I spent the summers of 1956 and 1957 (ages seven and eight) on the cattle ranch of friends of my mother in Idaho. There I learned how to ride and shoot. I also came to learn about cow ponies. Cow ponies were smart, professional and did most of the actual work... you just pointed them at what cattle you wanted to keep away from the fence repairs and they wouldn't let it within … [Read more...] about Riding to War With the Rhodesian Mounted Infantry
Yankee Papa Articles
A glimpse into the Covert Ops of the Vietnam War
On August 2, 1964, four North Vietnamese patrol boats attacked the destroyer USS Maddox (DD731). This did not turn out well for the North Vietnamese. Between American guns and air support, one NV patrol boat was left dead in the water with the remaining badly shot-up. The Maddox took a few machine-gun hits. In spite of leftist propaganda, the attack on the Maddox actually … [Read more...] about A glimpse into the Covert Ops of the Vietnam War
Outnumbered by North Vietnamese: The Battle of Long Tan
This is the second part of a series. You can read part one here. The next day, D Company returned to the “butcher’s yard” in full (and dry) daylight. This was a bad decision: a fresh unit should have been sent so that the morale of D Company would not be affected. The day was hot and humid. Close among the trees were bodies and parts of bodies. Crouton-sized pieces -- … [Read more...] about Outnumbered by North Vietnamese: The Battle of Long Tan
Against all odds: The Battle of Long Tan
Anyone who loves history comes to learn that it is messy. They must not only accept this reality, but learn to embrace it. Unlike an epic saga, history is only of value when it is presented to us with “the bark on...” This becomes even more important when dealing with pivotal events. One such for Australia was the battle of Long Tan in South Vietnam on August 18, 1966. In … [Read more...] about Against all odds: The Battle of Long Tan
Singapore: A (former) Rabble In Arms
"Rabble we may be, but we are now a rabble in arms..." (The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress) This is part two, read part one here. In 1965 Singapore was tossed out into the cold by Malaysia. Few countries get their independence in such a fashion. They were on their own in a very bad neighborhood. China was preparing to submerge into the "Cultural Revolution..." North Vietnam … [Read more...] about Singapore: A (former) Rabble In Arms
Singapore: A harsh mistress
It is very warm. It is also humid, but what else would you expect? Singapore is roughly 60 miles North of the Equator and essentially has no seasons. The young National Servicemen are in formation. Only a couple of days into their training, but today's events will confirm the change in their lives. In a special ceremony the lads will be issued their rifles and will swear a … [Read more...] about Singapore: A harsh mistress
American foreign internal defense: Pillars of sand (part 2)
And I discovered that my castles stand Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand -Coldplay- The American instructors got their first look at the conscripts. Downtrodden peasants getting their first boots... and their first toothbrush. These were the men that would have to close with and destroy seasoned Marxist guerrillas...on their own. The Americans were forbidden to … [Read more...] about American foreign internal defense: Pillars of sand (part 2)
Pillars of Sand: American foreign internal defense (Part 1)
And I discovered that my castles stand Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand -Coldplay- The American major was ready to murder the two top government officials in the country. He had demanded and was promised 19 weeks to turn hapless peasants into a force that would be capable … [Read more...] about Pillars of Sand: American foreign internal defense (Part 1)
America’s guide to conspiracy: The Dag Hammarskjöld mystery 55 years on
An aircraft goes down over Africa under "mysterious circumstances." The secretary general of the United Nations and 14 others, the crew and other members of his team, died. The only survivor of the 15 was an American Army sergeant on special assignment to the secretary general as security. He flatly insisted that the plane was shot down. His statement was ignored and he was … [Read more...] about America’s guide to conspiracy: The Dag Hammarskjöld mystery 55 years on
Myanmar and China: Secret Little War (Pt. 2)
Note: This is part of a series, co-written by Yankee Papa and James Powell. You can read part one here. In 1962, the military arrested judges and others and set up a 17-officer junta to run the country. It is here that the history of Myanmar becomes extremely convoluted. In a nutshell, the junta replaced all civil servants (who at least knew how to run things) with military … [Read more...] about Myanmar and China: Secret Little War (Pt. 2)
Wasting the Best and the Brightest: the ASTP Program in World War Two
There was a brief lull in the fighting in the Fall of 1944. Senior German Army officers were at a war game, training for what they would do if the Americans attacked through the Hurtgen Forest. They were halfway through the exercise when they were notified that the Americans had entered the Hurtgen in force. They grabbed their game plans and ordered reinforcements into the … [Read more...] about Wasting the Best and the Brightest: the ASTP Program in World War Two
ETHIOPIA AGAINST THE WORLD: Twelve Years Under The Bus
"The hour is grave. Arise everyone, take up your arms and rush to the defence of your country. Rally to your chiefs. Obey them wholeheartedly. Repel the invader. Those unable owing to infirmity must help in this sacred quarrel with prayer. God be with us. Forward for the Emperor and country," -Heile Salassie 1935 In August of 2012, the Mayor of Affile, in Italy, was able … [Read more...] about ETHIOPIA AGAINST THE WORLD: Twelve Years Under The Bus