#war memoir

[annafromuni]

Pippa Latour is the Last Secret Agent

You all know I love a WWII novel recounting the hard work done by women in the name of freedom and peace. When I walked into the library one day to drop off some books, I saw this on the Bestie stand – a display currently housing many New Zealand reads – and immediately knew I had to read it. This is the memoir of Pippa Latour, an SOE agent who lived to the age of 102 before she ever told her…

[tikhanovlibrary]

Asian Odyssey, Dimitri Alioshin

Asian Odyssey is the true account of Dimitri Alioshin, a young Russian army officer, raised in China, who flees to Mongolia to escape the Red Terror. During this escape, he is enlisted in the forces of Baron Ungern-Sternberg, a brutal warlord who believed himself the reincarnation of Genghis Khan. This book is not a romantic retelling of martial heroism and bravery, although it contains plenty. It's rather a confessional, stating plainly and without embellishment the numerous attrocities that Alioshin witnessed, and on occasion participated in firsthand. Very little is known about Dimitri Alioshin. Only one photograph of him can be found to exist. There are no monuments to his name. No biographies of his life. Yet Asian Odyssey remains the best primary source on the "Mad Baron" Roman von Ungern-Sternberg that exists, and one of the most gripping accounts of the Mongolian struggle for independence. https://www.tikhanovlibrary.com/#alioshin

[rachel-sylvan-author]

"The Reaper: Autobiography of One of the Deadliest Special Ops Snipers" by Gary Brozek and Nicholas Irving

Thank you @britniisbooks for the rec! ❤️

[readersmagnet]

The Letters of C.M. Case by Virginia R. Degner

Explore a timeless journey in Virginia R. Degner's "The Letters of C.M. Case." From the Boxer Rebellion to the Spanish-American War, soldier Calvin Milton Case writes heartfelt letters to his granddaughter, Virginia. These letters are a treasure trove of memories and wisdom, bridging the gap between his East Coast and West Coast families, creating a poignant legacy that resonates through the years.

Witness history come alive through heartfelt letters. Grab a copy at www.virginiadegner.com.

[vaperarmand]

ever since i was a little girl i knew i wanted to speculate about the sexual and romantic undertones of celebrities’ professional relationships

[nathaniacolver]

guys i'm so sorry but "oinked poison" IS HILARIOUS

like i KNOW they're both MAD mad bc how do you not break at this 😭😭😭

(in her brain cait's already fucked her stupid)

((caitvi stop mentioning random animals challenge))

[pastlivesandpurplepuppets]

I had the distinct privilege of presenting 1st Sergeant Carwood Lipton his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, while simultaneously awarding him a battlefield commission as 2d lieutenant. No man was more deserving than Lipton. He had fought at Brecourt and Carentan with conspicuous gallantry. He had also performed commendably as Easy Company’s senior noncommissioned officer since September. In Holland, at Bastogne, and at Haguenau, he was the glue that had held Easy Company together.

~ Dick Winters

[ciderbird]

Apparently it wasn’t just Napoleon and Alexander who got along well during their meetings but also their younger brothers, King Jerome and Grand Duke Constantine! While the two Emperors do all the ceremonial stuff and chat amiably together, their brothers go to parties with Murat, get drunk with the french actresses and pull pranks on local nobles. Amazing.

[auguste-marmonts-only-fan]

Cursed marmont doodle dump

What can I say....I was in a drawing mood 😭

I assaulted the discord server with these 💀💀💀

Will you guys ever forgive me ? 🥺

Ps. Vicenzo Dandolo tea is explained in the comments

[bleedingcoffee42]

For those who need the 'there was only one bed' trope to heal you this fine morning.

[uwmspeccoll]

Milestone Monday

On this day, November 25, 1863, the Battle of Missionary Ridge occurred. During this military engagement, Union troops, led by General Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), defeated the Confederate forces commanded by General Braxton Bragg (1817-1876) at Missionary Ridge in Tennessee, successfully concluding the Siege of Chattanooga.

The outcome of the Battle of Missionary Ridge had major implications for the Confederate Army. It exposed vulnerabilities in their defensive strategies and highlighted the challenges of commanding a dispersed and demoralized force. In the aftermath of the defeat, General Braxton Bragg faced intense criticism from both his troops and Confederate leadership, which eventually contributed to his reassignment.

The success at Missionary Ridge marked a key turning point in the Civil War. It secured control of Chattanooga and opened up the Deep South for subsequent Union offensives. This triumph set the stage for General Sherman's Atlanta Campaign and his infamous March to the Sea. It also reinforced the Union's commitment to prevail against Confederate forces until the war's conclusion in 1865.

The success of Union forces during this battle underscored the importance of strong leadership and coordination among troops. General Ulysses S. Grant, known for his aggressive and strategic military tactics, was later appointed commander of all Union armies and played a pivotal role in the war's conclusion. He would later become the 18th president of the United States.

Today, Missionary Ridge is preserved as part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, where visitors can learn about the battle strategies, the soldiers' experiences, and the broader context of the Civil War.

The images come from the following books in our Civil War Collections:

Lee and His Generals by Capt. William P. Snow, published in New York by Richardson & Company in 1867.

Braxton Bragg, General of the Confederacy by Don C. Seitz, published in Columbia, S.C. by The State Company in 1924.

The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant by Colonel J. F. C. Fuller, published in New York by Dodd, Mead and Company in 1929.

Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant published in New York by C. L. Webster in 1885.

Life and Public Services of General Grant Being a Complete Life of the Great Hero Following His Career from the Cradle to its Close ... by William Ralston Balch, published in Chicago by J.S. Goodman in 1885.

