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Fighting For Palestine: The Middle Eastern Front

admin — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

While the current debate on Palestinian statehood is fraught with complexity which can’t be ignored, the fundamental issues at play are still as current and relevant today as they were in 1947. These are issues of human rights, equality, and peaceful co-existance.

International sympathy for the plight of Eurpoean jews after WWII – and consequently, support of the Jewish State – was understandable. They were refugees in exodus to their holy land and they deserved support from those nations who had the means and might to help.

Sadly, support from the western world (mainly the USA) wasn’t motivated by compassion alone. A rich supply of natural resources and strategic positioning during the Cold War era made Israel an invaluable ally in the region, and the support of wealthier nations has historically tipped the balance of power in Israel’s favor.

Peace efforts, which twenty years ago seemed to be moving forward, have essentially come to a stalemate in recent years, creating a status quo of unrest. Peace in the Middle East is crucial for the success of future generations, but it will remain a dream until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reaches some sort of reconciliation. In order for that to be happen we must allow Palestinians an equal voice on the international stage.

Why Did The Schlieffen Plan Fail?

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

From 1891 to 1905, Alfred von Schlieffen sat at the head of the German Imperial Staff of Generals. His most important contribution during this tenure was the Schlieffen Plan. This plan was devised to avoid a two front war in the event that France and Russia posed a threat to the German Empire at the same time. The time occurred during the First World War. By the beginning of the war, von Schlieffen was retired and Helmuth von Moltke adjusted the plan due to significant concerns over Russia-s strength and Dutch neutrality. These modifications would prove fatal for the German empire.

By removing troops from the French offensive and placing them on defensive perimeters, Moltke severely weakened the lightening strike capabilities of the German army. This led to the eventual stalemate on that war front. Moltke also changed the original attack route through the Netherlands to a more elongated path through Belgium. This allowed the Netherlands to remain neutral with a full railroad system but required a defensive force of Germans to be stationed in case that changed. Also, the German invasion of Belgium provided the necessary fodder for propagandists to sway public opinion in England and the United States.

Who Was Baron Manfred Von Richtoven?

www.firstworldwarlinks.com — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Baron Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen is more widely known as The Red Baron, his World War I moniker. He earned this nickname due to his prowess as a fighter pilot at the controls of a red Fokker tri-plane. He has been officially credited with eighty aerial combat victories. This number is more than any other pilot.

Born in May 1892, Richthofen was originally a cavalry officer but, in 1915, transferred to the Army Air Service as a founding member of Jasta 2. He quickly distinguished himself as a capable fighter pilot. Promotion followed and he became the leader of Jasta 11. He also served in Jagdgeschwader 1, the infamous Flying Circus. Richthofen was a national hero and was awarded the Blue Max, Germany-s highest military honor at that time.

During a mission over Amiens, France in April 1918, the Red Baron was mortally wounded. He successfully landed his plane but expired shortly thereafter. Witnesses credit his final word as “kaput’.

Numerous films and books have documented his flying career. There is a debate as to whether Richthofen was shot during aerial combat or from ground fire. In either case, he is probably the most famous fighter pilot of all time.

Visiting the Most Important Sites

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

You probably weren’t around for WWI but if you’re anything like us watching documentaries on Direct TV and listening to survivors speak just isn’t enough. You want to visit the sites that made the first World War what it was and we’ve got a list of the top three you should pilgrimage to if you ever get the chance
The Somme – Located in Northern France, the Somme was one of the most important battlegrounds of all the war. There’s not a lot to see here other than rolling pastures but you’ll find several weather worn markers along the way to guide your tour.
Flanders – Hop on over to Belgium to take in the Flanders, arguably the most important region for WWI. The city as it stands has been widely repaired but you’ll find a host of resources for learning more about its role in the fighting.
Verdun – Back in France, Verdun is one of the more well-rounded war sites still in existence. There you’ll find artifacts and exhibits and several days worth of touring to be had.

The Undersea War: A Look At Germany’s U-Boats

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Few terms conjured as much fear during World Wars I and II as the “U-Boat”. Short for unterseeboot (underwater boat), the U Boat preyed upon allied navies and merchant ships with impunity, attacking without warning and disappearing into the depths. The sentry standing guard at the rail of a ship not only had to worry about what they could see, but they also had to worry about what lay beneath the waves.
The first German U-Boat first set sail in 1850 (designed by inventor Wilhem Bauer). It promptly sank. It was not until World War I that the German U Boat became an integral part of the German Navy. At the start of WWI, the German Navy had 29 U Boats in active service. They were responsible for the sinking of 5 British battle cruisers in the first ten weeks of the war. The Germans not only targeted military ships. They also targeted merchant under the existing “prize rules”. The sinking of the Lusitania and the resulting death of 1,198 people is a notable example. In both WWI and WWII U Boats proved effective at maintaining blockades, harassing shipping lines, etc. At the close of both wars all U Boats were ordered to be decommissioned. It was too dangerous to allow an enemy nation to possess a U Boat. They were simply too effective.

How Did WW1 Tactics Cause The Decline Of Cavalry Soldiers?

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The role of the cavalry in warfare has always been considered in the most romantic terms. The Romans, King Arthur, Jeb Stuart and George Custer all bring images of gallant warriors and cavaliers on horseback. The cavalry served as shock troops, charging infantry and foot soldiers with lances, they broke the enemy’s lines and permitted the foot soldiers behind to advance to victory and take the field of battle. The Civil War made the “Ride around McClellan” and ” Sherman’s March to the Sea” historic events that made the mobility of the cavalry a critical element in warfare. But the same war spelled the beginning of the end for the cavalry. The first repeater firearms, improved artillery and trench warfare had their large scale origins in 1864-1865. By the time of 1914 and the opening shots of the First World War the machine gun, barbed wire in tangling and entangling volumes, and networks of trenches made the maneuvers used successfully by the cavalry deathtraps. Even the scouting duties were overtaken by the use of balloons and airplanes. The cavalry remained as a force with a fading mission until the 1940′s when mechanized units finally moved the horse cavalry into history.

Why Did Great Britain And Her Allies To Go To War?

admin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Most historians believe World War I was the product of Trans-European increases in militarism, imperialism, nationalism, and alliances made in the hundred years leading up to the war. The catalyst directly responsible for triggering the war was Franz Ferdinand’s assassination by Gabrilo Princip. In response to his death, Austria-Hungary laid out an impossible ultimatum for Serbia, the country where Ferdinand died and after a few days declared war. Ferdinand was not very popular with the Austro-Hungarian government and his death served only an excuse for the government to carry out its imperialist plans while flexing its newly strengthened military. The increased nationalism across Europe led to huge support for war across all nations. The scale of the war, and by extension, the body count also increased because of the alliances forcing many nations to participate. By declaring war on Serbia, Austria-Hungary dragged Germany, Italy and Russia into the war. Germany took this in stride, seeing an opportunity to expand into Belgium to get to France. Britain recognized this as a violation of the Treaty of London and when the Germans refused to stand down the British entered the war that would claim more British men’s lives than World War II.Keep looking, there’s more: Causes and Consequences of the First and Second World Wars