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For the first time ever, we recorded a podcast live from Engage – IAB UK's flagship event. Stationed in the bar area at Soho Place, the IAB's Charlotte Robinson caught up with speakers fresh off stage and chatted to delegates about their standout moments.With this year's theme centred on how content connects, you'll hear from a brilliant mix of voices, including The Times and Sunday Times' Manveen Rana, Spotify's Jenny Haggard and TikTok's Callum Smith, as they reflect on connecting with their audiences, driving creativity and making culturally relevant content.Whether you joined us on the day or are catching up after the fact, this special episode is your bite-sized guide to the biggest themes and takeaways from Engage 2025. For more, head to https://www.iabuk.com/events-training/engage-2025Podcast guests:Manveen Rana, Journalist & host of The Story podcast from The Times & Sunday TimesCallum Smith, Head of Marketing Solutions, TikTokAlex Partridge, podcaster & content creatorJenny Haggard, Global Thought Leadership Lead, SpotifyRob Biagioni, Managing Director, Time OutOllie Presswell, Innovation Lead, Wanderlab by TripadvisorMolly Griffin, The Goat AgencyIsvana Da Silva, ImmediateMaddie Torbati, Mindshare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel Set To Attack Iran Nuclear Facilities? Trump Says, “You'll Have To See,” When Asked Why Families Of US Troops Stationed In Middle East Being Evacuated

