#78th Troop Command

[davidshawnsown]

USA BASEBALL ONE-SHOT RPF 2: Mike's Boys (chapter 2)

(AN: Given the recommendations by a fellow Tumblr writer, I have created a second chapter of this one shot story. This is dedicated to recently retired Olympic silver medal pitcher Edwin Jackson of Team USA who retired from active play by the time of this writing and in celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the USA's Olympics gold in baseball in 2000. A third chapter may be on the way. Given the fact that Patrick Mahomes II's father played for the NPB team now known as the Yokohama DeNA Baystars and was himself a MLB veteran and also due to his former participation as part of the USA Baseball high school program trials, he and his Superbowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs will be included as well beginning this chapter - making it a NFL crossover.)

Warnings: War, language, blood, battle scenes

1030H EEST

With the briefing now over, the strategy for the 1st Battalion 78th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was finally set, with the full blessing of brigade leadership and battalion command. The operation entailed the battalion following the elements of the two battalions of the lightly armed 113rd Territorial Defense Brigade of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces in liberating the villages of Cherkas'ki Tyshky and Rus'ki Tyshky while the 2nd Battalion joins the rest of the forces from that brigade in the main road of the township. The goals are to help the brigade liberate the northern villages of Tsyrkuny from elements of the Russian 200th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Northern Fleet reinforced by a battalion of the Donetsk People's Militia's 1st Motor Rifle Regiment. They are supported by the M3 Bradleys of the armored cavalry squadron as well as the field artillery and air defense elements of the brigade. The battalion's strategy was to help defeat company or battalion sized elements of the 200th Motor Rifle Brigade and the 1st Motor Rifle Regiment as well as the 200th's T-80BVM MBTs of its tank battalion whose elements are in the village in a company formation, the rest of the companies are north of that area or on the main road alongside the rest of the SPG batteries as one battery is in the village equipped with the Msta tracked SPG. And also their additional role is to capture the village road junction located in the east of Cherkas'ki Tyshky which links it to Rus'ki Tyshky and the main road, which leads north to Borshchova and the border.

Basically the battalion's orders were to capture these two villages north of Kharkiv, pushing Russia's infantry and armor forces away from the city's suburbs, as well as artillery, as the 2nd Battalion moves on the main road alongside 3 battalions under 169th Corps' regiments (2 from 76th Infantry Division, one coming from the 901st Infantry) and word is now clear that a National Guard of Ukraine company is reinforcing the rear to help in the operation. In addition, their duty is to push away most of Russian artillery sytems futher from Kharkiv itself.

During the pre-combat brief, the company commanders were given their set orders for the day. A and B Companies would be the lead in the operation with D, E and F Companies, the latter assisted by CPT Jack Wilson, their founding commander, following them together with the battalion HQ company, with A Troop of the armored cavalry squadron and two tank companies of the armored battalion using a modernized M60 Patton and a mix of M8 AGS, M41 Walker Bulldogs and M555 Sheridans, as well as engineers helping in minesweeping and combat support ops and an air defense element mounted on Humvee platforms. The two field artillery battalions under the brigade would provide the much needed fire support using M777, M198, M108 and M109 systems and the portable Javellin system and other anti-tank systems in the anti-tank battalion, with batteries from the two assigned to the 1st Battalion set up on the rear and protected also by MANPADs and a company of TDF militias and joined by the two battalions' cannon batteries of M101 howitzers and NLAW and Javellin platoons of the heavy weapons companies. Three companies from the 1st battalions of the three regiments under 169th corps have been assigned to help 1st Battalion, the remainder to help the 2nd battalion clear the main road, as agreed upon that morning by their regimental commanders. Reinforcing them as artillery reserve are a battery of modernized M91 MLRS systems mounted on M35s - the HIMARS to be used when needed because the older M91s are similar to the BM-21 Grad systems the UGF has operated for decades.

Before their company commanders would talk about the operation, LTCOL Fenster, 1st Battalion commanding officer, spoke to his boys from the battalion and their attached elements in the presence of COL Bianco and some of the brigade staff: "Gentlemen, this morning is just the start of yet another operation for elements of the 1st Battalion, 78th BCT. But today is yet another glorious day in our unit's annals of history. This is the first task force styled-operation in our history as a brigade, with two of the battalions already fighting Russians and their allies from Donetsk with our Ukrainian brothers. We've done battlegroup styled ops before here, but now two of our infantry battalions are finally fighting together alongside the armor and artillery elements as well as support elements of the brigade present, for before this I've been given the orders from Brigadier General deRosa on his briefing call to the battalion command early today. Our task here, he said, is to remove Russians from the main highway of this township and its northern villages with the assistance of the Ukrainians of the 113rd Brigade and a company of National Guardsmen, helping to push back Russian guns from within range of the city itself and its suburbs and push these soldiers out for good away from it. In these past weeks, and even more today, all of us the men of 1st Battalion and the whole of the brigade are determined more than ever before to win this battle and the others to come for not just Ukraine but for our country and our NATO allies against the Russian aggressor threatening not just Ukrainians but ALL of us NATO countries at all fronts. In these past days, we've helped the 93rd Brigade do their jobs, now we've been helping these territorial militias as well as our fellow Americans in the International Legion. This is for their freedom and ours, boys. For the fallen in Bucha and all around this land, including those in the Kharkiv area, we will not stop our fighting with the Ukrainian people and her army, no matter what the costs. Understood gentlemen?"

"Sir yes sir" was the response of the boys.

COL Bianco then began to talk to the boys of the 6th platoon. Its commander 1LT Payton had stated that they are indeed ready once again, having perfected all they have trained for before in Irpin and Chernihiv with the rest of their company. This was the same sentiment shared by their XO and adjutant as well as its platoon sergeant. The colonel said that now would be a more better time for them to be better than ever, having shown their lot in earlier battles. "Now, gentlemen, its the time for us to show our strength once more in alliance with the Ukrainian people. I expect the best for you boys as you help the company achieve its objectives today, is that clear?"

"Sir yes sir" was the collective response. The colonel turned to the rest of the company stating his hope that the objectives of today's operations will surely be met with success.

"Captain Frazier," said the colonel, "I hope you and these personnel under your command achieve all the objectives for these operation, dead or alive. Not just America depends on this operation done. It is the Ukrainian people and our NATO partners and allies, and it will a big help for Ukraine if we flush out those Russians out of the range of Kharkiv."

"We will do our best, colonel," replied Captain Frazier.

"The same for us in B Company," then said Captain Arrietta. He said that they too will do their best to get things accomplished and the Ukrainians assisted in removing Russian soldiers from the village borders, limiting thus the Russian attacks on Kharkiv city itself. This is what captains Ober, Zimmerman and Cupp stated as well for D, E and F Companies of the 1st Battalion, detailing their readiness to follow the order of the day. Captain Wilson, now a part of A Company staff, remarked as well that what the lads of F Company did in these past weeks in Chernihiv in support of the Ukrainian forces relieving the Russian siege of the city stunned the battalion with their initiative and determination despite the young age of the boys and now they were ready to do it again.

Captain Judge then informed the colonel of his boys' preparedness for the combat ops they are about to do, saying, "Sir, given that all that the lads of the Bronx has gone thru, me and my boys are ready to fight for the nation and for the Ukraine. I have informed Colonel Boone that they are all prepared to fulfill the tasks for today."

Darren then informed him that he wishes the best as he prepares to help the 1st Battalion fulfill their objectives. He told him that they are assigned to help A Company led by his former superior, now Captain Frazier, to clear out Russians from Cherkas'ki Tyshky and support the Ukrainian offensive there.

1LT Aaron Nola of A Company 1st Battalion 83rd Philadelphia said the same. Given that they too were given the task to assist A Company, and that he has been given XO status in support of his commander 1LT Hoskins as his superior officer 1LT Harper has been called up to the colors because of his prior commitments before, he stated to COL Bianco that as part of the operation he felt proud to serve as part of the regiment raised and headquartered in Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, and that it was his duty to continue the city's heritage of leading in the defense of the nation in peace and in war. He also stated, "Being a New Orleans guy, I also bear in my heart the city's resistance in the War of 1812, and am ready to fight till the last with the boys from Philly."

The lieutenant from Sacramento then said, "No matter what happens today, colonel Bianco, we're ready to die carrying the arms of Philadelphia and the fighting legacy of her sons and daughters, sir. Most of all it is the American people, as well as the Ukrainian people already suffering after a few months of Russia's invasion, that we're ready to fight for at all costs. " Having served with the regiment since 2014 as an officer fresh from OCS, he became one of Bryce's deputies when he arrived in the city in 2019 on transfer from Washington. Since then he has served as one of his faithful comrades in arms. Alongside the company first sergeant 1SGT Muzziotti and his 1st platoon sergeant, SSGT Vierling, the two have carried on their duties to the company while Bryce is now at the 78th.

The same sentiments were shared by Captain Duvall of A Company from the 1st Battalion of the 72nd Atlanta. Raised in Louisville, KY, he has served as the company commander beginning late last year taking over from long time commander 1LT Freeman. He knew the importance of the cause they were fighting for and why the country has to help Ukraine now in its time of need. In his words, he felt that "missing families and friends at home, I knew I had a band of brothers ready to stand by me fighting for freedom no matter what the cost." His boys, assisted by 1LT Riley his executive officer and 1SGT Matzek the company first sergeant, are positioned to support CPT Arrietta and the B Company lads alongside SSGT Albies.

