Podcasts about undeterred

Last time we spoke about the crossing of Nanjing's Rubicon. By November 1, Shanghai had become a lost cause, the Chinese were forced to retreat. In the wake of this turmoil, the Japanese set their sights on Nanjing, keenly aware that its fall would spell disaster for Chiang Kai-Shek's government. Despite the desperate situation, guerrilla fighters began fortifying the city as civilians rallied to support the defense, preparing for the inevitable assault that loomed. However, political divisions plagued the Chinese leadership, with some generals advocating for abandoning the city. After intense discussions, it was decided that Nanjing would be a hill worth dying on, driven largely by propaganda needs. As November 12 approached, Japanese troops rapidly advanced west, capturing towns along the way and inflicting unimaginable brutality. On November 19, Yanagawa, a commander, took the initiative, decreeing that pursuing the retreating Chinese forces toward Nanjing was paramount.    #164 The Battle of Lake Tai 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. As the Chinese troops fled westwards, at 7:00 am on November 19th, Yanagawa issued instructions to his troops in the field. “The enemy's command system is in disarray, and a mood of defeat has descended over their entire army. They have lost the will to fight. We must not miss the opportunity to pursue the enemy to Nanjing.” The order went out to the 10th Army, sending, the 6th, 18th, and 114th Divisions west along the southern shore of Lake Tai, passing through Huzhou before turning right towards Nanjing. The Kunisaki Detachment, trained for rapid movement by water and land, was ordered east along the Yangtze River near Wuhu city and, if possible, cross the river to cut off the Chinese Army's retreat from Nanjing. Yanagawa envisioned an operation unlike any other conducted by the Japanese Army in recent history. He believed this could not only end the war but also surpass previous victories, such as the defeat of tsarist Russia more than three decades earlier. Confident in a swift victory, he wrote in a follow-up message to his commanders, “The day is near when the banner of the Rising Sun will fly over Nanjing's city wall.” However, Yanagawa's order elicited panic in Tokyo once it became known. His superiors viewed it as an outrageous attempt to entirely change the war focus away from the north. They understood that taking Nanjing was primarily a political decision rather than a strategic one. There was still hopes of finding terms through the Germans to end the conflict, thus carving up more of China. The Japanese did not want to become bogged down in a real war. Major General Tada was particularly opposed to increasing efforts on the Shanghai front. He belonged to a faction that believed the best way to avoid a quagmire in China was to deliver a swift, decisive blow to the Chinese Army. This mindset had turned him into a major advocate for landing a strong force in Hangzhou Bay in early November. Nevertheless, he had initially resisted expanding operations to the Suzhou-Jiaxing line, only relenting on the condition that this line would not be crossed under any circumstances. Tada's immediate response was to halt the 10th Army's offensive. Shimomura Sadamu, Ishiwara Kanji's hardline successor as chief of operations, strongly disagreed, arguing that field commanders should have the authority to make significant decisions. Undeterred, Tada insisted on restraining the field commanders, and at 6:00 pm on November 20th, the Army General Staff sent a cable to the Central China Area Army reprimanding them for advancing beyond Order No. 600, which had established the Suzhou-Jiaxing line. The response from the Central China Area Army arrived two days later whereupon the field commanders argued that Nanjing needed to be captured to bring the war to an early conclusion. To do otherwise, they argued, would provide the enemy with an opportunity to regain the will to fight. Moreover, the officers claimed that delaying the decisive battle would not sit well with the Japanese public, potentially jeopardizing national unity. On the same day it responded to Tokyo, the Central China Area Army instructed the 10th Army to proceed cautiously: “The pursuit to Nanjing is to be halted, although you may still send an advance force towards Huzhou. Each division is to select four or five battalions to pursue the enemy rapidly”. The remainder of the troops were instructed to advance towards Huzhou and prepare to join the pursuit “at any time.” Meanwhile Chiang Kai-shek officially appointed Tang Shengzhi as the commandant of Nanjing's garrison. Born in 1889, Tang embodied the era of officers leading China into war with Japan. They straddled the line between old and new China. During their youth, they lived in a society that had seen little change for centuries, where young men immersed themselves in 2,000-year-old classics to prepare for life. Like their ancestors across countless generations, they were governed by an emperor residing in a distant capital. Following the 1911 revolution, they embraced the new republic and received modern military training, Tang, for instance, at the esteemed Baoding Academy in northern China. Yet, they struggled to fully relinquish their traditional mindsets. These traditional beliefs often included a significant distrust of foreigners. Before his appointment as garrison commander, Tang had led the garrison's operations section. During this time, Chiang Kai-shek suggested that he permit the German chief advisor, General Alexander von Falkenhausen, to attend staff meetings. Tang hesitated, expressing concern due to Falkenhausen's past as a military official in Japan and the current alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan. “That's not good, is it?” he asked. Chiang reassured him that Falkenhausen was an experienced officer who remembered earlier loyalties despite political shifts in Berlin. “It's all right,” Chiang insisted, “we can trust him.” Reluctantly, Tang acquiesced but never fully trusted the German officer. Tang also faced issues with morale. He was Hunanese, the majority of his troops were locals, many from Nanjing. Tang also suffered from many ongoing illnesses. While he put on a bravado face, its unlikely he expected to be able to defend the capital for very long. On November 19th, the IJA 16th division and Shigeto Detachment conquered Changshu, a crucial point along the Wufu defense line, spanning from Fushan on the Yangtze to Suzhou and then to Wujiang sitting on the shores of Lake Tai. The fight for Changshu had surprised the Japanese. As they approached they ran into a network of interlocking cement pillboxes that had to be taken individually, resulting in heavy casualties. Frequently, when the Japanese believed they had finally destroyed a position and advanced, they were dismayed to discover that some defenders