Last time we spoke about Japan's preparations for War. In late 1936, tensions soared in China as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek was detained by dissenting commanders who were frustrated with his focus on communism instead of the growing Japanese threat. Faced with escalating Japanese aggression, these leaders forced Chiang into a reluctant alliance with the Chinese Communist Party, marking a pivotal shift in China's strategy. Despite this union, China remained unprepared, lacking sufficient military supplies and modern equipment. Conversely, Japan, wary of Chinese modernization efforts, pushed for a preemptive strike to dismantle Chiang's regime before it could pose a serious threat. As aggressive military exercises intensified, Japan underestimated Chinese resilience. By spring 1937, both nations found themselves on the brink of war, with Japan's divided military leadership struggling to formulate a coherent strategy. Ultimately, these miscalculations would lead to the full-scale Sino-Japanese War, altering the course of history in East Asia.   #154 The Marco Polo Bridge Incident  Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Here we are at last, the beginning of the absolute cataclysm between China and Japan. Now as many of you know I run the Pacific War week by week podcast, which technically covers the second sino-japanese war, nearly to a T. So for this podcast I want to try and portray the event from the Chinese and Japanese point of view, but not in the rather dry manner of the other podcast. In the other podcast I am hampered by the week by week format and can never dig deep into the nitty gritty as they say. On the same hand I don't want to simply regurgitate every single battle of this conflict, it would be absolutely nuts. So bear with me friends as we fall down in the rabbit hole of madness together, who knows how long it will take to get out. On the night of July 7, 1937, at approximately 19:30, the 8th Squadron of the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Hebian Brigade of the Japanese Army, stationed in Fengtai and led by Squadron Leader Shimizu Seiro, conducted a military exercise, heading toward Lungwangmiao, approximately just under a mile northwest of the Marco Polo Bridge The exercise simulated an operation to capture the bridge. As you may have guessed it was named after the Italian explorer Marco Polo, who described it in his travels, the bridge is renowned for its intricate carvings of lions and other sculptures. However after 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge would be far less known for its history dealing with the venetian explorer and more so with an event that many would contend to be the start of WW2. At that time, troops from Japan, Britain, France, and Italy were stationed near Peiping in accordance with the Boxer Protocol of 1901. The Japanese China Garrison Army, comprising around 4,000 soldiers and commanded by Lieutenant-General Tashiro Kan'ichirō, was based in Tientsin. Its mission was to "maintain communication lines between Peiping and the seaports in the Gulf of Chihli and to protect Japanese citizens living in key areas of North China." The protocol also permitted the garrison forces of the signatory nations to conduct field drills and rifle practice without notifying the Chinese authorities, with the exception of cases involving live fire. During this period, Japanese troops were conducting nightly exercises in anticipation of a scheduled review on July 9. The night maneuver was within the army's rights under the Boxer Protocol and was not an illegal act, as later claimed by the Chinese. However, the Japanese army had courteously informed the Chinese authorities about its training plans in advance. Despite this, the atmosphere was charged with tension, and the Japanese decision to use blank ammunition during their night exercise further escalated the already volatile situation. Earlier that evening, Captain Shimizu Setsurö, a company commander, arrived at the banks of the Yungting River, where the maneuver was to take place. He noticed that the site looked different since the last exercise had occurred; Chinese troops had recently constructed new trenches and parapets from the embankment to the Lungwangmiao shelter. While eating his dinner and surveying the area, Shimizu felt a sense of unease, harboring a premonition that “something might happen that night.” After completing the first stage of the maneuver around 10:30 PM, several live rounds were fired into the assembled company from the direction of the riverbank. Shimizu immediately conducted a roll call and found one soldier missing. He promptly sent a messenger to inform the battalion commander. The exercise was then called off, and the company moved eastward to await further orders at Hsiwulitien. Battalion Commander Itsuki Kiyonaho, upon receiving the report, deemed the situation serious. Aside from the gunfire heard in the darkness from an unknown source, he expressed concern over the soldier's disappearance and sought permission from Regiment Commander Mutaguchi Renya, an absolute moron, if you listen to the pacific war podcast, well you know. Anyways to relocate the battalion to the area where the shots had been fired and to establish surveillance. As dawn approached, the troops heard several more gunshots. Within twenty minutes of the soldier's disappearance, he returned to his ranks, but Shimizu did not report this update until four hours later. Meanwhile, midnight negotiations included a Japanese request for permission to search the city of Wanping, leading both sides to believe the incident was significant. Around 11:00 PM, the Japanese forces falsely reported that one of their soldiers had gone missing during the drill and demanded permission to enter the city for a search. This request was firmly denied by Ji Xingwen, the commander of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the Chinese Army. In response, Japanese troops swiftly surrounded Wanping County. To prevent further escalation, at 2:00 AM the following morning, Qin Dechun, deputy commander of the 29th Army and mayor of Beiping, agreed with the Japanese to allow both sides to send personnel for an investigation. While Matsui, the head of the Japanese secret service in Peiping, was negotiating with North Chinese authorities based on unverified reports from Japanese troops in Fengtai, Ikki Kiyonao, the battalion commander of the Japanese garrison in Fengtai, had already reported to his regiment commander, Mutaguchi Lianya. The latter approved orders for the Japanese troops in Fengtai to “immediately move out” to the Marco Polo Bridge.  On July 8, a large contingent of Japanese troops appeared at Lugou Bridge. Shen Zhongming, the platoon leader of the 10th Company of the Reserve Force of the 3rd Battalion of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the 29th Army, was assisting in guarding the bridgehead. He jumped out of the trench, stood in front of the bunker, and raised his right hand to halt the advancing Japanese troops. However, the Japanese military threatened to search for their missing soldiers, pushed forward, and opened fire. Shen Zhongming was shot and died on the spot. At 4:50 AM, the Japanese army launched a fierce assault on Wanping County, capturing Shagang in the northeast of Wanping and firing the first shot of the siege. Unable to withstand the aggression, the Chinese defenders mounted a counterattack. That day, the Japanese army assaulted Wanping City three times, targeting the Pinghan Railway Bridge and the Chinese defenders at the Huilong Temple position on the left. He Jifeng, the commander of the 110th Brigade of the Chinese defenders, issued a resolute order to “live and die with the bridge” and personally commanded the front-line battle. The Chinese defenders engaged in fierce combat, fighting valiantly despite exhausting their ammunition and resorting to hand-to-hand combat with swords against the Japanese soldiers. Tragically, over 80 Chinese defenders from two platoons were killed at the bridgehead. On the same day, the Beijing authorities instructed the garrison to hold firm at the Marco Polo Bridge. Song Queyuan sent a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek to report the true events of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. The National Government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a verbal protest with the Japanese ambassador regarding the incident. Additionally, the CPC Central Committee issued a telegram urging all Chinese soldiers and civilians to unite and resist Japanese aggression. The Japanese cabinet, in a bid to mislead global public opinion, proposed a so-called policy of “resolving the incident locally without escalating it,” aiming to paralyze the KMT authorities and buy time to mobilize additional forces. In the wake of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, generals of the 29th Army, including Qin Dechun, Feng Zhian, and Zhang Zizhong, convened an emergency meeting. Following their discussions, they issued a statement demanding that their troops withdraw from the Marco Polo Bridge to de-escalate tensions. However, they expressed deep concerns about national sovereignty, stating, “We cannot simply back down. If they continue to oppress us, we will do our utmost to defend ourselves.” Concurrently, the 29th Army commanded the troops defending the Marco Polo Bridge: “The Marco Polo Bridge is your grave. You must live and die with the bridge and must not retreat.” Brigade Commander He Jifeng reinforced three directives for the defenders:  1. Do not allow the Japanese army to enter the city;  2. Firmly counterattack if the Japanese invade;  3. You are responsible for defending the territory and will never yield. If you abandon your position, you will face military law. On July 9, the 29th Army successfully eliminated a Japanese squadron and reclaimed control of the railway bridge and Longwang Temple. A temporary lull settled over the Marco Polo Bridge battlefield, during which the Japanese military made false claims that "missing Japanese soldiers had returned to their units" and described the situation as a misunderstanding that could be resolved peacefully. Subsequently, Chinese and Japanese representatives in Beijing and Tianjin engaged in negotiations. The Beijing authorities reached an agreement with the Japanese forces, which included:  (1) an immediate cessation of hostilities by both parties;  (2) the Japanese army withdrawing to the left bank of the Yongding River while the Chinese army retreated to the right bank; and  (3) the defense of Lugou Bridge being assigned to Shi Yousan's unit of the Hebei Security Team. However, the following day, while the Chinese army withdrew as agreed, the Japanese army not only failed to uphold its commitments but also dispatched a significant number of troops to launch an offensive against the Chinese forces. Reports on July 10 indicated that the Japanese army had arrived from Tianjin, Gubeikou, Yuguan, and other locations, advancing toward the Lugou Bridge with artillery and tanks, and had occupied Dajing Village and Wulidian, signaling that another outbreak of conflict was imminent. On July 11, the Japanese Cabinet decided to deploy seven divisions from the Kwantung Army, the Korean Army, and Japan to North China. On the same day, the Beiping-Tianjin authorities reached a localized agreement with the Japanese army, which entailed:  (1) a formal apology from a representative of the 29th Army to the Japanese forces, along with assurances that those responsible for the initial conflict would be held accountable;  (2) a ban on anti-Japanese activities conducted by the Communist Party, the Blue Shirts Society, and other resistance groups; and  (3) an agreement ensuring that no Chinese troops would be stationed east of the Yongding River. Concurrently, the Japanese army positioned their forces at strategic points in Wuqing, Fengtai, Wanping, and Changping, effectively encircling the city of Beijing and continuing to advance troops into its surrounding suburbs. Starting on July 11, the Japanese army began bombarding Wanping City and its surrounding areas with artillery, resulting in numerous casualties among the local population. Following the injury of regiment commander Ji Xingwen, residents were evacuated to safer locations outside the city. The conflict then spread to Babaoshan, Changxindian, Langfang, Yangcun, and other areas, with the 29th Army being deployed to various locations to confront the enemy. The Japanese military also dispatched aircraft for reconnaissance and strafing missions, leading to intermittent fighting. On July 13, Mao Zedong urged "every Communist Party member and anti-Japanese revolutionary to be prepared to mobilize to the frontline of the anti-Japanese war at any time" from Yan'an. By July 15, a CPC representative presented the "Communist Party Declaration on Cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party" to Chiang Kai-shek, proposing that this declaration serve as the political foundation for cooperation between the two parties and be publicly issued by the Kuomintang. Zhou Enlai, Qin Bangxian, and Lin Boqu continued negotiations with Chiang Kai-shek, Shao Lizi, and Zhang Chong in Lushan. Although Chiang Kai-shek recognized the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, disagreements remained regarding the reorganization of the Red Army. On July 16, the Five Ministers Conference in Tokyo resolved to mobilize 400,000 Japanese troops to invade China and to enforce a policy aimed at rapidly destroying the entire country. The following day, more than 100 Japanese soldiers arrived in Shunyi and Changping, where they reinforced fortifications on the city wall of Changping. On July 18, the Japanese army invaded Changping, Tongzhou, and other counties in the pseudo-border areas by maneuvering through various passes of the Great Wall. Japanese plainclothes teams were reported to be active in the Xiaotangshan area of Changping, raising alert levels within the Chinese army. On July 20, the Kuomintang Military and Political Department became aware that the Japanese army intended to first occupy strategic locations such as the Indigo Factory, Wanshou Mountain, and Balizhuang in the Pingxi area, before cutting off the Pingsui Road and controlling the route from Beiping to Changping. On July 21, the Japanese army violated the agreement by bombarding Wanping County and the garrison at Changxindian.  On the night of July 25, a confrontation took place at the railway station in Langfang, located between Peiping and Tientsin. The clash involved Chinese troops and a Japanese company dispatched to repair telegraph lines. General Kazuki promptly sought Tokyo's permission to respond with military force, believing that the situation required immediate action. Without waiting for authorization, he ordered a regiment from Tientsin to engage the Chinese forces and issued an ultimatum to Sung Che-yuan, stating that if the 37th Division did not completely withdraw from Peiping by noon on July 28, the Garrison Army would take unilateral action. The 77th Infantry Regiment of the 20th Division was dispatched with the Gonoi Squadron to escort a repair team to Langfang Station. Stationed near Langfang were the headquarters of the 113th Brigade of the 38th Division, along with the main force of the 226th Regiment, led by Brigade Commander Liu Zhensan and Regiment Commander Cui Zhenlun. Although the leadership of the 29th Army adopted a passive stance in the war of resistance, the forces in Langfang prepared for conflict in an organized manner. They not only evacuated the families of servicemen and relocated the regiment headquarters, but also built fortifications and deployed plainclothes teams at Wanzhuang Station, Luofa Station, and Langfang Station to swiftly destroy the railway if necessary. Despite their preparations, the commanders of the 38th Division adhered to Song Queyuan's directives. When the 5th Company, stationed at Yangcun, observed Japanese supply units continually moving toward Lugou Bridge, they sought permission to engage the enemy. However, the 38th Division later reassigned this company. The Bac Ninh Line, established after the Boxer Protocol, had granted the Japanese the right to station troops, placing the 38th Division in a vulnerable position and preventing them from stopping the Japanese before they reached Langfang. Upon the arrival of Japanese forces at Langfang Station, Chinese guards initiated negotiations, requesting the Japanese to withdraw quickly after completing their mission. The Japanese, however, insisted on establishing camps outside the station, leading to repeated arguments. As tensions mounted, the Japanese began constructing positions near the station, ultimately forcing Chinese troops to retreat and escalating the conflict. The situation reached a boiling point around 11:10 pm, when fierce gunfire and explosions erupted near Langfang Station. The Japanese army claimed they were defending the station from an attack by Chinese forces armed with rifles, machine guns, and mortars throughout the night. According to Cui Zhenlun, the head of the 226th Regiment, it was the 9th and 10th companies that could no longer tolerate the Japanese provocation and fired first, catching the enemy off guard. As the battle intensified, reinforcements from the main force of the 77th Infantry Regiment “Li Deng Unit” arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the skirmish and gradually joined the fight after 6:30 am on July 26. When dawn broke, Japanese troops stationed at Langfang began to rush out to counterattack, seeing their reinforcements arrive. Recognizing they could not eliminate the Japanese presence at the station quickly, the 226th Regiment faced heavy bombardment from the Japanese Air Force later that morning. Consequently, the headquarters of the 113th Brigade and the primary forces of the 226th Regiment hastily retreated to Tongbai Town, suffering significant losses in equipment during their withdrawal. That night, Kazuki made the unilateral decision to abandon the policy of restraint and decided to use force on July 28 "to punish the Chinese troops in the Peiping-Tientsin area." On the morning of July 27, the army high command endorsed his decision and submitted a plan to the cabinet for mobilizing divisions in Japan. The cabinet agreed, and imperial approval was sought. At that time, the Chinese army was gathering in significant numbers in Baoding and Shijiazhuang in southern Hebei, as well as in Datong, Shanxi. They had effectively surrounded the Japanese army on all sides in the Fengtai District. Meanwhile, newly mobilized units of the Kwantung Army and the Japanese Korean Army were en route to the Tianjin and Beiping areas. The 2nd Battalion of the 2nd China Garrison Infantry Regiment, commanded by Major Hirobe, was dispatched with 26 trucks to the Japanese barracks within the walls of Beiping to ensure the protection of Japanese residents. Prior discussions had taken place between Takuro Matsui, head of the Special Service Agency, and officials from the Hebei–Chahar Political Council regarding the passage of troops through the Guang'anmen gate just outside Beiping. The mayor, Qin Dechun, had granted approval for this movement. However, when Major Tokutaro Sakurai, a military and political advisor to the Council, arrived at Guang'anmen, a famous gate to Beiping, around 6:00 pm to establish contact, he found that the Chinese troops on guard had closed the gate. After further negotiations, the gates were opened at approximately 7:30 pm, allowing the Japanese units to begin passing through. Unfortunately, as the first three trucks crossed, the Chinese opened fire on them. Two-thirds of the units managed to get through before the gate was abruptly shut, leaving a portion of Hirobe's troops trapped both inside and outside. As they faced unexpectedly heavy fire from machine guns and grenades, efforts by Japanese and Chinese advisors to pacify the Chinese troops proved futile. By 8:00 pm, the Japanese launched a counterattack from both sides of the gate. The Chinese received reinforcements and encircled the Japanese forces. Despite a relief column being dispatched by Brigadier Masakazu Kawabe, commander of the brigade in the Fengtai District, by 9:30 pm, negotiations with the Chinese yielded a proposal for de-escalation: the Chinese army would maintain a distance while the Japanese inside the gate would relocate to the grounds of their legation, and those outside would return to Fengtai. Fighting ceased shortly after 10:00 pm, and at approximately 2:00 am the following day, Hirobe's unit successfully entered the barracks in the legation. The total casualties reported for the Japanese army during these confrontations were 2 dead and 17 wounded. Both fatalities were superior privates. The wounded included one major, one captain, one sergeant, two superior privates, one private first class, seven privates second class, two attached civilians, and one news reporter. Additionally, the interpreter accompanying Tokutaro Sakurai was also killed in action. On July 27, the Japanese army launched attacks on the 29th Army garrisons in Tongxian, Tuanhe, Xiaotangshan, and other locations, forcing the defenders to retreat to Nanyuan and Beiyuan. At 8:00 am on July 28, under the command of Army Commander Kiyoshi Kozuki, the Japanese army initiated a general assault on the 29th Army in the Beiping area. The primary attacking force, the 20th Division, supported by aircraft and artillery, targeted the 29th Army Special Brigade, the 114th Brigade of the 38th Division, and the 9th Cavalry Division stationed in Nanyuan. Overwhelmed by the Japanese assault, Nanyuan's defenders struggled to maintain command, leading to chaotic individual combat. Meanwhile, the main Japanese garrison brigade in Fengtai advanced to Dahongmen, effectively cutting off the Nanyuan troops' route to the city and blocking their retreat. The battle for Nanyuan concluded at 1:00 pm, resulting in the deaths of Tong Lingge, deputy commander of the 29th Army, and Zhao Dengyu, commander of the 132nd Division. As this unfolded, elements of the 37th Division of the 29th Army launched an attack on the Japanese forces in Fengtai but were repulsed by Japanese reinforcements. On that day, the Japanese Army's 1st Independent Mixed Brigade captured Qinghe Town, prompting the 2nd Brigade of the Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed there, to retreat to Huangsi. The Japanese also occupied Shahe. In the afternoon of July 28, Song Qeyuan appointed Zhang Zizhong as the acting chairman of the Hebei-Chahar Political Affairs Committee and director of the Hebei-Chahar Pacification Office, as well as the mayor of Beiping, before leaving the city for Baoding that evening. The 37th Division was ordered to retreat to Baoding. On July 29th, a significant mutiny broke out at Tongzhou. If you remember our episode covering the Tanggu truce, Tongzhou had become the capital of the East Hubei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government headed by Yin Jukeng. In response Chiang Kai-Shek had established the East Hebei Administrative Affairs Committee, chaired by Song Queyuan. In Tongzhou, Japanese troops were stationed under the pretext of protecting Japanese residents, as stipulated by the Boxer Protocol. Initially, a unit was intended to be stationed in Tongzhou; however, Vice Minister of the Army Umezu Yoshijiro strongly opposed this plan, arguing that placing forces in Tongzhou, far from the Beiping-Tianjin Line was inconsistent with the spirit of the Boxer Protocol. Consequently, this unit was stationed in Fengtai, located southwest of Beiping. At the time of the Tongzhou Incident, the main force of the Japanese Second Regiment, which was responsible for defending Tongzhou, had been deployed to Nanyuan, south of Beijing. Consequently, only non-combat personnel remained in Tongzhou. Japan regarded the Jidong Anti-Communist Autonomous Government Security Force as a friendly ally. Back on July 27, the primary forces of the Japanese Army stationed in Tongzhou, comprising the Kayashima Unit and the Koyama Artillery Unit, received orders to advance toward Nanyuan, Beiping, leaving Tongzhou significantly under-defended. The following day, the Japanese launched a substantial attack on Nanyuan, employing aircraft to bomb Beiping. Sensing a critical opportunity, Zhang Qingyu conferred with Zhang Yantian and Shen Weigan to initiate an uprising that very night. The insurgent force included elements from the first and second corps and the teaching corps, totaling approximately 4,000 personnel. Zhang Qingyu orchestrated the uprising with a focused strategy: the first corps was divided into three groups targeting Japanese forces in Xicang, the puppet government, and various establishments such as opium dens, casinos, and brothels operated by Japanese ronin. Meanwhile, the second corps secured key intersections and facilities in Chengguan, and the teaching corps managed defenses against potential reinforcements at vital stations. At dawn on July 29, the gunfire signaling the uprising erupted. The second unit of the first corps launched an assault on the Xicang Barracks, which housed 120 troops and non-combat personnel, including the Tongzhou Guard, Yamada Motor Vehicle Unit, a Military Police Detachment, and a host of military and police units, totaling about 500 individuals. At around 3 a.m. on July 29, the sound of gunfire filled the air as the insurgents engaged the Japanese forces. Although equipped with only four field guns, several mortars, and a few heavy machine guns, the uprising's numerical superiority enabled simultaneous attacks from the east, south, and northwest. Despite their well-fortified positions and rigorous defense, the Japanese troops struggled against the relentless onslaught. For over six hours, fierce fighting ensued. The uprising troops escalated their firepower but failed to breach the Xicang Barracks initially. More than 200 members of the Japanese security forces lost their lives in the conflict. Concerned that reinforcements might arrive and flank the uprising, Zhang Qingyu ordered artillery assaults around 11 a.m., prompting a shift in the battle's dynamics. The artillery targeted a Japanese motor vehicle convoy transporting supplies and munitions, leading to the destruction of all 17 vehicles, triggering explosions that scattered bullets and shrapnel across the area. Subsequently, nearby fuel depots ignited, engulfing the surroundings in flames and creating chaos among Japanese ranks. The insurgent infantry capitalized on this confusion, wiping out most of the remaining Japanese forces, with only a handful managing to escape. As the uprising signal rang out, another faction of insurgents swiftly blocked access to Tongzhou, disrupting traffic and occupying the telecommunications bureau and radio station. They encircled the offices of the Jidong puppet government, capturing traitor Yin Rugeng, who was taken to the Beiguan Lu Zu Temple. Despite being urged to resist the Japanese, Yin hesitated and was subsequently imprisoned. The third group then targeted the Japanese secret service agency in Nishicang. Hosoki Shigeru, residing a mere lane away from the pseudo-office, responded to the gunfire by mobilizing a contingent of secret agents to confront the uprising. However, the insurgents swiftly overtook the secret service agency, resulting in Shigeru's death and the annihilation of all secret personnel. At 4:00 p.m. on July 29, the Japanese command dispatched reinforcements, compelling the insurgents to retreat from Tongzhou. The Japanese Chinese Garrison ordered air attacks on the uprising forces, with over ten bombers targeting Tongzhou. Concurrently, the Japanese Fengtai Infantry Brigade and the Second Regiment were mobilized for a rescue operation, arriving on the morning of July 30. The Japanese headquarters issued a night defense order requiring all units to be on high alert. By 5:30 p.m., commanding officers assembled to devise a strategy. With the uprising forces still positioned around the eastern, southern, and northern walls of the barracks, Tsujimura's troops implemented strict measures: all units were instructed to fortify defenses throughout the night, with the Tongzhou Guard directly protecting the barracks and the Yamada unit securing the warehouse and supply areas. They enforced silence, prohibiting any lights at night, coordinating operations under the code name "plum cherry." As the Japanese planes repeatedly bombed the area, the insurgents, lacking anti-aircraft defenses, could only mount futile counterattacks with machine guns, leading to disorder among their ranks. Many insurgents abandoned their uniforms and weapons and fled, prompting Zhang Qingyu to make the difficult decision to evacuate Tongzhou before Japanese reinforcements arrived, regrouping in Beiping with the remnants of the 29th Army. In the late hours of July 29, the security team retreated to Beiping in two groups. Upon arrival, they discovered the 29th Army had already evacuated, forcing them to retreat to Changxindian and Baoding. En route, they encountered part of the Suzuki Brigade of the Japanese Kwantung Army near Beiyuan and Xizhimen, where they faced concentrated attacks. Officers Shen Weigan and Zhang Hanming were both killed in the subsequent battles as they led their teams in desperate fights for survival. Amid the confusion, Yin Rugeng managed to escape when the convoy escorting him was broken up by Japanese forces. In a last-ditch effort, Zhang Qingyu ordered the army to split into small groups of 50 to 60, navigating through Mentougou to regroup with the 29th Army. By the time they reached Baoding, only about 4,000 personnel remained. On the morning of July 30, over a thousand troops from the Sakai Army entered Tongzhou City. They rounded up all men they encountered, searching residences for insurgents, and exhibited intentions of massacring the local population. By 4 p.m., the Kayashima Army arrived and sealed all city gates, deploying surveillance units to oversee the city and "restore public order." The Tsujimura Army removed perimeter defenses and concentrated their forces in barracks and storage facilities. Japanese troops combed through residences based on household registries, detaining those they deemed suspicious, with many later executed. As reported by the puppet county magistrate Wang Jizhang, roughly 700 to 800 individuals were executed within a few days. This brutal retaliation instilled terror throughout Tongzhou City, leading many to flee and seek refuge, often in American churches. The pervasive atmosphere of fear lasted for two to three months. The Japanese authorities framed their violent suppression as "restoring stability to East Asia" and derided the legitimate resistance of Chinese citizens as "communist harassment" and "treason." In response to the uprising, the Japanese embassy, concerned that it could trigger a repeat of the Temple Street Incident and instigate political upheaval at home, acted without government instructions. They appointed Morishima Morito to oversee negotiations with Chi Zongmo, who had replaced Yin Rugeng as the head of the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government." On December 24, 1937, Chi submitted a formal apology to the Japanese embassy, committing to pay a total of 1.2 million yuan in reparations, with an immediate payment of 400,000 yuan, while the remaining 800,000 yuan would be disbursed by the "Provisional Government of the Republic of China." Furthermore, the Japanese demanded that the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government" relinquish the territories where Japanese nationals had been killed and take responsibility for constructing "comfort towers." They compelled Chinese laborers to build these structures at the former site of the Governor's Office of Canal Transport in Shuiyueyuan Hutong, Nanmenli, and the northeastern corner of Xicang Square to commemorate Japanese casualties from the uprising. Additionally, they forcibly uprooted ancient trees from the Temple of Heaven, transplanting them around the "comfort towers." The Japanese military also demolished white marble guardrails at the Confucian Temple to erect a monument honoring their soldiers, resulting in the destruction of centuries-old cultural artifacts. On the morning of July 29, the Japanese Army's 11th Independent Mixed Brigade attacked Beiyuan and Huangsi. The Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed in Huangsi, engaged the Japanese forces until 6:00 PM before retreating. Meanwhile, the 39th Independent Brigade, garrisoned in Beiyuan, fought the Japanese before withdrawing to Gucheng, eventually returning to Beiyuan. On July 31, this brigade was disarmed by the Japanese army, while the Independent 27th Brigade in the city was reorganized into a security team to maintain public order, later breaking through to Chahar Province a few days later and being assigned to the 143rd Division. Meanwhile, the 38th Division of the 29th Army, stationed in Tianjin, proactively attacked Japanese troops in Tianjin early on July 29, capturing the Japanese garrison at Tianjin General Station and launching an assault on the Japanese headquarters at Haiguang Temple and the Dongjuzi Airport. Initially, the battle progressed favorably; however, due to counterattacks from Japanese aircraft and artillery, the Chinese forces began to retreat around 3:00 PM, leading to the fall of Tianjin. Later that afternoon, the rebel forces evacuated Tong County and advanced toward Beiping. En route, they were attacked by the Japanese army north of the city and subsequently retreated to Baoding. As the 37th Division of the 29th Army received orders to retreat southward, the 110th Brigade covered the army headquarters and the Beiping troops from Wanping to Babaoshan, eventually retreating southward through Mentougou. After completing their task, they withdrew to Baoding on July 30. By the end of the 30th, the Japanese army had occupied both Beiping and Tianjin. The Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade No. 1 and the garrison brigade occupied high ground west of Changxindian and the area near Dahuichang on the evenings of the 30th and 31st, respectively. With this, the battles in Beiping and Tianjin effectively came to a close. China and Japan were at war. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. It has finally happened, China and Japan are officially at war. From 1931 until now, it had been an unofficial war between the two, yet another incident had finally broke the camel's back. There was no turning back as Japan would unleash horror upon the Chinese people. The fight for China's survival had begun. China was completely alone against a fierce enemy, how would she manage? 