Then the colonel got a cellphone call from MG Scioscia.

"Make sure my boys from Tokyo are ready to lead the battalion for today," said the major general, confident that the men are ready to do it again in northern Kharkiv Oblast. They indeed needed that motivation badly from the overall commander of the Tokyo contingent in order to get the ball rolling for today's operations. He stated that Captain Frazier will be ready to lead the boys of 1st Battalion to the battle field once more, determined to continue on their winning ways in support of their Ukrainian brothers, who over these past few weeks have started to understand the Americans fighting with them for a singular cause.

"They will do their best, Mike. I'm confident these boys of yours together with mine, now fighting in the same unit, are committed to do their duties for the country and to obey the order given to them today to remove the remaining Russians from the Tsyrkuny area in support of the Ukrainians," replied Colonel Bianco. "I am truly amazed at what they did in past battles and am hopeful they will do it again."

"Good luck Colonel Bianco," replied the major general from Upper Darby. "Scioscia out."

After the call ended, LTC Fenster informed his operational commander that he's now ready to deploy the battalion for their operational goals for the day.

"Brigadier General DeRosa, sir, the 1st Battalion's ready to move out. We're ready to fulfill the orders for today's operation no matter what the cost, for the victory of the Ukrainian people, the very people we are fighting with today."

"Good luck gentlemen," replied the brigadier general. "Once more, America sends its prayers for your victories today and so does every Ukrainian. Do not fail this mission, boys, Ukraine needs this one and so does the USA. Move those boys now!"

"DeRosa, we will do our best, sir. We will not fail. We will not doubt all of America and Ukraine rooting for us once more," replied the commander. Then he presented his phone so that the boys will hear his order clearly to the battalion: to fulfill all objectives and help the 2nd Battalion, as well as the Ukrainians of the 113rd Brigade, clear Tsyrkuny township once and for all so that the Ukrainians will now be set to clear the areas north of Kharkiv from Russian forces with their support. Intel stated that the 1st Motor Rifles from the Donetsk People's Republic are moving out with a battalion of wheeled mechanized infantry to support the Russian 2nd Battalion of the 200th Motor Rifles, with elements of its 1st battalion and the 4th armored battalion in reserve as force multipliers. It is the duty of the Ukrainian 113rd TDB to push them out, and thus the 78th Brigade's 1st and 2nd battalions, as well as the 3 battalions from the 169th Corps regiments, have been tasked to assist them by all means. Thus the 1st Battalion must not fail in its objectives no matter what. The 3rd and 4th battalions, as well as the mortar and tank battalions of the brigade are also moving as brigade reserve to supplement and reinforce the formations as well as the Ukrainian forces fighting with them while the field artillery battalions will provide fires support and the air defense battalions will provide mobile and fixed air defense cover of the battlefield and protection of command elements.

After the call, the battalion commander replied, "We will do whatever it takes. Kharkiv's future rests on our efforts, general."

"Good luck LTC Fenster," answered the brigadier general. "And make sure these boys end the day safe and in a joint US-Ukrainian victory. DeRosa out."

"Good luck to you as well, brigadier general, sir," replied LTC Fenster. "We will continue to update via radio. Fenster out, Slava Ukraini."

"Heroyam Slava", replied the brigadier general.

"This is Major General Reagins speaking, colonel. Make sure these Russians are fucked when your boys fight them with the Ukrainians."

"We will do just that. I am confident than ever these boys will end the day with a win for Ukraine, sir", replied Darren.

The commander's Ukrainian interpreter informed him as well in English and then phoned the commander of the 113rd Territorial Defense Brigade that the 78th will soon be arriving to help reinforce their positions. He then phoned a member of the ILTD operating there to be on standby as the 78th too is helping in their combat ops.

With the order now granted to proceed, the 1st Battalion was now in battle mode once more.

"Is everything ready, sergeant major?"

"Yes sir, all systems go for this one," replied SGM Ronai.

"Has the Ukrainians of the 113rd Brigade and the International Legion been informed?"

The advisor said yes, adding that there's someone left a video message on his cellphone for the brigade. It's Malcolm Nance, the ex-US Navy SEAL turned soldier of the ILTD already fighting there with his fellow legionnaires, wishing the boys good luck. He had phoned brigade command this morning regarding their presence in the area.

"You heard the man, gentlemen," said LTC Fenster. "We have a battle to win in Tsyrkuny, to help the Ukrainians clear the Russians from this township and push them away futher from Kharkiv city, denying their artillery from firing directly at this city and thus save more lives. We must not fail this combat mission. It is imminent that we fulfill the tasks set by the brigade in conjuction with our Ukrainian brothers and the men of the International Legion fighting with them. The 2nd battalion is on the main road of the township and brigade command has told just minutes ago that the 4th and 5th battalions are being deployed as the reserve, while the tanks and artillery are ready as well to be deployed to support our main forces. Three more battalions, each from the 169th Corps, are also fighting with us. We expect heavy and tense resistance by the Russians where we are, but do not fear them, they know they will fear our guns, equipment, uniforms, everything that symbolizes our freedom, our country, and all that we stand for and that we're fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Ukrainian people in this the greatest hour that they are facing. Carried in our shoulders is a heavy burden of helping Ukraine defend itself from Russia and its allies. Now let's show the world our combine power once more to help defeat Russia in the lands of Ukraine and help it finally defeat this aggressor that has been terrorising this land for many years - and has been also been doing its best to obstruct and destroy ALL our freedoms around the world. For America and her people, and our newfound allies in Ukraine, we have a battle - and a war - to help win NOW no matter what. Understood, boys?"

"Sir yes sir" was the response.

"Slava Ukraini!"

"Heroyam Slava!", answered the gathered formation and the Ukrainian liasons with them.

"What's our battle cry 78th Brigade?"

"FOR GLORY!"

While this was happening someone had already arrived as well to the place: a member of the 59th Kansas City Infantry of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 610th Infantry Division, 20th Corps, nicknamed the "Chiefs" due to its Native American heritage and history, had arrived to join them: MAJ Patrick Mahomes II, whose father was a veteran of the 169th Corps and had previously been on secondment in Japan in a infantry battalion based in Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, in the late 90s. He arrived with his battalion mounted on the Stryker system as wheleed mechanized infantry - one of 4 in the regiment. The 2nd has been placed in reserve to help assist in the operation when needed. The major had radioed the 1st Battalion commander informing him of his presence. Wearing the usual red and gold armband with the heraldic arms of their home city, he informed the leadership present of his battalion's arrival.

"Lieutenant colonel sir, forces of the 59th Kansas City's 1st Battalion are ready to assist in your efforts."

"Who are you and who asked you to reinforce the 78th Brigade?" asked the commander.

"Major Patrick Mahomes II, sir, commanding officer of 1st Battalion 59th Kansas City. Been an executive officer last year since I was promoted Major, and now I'm a battalion commander. Colonel Reid, my commanding officer who's in Ukraine with his regiment stationed in Poltava, ordered me and my battalion to join the 78th north of Kharkiv out of respect for my father's service with the 169th Corps wth the regiment in Minneapolis. We've just arrived today from Kharkiv coordinate efforts to remove Russians from north of the city. I'm ready to help these boys win."

"That's Colonel Andy Reid of the 59th and his boys in Poltava?" asked MAJ Sogard.

"Yes indeed, sir, that's the colonel," Mahomes answered.

"You guys are lucky around. Tell your regimental commander the 1st Battalion will help the 78th Brigade Combat Team's elements here in Tsyrkuny. These wheeled APCs will help this brigade and the Ukrainians of the 113rd Territorial Brigade defeat those BTRs of the Russians and drive them out of the twin villages of Cherkas'ki Tyshky and Rus'ki Tyshky. We're counting on you guys to help them win," told the major.

"We will do our best today, sir. Slava Ukraini!"

"Heroyam Slava!" was the response by everyone.

"Looks like this Mahomes guy will be joining us today," said LTC Fenster. "These Strykers, also used by one of the battalions of the 78th, will be the ones that will hopefully arm the Ukrainian Army in the coming months, they will be needing them and all the other equipment we use to help them drive out the Russians. Gentlemen, I hope he will be of big help to us here. Coordinate your efforts and make sure he will be fighting with his boys on the ground as well. Is that clear boys?"

"Sir yes sir!"

The "mount up and move out" order then given, the 1st Battalion boys and those of the companies under the 1st Battalions of the 3rd NY, 83rd Philadelphia and 72nd Atlanta all mounted their vehicles. The artillery batteries of the artillery battalions and anti-tank crews of the anti-tank battalion under the brigade, the gunners of the infantry gun companies and air defense crews soon geared up to provide supporting fire and air defense cover to their formations at the right time, expecting Russian Mil and Kamov helicopters to fly in support of their comrades on the ground as the Bradleys and M113s soon sprang to life, with engines roaring, alongside the M60s and Abrams from the tank battalion and the self-propelled guns from one of the field artillery battalions getting the systems started and moving south to avoid Russian counter battery fire. At the same time MAJ Mahomes, mounted on his M1130 Commander's Vehicle's turret had finished radioing his regimental commander informing him of his battalions' readiness to lead the operation in support of 78th Brigade elements, before calling his father, retired sergeant first class Mahomes who is at Poltava with regimental command. With him are his XO, CPT Smith-Schuster, the battalion sergeant major SGM Girardi and several men under the battalion staff and the headquarters and HQ company, with the new A Company commander 1LT Kelce and his XO 1LT Buechele on their own Stykers with the rest of the formation. All 5 rifle companies and their cannon company, all told, are to join the fight of the 78th that morning with their Ukrainian counterparts, while the HHC remains with elements of the 78th's command. Following that he got a call from BG DeRosa later on regarding what his battalion would do that morning.

