World War II

D-Day 1944 - The Sausages are Stuffed

SWJED — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 11:59:15 +0000

D-Day 1944 - The Sausages are Stuffed

This Thursday, 75 years ago, most of the troops earmarked for the invasion of Normandy made their final pre-deployment movement into the “Sausages.” They would reside within them until called to mount their transport aircraft or board their ships for what would be the largest single purpose operation of our civilization. Here, they would mentally prepare themselves for what lay ahead. It was not particularly pretty, but the program was singularly effective.

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Normandy Beachhead - May 2019 – With Homage to Ernie Pyle

SWJED — Mon, 27 May 2019 12:55:21 +0000

Normandy Beachhead - May 2019 – With Homage to Ernie Pyle SWJED Mon, 05/27/2019 - 8:55am

The beach today is broad, clean and filled with the life that Liberty bestowed 75 years ago. As I walk, I reflect on what I read and what I heard from those that were here on that day of days.

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SWJ Book Excerpt: The Luckiest Guerrilla: A True Tale of Love, War and the Army

SWJED — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 18:47:07 +0000

SWJ Book Excerpt: The Luckiest Guerrilla: A True Tale of Love, War and the Army

"The Luckiest Guerrilla: A True Tale of Love, War and the Army" by Patricia Murphy Minch was recently published by First Steps Publishing, a small traditional publisher in Oregon The book is available in several formats through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others.

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Battle of Guadalcanal: Systems and Military Culture

SWJED — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 18:57:59 +0000

Battle of Guadalcanal: Systems and Military Culture SWJED Fri, 12/23/2016 - 1:57pm

Japan’s defeat at Guadalcanal was led by its “closed systems,” the military culture of Gekukojo, and a military strategy dismissive of operational art.

Of Groundhogs and Ground Combat

Peter J. Munson — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Of Groundhogs and Ground Combat Peter J. Munson Thu, 04/11/2013 - 3:30am

One consistently wrong—but always convenient—prediction has been the improbability of ground wars and the declining utility of ground forces.

Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Shift to the East: American Foreign Policy Looking Forward

Peter J. Munson — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Shift to the East: American Foreign Policy Looking Forward

Knowing the balance between when to exercise power and when to hold back is vital to maintaining America’s strength.

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Finding Operational Art: The Normandy Breakout

Peter J. Munson — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 08:30:00 +0000

Finding Operational Art: The Normandy Breakout Peter J. Munson Wed, 02/06/2013 - 3:30am

What is operational art? An example from the Normandy breakout in WWII.

British Military Decline 1919-1939

Peter J. Munson — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 09:50:58 +0000

British Military Decline 1919-1939 Peter J. Munson Wed, 07/11/2012 - 5:50am

Naiveté clouded the lens through which they viewed military power.

Tito’s “Birthday” Surprise: Operation Rösselsprung - Early Problems and Lessons of Direct Action Operations

Peter J. Munson — Thu, 31 May 2012 09:46:07 +0000

Tito’s “Birthday” Surprise: Operation Rösselsprung - Early Problems and Lessons of Direct Action Operations Peter J. Munson Thu, 05/31/2012 - 5:46am

A direct action case study from World War II.

The Taking of La Fiere Bridge

Peter J. Munson — Mon, 28 May 2012 21:54:27 +0000

The Taking of La Fiere Bridge Peter J. Munson Mon, 05/28/2012 - 5:54pm

On Memorial Day, read a tale of significant sacrifice.

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