Stationed in Kyiv, Correspondent and Journalist Audrey MacAlpine describes Ukraine's stunning drone attack on Russian Warplanes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick Atkinson has just published the second volume of his American Revolution trilogy. The book is called "The Fate of the Day" and covers years 1777 to 1780. His initial 800-page volume, titled "The British Are Coming," was published in 2019 and focused on years 1775 to 1777. Mr. Atkinson won the George Washington prize for this beginning look at the revolution. His second book in the trilogy covers the middle years. Stationed in Paris, Benjamin Franklin was wooing the French. In Pennsylvania, George Washington was pleading with Congress to deliver the money, men, and material he needed to continue the fight. This volume is timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick Atkinson has just published the second volume of his American Revolution trilogy. The book is called "The Fate of the Day" and covers years 1777 to 1780. His initial 800-page volume, titled "The British Are Coming," was published in 2019 and focused on years 1775 to 1777. Mr. Atkinson won the George Washington prize for this beginning look at the revolution. His second book in the trilogy covers the middle years. Stationed in Paris, Benjamin Franklin was wooing the French. In Pennsylvania, George Washington was pleading with Congress to deliver the money, men, and material he needed to continue the fight. This volume is timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A former member of the U.S. Air Force experienced an otherworldly encounter at the infamous Edwards Air Force Base in 1981. Stationed at the base, the user witnessed a UFO, which they describe as an identified flying object, during a visit to a World War II hangar. A catastrophic event took place that day, leaving 68 people dead and one survivor—our guest. The story unfolds as they recount the bizarre events that led to their survival, their subsequent debriefings with the Air Force, and a life-altering religious experience that helped them make sense of it all. If you have a real ghost story or supernatural event to report, please write into our show or call 1-855-853-4802! If you like the show, please help keep us on the air and support the show by becoming a Premium Subscriber. Subscribe here: http://www.ghostpodcast.com/?page_id=118 or at or at http://www.patreon.com/realghoststories

“Who Murdered the Vets?” is one of the most important non-fiction pieces Hemingway ever wrote. This 1935 article for New Masses excoriated the Roosevelt administration's careless supervision of World War I veterans who died during the Labor Day hurricane while they were living in workcamps along the Keys. Stationed there to help to build the overseas highway, more than 250 died as victims of the cataclysmic storm.Hemingway wrote what he called his “2800 words of dynamite” in a frothing rage, furious at the irresponsibility of the government, shocked at what he had witnessed firsthand, and grieving for the veterans who survived the Great War, only to lose their lives at home. To discuss this explosive article and its crucial context, we welcome James H. Meredith, the former President of the Hemingway Society. Jim's perspective walks us through Hemingway's approach to this tragedy and how he composed such a vivid, emotional polemic. 

Stationed at Fort Apache, Rusty joins a surveying patrol to mark off correct boundaries for the Apache reservation. Lt Masters finds a few Indian braves of the Shirakawa tribe who…

In the 1960's, an Austrian man came to live in Ireland - tried to become a Butcher and later became a Travelling Salesman. The catch? He was a Soviet Spy the entire time!To discuss, Seán is joined by Shaun Walker, International Correspondent for The Guardian and author of ‘The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West'.Image: Penguin Random House

In the 1960's, an Austrian man came to live in Ireland - tried to become a Butcher and later became a Travelling Salesman. The catch? He was a Soviet Spy the entire time!To discuss, Seán is joined by Shaun Walker, International Correspondent for The Guardian and author of ‘The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West'.Image: Penguin Random House