The 1st Battalion 78th BCT, its personnel (sans those of C Company) now mounted on their M2 Bradleys, began to prepare for battle like never before.

"Is everyone ready First Sergeant Gose?" called Captain Frazier on his M2 Bradley, on the commander's turret radioing his company first sergeant.

"We're all ready, sir," replied 1SGT Gose on his M113A3 Rise APC. "Same with my crew, we're ready to roll out."

He radioed 1LT Austin as well on his readiness to lead the platoon. He responded, "Able 1, we're ready. Captain Frazier, we're in it to win, Able 1-11's ready, including many of the Tokyo lads. Let's get this rolling now, sir."

"Able 2-11 ready," said 1LT Jackson on his radio. "When we will all dismount sir, give us the signal. The vehicle commanders and the operational armored column commander, 1LT Thames, will be ready to take over command to provide the mounted elements of the operation for Able Company under your command as the leader of the dismounted force. We will never fail you, captain, no matter what the cost. And so too, we cannot fail the American people nor the Ukrainians in which we've been grateful to stand by them these past months."

"Will do my best to signal you guys to fight with me as one against those Russians, lieutenant," Todd answered on his radio.

2LT Eddy Alvarez then replied on his radio inside the Bradley, "So am I, sir."

"Able 1-21 ready, sir, elements of 2nd Platoon ready to move out," said 1LT Alec Bohm.

"Confirmed sir, you guys will follow our lead," replied the captain. He was sure 1LT Austin knew of the readiness of his platoon to help prepare for the battle this morning.

1LT Dylan Crews then informed his commanding officer via radio, "Able 1-31 ready for the operation, captain. Expect that 3rd Platoon will be ready as well."

His deputy, 2LT Teel, informed the captain via radio of his boys' readiness to help their unit achieve all their objectives for the day.

"Able 1-41, reporting. We're ready as well at 4th Platoon," 1LT Bailey informed his company commander as well. He told the captain they too are ready to risk their lives for not just Ukraine but of their homeland as well and thus his platoon is ready to fulfill their mission.

The platoon second in command, 2LT Meyer, added, "The same for me and the other officers and NCOs assigned to our Bradley crews. They are ready since the last time they fought these bastards, captain and you known that. We're ready to fight them again to the last."

The 5th platoon commander, 1LT Brandon Crawford voiced his readiness replying: "Able 1-51 ready Captain Frazier. The men of 5th Platoon have entered battle readiness and will follow your lead."

His XO said the same sentiments of combat readiness. So did the other platoon commanders of A Company, including 6th platoon's 1LT Payton.

At the same time the platoon commanders of the other companies had reported to their company commanders of their preparedness to fight.

CPT Tulowitzki reported to his CO on his Bradley, "Captain Frazier sir, all of A Company has stated their readiness for the operation. We're all ready for the battle to start."

"Affirmative, Tulo. Let's get those boys moving, we have an operation ongoing."

"Roger that Cap."

"Captain Jake!" radioed 1LT Fowler on his Bradley. "Bravo Company is all ready for the operation."

"Affirmative Lieutenant Fowler. I hope the men are all ready for this moment. Major Gall is thinking of us as he studies his command course far away from the front right now."

The rest of the company commanders did the same.

Following the order to proceed by LTC Fenster, the infantry, mounted as usual in their M2 Bradleys, moved out of the assembly area and into the battlefield, with gunfire and artillery blasts increasing as the battalion's fighting elements moved north along Sadova Street. Their objectives are to liberate Cherkas'ki Tyshky and help the Ukrainian territorials. And joining them in their Strykers are elements of the 59th Kansas City's 1st Battalion, who are taking part as force multipliers for the operation, alongside armored elements of the brigade.

@joeybosa-aaronjudge @lightninging @homerofthebraves @dilangleywritesfanfic @auroralightsthesky @alekmanoah @ilovetheyankees @darkorderaf @highwaytothedangerzone502 @zackcollins @lukeexplorer

[akhmat95]

By order of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, dear BROTHER, commander of the 78th Motorized Rifle Regiment "Sever-Akhmat" of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Zayndi Zingiev, was awarded the next military rank of Lieutenant Colonel ahead of schedule. Lieutenant Colonel Zimgiev is a true patriot of the Fatherland, a competent commander who heads one of the most combat-ready units in the Russian troops on the territory of the special military operation. ⠀ The personnel of the Sever-Akhmat regiment of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation have proven themselves on the fronts of the SMO and honorably fulfill the tasks set by the country's leadership in the Donbass and the area formerly know as Ukraine. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Brother Zayndi Zingiev on this event. I sincerely wish him good health, as well as further success in his service to our great Motherland! ☝️

[gwiazdowe]

Meta on the legion he was in during the clone wars

Jedi Military Integration Act granted Cirz the right to be a Jedi commander of the Grand Army, however master Enah didn’t allow Cirz to hold the rank, which means Cirz didn’t have authority to lead troops and any authority he would have in the military structure comes from what Enah decides as Cirz’s master and Legion’s General. It means Enah had a Clone ??Commander take on the responsibilities Cirz couldn’t do, as in any instance when a Jedi General doesn’t have an apprentice in command under them.

After Geonosis, Enah was assigned a battalion of about a thousand men who were meant to be a small back up for her diplomatic mission. She hoped it would not be necessary (they were necessary). Very soon after this, another Jedi General who was a friend of Enah’s died on the battlefront and on his last request Enah took over his troops. The 78th battalion reformed into the 78th legion. So Enah’s legion was originally someone else’s.

Like I once mentioned it includes clone squad of Taro, Jiro, Saburo, Shiro, Goro, Rok'ro, Shichiro, Hachiro, Kuro and Juro that worked with Enah (and Cirz :D ) from the very beginning.

Enah's legion was a part of a Systems Army stationed between Mid and Outer Rim, tasked with preventing separatist incursion on territories that didn’t receive Republic’s attention prior to the clone war, (therefore also tasked with preventing the planetary leaders of the overseen sectors from joining the cis). 

A Systems Army would be led by a High Jedi General who is one of the members of the Jedi Council and for my own sanity I will just say that details of this are open for the best plotting experience. 

[denimbex1986]

'The call “France dégagé!” reverberates across West Africa. On July 26, 2023, forces within the Niger military, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum and took control of the country. France, the United States, and the EU were quick to condemn the actions taken by the coup leadership and demanded that Bazoum be reinstated and “constitutional order” restored. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has since imposed sanctions against Niger and threatened a coordinated military invasion.

However, on July 30th, thousands of Nigeriens flooded the streets in support for the Niger military leadership. Some waved Russian flags; many held signs and chanted out “À bas la France! À bas les bases étrangères au Niger!” Down with France! Down with foreign bases in Niger! Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea – all countries in which military coups have taken power and expelled the French government from their borders – came out to oppose the reaction by Western countries, refusing compliance with the ECOWAS-imposed sanctions. An official communique from Interim Prime Minister of Mali, Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, shared a powerful message of solidarity: “Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.” He repeated this statement three times. While Western media outlets raise alarm about the coup as a supposed “threat to democratic order,” the sentiment of the people is summed up well by a protester in Niger: “We have uranium, diamonds, gold, oil, and we live like slaves? We don’t need the French to keep us safe.”

The true motivations of the US and Europe are abundantly clear to the people of Niger. The mainstream media and government leaders frame this as a threat to “stability” and “democracy” in the region. But what does the US and France actually wish to “restore” in West Africa? In an op-ed by President Bazoum in The Washington Post published on August 3, he laments that foreign aid, or 40% of its national spending, will not be delivered due to the coup. Why should a country, whose uranium powers 1 in every 3 lightbulbs in France, have to depend on foreign aid for 40% of its budget? How can the French dare to own 85% of the uranium industry in Niger, while 42% of the country lives below the poverty line? This is the reality that the West wishes for Niger to stay imprisoned in. This is why the Nigerien transitional government has canceled all exportation of uranium and gold to France. This is why the people shout “France dégage!”

For young internationalists and anti-imperialists in the United States, it is essential for us to listen clearly to the people of West Africa and the Sahel. Western media has been spinning nefarious tales of Russian and Chinese “growing influence” in the region. The Council on Foreign Affairs argued that an allied Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea “will undermine African governance norms, stoke anti-Western sentiment as they seek scapegoats for their own failures, and grow the influence of malign actors in the region.” Disregarding the racism and ahistoricity in this statement, most Nigeriens do not identify China or Russia as their enemy. Instead, they point to the over 2,500 American and French troops on their soil. They point to the US drone base that costs over USD 110 million. They point to the existence of AFRICOM, a unified command of the US government that exists explicitly to further US interests on the continent.

And why should they not point to the centuries of Western interference? The US has historically been the single greatest purveyor of violence across the world, despite their efforts to distract from this history. August 6 to 9 mark the 78th anniversary of the bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The film Oppenheimer directed by Christopher Nolan was released in US theaters on July 21st, raking in USD 80 million over opening weekend. Yet, what was not shown in the movie is the true destruction and unprecedented horror unleashed by the atomic bomb on the Japanese people. Not a single Japanese person is shown in the movie. For anyone who has seen or goes to see Oppenheimer, I urge you to go in with the following history in mind.

