The Brit Rogue Heroes of World War Two

The Brit Rogue Heroes of World War Two

Ben Macintyre’s suspenseful new book, “Rogue Heroes,” about the founding of Britain’s S.A.S. during World War II, reads like a mashup of “The Dirty Dozen” and “The Great Escape,” with a sprinkling of “Ocean’s 11” thrown in for good measure. Like earlier Macintyre books set during that war (“Double Cross: The True Story of the […]

In the Iran-Iraq War, F-5s and MiG-21s Fought to a Standstill

In the Iran-Iraq War, F-5s and MiG-21s Fought to a Standstill

There have been countless discussions over which is the better fighter jet— the U.S.-made Northrop F-5E Tiger II or the Soviet MiG-21 Fishbed. That can be a hard argument to settle. The Iran-Iraq war was probably a draw for the two types. More than 15,000 of these two cheap, lightweight, simple-to-maintain and -operate fighters were […]

How did a nuclear warhead end up lying in a ditch in Arkansas?

How did a nuclear warhead end up lying in a ditch in Arkansas?

 The Damascus incident isn’t the only accident recounted in the movie, or the most frightening. In 1961 a nuclear-armed bomber broke apart over Goldsboro, North Carolina. One of the bombs was saved from going off by a single safety switch, of the kind you use to turn your lights on and off. And then there were the false alarms that almost led the United States or the Soviet Union to launch an all-out nuclear attack. In researching his book, Schlosser obtained a never-before released government assessment that revealed that between 1950 and 1968 alone there had been over 1,000 accidents, large and small, involving nuclear weapons.

NYC Ground Zero: ‘Horse Soldiers’ statue finds final overwatch position

NYC Ground Zero: ‘Horse Soldiers’ statue finds final overwatch position

15 years ago America was attacked on our own soil. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, New York first responders went above and beyond to rescue and care for the thousands affected by the terrible tragedy. Also on that day, vengeance was beginning to be set into motion. Removed from the settling dust and […]

Firsthand account of Lt. Clair Hess during the Battle of the Bulge – 101st Airborne – 1945

Firsthand account of Lt. Clair Hess during the Battle of the Bulge – 101st Airborne – 1945

Lieutenant Hess explains the division was responsible for the defense of Bastogne leading up to the Battle of the Bulge. As Lt. Hess recounts the action, we see snow-covered scenes of the battle and the frozen bodies of soldiers killed in action. Lt. Hess tells of one of the most famous events in WW2 history.

On December 22, 1944, German emissaries asked for the American surrender, to which General McAuliffe answered tersely, “Nuts!” (Lt. HessHess explains that it was “just GI American for ‘Go to hell!’”) A few days later the skies cleared, allowing Allied air forces to retaliate and to drop much-needed food, medicine, and weaponry to ground troops. On Christmas Eve, the Americans allowed the Germans to get as close as possible before opening fire. “You could hear them hollering, ‘Comrade!’ Begging for mercy. Asking for a break. Oh sure. We gave ‘em a break,” says Lt. Hess as the film shows the dead, frozen bodies of Nazi soldiers in the mud and muck. “The German supermen. They didn’t know what the hell had happened.”

Secret war history in Laos

Secret war history in Laos

As some Western companies are beginning to set up shop in Southeast Asia and encourage some companies to leave Eastern China and do business in other countries, such as Myanmar (formerly Burma).

The Man Who Ruined the Soviet Warplane Industry

The Man Who Ruined the Soviet Warplane Industry

In March 1986, U.S. Navy aviators out-flew, out-maneuvered and jammed the Libyan Arab Air Force so badly that the Libyans stopped flying their interceptors over the Gulf of Sidra. As a result, Tripoli had to give up its claim on this part of the Mediterranean. Equally damaging, the lack of air cover allowed the Americans […]

Things that matter: Special Forces jungle fatigue uniform

Things that matter: Special Forces jungle fatigue uniform

The jacket always was worn tucked in to reduce noise while he moved through the countryside. Pockets were moved up from the lower jacket or pants to the shoulders. The camouflage was created by using black spray paint on the clothing. In addition, an “A+” was painted on the fatigue jacket to indicate his blood type should he be wounded.

Spy Catcher: Jeanne Vertefeuille

Spy Catcher: Jeanne Vertefeuille

“At first, I wanted to jump across the table and strangle him. But then I started laughing. It was really funny, because he was the one in shackles, not me.” This was the reaction of CIA officer Jeanne Vertefeuille upon learning that Aldrich Ames, the most damaging mole in CIA history, had once given his […]