War and Trauma US Army In Kuwait, Before The Invasion of Iraq. In the early morning darkness of March 23, 2003, just three days after the official start of the Iraq War, a shocking act of violence erupted, not from an outside enemy, but from within the ranks of the U.S. Army. It was an act that forever changed Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Bart Womack’s life, and would later become the central focus of his gripping book, Embedded Enemy. Stationed at Camp Pennsylvania in Kuwait, the Headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division was making final preparations for the invasion of Iraq. But that night, as soldiers tried to rest before crossing the border, an explosion shattered the calm. A grenade was tossed into a tent. Seconds later, gunfire rang out. Smoke, confusion, and panic followed. Follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms “I knew we were in the land of not quite right,” Womack recalled in a recent interview. “And that was a not quite right grenade that, for some reason, there were sparks before it exploded.” The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. “We’re under attack.” Womack and a fellow officer acted quickly, rushing to alert their colonel and evacuate the tent. “Just like that, it was pitch dark, and the tent was filled with smoke,” Womack said. “I shook the commander vigorously until he woke up, and I was shouting, ‘Get up. We’re under attack.’” The attacker? A fellow American soldier, one of their own, who had sworn the same oath to defend the Constitution. Two officers were killed. Fourteen others were wounded, six of whom were evacuated and never returned. The emotional and psychological trauma from that night continues to haunt many of the survivors. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium, Newsbreak and Blogspot. From Battlefield to Healing Ground, War and Trauma US Army In Kuwait, Before The Invasion of Iraq. Womack, a decorated Iraq War veteran with two Bronze Stars (one for valor), the Legion of Merit, and the Army Ranger Tab, now devotes his life to helping others recover from the trauma of war. After 29 years of service in the U.S. Army, including assignments as a Drill Sergeant, Ranger Instructor, and Sergeant of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, he has turned his focus to serving veterans in new ways. Now a resident of Pittsburgh, Womack holds a B.S. in Business Management from Park University and an MBA from Waynesburg University. He serves as the Program Manager for Onward to Opportunity, Pittsburgh, a Syracuse University initiative that equips transitioning service members and veterans with career training and support. Follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms But perhaps his most passionate endeavor is as Co-Founder and COO of the Armed Forces Equestrian Center (AFEC), a nonprofit that offers equine therapy to veterans, military families, and individuals with disabilities. “I’ve seen firsthand how trauma can follow our warriors long after the war ends,” Womack said. “Horses have an incredible ability to help people reconnect, rebuild trust, and find peace.” A Voice for the Silenced In his memoir, Embedded Enemy, Womack details the chaos and heartbreak of that fateful night in Kuwait. It’s a story not just of violence and betrayal, but of resilience, leadership, and the unbreakable bonds forged in war. The book is available on major platforms Amazon, and Womack often shares his story on news outlets, podcasts, and across social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram*, and X (formerly Twitter). The interview is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast website, also available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major podcast outlets. “Talking about it continues to be therapy for me,” he admitted. “I live it every day, but telling the story reminds me that we made it through, and that maybe someone else out there will find strength through our experience.” War and Trauma US Army In Kuwait, Before The Invasion of Iraq. Beyond writing, Womack also works in the entertainment industry as an actor and military technical advisor. He has appeared in several film and television productions and recently spent 18 months in Afghanistan training the Afghan National Army. His reach is global, he has even contributed to training missions in Nigeria as part of the Africa Contingency Operation. A Legacy of Leadership CSM (Ret.) Bart Womack’s military career spanned decades and continents, but his leadership continues off the battlefield. He sits on the board of the *Veterans Media Corporation*, is an Executive Producer at The Veterans Channel, and regularly mentors Army ROTC cadets. Check out the show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms In October 2020, his ongoing service was recognized when he was knighted into The Order of St. George, Grand Priory of Canada and the Americas. His evaluations from active duty describe him as “the standard by which others are measured,” and his life’s work continues to embody that high bar. For more insights, the free episode of the "Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast", is available on their website for free in addition to Apple Podcasts and Spotify, as well as through other podcast platforms. Whether through his book, podcast appearances, or his work in therapy and transition programs, Womack’s message is clear: the war doesn’t always end when the fighting stops. But with brotherhood, purpose, and support, there is life after trauma and hope after war. War and Trauma US Army In Kuwait, Before The Invasion of Iraq. For more information about Bart Womack, visit his website. Or You can listen to his interviews as a free Podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show on their website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other major podcast platforms. You can help contribute money to make the Gunrunner Movie. The film that Hollywood won't touch. It is about a now Retired Police Officer that was shot 6 times while investigating Gunrunning. He died 3 times during Medical treatment and was resuscitated. You can join the fight by giving a monetary "gift" to help ensure the making of his film at agunrunnerfilm.com. Your golden years are supposed to be easy and worry free, at least in regards to finances. If you are over 70, you can turn your life insurance policy into cash. Visit LetSavings.com, LetSavings.com or call (866) 480-4252, (866) 480-4252, again that's (866) 480 4252 to see if you qualify. Learn useful tips and strategies to increase your Facebook Success with John Jay Wiley. Both free and paid content are available on this Patreon page. Time is running out to secure the Medicare coverage you deserve! Whether you're enrolling for the first time or looking for a better plan, our experts help you compare options to get more benefits, lower costs, and keep your doctors, all for free! Visit LetHealthy.com, that's LetHealthy.com or call (866) 427-1225, (866) 427-1222 to learn more. Be sure to check out our website. Be sure to follow us on MeWe, X, Instagram, Facebook,Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. You can contact John J. "Jay" Wiley by email at Jay@letradio.com, or learn more about him on their website. Get the latest news articles, without all the bias and spin, from the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on the Newsbreak app, which is free. Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page, look for the one with the bright green logo. War and Trauma US Army In Kuwait, Before The Invasion of Iraq. Attributions Fox News Amazon.com BME.com Flatterspeakers Amazon.com BartWomack.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last time we spoke about the invasion of Iwo Jima. In March 1945, as the Pacific War raged, the US Marines began and invasion of Iwo Jima while Allied forces advanced across the Philippines. The Japanese formed the 32nd Army to defend the island, but faced shortages of supplies and equipment. They mobilized Okinawan civilians for support and constructed extensive fortifications. The Americans launched Operation Iceberg, neutralizing enemy air facilities in the Ryukyus, Kyushu, and Formosa. Task Force 58 and other air forces struck Japanese targets, while Spruance's 5th Fleet prepared to land Buckner's 10th Army. Initial landings occurred in the Kerama Islands, followed by the main assault on April 1 on Okinawa's Hagushi beaches. Despite heavy bombardment, Japanese defenses remained concealed. The Americans encountered minimal resistance initially, but the stage was set for a bloody and brutal battle. This episode is Yamato's Last Stand Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  As we last left off, Admirals Turner and Spruance successfully landed over 60,000 troops from General Buckner's 10th Army on the Hagushi beaches of Okinawa with minimal resistance. In response, General Ushijima's main forces remained inactive in their underground positions in the south, having effectively endured the continuous naval and air assaults from the enemy. However, under pressure from higher authorities in Tokyo and Formosa, the 32nd Army began to develop plans for a general counteroffensive aimed at the Yontan and Kadena airfields, utilizing nighttime infiltration and close combat tactics. The primary response, however, was expected to come from the air. As part of Operation Ten-Go, all Army and Navy air forces stationed in the Home Islands were to focus their efforts in the East China Sea to execute a series of coordinated mass air strikes against enemy transport and carrier task forces, collectively referred to as the Kikisui attacks. Japan's wartime terminology exploited the distinctively poetic and euphemistic nature of the Japanese language. The informal term kamikaze actually means “divine wind.” Specifically, kamikaze refers to the typhoons that miraculously wrecked Kublai Khan's Mongol–Koryo invasion fleets in 1274. Like “blitzkrieg”, the unofficial term “kamikaze” was mostly used by Allied journalists. The IJN and IJA officially called suicide attack units tokubetsu kogekitai, meaning “special attack unit.” This was usually shortened to tokkutai, with tokko both noun and adjective meaning “special” i.e. suicide. Kikisui was the codename for the ten mass kamikaze attacks off Okinawa against the Allied fleet. Kikisui means “floating chrysanthemum,” which was the war emblem of legendary 14th-century samurai Masashige Kusinoke, a national exemplar of sacrificial devotion to the Emperor. Ten-Go had been initiated on March 26, following the initial landings on the Kerama Islands; however, by the time of the invasion, Admiral Toyoda's disorganized Combined Fleet was unable to carry out any large-scale kamikaze attacks, as it was still consolidating approximately 3,000 aircraft in Kyushu. Additionally, encouraged by Emperor Hirohito, Toyoda momentarily sanctioned a dramatic, one-way suicide mission involving the superbattleship Yamato and Rear-Admiral Komura Keizo's 2nd Destroyer Squadron, aimed at destroying Spruance's invasion fleet. This surface attack mission, codenamed Ten-Ichi-Go and led by Vice-Admiral Ito Seiichi of the 2nd Fleet, vaguely suggested that if Yamato reached Okinawa, she would ground herself as an artillery platform while her crew disembarked as naval infantry. Nonetheless, the chances of success for this mission were slim; it was primarily intended for the Imperial Japanese Navy to maintain its honor. On April 2, while General Watson's 2nd Marine Division conducted another demonstration off the southeast beaches, American forces prepared to advance eastward. In the south, benefiting from ideal weather and minimal resistance, the 17th Regiment secured the highlands overlooking Nakagusuku Bay and extended its patrols to the bay's shoreline. The 32nd Regiment eliminated a strongpoint south of Koza using tanks and then aligned with the 17th. The 381st Regiment advanced through Shimabuku but faced enemy resistance in and around Momobaru. Meanwhile, the 383rd Regiment captured a hill just south of Momobaru after a fierce battle and also took a ridge northeast of Futema with support from airstrikes, artillery, and tanks. In the north, however, General Geiger's Marines faced challenging terrain and supply issues. The 1st Battalion, 29th Marines moved north to secure the unoccupied Zampa Misaki area, where Turner later established a radar station. The 22nd Marines advanced quickly eastward throughout the day against light opposition, successfully securing the Nagahama beaches alongside the 6th Reconnaissance Company. On the other hand, the 4th Marines met with steadily mounting resistance. At 1100 a platoon of 3/4, entering the mouth of a steep ravine was met by a sharp fusillade of small-arms fire, which revealed a series of mutually supporting caves on both sides of the draw. In the fire fight that ensued, 12 wounded men were isolated and not recovered for four hours. "Every means of painlessly destroying the strongpoint was unsuccessfully tried and it was finally taken by a typical 'Banzai' charge, with one platoon entering the mouth of the draw and one platoon coming down one side of the two noses that formed the pocket."  The 1st Marine Division continued its advance with little resistance to the Ishimmi-Kutoku line, also extending southward to Chatan, while the 1st Marines moved past the 5th Marines toward Chibana. With approximately 6,000 yards separating General Del Valle's main frontline units from the 7th Division, General Arnold decided to send Colonel Roy Greene's 184th Regiment to fill this significant gap. At sea, Admiral Mitscher's Task Force 58 launched a strike against Amami Oshima, sinking three vessels and damaging two others, while also witnessing four warships collide and sustain damage. In retaliation, Admiral Ugaki's Kyushu aircraft force conducted sporadic kamikaze attacks, resulting in damage to five transports. The next day, General Hodge's 24th Corps shifted its focus southward. The 17th Regiment secured the rear areas and captured Awase, while the 32nd Regiment advanced approximately 5,000 yards along Nakagusuku Bay to occupy Kuba and establish its lines in front of Hill 165. The 381st Regiment took control of Kishaba and Atanniya but failed in its assaults on Hill 165 and Unjo. Meanwhile, the 383rd Regiment swiftly occupied Isa, Chiyunna, and the Futema high ground. Looking north, Del Valle dispatched the 1st Reconnaissance Company to scout the area along the corps boundary, sweep the Katchin Peninsula, and patrol back up the east coast to the village of Hizaonna. This maneuver enabled the 1st Marines to advance quickly in formation and reach the sea wall overlooking the northern end of Nakagusuku Bay by nightfall. Concurrently, the 5th Marines moved forward and successfully occupied Agina and Tengan; the 7th Marines gained around 2,700 yards of enemy territory and ultimately reached Hizaonna, although Company K became lost and was ambushed. The 4th Marines navigated the challenging terrain and light enemy resistance to secure the significant hill mass behind Yontan airfield, located 3,000 yards short of the east coast. The 22nd Marines advanced and successfully captured Nakadomari, along with a position 400 yards south of that line. Meanwhile, the 6th Reconnaissance Company, supported by armored units, crossed the Ishikawa Isthmus to the village of Ishikawa, where they faced mortar fire. At sea, Mitscher's aircraft carriers targeted Okinawa, sinking two vessels and damaging two others. In response, Ugaki was finally able to launch a preliminary mass Ten-Go air attack, with 119 aircraft causing damage to the escort carrier Wake Island, the destroyers Bennett, Prichett, and Foreman, the minesweeper Hambelton, and two landing craft. Due to significant advancements, Geiger successfully deployed Colonel Victor Bleasdale's 29th Marines to take control of the Yontan airfield and other rear areas. To the south, Del Valle's units moved toward the eastern shore of Okinawa, with the 1st Marines occupying the Katchin Peninsula without facing any resistance, while the 5th and 7th Marine Regiments secured the coastline in their designated zones. Further south, after splitting the island in two, Hodge began advancing toward Naha, targeting the hill mass stretching from Urasoe-Mura to Hill 178 and Ouki. In response, General Bradley positioned Colonel Macey Dill's 382nd Regiment in front of Nodake, while the 184th Regiment moved through the 381st in the Attaniya-Unjo area. For the initial push toward the Uchitomari-Tsuwa line, the 383rd Regiment advanced quickly from Isa to Mashiki, where they were ultimately halted by heavy fire from the south. The 382nd advanced over two miles south from Nodake along the eastern boundary of the division, while Arnold's forward units lagged about two miles behind due to moderate resistance at a high, wooded ridge parallel to the coastline just west of Kuba. Meanwhile, at sea, Ugaki launched only sporadic kamikaze attacks, which resulted in damage to the destroyer Wilson near the Kerama Islands. Additionally, two American vessels collided while Task Force 58 targeted Okinawa, and later that night, a suicide boat attacked and sank an LCI gunboat. In the Attaniya-Unjo area, the 383rd Regiment made a swift advance from Isa to Mashiki as part of the initial push towards the Uchitomari-Tsuwa line. However, the following day marked the onset of fierce resistance on Okinawa, with the 383rd Regiment struggling to make headway against the formidable Japanese defenses on Cactus Ridge. Meanwhile, the 382nd Regiment continued its advance southward against a series of fortified positions, achieving gains of approximately 400 yards to the east and 900 yards to the west. The 184th Regiment moved through Arakachi but was halted by intense and precise fire from a rocky outcrop located about 1,000 yards southwest. The 32nd Regiment finally managed to capture Castle Hill before pushing more than two miles along the coast to a point east of Ukuma. To the north, while the 1st Marine Division shifted to a primarily defensive posture, the 6th Marine Division conducted active reconnaissance toward the Motobu Peninsula, advancing the front to the Atsutabaru-Chima line. Additionally, a patrol from the 1st Marines on the Katchin Peninsula crossed the reef to seize Yabuchi Island swiftly. At sea, there were no kamikaze attacks that day as Ugaki and Toyoda prepared to launch the main phase of Operation Ten-Go, although an Okinawa shore battery managed to hit the battleship Nevada. Unbeknownst to the Japanese, American intelligence had successfully intercepted Combined Fleet codes, allowing them to anticipate the details of the surface Ten-Ichi-Go attack. Consequently, Spruance's warships were prepared for the imminent departure of Ito's “Surface Special Attack Force,” which was executed a few hours later. Additionally, Ushijima was instructed to initiate a strong counterattack the following day to coincide with Ten-Ichi-Go and the first Kikisui attack, but he firmly rejected this order and called for the cancellation of the unnecessarily suicidal surface attack. During the night, as Admiral Blandy's minesweepers completed the perilous task of clearing the vast areas of Chimu and Nakagusuku Bays, the Fleet Marine Force Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion landed on the northern coast of Tsugen Island to gather intelligence on enemy positions. Upon their arrival in the early hours of April 6, they encountered machine-gun and mortar fire, which ultimately compelled the battalion to retreat to the beach and reembark. Simultaneously, the 4th and 29th Marine Regiments advanced through the 22nd Marine Regiment, with the 29th Marines moving up the west coast in formation and reaching Chuda by noon, while the 4th Marines progressed along the eastern coastal road, successfully advancing seven miles toward Madaira. Further south, the 383rd Regiment continued its assault on the fortified enemy positions at Cactus Ridge, pushing forward relentlessly until they secured the western half by nightfall. The 2d Battalion, 383d Infantry, made frontal assaults through intense mortar fire to gain the ridge. "We figured," S/Sgt. Francis M. Rall later wrote, "that the way to get out of that knee mortar fire was to get to where it was coming from. So we stood up in waves, firing everything we had and throwing hand grenades by the dozen, and charged the Jap position." By such tactics the 2d Battalion gained the western half of Cactus.  Over the next two days, the 382nd Regiment advanced slowly east of the Ginowan road, facing fierce resistance from the Tombstone and Nishibaru Ridges. After a 10-minute artillery bombardment, two companies of the 1st Battalion, 184th Regiment climbed nearly to the summit of the Pinnacle but were ultimately pushed back by strong resistance from caves and underground strongholds. Undeterred, Company B continued frontal assaults while Company C maneuvered up the western approaches to surprise the determined defenders. This strategy proved effective, with Company C reaching the top without sustaining any casualties and then methodically eliminating the remaining Japanese troops using white phosphorus grenades and flamethrowers. As the Pinnacle was being captured, the 32nd Regiment advanced across the coastal flatlands with minimal resistance to maintain contact with the 184th Regiment. On this day, Task Force 58 returned to sea, launching strikes on Okinawa and the Daito Islands, while Admiral Rawlings' Task Force 57 targeted the Ishigaki and Miyako Islands. Meanwhile, Japanese aerial reconnaissance identified two American carrier groups near Okinawa, prompting Ugaki to initiate his first mass Kikisui attack, sending hundreds of Japanese aircraft to assault Mitscher's carriers. US carriers unleashed a combined 19 USN and four USMC squadrons to blunt the onslaught. Swirling, running dogfights developed around noon and lasted through sunset. April 6 may have started slow, but by evening it had developed into one of the greatest aerial confrontations of all time. American CAPs overwhelmingly massacred the poorly trained Japanese attackers; Mitscher's Task Force 58 fighters claimed 249 Japanese planes for just two lost—a staggering 125-to-1 kill ratio. Yet the kamikaze pilots' grim determination was chillingly apparent. According to VF-82's action report: “Of all the enemy planes encountered, not one returned fire, all remained on course, boring in toward the surface vessels. The only evasive action offered was jinking, and the majority of the aircraft were obsolete models as can be seen by the list [of] destroyed. Primary danger to our pilots was collision or getting in the path of a friendly plane's fire.” Essex's VF-83 (36 Hellcats) and VBF-83 (36 Corsairs) combined for 69 kills, while Belleau Wood's 24 VF-30 Hellcats shot down 47. Belleau Wood's skipper, Captain Red Tomlinson, duly signaled Task Group 58.1's Rear Admiral Joseph J. Jocko Clark: “Does this exceed the bag limit?” Clark responded, “Negative. There is no limit. This is open season. Well done.” The US carrier fighters' 275 kills was thus the war's 4th-highest 1-day total. 13 US pilots achieved ace status (scored their 5th kill) on April 6, with 4 becoming “ace-in-a-day.” 10 pilots claimed 4 kills, while another 17 shot down 3 each. Combined with anti-aircraft fire, the Americans destroyed 355 Japanese planes. However, even significant aerial victories could not prevent the devastating kamikaze assaults, with approximately 182 Japanese aircraft in 22 groups attacking Spruance's 5th Fleet that afternoon. This led to 24 kamikaze planes sinking the destroyers Bush and Colhoun, as well as three transport ships, and inflicting further damage on the light carrier San Jacinto, 12 destroyers, three destroyer minesweepers, and one minesweeper. Friendly anti-aircraft fire also caused damage to battleship North Carolina, light cruiser Pasadena, and destroyer Hutchins. Despite the extensive damage, four new escort carriers arrived off Okinawa that day, bringing the first 222 fighters of Major-General Francis Mulcahy's Tactical Air Force, stationed at Yontan airfield. Meanwhile, the Yamato force set sail at 15:24 towards Okinawa, but within 45 minutes, a B-29 spotted them in transit. Submarine Threadfin then detected Ito's strike force moving through the Bungo Strait at 17:45. As Ito's force rounded Kyushu to the southwest, it was monitored overnight by submarine Hackleback, which sent four additional contact reports and was pursued three times briefly by one of Yamato's escorting destroyers. Concerned about a potential mass Kikisui attack on April 7, Spruance ordered Mitscher's carriers to concentrate on thwarting Japanese air assaults while tasking Admiral Deyo's Task Force 54 with intercepting Ito's strike force. At 06:20, April 7, six Zeros of the 203rd Kokutai arrived over Yamato as CAP. 14 total Zeros would relay in small groups over the Yamato task force, but all would depart as scheduled by 10:00. The Americans already knew the exact CAP schedule of Yamato's fighters, a later US intelligence memo dryly observing, “They left too soon.” At 08:32, an Essex Hellcat reported the Yamato task force southwest of Koshiki Retto at a heading of 300 degrees. The Yamato group was doing 22kts and deployed in a diamond formation, with Yamato in the center and Yahagi astern. Yamato simultaneously reported that she had been sighted. Visibility was highly variable, with patchy overcast. Within minutes, two VPB-21 PBM-3 Mariner flying boats (based at Kerama Retto with seaplane tender Chandeleur) arrived and began shadowing Yamato and radioing situation reports. Meanwhile, Mitscher duly reported the Yamato sighting to Spruance, before dispatching 16 additional fighters at 09:15 to track Yamato. Shortly after Yamato's CAP had departed, at 10:14, the Japanese discovered the two shadowing PBM-3 Mariners, and simultaneously reported a US submarine stalking the task force—this was Hackleback, which had managed to catch back up with the zig-zagging Japanese. Three minutes later, at 10:17, Yamato turned towards the Mariners and opened fire with her awesome 18.1in. Sanshikidan anti-aircraft shells. Yahagi also opened fire, and additionally began jamming the Mariners' transmissions. The Mariners retreated into the clouds unharmed at 10:18, and Yamato and Yahagi ceased fire. To his chief-of-staff, Commodore Arleigh Burke, Mitscher announced: “Inform Admiral Spruance that I propose to strike the Yamato sortie group at 1200hrs unless otherwise directed.” The grizzled aviator desperately wished to sink Yamato, but he likely suspected that Spruance, riding New Mexico, intended his beloved dreadnoughts claim one last moment of glory. “Will you take them or shall I?” Mitscher pressed. Spruance's response: “You take them.” At 10:00, the carriers of Task Groups 58.1 and 58.3 launched the first wave of 282 aircraft, although only 227 managed to locate Ito's strike force as they navigated through challenging, overcast weather. At 11:07, Yamato's radars detected the large formation approaching from 63 nautical miles away, prompting Ito to increase speed to 25 knots. Within eight minutes, the formation closed to 44 nautical miles, leading the Japanese to initiate sharp evasive maneuvers. Bennington's Lieutenant-Commander Hugh Woods' airborne radar detected the Yamato task force some 25nm away from its predicted location, and the US strike altered course. Five minutes later, the Americans made visual contact through a hole in the patchy 3,000ft overcast, a Hornet pilot recalling, “Yamato looked like the Empire State Building plowing through the water.” Yamato cruised in the center, flanked by destroyers Kasumi, Suzutsuki, Hamakaze, and Yukikaze. Light cruiser Yahagi was in the van, followed by destroyers Hatsushimo, Isokaze, and Fuyutsuki. The first American aviators encountered the destroyer Asashimo, which had been experiencing machinery issues for five hours and had fallen 12 nautical miles behind the main task force to the north. San Jacinto's seven Hellcats dove against Asashimo, but the crippled destroyer threw up notably heavy flak. The Hellcats' 1,000lb bombs closely straddled Asashimo, buckling the destroyer's hull plating. The Hellcats then repeatedly strafed the destroyer, causing large fires that quickly silenced Asashimo's guns. San Jacinto's eight Avengers then made a textbook attack run at 300ft, dropping torpedoes from 1,200 to 1,600yds range. Trailing a wide oil slick, the crippled Asashimo attempted to comb the torpedoes, but one struck beneath her bridge and a second hit near her engine room. Successive explosions blew Asashimo partly out of the water and broke her in half. Asashimo sank at 1213hrs, going down with all 330 men. She had lasted three minutes against San Jacinto's attack. Twelve miles ahead, Yamato lookouts spotted the incoming aircraft at 12:32, which then spent the next five minutes circling just outside the range of Japanese anti-aircraft fire to coordinate their strike plan. Around this time, Yamato also raised Togo's iconic Tsushima flag signal: “On this one battle rests the fate of our nation. Let every man do his utmost.”At 12:37, the circling planes launched their coordinated assault on Yamato and her escorts, focusing on the superbattleship's port side in an attempt to capsize her. US fighters repeatedly strafed Yamato with their 5in. rockets and 0.50cal. machine guns, decimating Japanese antiaircraft batteries and slaughtering exposed antiaircraft crews. The intense carnage and chaos that followed suppressed careful targeting and further ravaged Japanese gunners' morale. Yamato was maneuvering hard at her flank speed of 27kts, when at 1240hrs four Bennington Helldivers from VB-82 delivered two 1,000lb bombs near Yamato's mainmast. The first bomb exploded in Yamato's crew quarters. The second detonated near Yamato's aft command station and caused serious damage, destroying one of Yamato's two air search radars, her after secondary gun director, and several 25mm antiaircraft guns. The subsequent fires shortly reached the powder handling area beneath Yamato's after 6.1in. turret and detonated the readyuse propellant. The resulting conflagration virtually exterminated the 6.1in. turret crew, but flash doors prevented the explosion from reaching the rest of the magazine. Nevertheless, the explosion killed the area's entire damage control party, meaning the resulting fire would rage uncontrolled for the rest of the battle. The Americans lost one Helldiver. At 1243hrs, eight Hornet Avengers launched torpedo attacks against Yamato's port side, covered by 14 Bunker Hill Corsairs strafing Yamato with rockets. Antiaircraft fire hit six Avengers, destroying one, but at least three torpedoes hit the water. The first two torpedoes missed, but at 1245hrs the third torpedo slammed into Yamato's port side, opening her hull to 2,235 tons of seawater. Japanese damage control counterflooded with 604 tons of water to correct the list. Attempting to draw US attackers from Yamato, Hara's light cruiser Yahagi had maneuvered away from the Japanese battleship, steaming hard at 35kts. US strafing had already ricocheted machine gun bullets around Yahagi's bridge, killing a lookout. Watching the attack unfold, Hara admitted, “The spectacle was at once thrilling and terrifying.” Meanwhile, Bennington's Lieutenant-Commander Ed De Garmo led three Avengers against Yahagi. At 1246hrs, De Garmo's Avengers delivered Yahagi her first hit and it was a devastating one. A single torpedo struck Yahagi in the engine room, killing the entire engineering crew. Yahagi was left dead in the water nine minutes into the battle. Destroyer Isokaze subsequently sped towards Yahagi to take off Rear Admiral Komura. Meanwhile, around 56 aircraft targeted Yamato's escorting destroyers, leading to multiple torpedo hits that split Hamakaze in two; Isokaze was bombarded with bombs; Fuyutsuki suffered minor damage from two dud rockets; and Suzutsuki was struck by a bomb that severed her bow. The first wave of attacks concluded at 12:50, as Ito sought to reorganize his forces and evaluate Yahagi's status. Shortly after 13:00, a second wave of 50 aircraft appeared, managing to hit Yamato's port bow with a bomb at 13:23 and inflicting several bomb hits near the battleship's bridge. Additionally, two bomb hits and several near misses critically damaged the destroyer Kasumi, leaving her dead in the water and ablaze. At 1333 the third wave of US attackers arrived, comprising 110 new Yorktown, Intrepid, and Langley aircraft from the delayed TG-58.4 strike. The Americans now overwhelmingly focused on the reeling Yamato. Twenty Avengers attacked Yamato's portside. Around 1337, the third wave saw three confirmed torpedo hits on Yamato's portside, plus a fourth probable hit, increasing her portside list to 15–16 degrees. Stationed on Yamato's bridge, Ensign Mitsuru Yoshida recalled, “I could hear the Captain vainly shouting, ‘Hold on men! Hold on men!'”. Aruga had no option but to flood Yamato's starboard machinery spaces, where hundreds of engineers toiled to keep Yamato underway. Water, both from torpedo hits and the flood valves rushed into these compartments and snuffed out the lives of the men at their posts, several hundred in all. Caught between cold sea water and steam and boiling water from the damaged boilers, they simply melted away.” Aruga's drastic measure reduced Yamato's portside list back to five degrees, but exhausted her last starboard counterflooding capacity. Having lost one shaft and gained 3,000 tons more water, Yamato's speed fell to 12kts. At 1342hrs, TG-58.4 Avengers dropped another four torpedoes. Yoshida marveled, “That these pilots repeated their attacks with such accuracy and coolness, was a sheer display of the unfathomable, undreamed-of strength of our foes!” Yamato shot down one Avenger, but two torpedoes plowed into Yamato's portside, making five torpedo hits in five minutes. The Americans had intentionally targeted Yamato's stern to wreck her steering, and the gamble paid off. Yamato's rudders were now disabled, jamming her in a permanent starboard turn. Any chance of reaching Okinawa was gone. Reduced to a speed of 8 knots and unable to maneuver, the stricken Yamato became an easy target. Around 14:02, Mitscher's relentless carrier planes inflicted at least four more bomb hits, disabling most of Yamato's remaining operational anti-aircraft guns as the battleship helplessly circled. As a result, Ito canceled the Ten-Ichi-Go attack and promptly ordered all his warships to rescue survivors and attempt to retreat to Japan. The sinking battleship was then deserted, except for Ito and Captain Aruga Kosaku, who chose to go down with their ship.  Throughout the battle, a stoic Ito had sat silently with arms crossed on Yamato's bridge, unflinching as bullets ricocheted around him, slaughtering his staff. Ensing Yoshida Mitsuru now observed that Ito “struggled to his feet. His chief of staff then arose and saluted. A prolonged silence followed during which they regarded each other solemnly.” Ito then told his staff, “Save yourselves. I shall stay with the ship.” Ito then shook hands deliberately with his officers, retired to his sea cabin one deck below, and locked it behind him. Meanwhile, with Yamato's pumps no longer functioning, alarms began to blare: temperatures in the 18.1-inch magazines were approaching dangerous levels. By 14:20, the capsizing Yamato's main deck was vertical to the ocean. Captain Aruga, eating a biscuit given to him by a rating, tied himself to a binnacle on Yamato's bridge. As Yamato capsized, surviving men clambered across her keel, a crazed, half-naked officer screaming and brandishing his samurai sword at the Americans.  Meanwhile, the Americans continued pummeling the helpless Yahagi, which “quivered and rocked as if made of paper,” recalled Captain Hara. The stricken Yahagi suffered repeated hits. “My proud cruiser,” Hara brooded, “was but a mass of junk, barely afloat.” Around 1400hrs Yahagi took the decisive torpedo hit, triggering a clearly fatal starboard roll. Hara finally ordered, “Abandon ship.” At 1405hrs, one minute after receiving her last bomb, Yahagi capsized and sank, having somehow absorbed at least 12 bombs and seven torpedoes. Captain Hara and Rear Admiral Komura calmly stepped into the water as Yahagi sank from beneath them, only barely surviving the sinking Yahagi's undertow. Now clinging to floating wreckage, the exhausted Hara observed “scores of planes swarming about [Yamato] like gnats.” By 14:20, the capsizing Yamato's main deck was vertical to the ocean, and three minutes later, the sinking dreadnought exploded catastrophically before finally disappearing beneath the East China Sea. Yamato's capsizing motion had likely forced open her 18.1in. powder room doors, allowing fires into the battleship's magazines. An American gunner described the explosion as “the prettiest sight I've ever seen … A red column of fire shot up through the clouds and when it faded Yamato was gone.” The detonation killed most Yamato survivors still struggling in the water and may have destroyed several US aircraft. The Americans' exact score will never be known, but Yamato had certainly absorbed seven bombs and nine to twelve torpedoes out of 150 torpedoes dropped. The US planes departed at 1443, but not before issuing “a few farewell strafing runs across the Yamato survivors.” Destroyers Suzutsuki, Fuyuzuki, Yukikaze, and Hatsushimo rescued 1,620 men, including Hara and Komura, before successfully returning to Japan. Additionally, the disabled destroyers Isokaze and Kasumi were scuttled by Yukikaze and Fuyuzuki, respectively. By the end of the action, the combined losses for Ten-Ichi-Go totaled 4,242 Japanese lives. Meanwhile, Ugaki had launched a second mass kamikaze attack around noon, sending 132 aircraft towards Task Force 58. Although Mitscher's fighters shot down 54 attackers, the kamikazes managed to damage the fast carrier Hancock, the battleship Maryland, the destroyers Bennett and Wesson, and a motor minesweeper. The initial Kikisui operation resulted in the deaths of 485 Americans and left 582 wounded. The significant losses over the two days hindered Ugaki from launching another large-scale Kikisui attack for five days. Meanwhile, back in Okinawa on April 7 and 8, Hodge continued his offensive in the south. In Bradley's sector, the 383rd Regiment persistently executed banzai charges against the remaining enemy strongholds on Cactus Ridge until the entire area was secured by American forces. They then advanced toward Kakazu Ridge, where they faced even stronger resistance. The 382nd Regiment made a slow but steady push forward, ultimately being halted by intense fire across a broad front just north of Kaniku and Tombstone Ridge.  The fighting in the 7th Division's sector on April 7 centered on a low, bare hill 1000 yards west of the town of Minami-Uebaru, called Red Hill because of its color. The enemy had made a fortress of the hill by constructing his usual system of caves and connecting trenches. A frontal assault on Red Hill by troops of the 3rd Battalion failed in the face of machine-gun and mortar fire. In a 2nd attempt, 3 platoons of tanks supported the attack. 10 medium and 5 light tanks advanced through a cut toward Red Hill; 2 tanks were blown up by mines and 1 was satchel-charged as the column moved toward the hill and up the sides. Intense enemy artillery and machine-gun fire drove the infantry back and disabled more tanks. Japanese swarmed in among the armor and tried to destroy the tanks with satchel charges and flaming rags. 2 medium tanks held off the attackers, the defending crews resorting to hand grenades, while the rest of the operative tanks withdrew. The 14th Independent Battalion headquarters proudly described this action as a perfect example of how to separate troops from tanks and thus break up the American infantry-tank team. The enemy dispatch stated: "The above method of isolating the troops from the tanks with surprise fire followed by close combat tactics is an example in the complete destruction of enemy tanks and will be a great factor in deciding the victories of tank warfare." After these 2 reversals the 3rd Battalion made a wide enveloping maneuver to the right. Behind fire from artillery and supporting weapons, the troops drove toward Red Hill from the west and occupied it, suffering only 2 casualties in the move. Once more a Japanese outpost had shown its strength against a frontal attack and its vulnerability to a flanking maneuver. The capture of Red Hill left another sector of enemy territory open for the taking. The troops advanced 100 yards south before digging in. A platoon of tanks conducted a remarkable 4000-yard foray almost to Hill 178 and withdrew safely, despite a bombing attack by two single-engined Japanese planes. The following day, the 184th continued its advance southward under heavy fire, managing to take Triangulation Hill after two fierce assaults. Simultaneously, the 32nd Regiment captured Tsuwa as it extended the front along the coastline. By the night of April 8, the 24th Corps had sustained 1,510 battle casualties while inflicting 4,489 Japanese fatalities and capturing 13; they had finally reached the formidable perimeter of the Shuri fortified zone. Looking north, on April 7, the Fleet Marine Force Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion landed on Ike Island, encountering no opposition. Subsequently, Company B was dispatched to secure Takabanare Island, while Company A took control of Heanza and Hamahika Islands. During the night, Company B reembarked, maneuvered around Tsugen Island, and landed on Kutaka Island, where they also found no enemy presence. Simultaneously, the 32nd Regiment captured Tsuwa as it expanded the front along the coastline. By the evening of April 8, the 24th Corps had incurred 1,510 battle casualties. On the same day, Shepherd advanced north with minimal resistance, as the 29th Marines successfully reached Nago while the 4th Marines moved through Henoko. Ahead of the division, the 6th Reconnaissance Company traveled up the west coast road to the village of Awa and then crossed the base of the Motobu Peninsula to Nakaoshi, encountering and either destroying or scattering several enemy groups along the way. As the reconnaissance zone was extended westward on April 8, clear signs, confirmed by aerial observations and photographs, indicated that the enemy had chosen the rugged mountains of Motobu as their defensive position. As a result, the 22nd Marines were deployed across the island from Nakaoshi to Ora to protect the right flank and rear of the 29th Marines attacking westward, while the 4th Marines assembled near Ora to support either the 29th on Motobu or the 22nd in the north. The 2nd Battalion, 29th Marines probed westward, moving across the base of Motobu and occupying the village of Gagusuku. Additionally, the reserve 1st Battalion at Yofuke successfully secured Yamadadobaru and Narashido, facing heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire at the latter location. The following day, the 29th Marines advanced in three columns to locate the enemy's main force at Motobu; all columns encountered resistance, revealing that a significant enemy force confronted the division in the area stretching from Itomi to Toguchi. On April 10, the 2nd Battalion, 29th Marines captured Unten Ko, where the Japanese had established a submarine and torpedo boat base; the 3rd Battalion took Toguchi and sent patrols into the interior, while the 1st Battalion advanced through Itomi and uncovered well-fortified positions on the high ground north of the village. On April 9, the 184th Regiment successfully captured Tomb Hill in the south following an artillery and air bombardment, while the 32nd Regiment took control of several finger ridges to the east that oversaw the approaches to Ouki. The Japanese-held area in front of the 383rd Regiment offered the enemy an ideal combination of defensive features. A deep moat, a hill studded with natural and man-made positions, a cluster of thick-walled buildings behind the hill; these were the basic elements of Kakazu stronghold. The enemy had exploited each one of them. Moreover, Kakazu, unlike such outposts as the Pinnacle, was an integral element of the Shuri fortified zone and a vital rampart that could expect reinforcements and heavy fire support from within the ring of positions that surrounded the 32nd Army headquarters, only 4000 yards to the south. Between the Americans and Kakazu lay a deep gorge, half hidden by trees and brush, which could be crossed only with difficulty. The Kakazu hill mass itself, which was made up of two hills connected by a saddle, stretched northwest-southeast for 2000 yards, sloping on the west toward the coastal flat and ending on the east at Highway 5. Just below Kakazu Ridge on the southeast was the town of Kakazu, a compact group of tile-roofed structures, each surrounded by hedges and stone walls and somewhat in defilade to the adjoining open fields. In and around the Kakazu hills the Japanese had created one of their strongest positions on Okinawa. Mortars dug in on the reverse slope were zeroed-in on the gorge and on vulnerable areas between the gorge and the crest of Kakazu. Several spigot mortars also protected the hill. In an intricate system of coordinated pillboxes, tunnels, and caves Japanese machine-guns were sited to cover all avenues of approach. The enemy was also supported by many artillery pieces within the Shuri fortified zone. The heavy walls and the hedges of the town of Kakazu-and eventually its rubble-afforded the Japanese countless defensive positions. Concurrently, the 383rd Regiment initiated its first coordinated assault on Kakazu Ridge, with Companies A, C, and L swiftly reaching the summit by dawn without detection. However, the surprised defenders quickly launched a fierce counterattack, ultimately forcing Companies A and C to withdraw. Company L, positioned on Kakazu West, continued to fend off enemy counterattacks alone until late afternoon when the exhausted unit had no choice but to retreat. The next day, Brigadier-General Claudius Easley proposed a "powerhouse attack," where the 381st Regiment would assault Kakazu West from positions south of Uchitomari while the 383rd would press on Kakazu Ridge from positions north of the gorge. Following a heavy artillery bombardment, the assault commenced, with the 2nd Battalion of the 381st Regiment rapidly fighting through strong enemy defenses to secure the crest of Kakazu West. However, the 383rd was struggling to make headway, prompting Colonel May to direct his two battalions to execute flanking maneuvers. Although the eastern encirclement was unsuccessful, May's 3rd Battalion managed to cross the gorge at the northern base of Kakazu West to join Colonel Halloran's 2nd Battalion on the crest. Both units then attempted to advance eastward in heavy rain, but relentless Japanese counterattacks forced them back to Kakazu West. Stalemated, Easley eventually ordered Halloran's 1st Battalion to move through May's 3rd Battalion to attack southeast along Kakazu Ridge, but this assault was also repelled by the determined defenders. At the same time, the 382nd Regiment launched its primary assault on Tombstone Ridge, advancing southwest with three battalions in formation but managing to gain only a few hundred yards to the west as fierce defenders thwarted their main offensives against the hills held by the Japanese. Meanwhile, to the east, the 32nd Regiment attempted to advance into the town of Ouki without success, while the 184th Regiment on the heights defended against minor counterattacks, sealed off caves, and solidified their positions. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The battle for Okinawa is really heating up, showcasing to the Americans they would be paying dearly for every foot they took off the island. Meanwhile the last stand of the super battleship Yamato would form a legend encompassing the defiant spirit of Japan as well as producing one of the most bizarre science fiction animes of all time.

