more than a century - after they died the most agonizing deaths imaginable."

Opening to a three-hundred meter long [1,000 feet] tunnel [Winterberg] found. German troops buried inside. WW1 big-bore artillery making direct hit on both ends of the tunnel. Nearly three-hundred Germans sealed inside, buried alive. Death "agonizing" and slow. Suffocation.

Souvenir and relic hunters making the discovery. Ghoulish.

AND I EXPECT DANGEROUS TOO. UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE [UXB] STILL ACTIVE. ONE WRONG STRIKE FROM A SHOVEL AND YOU ARE BANG GONE!

Leave the dead alone! That tunnel a mass war grave. Should be forbidden to do further investigation or excavation.

coolbert.

Archery.

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WARNING: I STRONGLY ADVISE NONE OF YOU TRY THIS AT HOME!

Here with a video an example of outstanding Mongol horsemanship and archery combined. As would have been found in the forces of Genghis Khan.

 Comments:

* Horse archers of the Mongol never employing their archery skills dismounted. Always mounted.

* Mongol stirrup providing a more stable platform for the archer. Rider can stand/draw/aim/fire arrows more accurately.

* Mongol pony trained to gallop without a minimum of up/down motion. Again, allowing for the archer to achieve a more accurate shot.

* Note the use of the Parthian Shot. One rider while pursued facing backward and releasing an arrow. The Mongol noted for their use of the feigned retreat. Lure your opposition into a trap.

* Music as accompanying the video typical Mongolian throat singing. 

ONCE MORE, I WARN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU NOT TO TRY THIS AT HOME1

coolbert.

C.M. Clay.

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Yet further from Freeper and extract from the New York Times headlines of yesteryear.

"AFFAIRS OF THE NATION: Appointments Made and to be Made; IMPORTANT FROM TEXAS: GOVERNOR HOUSTON AT ISSUE WITH THE SECEDERS (3/14/1861)"

"New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 3/14/1861"

"WASHINGTON, Wednesday, March 13."

"CASSIUS M. CLAY will not accept the Spanish Mission [ambassador to Spain]. He does not state the reasons for declining the offer, but probably does not desire to leave the country for the present. Neither would he accept the Mexican Mission. Mr. CLAY is a live [active] man and does not desire to ostracize himself during the present crisis of political events in this country. The Spanish Mission is therefore open to some ambitious aspirant."

CASSIUS MARCELLUS CLAY. 

From my perspective Clay a relatively unheralded individual his efforts as Ambassador to Imperial Russia should be seen however as rather significant within the context of the American Civil War.

IMPERIAL RUSSIAN DURING THE PERIOD OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR THE ONLY MAJOR EUROPEAN POWER INFORMALLY ALLYING ITSELF WITH THE UNION SIDE! POSSIBLE INTERVENTIONS OF THE FRENCH OR BRITISH DURING THE CONFLICT AS A CONSEQUENCE DETERRED?

See previous blog entry [with additional embedded links] regarding the Imperial Russian response to the Union cause during the American Civil War.

Often too certain authorities have suggested that if Sam Houston [Governor of Texas at the time] had been more active in national affairs, secession and the American Civil War would have been averted. Sam Houston was a highly esteemed individual greatly respected. But alas it did not come to pass.

coolbert.

Buzz.

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Unit 731 American style!

EW = Entomological Weapons.

Normally EW = Electronic warfare.From the Internet web site Smoking Gun and thanks to same.

"Army Researched Weaponizing Of Mosquitoes"

"U.S. once worried about 'entomological warfare'"

"MARCH 10--Since the Zika virus has been declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization, we’re revisiting a U.S. Army report detailing the military’s interest in the weaponization of mosquitoes."

To war with mosquito? Mosquitoes as a vector for the delivery of bio-warfare agents.

"vector: an organism (such as an insect) that transmits a pathogen from one organism or source to another"

See from the wiki a list of mosquito-borne disease.

HALF THE HUMAN BEINGS THAT HAVE EVER LIVED HAVE DIED EITHER FROM MALARIA [MOSQUITO BORNE] OR COMPLICATIONS FROM MALARIA!!

The INFAMOUS Japanese World War Two Unit 731 having done extensive research into bio-warfare agents. Ticks [not a mosquito] the preferred vector so it seems.

Those allegations that American military forces during the Korean War possessed and released insects as Germ Warfare vectors perhaps not so totally unfounded then?

I might like to think it is not so but cannot also preclude the possibility of such having occurred.

coolbert.

Sumpter.

This is coolbert:

Still another extract from the archives of the New York Times, events as reported, prelude to the  American Civil War. Thanks also to Freeper for the tip. 

