Category: Units
History Repeating – America’s Special Forces War in Syria Eerily Similar to Vietnam
“The problem in Syria today, just as in Vietnam, is that there is no charted avenue for U.S. military action to lead to Washington’s goals — hence the incoherence of strategy.” By John Prados PIOUS…
Unknown Soldiers – How Black Barrage Balloon Troops Kept the D-Day Beaches Safe
“Despite their achievements, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion is largely absent from the D-Day story.” By Linda Hervieux IN THE FALL of 1942, thousands of young American men descended onto a peaceful corner of northwestern Tennessee,…
The First Into France – Meet the Elite “Pathfinders” of the Normandy Invasion
“Nearly 300 pathfinders took part in the pre-invasion.” IN HIS LANDMARK book D-Day: June 6, 1944, author Stephen E. Ambrose tells the story of Sgt. Elmo Jones of the 82nd Airborne Division. Moments after leaping out of a C-47 Dakota…
Enter the Ninja – Facts and Myths About Japan’s Most Mysterious Warriors
“Hired as mercenaries, special operatives and spies, ninjas favoured covert warfare not unlike modern-day special forces.” By Antony Cummins THE WORD NINJA is used worldwide as shorthand for anyone (or anything) that’s quick and stealthy. Ever since entering the western lexicon…
No Survivors – Famous Regiments That Were Completely Wiped Out
“Custer’s 7th Cavalry is just one of several army units from history that have been completely wiped out in a single battle.” THE CITIZENS OF AMERICA received a nasty surprise for their country’s 100th anniversary. In early…
Ancient Commandos – 11 Elite Forces from Antiquity
“Armies for thousands of years have maintained battalions of highly trained elite troops to perform only the most dangerous and specialized missions.” THE WIDENING ROLE OF SPECIAL FORCES in the war against Islamic State militants in Syria…