In 1925, 100 years ago, Anatol Josepho invented the first fully automated, coin-operated photobooth which he named the Photomaton. Stationed on Broadway near Times Square in New York City, over 250,000 Americans used the photobooth in its first year, paying 25 cents and waiting patiently for eight minutes while their photo strips developed. A game-changer for the world of photography, the photobooth would become ubiquitous in cities around the world. In the 1950s and 1960s, photobooths became a common feature at fairs, shopping centres and train stations and were loved by everyone from John Lennon and Yoko Ono to John and Jaqueline Kennedy and even employed by artist Andy Warhol for his now famous series of self-portraits. Fast forward to 2025 and AUTOFOTO is marking the booth's 100 year anniversary with a series of globally connected events, profiles and celebrations including major exhibitions and interventions across London, New York and Arles, projects with community groups, artists and designers, plus special events centered around their London and Barcelona based booths and in partnership with colleagues across the Globe. - Official website: https://autofoto.org/ - AUTOFOTO London: https://www.instagram.com/autofoto.london/ - AUTOFOTO Barcelona: https://www.instagram.com/autofoto.barcelona/ - The Real Selfie Project: https://www.instagram.com/therealselfieproject/ - Photo London Fair: https://photolondon.org/exhibitors/2024-2/autofoto/ - International Photobooth Convention: https://www.autophoto.org/convention - The Photographers' Gallery London: https://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/2025-photographers-gallery   Rafael Hortala Vallve is the founder of AUTOFOTO, an analogue photobooth company based in London and Barcelona. AUTOFOTO have been rescuing and restoring original auto-photography machines for over a decade. Their restored machines can be found in locations across their two city bases. Their passion for analogue image making has led to a whole host of collaborations, workshops and events which bring a deeper enjoyment and understanding of analogue creative process.    Michael Dooney https://beacons.ai/michaeldooney This episode of Subtext & Discourse Art World Podcast was recorded on 21. February 2025 between Perth (AU) and London (UK).