"HIGHLY IMPORTANT NEWS: The Fort Question to be Decided Immediately; FORT SUMPTER TO BE EVACUATED; THE REPUBLICAN COURT (3/11/1861)"

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 3/11/1861

"WASHINGTON, Sunday, March 10. The question of reinforcing Fort Sumpter has been under consideration in the Cabinet, and it is understood that the question whether or no it is not desirable to withdraw all the troops, except two or three men, rather than incur the bloodshed which will probably occur before troops and supplies are put into it, is now to be decided. The immediate necessity of settling this question grows out of the fact that there is only a limited supply of bread at Fort Sumpter, but plenty of salt meat"

Fort Sumter I have heard of. Fort Sumpter I have not heard of. Perhaps various spellings exist and were valid [1861] at the time.

Previous attempt to provision the fort [Star of the West] unsuccessful. Fort as of early March [1861] very low on basic supplies, victuals in particular. Plans to abandon the fort but  for a skeletal force contemplated.

Major Anderson commanding indeed realizing his position dire, plight becoming extreme.

coolbert.

Eyes.

This is coolbert:

From our good friend Commander Salamander and thanks to same.

"Do not act shocked ... do not avert your eyes ... look harder"

"We started the 'Keeping and Eye on the Long Game' over a decade and a half ago. Many of you have been loyal members of the Front Porch since that time, so I know you are not surprised where 2021 finds us." [please click on image to see an enlarged view]

"Look at it. Don't avert your eyes."

Consider just from a number standpoint the Chinese navy operating hardly that far from home ports. Chinese able to mass assets and resources in the manner the U.S. Navy cannot. 

It can always be argued that American naval units possess just a whole lot more experience at naval warfare and have vessels their firepower greater plus the quality of personnel much better.

"Quantity has a quality all of it's own!!" - J. Stalin.

Sadly that does seem so!

coolbert.

C-40 B/C.

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Distracted! Malfunction! Missteps!

INCOMPETENCE!

Thanks to Kay for the tip.

"Distracted Guard, Gate Malfunction Allowed Intruder to Board Aircraft at Joint Base Andrews"

"The U.S. Air Force says a series of missteps at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, led to a Feb. 4 breach at the installation in which an unauthorized civilian was able to board a C-40 Clipper transport aircraft on the flight line."

"The service on Thursday released a 23-page Inspector General review into the incident. It concluded that a 'distracted' Security Forces [SF] airman overlooked the proper procedures to vet the man as he came on base." 

Joint Base Andrews. Think Air Force One. Air Force Two. SAM's flights [dignitaries and VIP}.

This C-40 B/C used for Special Air missions [SAM's] I am assuming.

I would have to think Andrews one of the most closely guard installations in the U.S. military. And yet some unauthorized person able to gain entry to the base and ACTUALLY  BOARD an aircraft while on the flight line.

See also the Russians with a similar problem. Doomsday warplanes as deemed boarded by unauthorized personnel and valuable gear stolen.

coolbert.

Views.

This is coolbert:

As is done annually here with a list of TOP-TEN most viewed blog entries from 2020.

# 1 most viewed during the past year entry Werx.

Herewith those TOP-TEN blog entries 2020:

1. Werx.

2. Wagner PMC.

3. Shahid Roudaki.

4. Malaya.

5. Mercury.

6. Guards USMC.

7. Loyal.

8. SFF II.

9. Reprise.

10. Beirut.

Devoted readers to the blog enjoy!

coolbert.

Elephant.

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Elephant Walk German style goes awry??

From the Aviationist.

"Elephant Walk at Bavarian Air Base involved 18 Eurofighters at Neuburg Air Base. Parked on the runway, rather than taxiing on it."

"The German Air Force has arranged an Elephant Walk that involved 18 Eurofighter jets of TLG (Tactical Luftwaffengeschwader) 74 at Neuburg Air Base on Mar. 6, 2021."

Elephant Walk = A massive display of combat airpower, warplanes in abundance on the tarmac awaiting the go-signal prior to take off! A show of force and capability designed to impress an adversary or potential adversary.

"The benefits of an elephant walk include being able to show the capability of the units as well as teamwork. It is often performed to prepare squadrons for wartime operations and to prepare pilots for the launching of fully armed aircraft in one mass event."

AS NOTED BY THE AVIATIONIST HOWEVER THIS PARTICULAR ELEPHANT WALK APPEARS TO NOT BE A REAL-WORLD DEMONSTRATION OF AERIAL MARTIAL FORCE!!

"While the reason for the Elephant Walk has not been made public, the way it was carried out is somehow weird. In fact, if you look closely, you’ll notice that the aircraft were not taxiing when the shots were taken as the wheel chocks are clearly visible in the head-on photographs. Actually, not even the pilot can be seen aboard the aircraft. In other words, it looks like the aircraft were towed in position and parked for the shooting."

A STAGED EVENT WITH IMAGES FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION BUT BEARING NO REALITY TO ACTUAL COMBAT POTENTIALITY?

And to all this Johannes Steinhoff or Gunther Rall would say?

coolbert.

Dr. Seuss.