View more of our Milestone Monday posts

-Melissa, Special Collections Graduate Intern

[clove-pinks]

"The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there," is the quote from a mid-20th century novel. The War of 1812 took place decades before the military funeral song "Taps" was written and popularized during the US Civil War.

Alfred Lorrain describes scores of men dying from disease at Fort Meigs in 1812-1813, which was the top killer of soldiers throughout the Napoleonic era:

They died daily. The mournful air of "Roslin Castle" became the prevailing music of the day, while the sharp rifle-cracks of the platoon told how many were borne to their long home. A deadly homesickness overwhelmed our troops, and we believe a repentance of war was kindled in every bosom, from the highest to the lowest.

— Alfred M. Lorrain, The Helm, the Sword, and the Cross.

It's a haunting melody (and new favorite song). When I was at Fort Meigs historic site earlier in the month there was also a fiddle player in period costume, which was wonderful.

[tikhanovlibrary]

Asian Odyssey by Dmitri Alioshin

Baron Ungern-Sternberg was a violent warlord who fought for Mongolian Independence under the Bogd Khanate in the 1920s. He quickly made a name for himself for both his fearlessness and ruthless cruelty. Believing himself to be the reincarnation of Genghis Khan, the Baron wanted to unify Buddhist Asia under a single banner, and then march on the West in a messianic war against the modern world. An article titled "The vanishing fascination of truly anonymous authors" which appeared on The Guardian in 2011 makes the claim that "Alioshin disappeared after the first world war, and since his publisher's records were destroyed by a bomb, it is unknown what became of him, or whether in fact that was his real name." In the English speaking world, Dmitri Alioshin stands in almost total obscurity, without a single scrap of secondary literature. Much more famous is the mad warlord he served under, Baron Ungern-Sternberg. Despite that, without Dmitri Alioshin, there would be no Baron Ungern-Sternberg. Asian Odyssey remains the only dependable source on the Baron's activities in Mongolia, and describes in detail the events of his life during the war as well as his eventual death. Asian Odyssey is out now in paperback, and available for free in epub format: https://tikhanovlibrary.com/asian-odyssey.html

[madfantasy]

On The Nose

Ah, excited to be finally on my snarry drawing list--! I must say thanks to seeing @flymetosnarryland's amazing work 8' ❤️‍🔥

Even thos it been years last his scar severely pained him, Severus can't help sometimes but be skittish to anything arounds his neck/chin area, so Harry developed this habit to still give Sev some affection

5.6.2023, Support Mani

[readersmagnet]

The Letters of C.M. Case by Virginia Degner

Step back in time for a glimpse into the past with "The Letters of C.M. Case," a family historical novel book set in the Second World War by Virginia Degner. Through a collection of heartfelt letters exchanged between a seasoned soldier and his beloved granddaughter, these letters offer insights and advice for young adults, bridging East and West Coast family members.

Experience a bygone era of courage, love, and intergenerational wisdom. Grab a copy at www.virginiadegner.com.

[deadpresidents]

During this period, I acquired a car and a dog. I bought a Mercedes from Andrew Tarnowski, a Polish count...The dog, a three-month-old wire-haired fox terrier named Felix, was also Polish. He belonged to a diplomat named Czerwinski who, suddenly impoverished, was anxious to sell Felix. One day I was at a friendly craps game. The puppy showed intense interest in the dice and also stole champagne from all glasses on the floor beside the gamblers. These dual passions intrigued me and I took the dog instead of cash. Thereafter Felix traveled all over with me, insisted on his drink each afternoon (either champagne or vermouth-and-soda), was wounded by bomb splinters in Greece, escaped to Turkey and finally died in Egypt. I flew with Felix to Rome, still a neutral capital, and settled at the Hotel de Russie...In Rome, Felix made clear the persistency of his alcoholic tendencies. In some strange way he had learned to tell time and always at six he would begin to make a nuisance of himself, barking, scratching and begging until I had ordered him his cocktail; and always he insisted on something bubbly which I served in a large ashtray. The only way I could get back at him was after I discovered that his favorite dog biscuits, expensive morsels that came in a tin round box, were extremely tasty. I would munch these loudly to his intense rage. One day I learned Mussolini was to make an important speech in the Forum. I went, just after lunch, with Felix and Norman Alley, a renowned newsreel cameraman...We arrived early and found a place to stand just before the podium from with the Duce was to address the throng. The area had been strung with loud-speakers and there were several microphones on the platform. Thousands of people gathered and, when Mussolini suddenly burst through with a group of frantic Blackshirts, stretching forth his right arm in the fascist salute, everyone began shrieking, "Duce! Duce! Duce!" When he ceased his salute and commenced to speak, Felix was unaware of the change. He continued to shout, his barks echoing far more loudly than Mussolini's voice because of our nearness to the microphones. Finally, a flying squadron of fascisti descended on the three of us and, despite Felix's efforts at self-defense, expelled us physically from the outdoor auditorium. I have always believed the Duce bore a grudge against Felix for this insult. His son-in-law, Count Ciano (whom he later executed) took part in only one air raid during World War II. That was the first bombing of Salonika where I was blown out of bed and Felix was wounded by splinters, an incident from which he never entirely recovered. I suspect he was the principal target assigned to Ciano's squadron.

-- A GREAT story by C.L. Sulzberger, a wartime correspondent in Europe for the New York Times during World War II, in his fascinating first volume of memoirs from 1969, A Long Row of Candles: Memoirs & Diaries, 1934-1954