In today's episode, we're introduced to the heroes of our story: Esther and Mordecai. Holly takes us through the history of the Israelites returning to Jerusalem from Persia and why Mordecai's presence in Persia was supernatural. Holly also shares more stories about the crazy teenage boys in her house. (Hint: Home Depot and baby bunnies.)Bible Verses Referenced:Esther 2:1-14Ezra 1:1-5Ezra 4:1-6Esther 2:15-23Sisters with Swords is produced and edited by Holly Knight. Original music by the Minister of Funk and husband of the year, Bradley Knight, can be found here. You can find Holly's book Stubborn Obedience on Amazon! And don't forget to visit Janie's restaurant, The Biscuit Bar, if you're in the DFW Area. Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with your friends and follow us on Instagram! We are so grateful for you, sister, and are cheering you on as you wield your sword.@sisterswithswords@heyhollyknight@janiejoburkett

This week on Primal Screen, guest host Will Cox is joined by Alex McShane to review Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and Grand Tour. Our favourite frazzled English woman is back for this Valentine's Day-released rom-com. Renee Zellweger returns to the role of Bridget Jones, this time as a single mother of two facing the prospect of re-starting her love life. New love interests are played by Leo Woodall and Chiwetel Ejiofor, as well as old flame Daniel Cleaver played by Hugh Grant. This is the fourth instalment of the series, and is based off Helen Fielder's novels. In contrast, Grand Tour is set in colonial-era South East Asia during the First World War. Stationed in Rangoon, British civil servant Edward miserably awaits the arrival of his fiancé Molly, until he decides to flee to Singapore. The resulting lover's chase across the continent is a dreamy adventure, across jungles, over rivers, and through teeming cities. The film also incorporates hybrid-documentary elements and experimental tableaux, for which Miguel Gomes was awarded Best Director at Cannes last year. Will also speaks with Associate Professor Stephen Gaunson from RMIT about Akira Kurosawa's masterpiece Seven Samurai, screening in stunning 4K at the Capitol Theatre on Tuesday, February 25.Plus, Spiro Economopoulos, Creative Director of the Europa! Europa Film Festival, joins the show to discuss this year's program of arthouse European cinema, running from February 12 to March 12.Tune in Primal Screen on Triple R, Monday nights from 7pm on 102.7

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall and her love life is . . . complicated. So when her real dad—a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago—suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach about love, and what it actually means to be family. The Peacock and the Sparrow by I. S. Barry Shane Collins, a world-weary CIA spy, is ready to come in from the cold. Stationed in Bahrain off the coast of Saudi Arabia for his final tour, he's anxious to dispense with his mission—uncovering Iranian support for the insurgency against the monarchy. But then he meets Almaisa, a beautiful and enigmatic artist, and his eyes are opened to a side of Bahrain most expats never experience, to questions he never thought to ask. When his trusted informant becomes embroiled in a murder, Collins finds himself drawn deep into the conflict. His budding romance with Almaisa—and his loyalties—are upended; in an instant, he's caught in the crosswinds of a revolution. Drawing on all his skills as a spymaster, he sets out to learn the truth behind the Arab Spring, win Almaisa's love, and uncover the murky border where Bahrain's secrets end and America's begin. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ep 122: Feb 12, 2025 Rebroadcast - Interview with Retired USAF Sergeant "John Smith" stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. Linda is returning from Conscious Life Expo in Los Angeles. Please enjoy this special rebroadcast episode. Christmas with the cats Utah Department of Public Safety discovers mysterious monolith in remote Utah Wilderness between 10 and 12 feet high, made of metal. Work of art or something else? Interview with “John Smith”, retired USAF Sergeant Assigned to “Murphy Dome” Air Force station in Fairbanks Alaska in 1968 Large underground installation. “Long stairway underground”…”main reason we were down there to monitor Russia…” “Large screen that had a map of the planet” “Any object in the air came up on that screen” “…people from some other planet monitoring what we do” “..the UFOs..usually traveled in packed of 3 or 6…they would disappear” “…most of the traffic was south of South America and Africa” “…3 to 6 at a time” Feb 25, 1942 - US Anti-Aircraft Artillery shot at UFO over Santa Monica Mountains Feb 27, 1942 - Pres. Roosevelt secret document “…atomic secrets learned from study of celestial devices” “…this information must remain within the confines of state secrets” referencing Cape Gerardo, MI UFO incident “neutronic propulsion device” ==== NEW PRINTINGS NOW AVAILABLE: Glimpses of Other Realities, Vol. 1: Fact & Eye Witnesses   Now available on Amazon: https://earthfiles.com/glimpses1  Glimpses of Other Realities, Vol. 2: High Strangeness   Now available on Amazon: https://earthfiles.com/glimpses2 ==== — For more incredible science stories, Real X-Files, environmental stories and so much more. Please visit my site https://www.earthfiles.com — Be sure to subscribe to this Earthfiles Channel the official channel for Linda Moulton Howe https://www.youtube.com/user/Earthfiles — To stay up to date on everything Earthfiles, follow me on FaceBook@EarthfilesNews and Twitter @Earthfiles.  To purchase books and merchandise from Linda Moulton Howe, be sure to only shop at my official Earthfiles store at https://www.earthfiles.com/earthfiles-shop/ — Countdown Clock Piano Music:  Ashot Danielyan, Composer:  https://www.pond5.com/stock-music/100990900/emotional-piano-melancholic-drama.html

Join us as we speak with Paul Schwartz, who served with the United States Air Force in intelligence operations during Desert Storm. Stationed in Saudi Arabia alongside the B-52's of Jeddah, Paul shares his experiences, insights, and the vital role he played during the Gulf War. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Explore the Legacy Study: Gulf War Veteran & Family Healthhttps://sites.bu.edu/legacystudy This study seeks to understand the long-term health impacts of Gulf War service on veterans and their families, focusing on reproductive and children's health. Gulf War veterans and their adult children are invited to participate in this groundbreaking research launching in early 2024. Learn more: Legacy Study For details, call (617) 358-1345 or email gwrepro@bu.edu Life Wave Patches: https://lifewave.com/kevinsimon/store/products *Here is my recommendations on what patches to get and what has helped me. Ice Wave - this helps with my neuropathy. x39 - this helps me with brain fog and my shakes x49 - helps with bone strength Gludifion - helps get rid of toxins Merch: https://gulfwar-side-effects.myspreadshop.com/ Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com

THIS EPISODE:In ORBIT, author Lee Starks takes us deep into the Pentagon, where a secretive Special Operations unit known as 'Team Usual' operates beyond the confines of typical government guidelines. Stationed at the ultra-clandestine Harvey Point Defense and Testing Facility in North Carolina, Special Agent Jack Riggs thought he was on a well-deserved break with his daughter Kat—until an unexpected sight in the sky changed everything. When the Defense Intelligence Agency calls his team into action, Riggs is thrust into a mission to track down a rogue contractor's UFO recovery team. With access to the entire US Military Intelligence toolbox, Riggs and his team venture into the jungles of South America, uncovering a tangled web of government conspiracies, defense contractor fraud, and secret space programs, all while embodying honor, integrity, and courage.Lee Starks uses his 30+ years of deep undercover operations (and UFO - UAP experiencer) to bring you a story that will have you questioning everything. Are we being visited by NHI, or could it be a rogue defense industry contractor's secret space program? Is there a chance it could be both? Join us!ORBIT: (A CURVED PATH FOLLOWING A SINGLE POINT) by Lee Starks is available now on Amazon https://amzn.to/3AHsC6x ** A very small portion of these affiliate sales goes to support the positive paranormal efforts at All Things Unexplained.

This story isn't intended for young or sensitive readers. Readers who are on the lookout for trigger warnings are advised to give Worm a pass.Complete list of potential triggers: here-----------------------------------Episode Description:“Eleven?” Partisan asked. “Stationed around the world, at the borders of the stronger nations,” the entity informed the Wardens. “Like yours, they're remaining more or less stationary, only attacking when they see weakness.” “And you believe it is the Brockton Bay Book Club who are responsible?” The entity shook its head. “I can't know. You've seen for yourself, the powerful blocks they've put in place against powers. But enough clues point to the them.”Get in contact with us @brocktonbaybc-----------------------------------Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast:This episode of the Brockton Bay Book Club is sponsored by Made Marion. Made Marion creates custom cottagecore and ren faire clothing designed for every body. Whether you're looking for a lace up bodice, rustic apron and pinafores, or ethereal dresses, you'll find items customized for every individual's fit and design. All items are lovingly hand sewn with attention to detail and a touch of whimsy.Visit Made Marion today and transform your wardrobe with clothing that feels as enchanting as it looks. Find Made Marion on etsy, at themademarion.etsy.com-----------------------------------Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(01:10) - Book Club BeginsShow less

THIS EPISODE:In ORBIT, author Lee Starks takes us deep into the Pentagon, where a secretive Special Operations unit known as 'Team Usual' operates beyond the confines of typical government guidelines. Stationed at the ultra-clandestine Harvey Point Defense and Testing Facility in North Carolina, Special Agent Jack Riggs thought he was on a well-deserved break with his daughter Kat—until an unexpected sight in the sky changed everything. When the Defense Intelligence Agency calls his team into action, Riggs is thrust into a mission to track down a rogue contractor's UFO recovery team. With access to the entire US Military Intelligence toolbox, Riggs and his team venture into the jungles of South America, uncovering a tangled web of government conspiracies, defense contractor fraud, and secret space programs, all while embodying honor, integrity, and courage.Lee Starks uses his 30+ years of deep undercover operations (and UFO - UAP experiencer) to bring you a story that will have you questioning everything. Are we being visited by NHI, or could it be a rogue defense industry contractor's secret space program? Is there a chance it could be both? Join us!ORBIT: (A CURVED PATH FOLLOWING A SINGLE POINT) by Lee Starks is available now on Amazon https://amzn.to/3AHsC6x ** A very small portion of these affiliate sales goes to support the positive paranormal efforts at All Things Unexplained.

THIS EPISODE:In ORBIT, author Lee Starks takes us deep into the Pentagon, where a secretive Special Operations unit known as 'Team Usual' operates beyond the confines of typical government guidelines. Stationed at the ultra-clandestine Harvey Point Defense and Testing Facility in North Carolina, Special Agent Jack Riggs thought he was on a well-deserved break with his daughter Kat—until an unexpected sight in the sky changed everything. When the Defense Intelligence Agency calls his team into action, Riggs is thrust into a mission to track down a rogue contractor's UFO recovery team. With access to the entire US Military Intelligence toolbox, Riggs and his team venture into the jungles of South America, uncovering a tangled web of government conspiracies, defense contractor fraud, and secret space programs, all while embodying honor, integrity, and courage.Lee Starks uses his 30+ years of deep undercover operations (and UFO - UAP experiencer) to bring you a story that will have you questioning everything. Are we being visited by NHI, or could it be a rogue defense industry contractor's secret space program? Is there a chance it could be both? Join us!ORBIT: (A CURVED PATH FOLLOWING A SINGLE POINT) by Lee Starks is available now on Amazon https://amzn.to/3AHsC6x ** A very small portion of these affiliate sales goes to support the positive paranormal efforts at All Things Unexplained.