During World War II, the infamous Manhattan Project was first justified by reports that Nazi Germany was going to use the revolutionary research of German scientists to develop the world’s first nuclear weapon. Although it has become clear that Germany was never close to developing an atomic bomb, scientists across the US and the world were recruited to work under the leadership of J. Robert Oppenheimer to beat the Nazis in the arms race and stop the war. In fact, the uranium used in the Atomic Weapons Program was extracted from the Congo under Belgian colonialism. However, even after the Nazis delivered an unconditional surrender to the Allied forces on May 7th, 1945, the US continued full speed ahead. Instead the Allies identified a new enemy: the US wartime leadership promoted the idea that the Japanese imperial forces were never going to surrender.

The Interim Committee on atomic weapons – a committee made up of military leaders, government officials, and scientists – decided that a technical test was not enough. The bomb would be dropped twice over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, to “finally end the war.” The movie chooses to emphasize dialogue about dropping leaflets over both cities to encourage evacuation, but in reality, the leaflets did not clarify exactly which cities were going to be targeted, nor is there conclusive evidence that the leaflets were even dropped before the bombs were. It’s now widely known that the US military had intercepted intelligence indicating that Japan was considering a surrender, revealing the “last straw” logic of using the bomb was a complete lie. In fact, it was the decisive victory of the Soviet Union along with the sacrifice of 27 million Soviet lives, that won the war against fascism. The movie acknowledges none of these truths.

As General Leslie Groves and Lewis Strauss (played by Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr. respectively) state in the film, the ultimate enemy of the United States was the international communist movement. And it was with the Soviet Union in mind that the United States scorched the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and incinerated over 200,000 Japanese and Korean people in them.

If there is any lesson that you walk away from the movie with, I hope it is a clear picture of what the United States will do to anyone who resists its global dominance and the spread of its death-making militarism. And this has not changed, more than fifty years later. This is why we must stand with the people of Niger and West Africa who reject the economic and military stranglehold of the West. This is why we must fight against US imperialism here at home, where our tax dollars don’t go to healthcare, housing, or education, but to finding the largest and most expensive nuclear arms program on the planet. This is why we must join with Hiroshima-survivor and former member of the Japanese Communist Party Toge Sankichi in his poem “Call to Action”:

give back the fathers! give back the mothers! give back the elderly!

give back the children!

give me back! give back the human beings connected to me!

for as long as there are human beings a world of human beings

give back peace

a peace that will not crumble!'

[amirblogerov]

Syrian Tiger Forces stand in the way of the "Arab Spring"

The intensification of the process of political rapprochement between Ankara and Damascus is of extreme concern to the Syrian opposition. The pro-Turkish formations of the Syrian National Army continue to prepare their positions for offensive operations, still hoping for the implementation of the plans for Operation Arab Spring. According to Syrian intelligence, units of the 313th, 321st and 323rd brigades of the 3rd Corps are fortifying their positions in the directions of Membij and Kobani. In addition, yesterday they held a training session at one of the training grounds, during which members of the pro-Turkish formation worked out the issues of capturing and blocking important objects, aiming weapons at government positions and sabotage operations behind enemy lines. In this regard, the military leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic gave instructions to increase the intensity of the preparation of its units for defensive operations. As expected, it assigns the main role to the Syrian "Tiger Forces", famous for their exploits in the course of the liberation of the state from the infection of terrorism. We have learned that the 25th Special Purpose Division organizes daily field trips of its units in order to carry out educational and training activities for conducting a defensive operation. In particular, over the past two days, the actions of the 78th and 79th assault regiments were recorded in the Fah and Rasm Aboud Jafatlek districts, Aleppo province, respectively. Personnel training was also carried out at night and included working out the issue of aiming artillery, redeploying units, reaching the rear of a mock enemy and organizing field communications between command posts of troop positions. Thus, the continuous training of special forces makes it possible to increase the combat potential of the Syrian Army and keeps its units ready to repel any acts of aggression, including possible attacks from pro-Turkish forces.

[eraserdude6226]

The Longest Day

On June 6th, I wrote this about the 78th anniversary of D-Day and I couldn’t share it until now to see if got published.  It didn’t, so I am going to share it and add to it - - 

78 years ago, men, most of them still teenagers, stormed 4 beaches in France to preserve a way of life that was under siege by someone so evil that he callously killed 6 MILLION of his own countries people and people under his rule due to his military conquests.  These men dropped out of airplanes, rode ashore in swell conditions that were so severe that most of them were vomiting the contents of their stomachs, and one unit climbed a cliff that was 110 feet tall and then stormed an enemy stronghold that was shelling the beaches were the troops were landing.  These were men of strength, men of power, and men who knew that even though they were scared to death, they had to move forward or die where they sat!!

These tales of gallantry cannot ever be overlooked.  4,414 Allied troops, of which 1,913 were American, lost their lives.  Over 10,000 Allied troops were injured and the Germans suffered between 4,000 and 9,000 losses.  What motivates a man knowing that he was facing certain injury and maybe death to get on the beach and gain a foothold in the Normandy landings?  What where these men thinking?  And where has that passion gone in this country?  In the words of Bonnie Tyler – 

Where have all the good men gone

And where are all the gods?

Where's the streetwise Hercules

To fight the rising odds?

Sad to say, I don’t think our country could ever pull this feat off again.  It’s not that the military is not up to it.  I think our national leaders lack the intestinal fortitude needed to undertake such a task.  Today, with all the polls that gave instantaneous numbers, I think our national leadership would be too paralyzed by fear of a bad poll number over thousands of troops washing up on the shore of some far away land and would try to appease the person.  Winston Churchill once said that “Jaw, Jaw is better than War, War” but I think that our national leadership does not have the cojones to take on another world leader one on one.  Just take a look at Biden and his teams handling of Afghanistan and Ukraine.  Now, I’m a conservative but even I have to admire the way that FDR led the US on a path to war in order to help our allies against the Axis!!

So today, say a little prayer for the almost 2,000 Americans that died on June 6th, 1944.  They had more guts in their pinky fingers than antifa has in their collective souls!!"

Wars will never end and young men and women will always be called upon to fight them.  “Honor all who return.  Double honor to those who don't.  Never forget."

Now for my addition for today - -

Well we know how the invasion went – it’s written in all the history books.  But would have happened if it had gone south?  What if the German commander had released the Panzers and they wiped the precious footholds right off the beach and the Allies had to perform Dunkirk II?  Thousands of allied soldiers would have been captured and KIA’s probably would have run a lot higher than what was reported.

Eisenhower was ready.  He had penned a note to be ready for that occasion in case it happened.  The note was, in Eisenhower style, short and right to the point.  It read:

You know, Ike had a way of writing that was military like – short, precise, no extra garbage, and right to the point.  He was the one at fault.  He made the decision to go (he had 3 nights to choose from – June 4th, 5th, and 6th with landings on 5th, 6th, and 7th), he put his plan into motion, and he was the overall commander.  And like anyone who has been in the military, the buck stops at the commander.  I like Ike – he was one of our countries greatest military planners and knew how to get the most out of the people.  He knew that some of them would not be coming back, but he was convinced that he was doing the best he could with the information he had.  Like my other favorite General, Patton, said “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.”  Ike had no choice because the weather for the next night was going to be even worse, so he went.

So how many of today’s commanders do you think would have the guts to do what Ike had to do?  Pull the go/no go decision with the knowledge that thousands of the men under your command would not be coming home?  You know what, I don’t think many of the top brass would have the guts in todays instant access world of 24 hour news.  In 1944, many people would not see the actual horrors that happened on those beaches until at least a week or two later AND that’s only if they got to a movie and saw a newsreel.  Nowadays, a person turns on the TV and can get up to the minute coverage of the local warzone in living color!!

So if the invasion had failed what would have happened?  Well, just think about the geopolitics of the post war world.  If you want to get an idea of what it might have looked like, check out the Prime Video series “The Man In The High Castle”. Although fictional and subject to a lot of what if’s, what you can think of is how the allies would have worked the invasion to get off of the beaches – think Dunkirk II but on a way larger scale. The failed invasion and the western front secure for the foreseeable future, the German Military could now apply their whole military strength into the eastern front.  The Soviets, now facing the whole of the German military, might have crumbled without the Lend-Lease material coming in from the Allies due to th losses of shipping vessels and FDR’s re-appraisal of the war effort. Instead of all the scientists and engineers surrendering to the Americans or Soviets, they would have stayed put and kept on working for Germany.  All the scientific advances, space exploration, and medical breakthroughs that are the result of those people being captured would have been German. No cold war unless it was German versus Japan.  It boggles the mind what would happen!!

Thankfully, the invasion came off without a hitch.  The Allies got their foothold in Normandy and within a year the war was over in Europe. It’s just a shame that we could not DNA match Hitler’s body to see if it was really him that died in the bunker, but that’s a story for another day!!

[unwhithered]

The Clone Wars/Jedi Musketeers prompt fic

@fuzzytale prompted: “ i love you, every part of you. even the parts you don’t like. ” For the Jedi Musketeers boys, whichever combo you like

And I wrote you a whole ass 2k word fic for this prompt & Porthos, on top of the one for Aramis. AND I made it Clone Wars and sad for good measure.

“Any news?” Commander Edee asks, falling in at Porthos’ side as he descends the stairs. Only the roof of the bombed out tower receives enough signal to get a message out, even a local one. Given that what’s left of the roof consists of three durasteel beams and is in direct eye line of enemy snipers, Porthos has banned anyone but himself from venturing above the tenth floor.

