Browsing: Military

A Brief History On June 21, 1944, the US Navy was basking in the glow of an enormous victory over the Japanese Imperial Navy in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.  Yesterday we told you about this battle (The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot) in which we suggested the US aircraft were superior to the Japanese aircraft at this time.  US aircraft developed during the war much faster than did those of Japan, changing the qualitative edge from Japan to the US.  Meanwhile, the Royal Navy was also developing improved models of their own naval aviation planes, though they had used “string…

A Brief History On June 19, 2016, millions of viewers witnessed perhaps the greatest scripted battle scene in television history as Game of Thrones’s epic “Battle of the Bastards” more than lived up to its hype! Digging Deeper With the episode quickly declared the best in the series history, the extended battle sequence was a highlight in an action-packed, visually-stunning episode that also included a fiery naval bombardment and, oh yea, dragons! Filming the titular “Battle of the Bastards” was what one would typically expect from a major Hollywood cinematic production.  Filming lasted for some 25 shooting days and included the use…

A Brief History On June 20, 1944, one of the greatest victories in the history of the United States Navy concluded, The Battle of the Philippine Sea, better known as The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.  A Turkey Shoot is a shooting competition where the turkeys or targets do not get to shoot back.  That is what US pilots compared this aerial battle to! Digging Deeper The Japanese had early in World War II enjoyed an edge over US Navy aircraft carriers by having better planes (longer range, a tad faster, and more maneuverable) and pilots with more training and experience. …

A Brief History On June 18, 1815, the combined forces of the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard von Blucher defeated the French army at the battle of Waterloo.  The battle is remembered by history not as a victory of the British and Prussians, but as a defeat for Napoleon Bonaparte, his final major defeat.  Certain battles are known more for their vanquished than their victor.  Here we list 10 of those famous battles.   Digging Deeper 10.  Little Bighorn, 1876. Better known as “Custer’s Last Stand,” the US 7th Cavalry Regiment consisting of 12 companies of soldiers sallied forth expecting to…

A Brief History On June 17, 1462, Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad III The Impaler, or simply Dracula, conducted a night raid against his Turkish enemy, Mehmed II who had invaded Vlad’s land of Wallachia (Romania). Digging Deeper The name Dracula was given to Vlad meaning the “son of Dracul” as his father was known.  (Dracul means dragon in Romanian.)  Being known as The Impaler was a moniker earned all by Vlad himself, after the fashion in which he forcibly sat his enemies onto large spikes planted in the ground, pointy side up. Mehmed II had invaded Wallachia because Vlad had failed to pay tribute (taxes…