Finance journalist Alan Kohler and Patricia Collins, who had just joined the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service, recall their vivid memories from the night that irrevocably changed DarwinIt's been half a century since Darwin was nearly completely razed by Cyclone Tracy.On Christmas Day in 1974, the monster cyclone bore down on the city, killing at least 66 people.Both Alan Kohler and Patricia Collins survived that night in very different circumstances.Alan was living in a share house on stilts with other young journalists at the time, and they were all huddled in the bathroom when the house fell down.The next day, he and his friends set about printing an emergency copy of the Northern Territory news to let locals know what had happened and what do to next.Patricia was still a teenager and had recently enlisted in the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service.Stationed at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, Patricia and the other women in the Navy were given the option to evacuate after the storm, or to stay.Patricia chose to stay and help get Darwin back on its feet.Further informationDisasters take time to work through — and it's ok to ask for support. If this episode of Conversations brings up any issues for you, you can call any of these helplines: You can also call any of these hotlines if you, or someone you know, is in distress:Lifeline on 13 11 14Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636Mensline on 1300 789 978Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511This episode of Conversations discusses natural disasters, storms, wet season, how to survive a cyclone, Darwin, Northern Territory, Top End, Monsoon Season, tropical weather, modern history, Australian history, books, grief, reflection, personal stories.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the eighty-first episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.' Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today's guests are the Commanding General and Division Command Sergeant Major of the 4th Infantry Division, MG David Doyle and CSM Alex Kupratty.   This episode was filmed on Veterans Day during a decisive action training environment rotation at the JRTC and aired on Thanksgiving Day. Veterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11, honors the service and sacrifices of all U.S. military veterans. The date reflects the historic moment of 11:00 AM on November 11, 1918, when the armistice ending World War I took effect—symbolizing peace after immense sacrifice. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was renamed in 1954 to recognize veterans from all conflicts. Veterans Day not only commemorates those who have served but also emphasizes the ongoing need for service to the nation. It serves as a reminder of the dedication required to protect freedom and the responsibility to support those who have borne the burden of safeguarding it.   The 4th Infantry Division, also known as the “Ivy Division,” has a distinguished history dating back to its establishment in 1917 during World War I. Its nickname and patch, featuring four ivy leaves arranged in the Roman numeral “IV,” symbolize tenacity and endurance, as ivy clings to any surface, just as the division perseveres in all missions. The division's motto, “Steadfast & Loyal,” reflects its commitment to excellence and reliability in combat. Known by its call sign “Ivy,” the division has played pivotal roles in major conflicts, including the D-Day landings at Utah Beach during World War II, extensive combat operations in Vietnam, and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, the 4th Infantry Division continues to serve as a premier mechanized infantry unit, exemplifying innovation and adaptability on the modern battlefield.   In this episode, we discuss critical preparations for large-scale combat operations, emphasizing the importance of mastering fundamental warfighting skills and leader development. The team highlighted the need for proficiency in combined arms maneuver, sustainment, and reconnaissance, while stressing a return to basics like fieldcraft, effective communication, and the disciplined use of warfighting functions. With the modern battlefield presenting challenges such as contested environments and the need for reduced electromagnetic signatures, the integration of multi-domain capabilities was identified as essential for mission success and survival in combat.   Leader development and training management were also prominent themes, with a focus on prioritizing training to build cohesive, resilient formations. The importance of equipping junior leaders to certify and lead their units was emphasized, particularly in addressing gaps caused by rapid promotions and personnel shortages. Prolonged field exercises were cited as effective for exposing soldiers to realistic combat conditions and building operational endurance. Additionally, we discussed adapting reconnaissance strategies to align with structural changes, encouraging creative task organization and leveraging tools like small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) to enhance situational awareness. These insights reflect a comprehensive approach to preparing for the complex demands of LSCO.   Part of S01 “The Leader's Laboratory” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we'd like to thank our guests for participating. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

Julius Carter - Lead Game Designer - U.S. Army Veteran and Iraqi Combat Veteran Sponsor The Jason Cavness Experience is sponsored by CavnessHR. CavnessHR provides HR to companies with 49 or fewer people.  CavnessHR provides a tech platform that automates HR while providing access to a dedicated HR Business Partner. www.CavnessHR.com  Go to www.thejasoncavnessexperience.com for the podcast on your favorite platforms Powered By Earth VC is on a mission to unf@#k the earth. They are doing this by supporting breakthrough scientific research, empowering outlier founders to build enduring climate businesses and investing in high-growth startups that decarbonize the world.  Earth VC empowers founders who are Ambitious, Breakthrough and are Committed Earth VC invests in the pre seed to Series A round. If you think you might be a match reach out to them at rebuild@earth.vc Julius' Bio Julius Carter grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY, until the age of 12. At 13, he lived in Florida with his father, where he experienced virtual reality (VR) for the first time. At 14, he returned to live with his mother in Red Hook, NY, earning his GED at 17 to join the U.S. Army. Military Service Timeline: (19Kilo) Armored Crewman (M1A1 Abrams) E5(P) • 2001–2002: Stationed in South Korea • 2002–2004: Stationed in Kansas (Ft. Riley) with an Iraq tour • 2004–2005: Stationed in South Korea • 2005–2008: Stationed in Germany with an Iraq tour After exiting the Army, Julius remained in Germany, enrolling in business school at Schiller University in Heidelberg.  In 2009, he moved to Texas, attending Brazosport Community College and later the Art Institute of Houston to study Game Development. During this time, he also worked as a car salesperson for Honda. In 2012, Julius left the U.S. to return to Germany, where he began his professional game development career at Crytek. While at Crytek, he also pursued stand-up comedy, hosting a bi-monthly show that gained early success. Career Progression: • Crytek, Germany: Transitioned into professional game development and stand-up comedy. • CI Games, Poland: Advanced his career in game development. • Playmagic, Malta: Continued his journey in game design, freelancing for the company after moving to Thailand for a year. • Ubisoft Singapore: Contributed to large-scale game projects while launching his own gamification business. His largest client had over 20 million users. • Virtuos Sparx, Vietnam: Worked as a Lead Game Designer, further honing his expertise. • Bootloader, Vietnam: Joined as a consultant and transitioned to a full-time role.  Throughout his career, Julius has excelled in game design, gamification, and immersive technologies such as AR and VR. His global experiences and entrepreneurial spirit have shaped his innovative approach to creating engaging user experiences and developing groundbreaking digital products.  Present: Julius continues to push boundaries in game development and consulting while exploring new ventures and opportunities.  We talked about the following and other items Journey to Game Development  Transition to Military Service Military Experience and Transition Challenges Game Development Journey Game Development Process and Market Trends  Challenges and Opportunities in the Gaming Industry Personal Experiences and Cultural Differences  Future Plans and Career Goals  Advice for Aspiring Game Developers Current Job and Future Plans Remote Work and Management  Day in the Life of a Game Designer Favorite Games and Influences Lead Designer Role and Industry Challenges Living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam  Favorite Districts and Local Culture Family Visits and Local Experiences Mentorship and Career Advice Future of Gaming AI Concerns Space Travel and Future Inventions Game Development and Privacy  Future of Gaming and Compliance Climate Responsibility and Energy Efficiency Julius' Social Media Julius' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliusdesigner/ Julius' Advice Treat each other better. Have respect for the common man. You might be a grumpy dude, but if you go outside and you see somebody struggling. Sometimes it's just that simple hello that gets them from doing or being what they plan on being because of their life status. Everybody has low points, and sometimes it's you. You got to just be kind to people. Have respect for one another.

In this Classic True Spies episode, learn the details of an elite clandestine unit, Special Forces Berlin, with the help of former operative James Stejskal.  Stationed in West Berlin but deployed wherever their skills were needed, they found themselves at the centre of the Tehran Hostage Crisis, but no-one could know they were there... From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Justin Trefgarne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm Stationed At Humanity's Last Fortress. The Enemy Is Already Here | Sci-Fi Creepypasta Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cuban-Venezuelan Conquest of the United States of America …Or: Fidel & Hugo's Excellent Bolivarian AdventureFEATURING:1. PATRICK BYRNE, PHD: Advocate of constitutional republicanism for government, blockchain for institutions, and educational choice for human capital.https://patrickbyrne.locals.com/https://www.deepcapture.com/https://x.com/PatrickByrne2. CHRIS HARRIS: Retired Border Patrol Agent and former member of National Border Patrol Council: 21 Years as a BP Agent, 26 years Federal, 36 years total Law Enforcement. Stationed mostly Imperial Beach Station, San Diego Sector, Union Official Director of Legislative and Political Affairs spending a lot of time in DC across 5 Administrationshttps://x.com/__Pfeiffer/status/18175937952417507183. Rocky Rochford Florida Congressional Candidate District 14 https://rocky4congress.com/Follow Ann Vandersteel on Pickax: https://pickax.com/annvandersteelProtect your financial future with precious metals! Download your FREE Gold and Silver Guide from Genesis Gold when you use code VANDERSTEEL and take control of your financial destiny! https://pickaxgold.comElevate your meals with Freedom First Beef… even if you find yourself in the middle of the apocalypse! Use code FFN for 25% off and enjoy high-quality beef whenever you crave it – today or tomorrow! https://freedomfirstbeef.comBe ready for anything life throws your way with The Wellness Company's Medical Emergency Kit. Order today using code FFN for a 10% discount at https://twc.health/ffn.Unleash the spirit of liberty in every cup with Freedom First Coffee's Founders Blend. Order now using code RIGHTNOW and savor the unparalleled taste of freedom in every patriotic sip. https://freedomfirstcoffee.com

I S Berry chats to Paul Burke about her espionage thriller THE PEACOCK AND THE SPARROW, already an Edgar First Novel, Barry and ITW Award Winner in the US, just published in the UK. The only female former field agent writing spy fiction.THE PEACOCK AND THE SPARROW Shane Collins, a world-weary CIA spy, is ready to come in from the cold. Stationed in Bahrain for his final tour, he's anxious to dispense with his mission ― uncovering Iranian support for the insurgency. But then he meets Almaisa, an enigmatic artist, and his eyes are opened to a side of Bahrain most expats never experience, to questions he never thought to ask.When his trusted informant becomes embroiled in a murder, Collins finds himself drawn deep into the conflict, his romance and loyalties upended. In an instant, he's caught in the crosswinds of a revolution. He sets out to learn the truth behind the Arab Spring, win Almaisa's love, and uncover the murky border where Bahrain's secrets end and America's begin.Now optioned for film by Scott Delman of Shadowfox productions (Producer of HBO Max hit series Station Eleven).I. S. Berry spent six years as an operations officer for the CIA and has lived and worked in Europe and the Middle East, including two years in Bahrain during the Arab Spring. She has a degree in Law from the University of Virginia, and is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, International Association of Crime Writers, and the Association of Former Intelligence Workers. The Peacock and The Sparrow was her debut novel, published in 2023. Berry currently lives in Virginia with her husband and son.Recommended The Little Drummer Girl John Le Carré, The Quiet American Graham Greene, The Innocent Ian McEwan, The Attack Yasmina Khadra, Joseph Kanon, David McCloskey & Paul Vidich.Paul Burke writes for Monocle Magazine, Crime Time, Crime Fiction Lover and the European Literature Network, Punk Noir Magazine (fiction contribution). He is also a CWA Historical Dagger Judge 2024. His first book An Encyclopedia of  Spy Fiction will be out in late 2025.Produced by Junkyard DogCrime TimeProduced by Junkyard DogCrime TimeCrime Time FM is the official podcast ofGwyl Crime Cymru Festival 2023CrimeFest 2023CWA Daggers 2023& Newcastle Noir 20232024 Slaughterfest, National Crime Reading Month, CWA Daggers

In this week's study, I continue in Chapter 21 with verses 10 to 12. Before I get into the study, I talk about Joe Biden nominating his 12th LBGTQ judge to the Philadelphia Federal Court. Also I talk about an article title “Has God Changed His Mind on Homosexuality?” A book written by Richard Hays, professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity and his son Christopher who is professor of Old Testament at Fuller Seminary. Then I talk about Kamala Harris where she once boasted of 'behind the scenes' work to get 'every' trans inmate access to gender surgeries during her bid for the 2019 Democratic President campaign In our last study we finished up with verse 9, where John is visited once again by one of the angels of bowl judgments showing John the bride, the Lambs wife. We see this angel come to John and begin to show his that Yahweh has finally and completely dealt with the devil and all his evil forces. And Yahweh has even created a new world for his people. 10.   And he carried me away in the spirit = Gave him a vision of the city; seemed to place him where he could have a clear view of it as it came down from heaven. To a great and high mountain = The elevation, and the unobstructed range of view, gave him an opportunity to behold it in its glory11   John's description of the New Jerusalem seems to be in three parts. First, in Revelation 21:11-14, he describes the city as he saw it from a distance). Then he approached the city and the angel measured it. That gave John the opportunity to examine the city's walls and gates more closely. Finally, it seems that John entered the city. Revelation 21:22 to 22:5 describes what John saw inside the city. Everything that John saw there was beautiful, precious and wonderful. It shone with the glory of Yahweh, which was like a bright light. John could recognize Yahweh's glory; he had a previous experience of that glory. Having the glory of Yahweh = A glory or splendor such as became the dwelling place of Yahweh. And her light = In verse 23 it is said that “the glory of Yahweh did lighten it.” That is, it was made light by the visible symbol of the Deity - the “Shekinah.”  The word here rendered “light” - φωστὴρ  phōstēr - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Philp. 2:15. It means, properly, a light, a lightgiver, and means commonly a “window.” It is used here to denote the brightness or shining of the divine glory, as supplying the place of the sun, or of a window.Like unto a stone most precious = A stone of the richest or most costly nature.Even like a jasper stone = On the jasper. It is used there for the same purpose as here, to illustrate the majesty and glory of Yahweh.Clear as crystal = Pellucid (allowing the maximum passage of light, as glass) or stunning like crystal.  The stone is essentially quartz, and the word “crystal” here is used to show that the form of it referred to by John was clear and bright 12.   And had a wall great and high = Ancient cities were always surrounded with walls for protection, and John represents this as enclosed in the usual manner. The word “great” means that it was thick and strong. And had twelve gates = Three on each side. The number of the gates corresponds to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and to the number of the apostles. Twelve = Denotes  Governmental perfection.  It is the number of factor of all numbers connected with government:  whether by Tribes or Apostles, or in measurements of time, or in things which have to do with government in the heavens and the earth.And at the gates twelve angels = Stationed there as guards to the New Jerusalem. And names written thereon = On the gates.Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com 

Today Justin sits down with Vladimir McMillin. Vlad was born in Moscow and worked for 20 years for the TASS Russian news agency as a sports reporter. He immigrated to the United States in 1990 and has lived here since then. At a very young age, Vlad realized that there was something different about his family, because they were the only family named McMillan in all of Russia. Vlad's father was James McMillan, a former U.S. Army NCO stationed at the American Embassy in Moscow in the late 1940s. At the end of his tour, rather than come home, he decided to defect to remain in Moscow with his new wife. Vlad was born two years later. He's here to discuss the story of his father's service at the U.S. Embassy, his shocking decision to defect, and how he created a new family and built a life for himself in the Soviet Union. It's also the story of just what it cost him to never be able to go home again.Connect with Vlad:Facebook: Vladimir McMillinCheck out the book, Stationed in Moscow ... for Good, here.https://a.co/d/2uQbuxsConnect with Spycraft 101:Get Justin's latest book, Murder, Intrigue, and Conspiracy: Stories from the Cold War and Beyond, here.spycraft101.comIG: @spycraft101Shop: shop.spycraft101.comPatreon: Spycraft 101Find Justin's first book, Spyshots: Volume One, here.Check out Justin's second book, Covert Arms, here.Download the free eBook, The Clandestine Operative's Sidearm of Choice, here.Support the show

California is the first state in the country to use retrofitted C-130H air tankers for firefighting, and the Chico Municipal Airport has been selected as a location to launch some of them. Also, a majority of Chico's city council members are up for election this November, we'd like to know what questions you have for council candidates. And Chico has a Honky Tonk Saturday Night for all you country music lovers out there.