Mouth set in a grim line, Porthos shakes his head. “I couldn’t raise any of the other companies, or the ship. I’m sorry.”

“I see.” Edee tucks his bucket under his arm as he pauses to look out a broken window. Below is a sea of green and gray - local Separatists and droids, hunkered down behind their shield generators and awaiting darkness to press the attack once more. Both men know it will be the last attack. Edee’s eyes are golden in the dying light of the twin suns, the scar on his right cheek a canyon of shadow, an entire landscape painted in the grooves and scratches of his black-and-gold armor. The long campaign has left no time for repairing his usually meticulous paint. Force, he looks far too old and weary for someone who feels so young. Grief for a loss that hasn’t even happened yet hits Porthos like a blow to the chest as Edee glances up at him. “It’s not such a bad place to die, is it?”

“No,” Porthos hums, leaning on the opposite side of the window. Ignoring the grind of bone on bone in his chest is becoming steadily harder, his breaths more labored, and he’s silently grateful for the chance to gather himself before descending to join their remaining troops on the 8th floor. “No, I don’t suppose it is.”

Though Edee’s face remains neutral a tidal wave of emotions builds around him in the Force. Porthos lets his eyes slip shut to better see his Commander as he truly is - helpless red rage, guilt spreading like an oil slick between them, grief like the bite of bitter citrus under his tongue, and love. Despite it all, so much love. “I was just starting to believe our lucky streak might hold long enough for you to show me Coruscant, sir.”

Porthos swallows hard. Born and bred for nothing but a war he has no stake in, and Edee still believes in luck. It strikes him again how good this man is, loyal and kind despite his lack of freedom, his constant losses. Porthos wishes he had followed Aramis in refusing to take part in this pointless, brutal affair. He wishes that he could keep his promise to show the 78th the heart of the Republic their brothers are dying to protect. He wishes...but wishes are for children. A Jedi Knight faces reality. Even the reality of his own death.

“C’mere,” he commands, crooking the fingers that still bend. Edee obeys, lurching forward on his probably-broken foot to stand in Porthos’ shadow, just out of sight of any potential snipers. “Close your eyes.”

Porthos ducks to rest his forehead against Edee’s, ignoring the sour scent of their mingled breath and the distant decay of bodies as he breathes deeply. Powdered duracrete scrapes between their brows and the last rays of sunlight retreat to leave them in steadily deeper purple shadows. He tunes it out, tunes it all out, and sinks into a memory of the Coruscant of his youth.

“It’s never dark on Coruscant,” he murmurs, pushing an image of the view from his room in Master Treville’s quarters into Edee’s mind. It’s harder, with a non Force sensitive, but after a year of living side by side in the trenches there’s enough of a bond between them that he manages. The scent of Aramis’ favorite night blooming flowers weaves into the memory, real enough that Edee inhales and doesn’t even smell death on the air.

“It’s beautiful,” he breathes.

“That’s nothing.” One after the others, Porthos shares memories that feel a lifetime away. Coruscant from space, a glittering ball of light and life. The sharp taste of adrenaline and exhaust fumes as he weaves through air traffic on an illegally modified swoop bike, Athos and Aramis darting in and out of sight as they race back to the Temple before curfew. A cool breeze off the waterfall in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, Aramis’ laughter bubbling along with the stream they’re laying beside, grass under their fingers and Athos’ thigh warm beneath his cheek. Home.

Edee stumbles back, gasping, as the whine of engines overhead signals the end of the day. As the first bomb lights the night Porthos spots tear tracks carving muddy lines through the dirt and blood on his face.

“Thank you, sir,” Edee says, the last word warped by the speakers as he slams his helmet on. “Oya!”

“Oya.” Porthos grunts, wiping at his own eyes with the back of a filthy glove. “K’oyacyi, Edee, and may the Force be with you.”

Another explosion shakes the already fragile building, raining duracrete around them. Edee salutes informally and turns to take the stairs three at a time, calling back over his shoulder, “Ib’tuur jatne tuur ash’ad kyr’amur.” It’s a good day for someone else to die.

In the half second Porthos takes to send up a prayer to the Force and one last wave of lovegrieflongingI’msorry to the four points of light in the back of his mind, everything explodes in heat and fire and pain.

--------

Porthos wakes, rather unexpectedly given that his last memory is of being blown up. Bacta and ash make an unsettling combination on his tongue, and he finds his mouth too dry to swallow the taste away. The resulting coughing fit forces him into a curled position on his side, one arm reflexively clutching ribs that aren’t broken anymore. 

“Easy,” a familiar voice soothes. “Breathe, Porthos.” 

Something cold presses against his lips and Porthos opens his mouth automatically, lets a steady hand push an ice chip between his lips. The sweet relief of cool, clean water dissolving on his tongue draws a groan from him and chases the lingering coughing fit away. More ice chips follow, fed by a hand that lingers on his cheek in between, until Porthos is conscious enough to recognize the presence beside him as Athos.

“That’s enough,” he grunts, batting Athos’ hand away as reality begins to filter through the haze. Sifting through his memories feels like struggling out from under a heavy blanket, a feeling he recognizes as Force-assisted sleep. He must have Athos to thank for that. It takes him three attempts to sit up, the last time finally accepting Athos’ steadying hands on his shoulders. Only then does he crack his eyes open. There are deep bruises under Athos’ eyes and lines on his face that weren’t there when Porthos last saw him, nearly a year ago now. “Happened?”

“We arrived just in time to watch a tower collapse on you,” Athos replies. Usually the least physically affectionate among them, he can’t seem to stop touching Porthos. Reassuring himself the other man is in fact alive and whole by holding his shoulder, cupping his cheek, threading his fingers through the tangled hair behind Porthos’ ear and rubbing his thumb over the thin skin there. “You’ve been in bacta for two weeks.”

“Edee?” he asks, bracing himself for the answer. “My Commander? My men?”

“I’m sorry, my friend. We found another company sheltered elsewhere in the city, nearly intact, but your flagship was destroyed in orbit, and none of the men in your location survived.” Athos digs in the pocket of his robe, offering a scuffed and cracked object to Porthos. A gauntlet. Edee’s gauntlet, a golden 78 in scratched paint above the knuckles, blood between the finger joints. 

-------

Athos has to step back quickly to avoid being knocked over when Porthos surges to his feet with a wordless snarl. Machines scream as he pulls wires and tubes from his arms and chest - Athos silences them with a wave of his hand before any of the medics come running into their private room. A growing prickle of unease at the back of his neck, something he has learned not to ignore over the years, tells him this is a moment no one else should see.

“What took you so long?” The very air around them shimmers as Porthos rounds on him, the room suddenly too small for his presence. “Where were the reinforcements we asked for weeks ago? We were abandoned! A hundred fifty thousand men in that invasion and you’re tellin’ me a hundred survived.”

Something behind Athos cracks loudly, and across the room trays of instruments crash to the floor. He stands steady and watches as Porthos prowls the space between them without ever closing it entirely. “Your messages never reached the Council or the Senate. My battalion wasn’t sent to rescue you, Porthos - I came because I felt your distress as we were returning to Coruscant.”

“Never reached the…” Porthos’ expression collapses from rage to grief, an unfamiliar hopelessness in his eyes. He wavered, the energy draining from the room, leaving a cold void in its place. “Force, they just left us out there alone. All my men, and no one even knew.”

Just like the flash of knowledge that tells Athos where a blow or a blaster bolt will land a breath before his attacker even moves, Athos steps forward to catch Porthos just before his knees buckle. He’s lighter than Athos remembers, a larger than life figure made small by the endless grind of war, campaign after grueling campaign that wears them all into shadows of their former selves. He goes easily into the nearest chair, Athos folding himself down to kneel at Porthos’ feet.

“No one left to remember them.”

Catching Porthos’ hands before they can cover his face, Athos threads their fingers together and squeezes. “You will remember them.”

“How long until I’m gone, too, and then there’s really no one?” Porthos barks out a painful laugh. “Kriff, how long until all of us are gone? Our whole Order? Aramis was right. We lost this war the second we started fightin’ it.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Athos snaps. His jaw flexes and he takes several deep breaths, deliberately softening his voice before he speaks again. Kriff it all, he wishes Aramis was here. He’s always been better at this comforting business. “We made a pact. One for all. I’ll hear no talk of you dying without us.”

Porthos snorts and tries to lean back, stopped by Athos’ unrelenting grip on his hands. “That was a lifetime ago, ‘thos. I don’t even know who the boy who made that pact is anymore. ‘M not him anymore, that’s sure. Force,” he looks to the ceiling, blinking hard, “maybe we shoulda listened to all that attachment talk. ‘Mis left us, you and Constance and d’Ar are all across the galaxy, fighting this war I barely even believe in for Senators who never see the sufferin’. Leading an army that’s no better ‘n slaves. I’m out here on my own and I don’t recognize myself anymore.”

“I recognize you,” Athos replies, quiet but fierce as he kisses Porthos’ scarred knuckles, then the palm he opens to cup Athos’ bearded cheek. “This war has changed us all, it’s true, but I recognize you. Porthos du Vallon, Jedi Knight. My friend.” Looking up at Porthos’ disbelieving face, he searches desperately for the right thing to say. Remembers something he and Porthos had told Aramis once, and Aramis and Porthos had told Athos in turn. “Whatever this war has changed in you, I still love you, every part of you. Even the parts you don’t like. Even the parts you don’t recognize anymore. That will have to be enough.

