Month: July 2013
The Man Who Would Be King – How a Former Royal Navy Sailor Named Himself Ruler of Iceland
Jorgen Jorgenson had a most peculiar résumé. Born in 1780, the Denmark native could claim such varied careers as sailor, privateer, writer, revolutionary, explorer, gambler, policeman, felon and even spy. But Jorgenson fancied a more…
Condemned Men – Meet Hitler’s Penal Battalions
“By 1945, more than 50,000 Wehrmacht troops had served in punishment regiments.” CALL THEM THE Fuhrer’s “Dirty Dozens.” The German army’s strafbattalions were infantry units made up largely of convicts, felons, malingerers and thugs. Inmates in…
America’s First ‘Korean War’ — Inside the U.S. Navy’s 1871 Action on Ganghwa Island
“The U.S. claimed victory in the brief campaign. A total of 15 Medals of Honor were awarded to members of the shore party — the first American citations given for an action on foreign soil.”…
From the News — Famous wartime photo comes to life and other stories of the week
Most Canadians, particularly those who were alive during World War Two, are familiar with the iconic photo of a small boy reaching out to his father who is marching away with his regiment. According to…
How the Civil War’s Most Brilliant Generals First Learned to Fight in the Mexican War
One of the more bitter ironies of the American Civil War is that so many of the senior commanders that led the opposing armies in the bloody four-year conflict were years earlier both West Point…
The Unknown Pirates – Meet 13 of History’s Forgotten (But Damn Fascinating) Sea Dogs
“A number of countries have their own pirate heroes (and villains) as well — most of which you’ve probably never even heard of.” BUCKETS OF INK have been spilled immortalizing Britain’s buccaneers, privateers and sea…