1242. September 5 2024.  Prime Frequency Field. Your Frequency

Send us a textWhat's your next mission when the military ends? How do you find your tribe, your purpose, and that way to support yourself while a part of a growing community? Would you make a go at it by forming a military podcast? Roger and Dan, hosts of the Tracer Burnout podcast, join the S.O.S. podcast to tell the deeply personal story of how, as they left the uniform behind, they picked up microphones to ensure that other veterans' stories were never forgotten. Join us on this “collab” episode (I consider us a tight-knit community of military creators) with two incredible hosts bridging the civilian-military divide and humanizing serving people. We'll also share tips for others interested in sharing their stories or thinking of starting their podcast. An Army brat, Roger grew up in exotic locales such as El Paso, Texas; West Germany; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Fayetteville, North Carolina. He entered the Army in 2004 as a Field Artilleryman, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Roger's career consisted of traveling to many countries and enjoying his overseas adventures. Still, he would die happy if he never had to experience another Hindu Kush or Manchurian winter. After growing up in an Army family, Dan spent over 20 years in the US Army from the late 1990s into the 2020s. Stationed in both the US and Europe, he's held positions ranging from infantry rifleman to Platoon Sergeant and from Drill Sergeant to Observer/Controller. A lover of history, travel, and food, Dan has been assigned to Fort Irwin, California, Fort Drum, and New York. After spending several years in Afghanistan, Dan swore that upon retirement, he would never be clean-shaven again and never, ever take a hot shower for granted. Now happily retired, Dan greatly enjoys sitting by the fireplace, enjoying the fine distilled exports of Scotland, and turning the pages of an actual book.Tracer burnout podcast - https://tracerburnout.com/Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTERRead my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.comWatch episodes of my podcast:https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

In today's Federal Newscast, civilian federal employees stationed in Iraq will continue to see higher pay rates until the end of the year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's Federal Newscast, civilian federal employees stationed in Iraq will continue to see higher pay rates until the end of the year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ret. Captain Christine Collins is a decorated veteran and trauma nurse during a pivotal deployment to Afghanistan in 2009. Stationed at Bagram Air Base, she found herself at the epicenter of the conflict, tirelessly working to save the lives of American troops, Afghan civilians caught in the crossfire, and even enemy fighters. Through her raw and poignant memoir, Christine unveils the physical and emotional toll of war, not just on those fighting but also on the medical personnel tasked with picking up the pieces. Her amazing book titled Service Honor and Sacrifice can be found on Amazon, Audible, or wherever you purchase your books.  Christine is a truly amazing woman and after spending some time with her I can tell you this - I am glad she is on our side! Tough, intelligent, and unstoppable.    

PREVIEW: JAPAN: NUKES: Conversation with colleague Grant Newsham, author of "WHEN CHINA ATTACKS," re: the negotiation between the US and Japan about nukes stationed in Japan -- and how soon the Japanese could construct their own nuke arsenal. More later. 1953

Kenneth Kraus is a former Marine embassy guard that was sent to Tehran to reinforce their posts during the Iranian Revolution. After terrorists breached the embassy walls, Ken and two other Marines fought back and ensured the safety of civilians before Ken was taken hostage and sent to the notorious Evin Prison for torture sessions.Support the showhttps://www.jcramergraphics.comhttps://www.ANGLICOshop.comKen's sitehttps://sites.google.com/view/kenkraus/home00:00:00 Intro00:12:13 70's Marine Corps00:14:05 World At War00:22:01 The Draft | Women in the Draft00:38:39 Meeting Carlos Hathcock00:46:43 Marine Security Guard Duty00:57:20 Stationed in Cypress01:07:46 Iranian Situation | Arriving in Iran01:22:28 The Embassy Assault Begins01:31:56 The Embassy is Breached01:41:44 The Last Stand02:04:29 Initial Capture02:10:50 Moved to an Iranian Hospital02:19:45 Mevin Prison02:24:56 Introduction to the Torture Chair02:34:39 Trial and Execution Order02:44:55 Red Cross Arrives02:55:08 Heading Home

If you want to take ownership of your health, try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 Free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase. Go to www.drinkAG1.com/creepen Tonight's opening tale of the strange and macabre is ‘Dead Skin Masks' by the wonderfully talented Corpse Child, kindly shared directly with me for the express purpose of having me narrate it here for you all:  https://www.reddit.com/user/Corpse_Child/ Tonight's second terrifying tale is ‘Stationed in a Fire Tower' by the wonderfully talented Michael Kelso, kindly shared directly with me for the express purpose of having me narrate it here for you all:  https://www.humanmade.net/books/ties-book-1  Tonight's third tale of the strange and macabre is ‘I Exorcised a Demon… It Followed me Home' by the wonderfully talented Estelle Pope, kindly shared directly with me for the express purpose of having me narrate it here for you all:  https://www.reddit.com/user/Corpse_Child/ Our next tale of the weird and wonderful is ‘Ghostwhispers.io' also by the wonderfully talented Corpse Child, kindly shared directly with me for the express purpose of having me narrate it here for you all:  https://www.reddit.com/user/Corpse_Child/ Tonight's penultimate story is ‘The Side Tunnel' by the wonderfully talented Eric Dodd, kindly shared with me via the Creepypasta Wiki and read here under the conditions of the CC-BY-SA license.  https://creepypasta.fandom.com/wiki/The_Side_Tunnel We round off proceedings with all three parts of ‘Bloody Shores', again a wonderful original work by Corpse Child, kindly shared directly with me via my subreddit and read here with the author's express permission:  https://www.reddit.com/user/Corpse_Child/

Join us for another episode of the LNO Fireside Chat, featuring Lt Col Kevin Walton from the 52nd Maintenance Squadron. Stationed in the scenic Eifel region of Germany, Kevin discusses his role as a leader and his efforts to enhance the capabilities of the Air Force while improving the quality of life and effectiveness of our airmen. From his early days working on F-16s to leading strategic innovations at Air Mobility Command, Col Walton's journey highlights the critical impact of embracing change and fostering a culture where every airman's voice can lead to transformative improvements. This episode showcases the importance of innovation in today's unprecedented times.

News with Sean 4-26-2024 …Former Petty Officer stationed in Norfolk convicted of Espionage …War for Tik Tok Rages

In February of 1993, 27-year-old Gary Sudbrink made a surprise visit to his parents in Long Island, New York. Stationed at an Air Force base in Texas at the time, Gary opted not to tell a soul that he was heading home in order to really sell the surprise. Within a day of his arrival, Gary would receive the first of 4 bizarre phone calls from an unknown entity who ominously informed Gary that “you're being impersonated by the other voice.” What was the true nature of these calls? Was it an elaborate hoax? Or was it something far more mysterious? Hang on, y'all. This one's a doozy! SOURCES:https://pastebin.com/F64xJphBSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/this-ones-a-doozy/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you want to hunt more big bucks, you have to learn what mule deer on the edge really means.  Today, Robby hosts Habitat Biologists Troy Fieseler and Luke Schultz of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Stationed in the Pinedale Region, Troy and Luke are responsible for managing the habitat of the Wyoming Range mule deer herd and beyond.  They discuss many topics that can make you a better mule deer hunter. Topics like the population dynamics in mountainous vs. desert climates and how they are almost polar opposites; one has no problem putting fawns on the ground while the other rarely experiences winter kill.  They also define what mule deer habitat is, (summer and winter range) and go in to what mule deer prefer and need to not just survive but thrive. Finally, and most importantly, they discuss what we as hunters can do to improve and protect habitat for mule deer. Be a better buck hunter and learn about mule deer on the edge. Rokcast is powered by onX Hunt. For 20% off, use Promo Code “Rokcast” at onX Hunt here https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app You can find Robby's books, Hunting Big Mule Deer and The Stories on Amazon here or signed copies from the Rokslide store here     

Links: Today's episode is sponsored by Motif Medical. See how you can get Motif's Luna or Aura breast pumps covered through insurance at motifmedical.com/birthhour.  Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course (100OFF for $100 off) Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) Support The Birth Hour via Patreon!

#NATO: "The US is upgrading facilities at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk to enable nuclear weapons to be stationed on British soil for the first time in 15 years: TIMES."   3/4: Tactical Nuclear Weapons and NATO by  Tom Nichols  (Author), Douglas Stuart, Jeff McCausland. https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Nuclear-Weapons-NATO-Nichols/dp/1479181951 The role and future of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe are subjects that sometimes surprise even experts in international security, primarily because it is so often disconcerting to remember that these weapons still exist. Many years ago, an American journalist wryly noted that the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was “a subject that drives the dagger of boredom deep, deep into the heart”— a dismissive quip which would have remained true right up until the moment World War III broke out. The same goes for tactical nuclear weapons: compared to the momentous issues that the East and West have tackled since the end of the Cold War, the scattering of hundreds (or in the Russian case, thousands) of battlefield weapons throughout Europe seems to be almost an afterthought, a detail left behind that should be easy to tidy up. Such complacency is unwise. Tactical nuclear weapons (or NSNWs, “non-strategic nuclear weapons”) still exist because NATO and Russia have not fully resolved their fears about how a nuclear war might arise, or how it might be fought. They represent, as Russian analyst Nikolai Sokov once wrote, “the longest deadlock” in the history of arms control. Washington and Moscow, despite the challenges to the “reset” of their relations, point to reductions in strategic arms as a great achievement, but strategic agreements also reveal the deep ambiguity toward nuclear weapons as felt by the former superpower rivals. The numbers in the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) are lower than at any point in history, but they are based on leaving each side a reliable ability to destroy up to 300 urban targets each. Inflicting this incredible amount of destruction is, on its face, a step no sane national leader would take. But it is here that tactical weapons were meant to play their dangerous role, for they would be the arms that provided the indispensable bridge from peace to nuclear war. Thus, the structures of Cold War nuclear doctrines on both sides remain in place, only on a smaller scale. 1945 Little Boy

#NATO: "The US is upgrading facilities at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk to enable nuclear weapons to be stationed on British soil for the first time in 15 years: TIMES."   1/4: Tactical Nuclear Weapons and NATO by  Tom Nichols  (Author), Douglas Stuart, Jeff McCausland. https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Nuclear-Weapons-NATO-Nichols/dp/1479181951 The role and future of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe are subjects that sometimes surprise even experts in international security, primarily because it is so often disconcerting to remember that these weapons still exist. Many years ago, an American journalist wryly noted that the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was “a subject that drives the dagger of boredom deep, deep into the heart”— a dismissive quip which would have remained true right up until the moment World War III broke out. The same goes for tactical nuclear weapons: compared to the momentous issues that the East and West have tackled since the end of the Cold War, the scattering of hundreds (or in the Russian case, thousands) of battlefield weapons throughout Europe seems to be almost an afterthought, a detail left behind that should be easy to tidy up. Such complacency is unwise. Tactical nuclear weapons (or NSNWs, “non-strategic nuclear weapons”) still exist because NATO and Russia have not fully resolved their fears about how a nuclear war might arise, or how it might be fought. They represent, as Russian analyst Nikolai Sokov once wrote, “the longest deadlock” in the history of arms control. Washington and Moscow, despite the challenges to the “reset” of their relations, point to reductions in strategic arms as a great achievement, but strategic agreements also reveal the deep ambiguity toward nuclear weapons as felt by the former superpower rivals. The numbers in the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) are lower than at any point in history, but they are based on leaving each side a reliable ability to destroy up to 300 urban targets each. Inflicting this incredible amount of destruction is, on its face, a step no sane national leader would take. But it is here that tactical weapons were meant to play their dangerous role, for they would be the arms that provided the indispensable bridge from peace to nuclear war. Thus, the structures of Cold War nuclear doctrines on both sides remain in place, only on a smaller scale. 1945 Hiroshima

#NATO: "The US is upgrading facilities at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk to enable nuclear weapons to be stationed on British soil for the first time in 15 years: TIMES."   2/4: Tactical Nuclear Weapons and NATO by  Tom Nichols  (Author), Douglas Stuart, Jeff McCausland. https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Nuclear-Weapons-NATO-Nichols/dp/1479181951 The role and future of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe are subjects that sometimes surprise even experts in international security, primarily because it is so often disconcerting to remember that these weapons still exist. Many years ago, an American journalist wryly noted that the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was “a subject that drives the dagger of boredom deep, deep into the heart”— a dismissive quip which would have remained true right up until the moment World War III broke out. The same goes for tactical nuclear weapons: compared to the momentous issues that the East and West have tackled since the end of the Cold War, the scattering of hundreds (or in the Russian case, thousands) of battlefield weapons throughout Europe seems to be almost an afterthought, a detail left behind that should be easy to tidy up. Such complacency is unwise. Tactical nuclear weapons (or NSNWs, “non-strategic nuclear weapons”) still exist because NATO and Russia have not fully resolved their fears about how a nuclear war might arise, or how it might be fought. They represent, as Russian analyst Nikolai Sokov once wrote, “the longest deadlock” in the history of arms control. Washington and Moscow, despite the challenges to the “reset” of their relations, point to reductions in strategic arms as a great achievement, but strategic agreements also reveal the deep ambiguity toward nuclear weapons as felt by the former superpower rivals. The numbers in the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) are lower than at any point in history, but they are based on leaving each side a reliable ability to destroy up to 300 urban targets each. Inflicting this incredible amount of destruction is, on its face, a step no sane national leader would take. But it is here that tactical weapons were meant to play their dangerous role, for they would be the arms that provided the indispensable bridge from peace to nuclear war. Thus, the structures of Cold War nuclear doctrines on both sides remain in place, only on a smaller scale. 1945 Nagasaki

#NATO: "The US is upgrading facilities at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk to enable nuclear weapons to be stationed on British soil for the first time in 15 years: TIMES."   4/4: Tactical Nuclear Weapons and NATO by  Tom Nichols  (Author), Douglas Stuart, Jeff McCausland. https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Nuclear-Weapons-NATO-Nichols/dp/1479181951 The role and future of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe are subjects that sometimes surprise even experts in international security, primarily because it is so often disconcerting to remember that these weapons still exist. Many years ago, an American journalist wryly noted that the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was “a subject that drives the dagger of boredom deep, deep into the heart”— a dismissive quip which would have remained true right up until the moment World War III broke out. The same goes for tactical nuclear weapons: compared to the momentous issues that the East and West have tackled since the end of the Cold War, the scattering of hundreds (or in the Russian case, thousands) of battlefield weapons throughout Europe seems to be almost an afterthought, a detail left behind that should be easy to tidy up. Such complacency is unwise. Tactical nuclear weapons (or NSNWs, “non-strategic nuclear weapons”) still exist because NATO and Russia have not fully resolved their fears about how a nuclear war might arise, or how it might be fought. They represent, as Russian analyst Nikolai Sokov once wrote, “the longest deadlock” in the history of arms control. Washington and Moscow, despite the challenges to the “reset” of their relations, point to reductions in strategic arms as a great achievement, but strategic agreements also reveal the deep ambiguity toward nuclear weapons as felt by the former superpower rivals. The numbers in the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) are lower than at any point in history, but they are based on leaving each side a reliable ability to destroy up to 300 urban targets each. Inflicting this incredible amount of destruction is, on its face, a step no sane national leader would take. But it is here that tactical weapons were meant to play their dangerous role, for they would be the arms that provided the indispensable bridge from peace to nuclear war. Thus, the structures of Cold War nuclear doctrines on both sides remain in place, only on a smaller scale. 1945 Fat Man