[bantarleton]

The Battle of Jersey

On the night of the 5th of January 1781 a French force invaded the Channel Island of Jersey. Their objective was to seize the island and stop it from being used as a base to harass French and rebel American shipping. 

A French force of 700 men under the Baron de Rollecourt landed and marched four kilometers to the island’s capital, St Helier, arriving between six and seven in the morning on 6 January. When they entered the market, later to be called the Royal Square, with its recently erected statue to King George II, they killed a sentry and surprised the guard. The first division set up defensive positions in the market while most of the town was asleep. At about eight o'clock a French patrol surrounded Government House, then situated at Le Manoir de La Motte on the east of the town; there they surprised the island's governor, Major Moses Corbet, in bed.

His captors took Corbet to the Royal Court House in the market square where De Rullecourt convinced Corbet that thousands of French troops had already overwhelmed Jersey. De Rullecourt threatened to burn the town and slaughter the inhabitants if Corbet did not sign a capitulation. In addition, Corbet was to order the commander at Elizabeth Castle to surrender. Corbet replied that as he was a prisoner he had no authority and that anything he signed would "be of no avail". De Rullecourt insisted and so Corbet, to avoid further harm to St Helier, signed.

The French had already approached the commander at Elizabeth Castle, Captain Mulcaster C.R.E., who refused their verbal request to surrender. The French had advanced towards the castle where the troops in the castle peremptorily fired on the French, killing two or three men; the French then withdrew. Captain Aylward of the Invalids then arrived at the Castle and being senior assumed command. When the French delivered Corbet's written order to surrender, the castle's defenders signalled their persistent refusal by opening fire on the French.

The British were now alerted and with Corbet a prisoner, command fell to the next senior-most British commander was the 24-year-old Major Francis Peirson (in command of the troops at Saint Peter's Barracks). The British troops and militia assembled on the Mont ès Pendus (now called Westmount), to the west of the town. Peirson soon had 2,000 men at his disposal, with which he resolved to descend the hill and attack into the town. The French, who were camped in the market, had seized the town's cannons and had placed them at the different openings to the market to fire on the British troops if they approached. The French did not find the howitzers. The British learned through several people who had been spying on the French troops, that the French number did not exceed 800 or 900 men.

Major Peirson detached the 78th Seaforth Highlanders under Captain Lumsdaine, and sent them to take possession of the Mont de la Ville hill (now the site of Fort Regent), to block any French retreat. Once Peirson believed that the 78th had reached their destination, he ordered his remaining troops to attack. The British were stopped at the edge of the town, where de Rullecourt sent Corbet to offer capitulation terms and to tell the British that if they did not sign, the French would ransack the town within half an hour. Peirson and Captain Campbell answered that the French had 20 minutes to surrender.

The five companies of the 83rd Regiment of Foot and the part of the East Regiment in Grouville to the east who were now covering the landing area, also refused to surrender. When de Rullecourt received their answer he was heard to remark: "Since they do not want to surrender, I have come to die."

The attack began. The British forces in the Grande Rue, now called Broad Street, included the 78th Regiment, the Battalion of Saint Lawrence, the South-East Regiment, and the Compagnies de Saint-Jean. The 95th Regiment of Foot, with the rest of the militia, advanced down the other avenues. The British had too many troops for the battle, a British soldier later saying that a third of the British troops would have been more than enough to destroy the French army. Many British soldiers, confused and having nothing to shoot at, fired most of their shots into the air.

The French resistance was of short duration, most of the action lasting a quarter of an hour. The French only fired the cannons that they had at their disposal once or twice. The British had a howitzer placed directly opposite the market in the Grande Rue, which at each shot "cleaned all the surroundings of French" according to a member of the British service.

Major Peirson and the 95th Regiment advanced towards the Avenue du Marché. Then, just as the British were about to win, a musket ball in the heart killed Major Peirson; his saddened troops, now led by a militia subaltern, Philip Dumaresq, rushed forward and continued the fight. When de Rullecourt fell wounded, many French soldiers gave up the fight, throwing down their weapons and fleeing. Others reached the market houses from where they continued to fire.

De Rullecourt, through Corbet, told the British that the French had two battalions and an artillery company at La Rocque, which could be at the town within a quarter of an hour. The British were not intimidated, knowing that the number of French troops there was less than 200, they having landed that morning. A guard of 45 grenadiers of the 83rd Regiment, led by Captain Campbell, resisted 140 French soldiers until the arrival of a part of the East Regiment, whereupon the French were defeated, suffering 30 dead or wounded, with 70 men taken prisoner. Seven grenadiers were killed during this action. The remaining French soldiers dispersed themselves throughout the countryside to reach their boats; locals caught several trying to do so.

The British took 600 prisoners in all whom they subsequently sent to England. The British losses were 11 dead and 36 wounded among the regular troops, and four dead and 29 wounded among the militia. In addition, Captain Charlton, of the Royal Artillery, was wounded while a prisoner of the French. The French had 78 killed and 74 wounded. De Rullecourt being seriously wounded, died that night at the house of Dr Lerrier in Royal Square (now the pub called The Peirson); he was buried in the grounds of the Parish Church of St Helier.

Captain Lumsdaine stated: "The face of the affairs being in a few hours thus changed, the enemy's vessels quit the Island, the troops that they had landed being drowned, killed, wounded or prisoners."

Reenactors at the site of the battle. 

[historicalfirearms]

British Grease Guns  

Recently while I was doing some research for my upcoming book on the PIAT when I came across this extremely interesting photograph taken near Ferrara, Italy on 22nd April, 1945. It shows a full platoon from the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers. The 24-man platoon is resting at the roadside waiting to go forward, in the background is an Achilles Tank Destroyer, with the formidable 17pdr gun. It was a smaller weapon that caught my eye - what appeared to be an M3 ‘Grease Gun’. 

The platoon has an interesting selection of kit with three Bren light machine guns, two on the front row and one on the back row. Next to the Bren gunner in the forground is a PIAT no.1 with his PIAT next to him. On the ground at his feat is a bomb carrier with three cardboard tubes - its too narrow to be for his PIAT bombs and is actually a 2in mortar bomb carrier. In the background on the front fender of a truck we can see the larger bomb carrier for the PIAT. The 2in mortar itself is stood upright on the left, at the very back of the photo. Most of the men are armed with the Lee-Enfield Rifle No.4 but at the back there appears to be a Rifle No.1 Mk3 (SMLE) with its prominent nosecap.

Some close ups of the M3s

The most interesting weapon in the photograph, however, is the numerous M3 submachine guns. At least four men appear to be armed with the American submachine guns. The guns appear to be M3s with the ‘crank’ charging handle just visible on one gun. The guns are difficult to make out and obscured by their user’s arms or kit in most cases. But some distinguishing elements can be made out including the pistol grip and wire stock of the M3 as well as the prominent barrel and receiver of the weapon which distinguishes it from a Sten MkII or III then also in use by Commonwealth troops in Italy.

The muzzle and front of the receiver of one can be clearly seen in the hands of the lance corporal on the back row in the foreground. On the same row the characteristic pistol grip and wire stock can be seen on the knee of the fifth man from the right. In the background on the front row two men can be seen with submachine guns on their knees. This initially stumped me but Rich, of the Vickers Machine Gun Collection & Research Association, noted that the 78th Division were equipped with the M3 rather than Stens or Thompsons. This makes sense as the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers were part of the 78th Division, which for a time came under the command of the US Fifth Army, which may explain how the men came to be armed with M3s. According to Jonathan Prince, who has looked at several unit war diaries of battalions with the 78th Division, the M3 was introduced in an effort to trial the weapon on a large scale. I’d certainly be interested to see the report on the trials but it is obvious that while the temporarily replaced the Sten and Thompson there was no significant move towards adopting the M3.

Sources:

Images: 1 2

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[yhwhrulz]

Worthy Brief - June 6, 2022

The battle will not be easy … but the victory is assured!

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

As we commemorate the 78th anniversary of D-Day, leaders from around the world gather to honor those who served and died to deliver Europe and the world from the Nazis during World War 2.

It was on June 6, 1944, that the largest military operation in the history of the world took place.

Just before the invasion, allied commander General Dwight Eisenhower issued a now-famous letter to the 156,000+ soldiers that stormed the beaches at Normandy, the 13,000+ paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines, and the naval officers on the 5,000 ships off the coast of France.

In his letter, Eisenhower stated, “You are about to embark on the Great Crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.”

Eisenhower ended his letter by stating, “I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good Luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

Eisenhower expected victory … but he carefully warned his troops of the reality that it would not come easily because the enemy was savage!

As we come to the conclusion of this age, the spiritual battles are intensifying. In our spiritual warfare, we truly face a battle-hardened enemy who fights with savagery – ignoring the enemy is foolish and will lead to our defeat. Overestimating him, however, is the opposite error, for "Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world"; and we are assured by the word of God and His spirit within us that victory awaits us.

C.S. Lewis once said, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.”

Pete, our daily battles may be subtle, obvious, or brutal; but for most of us they aren't easy, and luck will not figure into our success. What we need will be the courage that faith inspires, and the perseverance which God will bless. The word of God is our sword, along with the rest of the armor [Ephesians 6:11-18] needed to walk in His victory. We simply must press on and press through… the glory of that D-Day victory will pale in comparison with ours, which will stand for eternity. So be reminded this day … at the end of the Book, “We win!”

