Yankee Papa

Since the bush war began in 1966, the Rhodesian mounted infantry played a crucial role in the fight.

On August 2, 1964, four North Vietnamese patrol boats attacked the destroyer USS Maddox (DD731). This did not turn out well for the North Vietnamese. Between American guns and air support, one NV patrol boat was left dead in the water with the remaining badly shot-up. The Maddox took a few machine-gun hits. In spite […]

This is the second part of a series. You can read part one here. The next day, D Company returned to the “butcher’s yard” in full (and dry) daylight.  This was a bad decision: a fresh unit should have been sent so that the morale of D Company would not be affected.  The day was […]

Anyone who loves history comes to learn that it is messy.  They must not only accept this reality, but learn to embrace it. Unlike an epic saga, history is only of value when it is presented to us with “the bark on…” This becomes even more important when dealing with pivotal events. One such for […]

“Rabble we may be, but we are now a rabble in arms…” (The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress) This is part two, read part one here. In 1965 Singapore was tossed out into the cold by Malaysia. Few countries get their independence in such a fashion. They were on their own in a very bad […]

It is very warm. It is also humid, but what else would you expect? Singapore is roughly 60 miles North of the Equator and essentially has no seasons. The young National Servicemen are in formation. Only a couple of days into their training, but today’s events will confirm the change in their lives. In a […]

And I discovered that my castles stand Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand -Coldplay- The American instructors got their first look at the conscripts. Downtrodden peasants getting their first boots… and their first toothbrush. These were the men that would have to close with and destroy seasoned Marxist guerrillas…on their own. The Americans […]

And I discovered that my castles stand Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand -Coldplay-                              The American major was ready to murder the two top government officials                           […]

An aircraft goes down over Africa under “mysterious circumstances.” The secretary general of the United Nations and 14 others, the crew and other members of his team, died. The only survivor of the 15 was an American Army sergeant on special assignment to the secretary general as security. He flatly insisted that the plane was shot down. His statement was […]

Myanmar continues to struggle with a corrupt, violent military dictatorship, bitter fighting with China, cultural intolerance, and a feeble economy.

There was a brief lull in the fighting in the Fall of 1944.  Senior German Army officers were at a war game, training for what they would do if the Americans attacked through the Hurtgen Forest. They were halfway through the exercise when they were notified that the Americans had entered the Hurtgen in force. […]

“The hour is grave. Arise everyone, take up your arms and rush to the defence of your country. Rally to your chiefs. Obey them wholeheartedly. Repel the invader. Those unable owing to infirmity must help in this sacred quarrel with prayer. God be with us. Forward for the Emperor and country,” -Heile Salassie 1935 In […]