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Once more into dangerous waters as they say. A blog entry with a semi-political nature. Normally if not totally exclusively I avoid such topics. But in this case I feel compelled to proceed without hesitation.

1. "6 Dr. Seuss books won't be published anymore because they portray people in 'hurtful and wrong' ways"

From CNN and the article by Amanda Watts and Leah Asmelash,

THE BELOVED AUTHOR OF BOOKS FOR CHILDREN DR. SEUSS UNDER ATTACK IN SOME QUARTERS. ILLUSTRATIONS SEEN IN SOME INSTANCES AS PROBLEMATIC.

And now for the military dimension to Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss during the Second World his production of war propaganda art as prolific. Axis enemy portrayed in a manner that today would be looked upon with disfavor.

2. "When Dr. Seuss Went to War"

"Explore the children’s author’s little-known work penning political cartoons and producing propaganda films during World War II."

From the History.com Internet web site and the article by CHRISTOPHER KLEIN.

As was common at the time the Japanese portrayed in very less than a flattering manner. Japanese racially stereotyped with the pig nose, buck teeth and slitty-slanted eyes showing from behind thick lensed wire-rimmed glasses.

Some of the cartoon images as drawn by Dr. Seuss during the Second World War:

Dr. Seuss indeed. The World War Two cartoons of  Dr. Seuss quite a voluminous collection. Devoted readers to the blog go and Google Dr. Seuss WW2 images and see the whole lot for yourself.

coolbert.

Ferrari?

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From the outstanding Internet web site "Bayou Renaissance Man" and thanks to same.

"How do the Italians achieve the 'tactical Ferrari' look?"

"There's something about Italian designers that I can't quite put my finger on, but which shows through in almost everything born in that country. It's an élan, a visual zeitgeist, a style that's very distinctive. One sees it in Ferrari and Lamborghini automobiles, in Piaggio executive aircraft, in Aermacchi jet trainers, and so on."

All-terrain special operations vehicles too?? Visual zeitgeist? Devoted readers to the blog decide for yourself.

Italian LTATV. All-purpose all-terrain vehicle used by special operations troops. Zeitgeist unmistakable? Needs a winch and snorkel?

American RAZR ATV. Less sexy-looking than the Italian version?

U.S. Navy SEAL team using RAZR military-style all-terrain vehicles during a beach patrol exercise perhaps in Washington state.

Those ATV you need to strap yourself in tightly and wear a helmet either as a driver or passenger. Also can be found in street drive-able versions.

And to all this Rolls Royce would say??

coolbert.

Woke.

This is coolbert:

"What makes Washington State’s park an ideal environment for the SEAL Teams are the long coastlines, cold weather, and tidal conditions. Put together, these conditions make for a very realistic training environment. Historically, SEAL Teams have used these parks for up to 75 exercises per year."

"WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENTS PUSH BACK AGAINST NAVY SEAL TRAINING EXERCISES"

Original article by Stavros Atlamazoglou courtesy Sandboxx News.

"For months, the Navy SEAL Teams and officials from Washington State have been negotiating the use of public land for special operations training. Now, after long deliberation, Washington State officials made a controversial decision."

NORMALLY I HESITATE TO MAKE BLOG ENTRIES THAT HAVE A POLITICAL EDGE BUT IN THIS CASE I MAKE A DEFINITE EXCEPTION.

This is "woke" culture at work. Officials from Washington State having an antipathy toward the military of the USA in all forms. USA military seen by "woke" as being pernicious  and noxious. Cooperation to be eschewed to the greatest degree possible.

"an•tip•a•thy: n. Extreme dislike; aversion or repugnance. synonym: enmity."

Those of you that disagree with me in this matter let me hear from you!!

coolbert.

Rolls Royce

This is coolbert:

Normally I think of the various desert campaigns as waged by Lawrence of Arabia during the Great War [WW1] as being strictly a camel and horse affair. But I am wrong.

"Rolls-Royce Armored Car: The Bulletproof Ghost" 

 Thanks to the History.net web site and the article by Jim Motavalli.

"Trench warfare and intractable mud ultimately made the Royal Naval Air Service cars unsuited for combat on the Western Front, but they were to see other fields of action"

Unsuited for the type of combat as was the case on the Western Front during the Great War but seeing active service in other theaters of the war.

Most significantly [?] finding utility during the Arab Revolt by those insurrection units commanded by T.E Lawrence!

"Lawrence of Arabia used a squadron in his operations against the Turkish forces. He called the unit of nine armoured Rolls-Royces 'more valuable than rubies' in helping win his Revolt in the Desert"

Armored car with one water-cooled .303 general-purpose machine gun. Area in rear of vehicle [unarmored] can carry infantry. Space evidently in the armored area also can accommodate personnel besides the crew. Manufactured with the degree of precision as are all Rolls Royce vehicles. Widely used during the years between the World Wars performing yeoman service, recognition however scant.

I would like to own one of these.

coolbert.