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah Baltimore, Maryland

Editor's Note: Download the Worthy Ministries App for your phone! Download from Apple App Store (for Iphones) | https://apps.apple.com/us/app/worthy-news/id1618795144 or download our Android version. | https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.worthynews.app162730

[xtruss]

Air Force Captain Honored For Cleaning Aircraft Toilet

'Normally I’ll hate on officers for getting praised for simple normal people shit, but this is kind of cool.'

— By David Roza | August 10, 2021

U.S. Air Force Capt. Erin Walsh, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron officer in charge of the KC-10 Extenders, poses for a photo in front of an Extender at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, Aug 6, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf).

The Air Force lauded an aircraft maintenance officer who took it upon herself to service the lavatory (also known as sucking the poop out) aboard an aircraft in her charge last month, a task typically performed by enlisted airmen.

Capt. Erin Walsh, of the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron stationed at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, was praised for being “willing to step out and lead from the front,” by learning how to service the lavatory aboard a KC-10 Extender, an aerial refueling tanker that can also carry cargo and passengers.

Walsh had almost eight years of maintenance experience before coming to Al Dhafra. However, those were exclusively on fighter jets, such as the F-35A Lightning IIs, F-22A Raptors, F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, which do not have bathrooms on board. The KC-10 is the first aircraft Walsh has worked on that actually has a toilet.

“Servicing the lavatory was a first time experience for me,” she said. “You have to experience some of the dirtier jobs to be able to relate to and respect what the airmen go through every day.”

I’m no expert, but it sounds like what Walsh did checks off the “job proficiency,” “initiative,” and “teamwork” boxes on the airman leadership qualities which were published in February. Still, it’s hard not to chuckle when the Air Force honors an officer for doing something enlisted airmen do every day. It’s almost like different thanks for different ranks.

“So an officer does something that everybody else has to do anyways and they write an article on it?” wrote one commenter on the popular Facebook page Air Force amn/nco/snco.

But believe it or not, most commenters applauded Walsh for what she did.

“When’s the last time anyone has heard or seen an officer go out and help with maintenance or say hello to the maintainers?” wrote one. “Let alone do something like this. Kudos to Captain Walsh.”

“Normally I’ll hate on [officers] for getting praised for simple normal people shit, but this is kind of cool,” wrote another.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Erin Walsh, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron officer in charge of the KC-10 Extenders, services the lavatory of an Extender at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, July 9, 2021. Walsh, whose experience previously was limited to fighter aircraft, is learning to service the Extender’s lavatory as a means to understand and appreciate what her maintainers go through to accomplish the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf)

It’s even cooler considering how gross servicing a toilet on an aircraft can be. Air Force photos show Walsh gearing up in a protective suit and a face mask before doing the dirty task. What you don’t get from the photos is how hot it must have been on a flight line in the UAE in July, and how smelly the lavatory is.

“The lavatory does get exceptionally bad after a long flight,” said retired Col. David LeRoy, who flew KC-10s for 20 years during his Air Force career and once commanded a KC-10 squadron at Al Dhafra. “It’s like a porta-john: the more you use it, the worse it gets.”

The KC-10 extender is essentially a regular civilian airliner converted to refuel other airplanes or carry cargo, LeRoy explained. That means the lavatory smells the same after a long flight, and adding desert heat makes the odor a little more pungent.

“As you can imagine, anything heated up is worse,” LeRoy said, and others agreed with him.

“I sucked shit out of every aircraft in the Air Force for six months in Qatar as a 2T2X1 [air transportation specialist],” Senior Airman Austin Harsh, a former air transportation specialist said. “Worst job in the Air Force.”

Servicing the aircraft lavatory is one of many unseen tasks that are essential to keeping aircraft safe and airworthy, but which often go unrecognized. It’s a task that often falls to fleet services airmen, whose jobs fall into two categories: clean fleet and dirty fleet. Clean fleet means restocking the toiletries, water coolers, pillows, blankets, supply coffee, meals or anything else that passengers or crew may need, according to one press release. Dirty fleet, meanwhile, is responsible for taking out the trash.

“The first thing we do is take care of the international garbage,” said Jeffrey Zook, 732nd Air Mobility Squadron vehicle operator for fleet services at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska in a 2016 press release.

Fleet services airmen take out the trash from international flights and burn it within 72 hours, since it could carry invasive species. Like its name suggests, dirty fleet also services the lavatory.

“When that call comes in — regardless of time or temperature — they quickly don their personal protective equipment and head out to the flight line with one of the latrine servicing trucks,” the 2016 press release said.

A U.S Air Force KC-10 Extender with the 76th Air Refueling Squadron, 514th Air Mobility Wing, moves away after being refueled by a KC-10 crewed by Reserve Citizen Airmen with the 78th Air Refueling Squadron, 514th Air Mobility Wing, over the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 14, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen)

To clean the lavatory out safely, airmen gear up in a full body suit with boot covers, face-shield, double-layered gloves and sometimes a hood if the work requires reaching overhead, Harsh explained. Next, they back a specialized truck up to a port at the rear of the aircraft that connects to the lav system. Then the airmen open the hatch and hook up two hoses leading from the truck: one for waste and the other for water and “blue juice” a concoction of deodorizer, water and anti-ice solution which keeps the latrines clean.

Airmen cycle water through the first hose to clean the system out, then they suck the waste out through the waste hose. Finally, they go into the aircraft with a bucket of blue juice and dump it into the toilet, then clean the lav and flush to make sure everything works.

“It’s a disgusting experience,” he said, but it was not without its perks.

“We would get so bored sometimes so we’d come up with stupid ideas like servicing a plane in full MOPP gear [the bulky gear troops wear in event of a chemical attack], which was pretty fun when there isn’t anything else to do,” he said. “The job’s terrible but the people I worked with made it fun.”

The job is also essential. Otherwise, everyone on board is stuck on a flying porta-potty.

“Picture flying 15 hours and smelling the toilet the whole way,” Staff Sgt. Nicholas Jensen, 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fleet Services supervisor said in 2017. “You can tell if an aircraft needs to be serviced before even stepping onboard.”

Knowing how gross it is to service a lavatory, several observers praised the captain for trying her hand at it.

“Best people I’ve worked for were ‘servant leaders,’” said one Facebook commenter. “Sadly, these people never make it to the top.”

LeRoy also praised the captain, calling her an example of the “servant leadership standard.”

“My hat would be off to the officer to get out there and see what her people are dealing with on a regular basis,” he said.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Erin Walsh, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron officer in charge of the KC-10 Extenders, receives on-the-job training from Staff Sgt. Cody Dillon, 380th EAMXS, while servicing the lavatory of an Extender at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, July 9, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Wolfram M. Stumpf)

There is the chance that it was just for show. For example, Harsh pointed out that during his time as an air transportation specialist, officers learned to service the lavatory “all the time to try and bump up morale,” he said. “But it’s just annoying to teach someone something just for them to make themselves look good.”

Sometimes it’s genuine though. For example, former Marine Capt. Nate Fick told Business Insider about a time in 2001 he saw Gen. James Mattis chatting with junior enlisted Marines in their foxholes in the middle of the night in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

“Nobody would’ve criticized Mattis if he had a lieutenant like me heating up his MREs and if he stayed inside to sleep on a cot,” Fick said. “But Mattis understood that it all comes down to personal leadership. He’s the classic fighter leader. He’s the player coach. He’s out there with his troops.”

It sounds like Captain Walsh is cut from the same cloth, at least according to the press release.

“The best way to lead a team is to gain an understanding and appreciation of what they do, and then do what you can in a leadership role to make their job easier,” she said.

At least one of the captain’s airmen seemed to have appreciated it.

“If she was my troop, and she was confident, I would have no problem signing her off,” said Staff Sgt. Cody Dillon, an aerospace maintenance craftsman who showed Walsh how to suck the poop out of the KC-10. “It shows me she has interest in the real goings-on outside of what she hears from the troops and her office!”

— David Roza covers the Air Force and anything Star Wars-related. He joined Task & Purpose in 2019, after covering local news in Maine and then FDA policy in Washington D.C. He loves hearing the stories of individual airmen and their families, and he also holds the unpopular opinion that Imperial stormtroopers are actually excellent marksmen. david.roza@taskandpurpose.com

[phgq]

Sexagenarian NPA rebel nabbed in Eastern Samar 

#PHnews: Sexagenarian NPA rebel nabbed in Eastern Samar 

TACLOBAN CITY – Government troops captured a 65-year-old fighter of the New People’s Army (NPA) left behind by his comrades and seized several explosives and firearms following a gun battle at the outskirts of Borongan City in Eastern Samar on Sunday.

The Philippine Army identified the rebel as Bienvenido Abagancia, a resident of Layo village, Pinabacdao, Samar. Soldiers captured him around 3:30 p.m. shortly after a 30-minute firefight with a small group of rebels in Pinanag-an village.

At the encounter site, the military also recovered four improvised explosive devices, one improvised 7.62mm rifle, one homemade .38-caliber revolver, 16 short/long magazines for M-16 with 336 pieces of ammunition, one M14 magazine with 15 pieces of ammunition, three backpacks containing subversive documents, and personal belongings.

“The success of the operation was made possible because of the cooperation from the communities that are fed up with the lies and atrocities of the communist terrorist group,” said Lt. Col. Oliver Alvior, Philippine Army 78th Infantry Battalion commander, in a statement on Monday.

Alvior renewed his appeal to other NPA members to surrender and return to the fold of the law and avail the government’s programs intended for them.

The seizure of the explosives prevented a future terrorist attack against government forces conducting community support programs, according to Alvior.

It was also in Pinanag-an village where six soldiers died and 20 other government troops were critically injured when NPA rebels detonated a landmine during an ambush on Nov. 11, 2019.

Borongan, the capital of Eastern Samar province, is home to about 70,000 people.

At least nine of its 61 villages are still threatened by activities of the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

  ***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Sexagenarian NPA rebel nabbed in Eastern Samar ." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1127668 (accessed January 18, 2021 at 08:51PM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Sexagenarian NPA rebel nabbed in Eastern Samar ." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1127668 (archived).

[themanjulablog-blog]

Extraordinary photos: The birth and partition of India

The Partition of India saw the carving up of the Indian subcontinent along sectarian lines, the massacre of millions and the rending asunder of a country into two, making it one of mankind’s greatest tragedies. 

While India celebrated its much-awaited freedom on August 15, 1947, after being subjugated by the British for close to two centuries, no one could forget the enormous human cost that we paid for it. 

On the occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day on August 15, 2016, we bring you some exceptional photos from that momentous era – from Partition to Freedom.

NEW INDIAN FLAG: Indian Mutiny Centenary - India this year celebrates the Centenary of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. The Indians call it the "First war of Independence". This AP-photo shows the new Indian flag, a horizontal tricolour of saffron, white and green, flying from the minaretted battlements of the historic red fort at Delhi, India on August 16,1947, after being hoisted by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,the first prime minister of India. (AP Photo)

INDIA INDEPENDENCE PM NEHRU: Jawaharlal Nehru salutes the flag as he becomes independent India's first prime minister on August 15, 1947 during the Independence Day ceremony at Red Fort, New Delhi, India. (AP Photo)

NEHRU 1947: Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru looks down on the crowd during India's Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, New Delhi, India, Aug. 15, 1947. (AP Photo)

INDIA NEHRU MOUNTBATTEN: Jawaharlal Nehru, left, and British Viceroy, Lord Louis Mountbatten, are shown at the Viceroy's independence day party for Americans in New Delhi, India, July 4, 1947. (AP Photo)

INDIA INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY: In this photo released by the Indian Defence Ministry, people throng in to participate in India's first Independence Day celebrations at Raisina Hill in New Delhi in August, 1947. India celebrates its 70th Independence day on Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo)

LORD LADY MOUNTBATTEN WITH MAHATMA GANDHI: Lord and Lady Mountbatten are seen with Mahatma Gandhi, center, in the garden of the Viceregal lodge in New Delhi, India, March 31, 1947.  Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India, and Gandhi discuss points in the transfer of government from British to Indian rule. (AP Photo)

INDIA INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY: In this photo released by the Indian Defence Ministry, people throng in to participate in India's first Independence Day celebrations at Raisina Hill in New Delhi in August 1947. India celebrates its 70th Independence day on Aug 15, 2016. (AP Photo)

INDIA 70TH ANNIVERSARY: Hundreds of Muslim refugees crowd atop a train leaving New Delhi for Pakistan in this September 1947 file photo. India will celebrate its 70th anniversary of Independence from Britian on Sunday,  Aug 15, 2016. The day also marks the division of the British empire into officially Muslim Pakistan and largely Hindu India. That division was accompanied by bloody religious riots in 1947, the memories of which haunt freedom celebrations. (AP Photo)

INDIA CONFERENCE: From left, Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, Vice President of India's Interim Government, Earl Mountbatten, Viceroy of India and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, President of the Muslim League discuss Britain's plan for India at the historic India Conference in New Delhi, June 2, 1947. (AP Photo)

India Round Table Conference: Lord Louis Mountbatten, Viceroy of India, met with seven Indian leaders in the study of the Viceregal Lodge, New Dlhi, India, June 2, 1947, to discuss the British Government's plan for the Seperation of India. Seated left to right clockwise around the table; Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, Communications Member of the Interim Government (also representing the Muslim League);Sardar Baldev Singh, War Member (representing Sikhs); Achatya Kripalani, President of the All India Congress Party; Sardar Patel, Home, Information and Broadcast Member (for Congress); Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru, Vice President of the Interim Government; Lord Louis Mountbatten; Muhammad Ali Jinnah, President of the Muslim League; Liaquat Ali Khan, Finance Member (also for Muslim League). (AP Photo)

INDIA INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY: In this photo released by the Indian Defence Ministry, Governor General Lord Mountbatten salutes India's National flag as Edwina Mountbatten, second right, and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, right, look on during India's first Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi in August 1947. India celebrates its 70th Independence day on Aug 15, 2016. (AP Photo)

PRIME MINISTER NEHRU: Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, center, holds a mace of gold in his hand presented to him on the eve of Indian independence in New Delhi, India on Aug. 14, 1947. On his forehead are white markings of his Brahmin caste painted on with fingers during a puja, a prayer service. (AP Photo)

MOUNTBATTEN 1947: Lord and Lady Mountbatten, centre right, ride in a coach with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, seated on canopy at extreme left, at India's Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi, Aug. 15, 1947. At right are three women and a small boy saved by the Mountbattens from the crowd of a quarter of a million who broke up the Independence Day military parade. (AP Photo)

India Last British Troops: Britain's Earl Mountbatten, in naval uniform, left, salutes the colours as he inspects the farewell parade of the last battalions of the British Army, stationed in Delhi, in the forecourt of Government House, Delhi, Dec. 19, 1947. The last battalions are from the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the East Lancashire regiments. (AP Photo)

Riots in India, Refugees Leaving: Hundreds of Muslim refugees jam inside and atop the coaches of this train leaving the New Delhi area for Pakistan on Sept. 27, 1947. (AP Photo)

GANDHI BIRTHDAY: Mahatma Gandhi, center, accompanied by Abha Gandhi, left, and Dr. Sushila Nayyar, right, one of his attendants during his present illness, is shown walking in the garden of Birla House, New Delhi, India, October 2, 1947, as he celebrates his 78th birthday. H.S. Suhrawardy, former chief minister of Bengal Province, is at extreme left, rear. (AP Photo)

INDIA 70TH ANNIVERSARY: Hundreds of Muslim refugees crowd atop a train leaving New Delhi for Pakistan in this 1947 file photo. India will celebrate its  50th anniversary of Independence from Britian on Friday Aug.  15, 1997. The day also marks the division of the British empire into officially Muslim Pakistan and largely Hindu India. That division was accompanied by bloody religious riots in 1947, the memories of which haunt freedom celebrations. (AP Photo)

INDIA INDEPENDENCE: India Independence: Members of the constitutional assembly listen to a speech of Lord Mountbatten in 1947 in New Delhi, India. First bench, front right, is Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, front left is defense minister Sardar Swaran Singh. Person in between not identified. (AP Photo) --- Unabhaengigkeit Indien: Die Verfassungsgebende Versammlung in New Delhi waehrend der Rede von Lord Mountbatten 1947 in Neu Delhi. Vorne rechts sitzt Premierminister Jawaharlal Nehru und vorne links Verteidigungsminister Sardar Swaran Singh. (AP Photo)

Last British Troops in India: Britain's Earl Mountbatten, in naval uniform,centre, salutes the colours during the farewell march past of the last battalions of the British Army, stationed in Delhi, in the forecourt of Government House, Delhi, Dec. 19, 1947. The last battalions are from the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the East Lancashire regiments. (AP Photo)

INDIA INDEPENDENCE: India Independence: Lord Mountbatten speaks to the constitutional assembly in New Delhi, India, in 1947. (AP Photo)

India Unrest 1947: Armed soldiers guard Muslim refugees trudging through the rain along Chelmsford Road, New Delhi, Sept. 9, 1947. On left behind soldiers are bodies of three persons killed. (AP Photo)

Mohandas Gandhi: Members of the House Armed Services committee touring military installations abroad visit Mahatma Gandhi at New Delhi on Oct. 23, 1947. From left to right: Rep. W. Sterling Cole, (R-N.Y.), of Bath, New York; Rep. Walter Norblad, (R-Ore.); Gandhi; Rep. Errett P. Scrivner, (R-Kas), Charles R. Clason (R-Mass.), of Springfield, Mass. (AP Photo)

Lady Mountbatten and Mrs. Sarojini Naidu: Lady Mountbatten, left, wife of the viceroy of India, chats with Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, top-ranking member of the Congress Party high command, in the garden of the viceregal lodge at New Delhi, India, April 17, 1947. Mrs. Naidu is famed in India for her poetry and oratory. (AP Photo)

New Delhi Muslims: Muslims evacuated from the dangerous zones in New Delhi, Sept. 9, 1947, gather in a debris littered field and wait in the rain for authorities to decide what will be done with them. Photo was made in the Pakistan area. (AP Photo)

[georgemcginn]

U.S. Department of Defense Lead Photos Update

U.S. Department of Defense Lead Photos Update

You are subscribed to Lead Photos for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.

Sunrise Sprinters 01/10/2017 06:00 PM CST

Soldiers participate in a sunrise run during annual training at Fort Stewart, Ga., Jan. 11, 2017. The soldiers are assigned to the Georgia’s National Guard’s 78th Troop Command’s 110th Combat Services Support Battalion.…

[azerbaijannewsgazette]

President Ilham Aliyev received participants of 78th session of CIS Council of Border Troops Commanders

http://dlvr.it/PwTw0l