remained alive, continuing to fire at their flanks. Another obstacle facing them was Chinese artillery. During the night's capture of the city, the Japanese makeshift camps were hit relentlessly by bombardment. That same day further south, the IJA 9th division captured Suzhou , reporting to the press they did so without firing a single shot. General Matsui wrote in his diary “The enemy troops near Suzhou have completely lost their morale. Some soldiers are discarding their equipment and surrendering, while others flee westward in utter chaos. Our forces have not encountered the resistance we anticipated. So far, the Shanghai Expeditionary Force has achieved all its objectives. I am thrilled by this.” In reality, this was mere propaganda. The IJA 9th Division actually had to overpower a series of Chinese pillboxes outside the city. Once they entered through the medieval walls, they faced the task of eliminating pockets of resistance one by one. According to Japanese sources, over 1,000 Chinese soldiers were killed during these clearing operations. The Japanese found a wealth of spoils in Suzhou. Among the booty were 100 artillery pieces and other military equipment. Historically known as one of China's wealthiest cities, Suzhou still contained an abundance of loot even after months of conflict. Many Japanese soldiers had their pockets filled with cigarettes after raiding a tobacco factory, while others transported barrels filled with coins after robbing a bank. Meanwhile the government had officially moved from Nanjing to Chongqing. Chongqing was an unusual choice for the new capital as it was historically something of a backwater, not very cosmopolitan such as the great coastal cities in the east. However it was distant enough to be out of reach from the Japanese land forces, but not so distant that it would make governing China impossible. Not all the governmental agencies moved to Chongqing at once. The foreign ministry first moved to Wuhan, as did most of the foreign diplomats. Yet out of some several hundred foreign nationals, 30 American and 19 British did stay behind in Nanjing. Tang Shengzhi met with the remaining foreign community and began promising them guarantees of their lives and property would be protected to the fullest. In turn the foreign community were thinking up ways to help defend the city's civilian population. They formed a special demilitarized district, akin to the one in Shanghai. They named it the Jacquinot Safety Zone after its founder, French Jesuit Robert Jacquinot de Besange. An international committee for establishing a neutral zone for noncombatants in Nanjing was formed on November 19th and famously John Rabe chaired it. The committee knew their neutral zone depended solely upon Japan respecting it, thus Rabe was an ideal pick for chairman. Meanwhile Chiang Kai-Shek was determined to stay for as long as possible in Nanjing, and remain in the public view to maintain morale. Song Meiling also went around touring the capital by automobile to raise public spirit. Preparations for battle were being dished out in haste. Du Yuming, the commander of Nanjing's armored regiment was called up to the headquarters of He Yingqin, then chief of staff. There Du was briefed on Chiang Kai-Shek's war plans and how his tiny armored force would fit in. He Yingqin said “It has been decided that Tang Shengzhi is to defend Nanjing. Chairman Chiang wants the German vehicles to stay in Nanjing and fight.” This was referring to their Leichter Panzerspahwagen or “sd KFZ 221” armored cars. These were recent purchases from Germany. Du questioned using them however “The German vehicles are the best armor we have at the moment, but they have no cannon, only machine guns, so their firepower is limited. We just have 15 of them. And they are not suited for the terrain around Nanjing, with all its rivers and lakes.” Du instead argued for using the British-made Vickers Carden Lloyd tanks. Of these China had recently purchased the amphibious variants. Du said “Those tanks both have machine guns and cannon, and they can float. They are much more useful for the Nanjing area.” He further suggested the tanks might even make it to the other side of the Yangtze once all hope was out. To this He replied “No, don't even think about crossing the Yangtze. The chairman wants the tank crews to fight to the death.” As far as war strategy was concerned, China had actually developed one against Japan decades prior. Ever since the nasty conflicts between the two nations had broken out back during the Great War days, China sought an answer to Japan's aggression. One man rose to the occasion, a young officer named Jiang Baili. In 1922 Jiang wrote “The only way to prevail over the enemy, will be to do the opposite of what he does in every respect. It will be to his advantage to seek a quick resolution; we should aim for protracted warfare. He will try to focus on a decisive blow at the front line; we should move to the second line of defense and rob him of the opportunity to concentrate his forces in one place.” Soon Jiang became the forefather in China for theories involving protracted war. One could also call it a war of attrition, and it was the type of war suited to China. In the words of Jiang “We should thank our ancestors. China is blessed with two major advantages, a vast land area and a huge population. Abstaining from fighting will be enough. And if we do fight, we should drag it out. We should force the front to move west, and turn our weakness into strength, while allowing the enemy to overstretch himself”. China's geography significantly influenced Jiang's military strategy. In his works titled Organization of Mechanized Forces, Jiang wrote “The flat North Chinese plain offers ideal conditions for a large mechanized army. In contrast, the agricultural regions further south, characterized by their mix of rice paddies and waterways, are far less suitable.” Faced with a technologically superior enemy, China had no option but to draw the opponent away from the north, where their armored units would dominate the battlefield, to the Yangtze River area, where their mobility would be severely restricted. Jiang served as the director of the prestigious military academy at Baoding, near Beijing, where he could instill his philosophies in the minds of upcoming leaders of the Chinese armed forces, including Tang Shengzhi. Tang was able to put Jiang's theories into practice. In the autumn of 1935, he played a crucial role in planning and executing the decade's largest military maneuver. Conducted south of the Yangtze, between Nanjing and Shanghai, this drill involved over 20,000 troops, allowing for a realistic simulation of battle conditions. Its primary objective was to test the strategy of "luring the enemy in deep." Upon concluding the maneuver, Tang described the location as exceptionally well chosen, a tank commander's nightmare. The area consisted of steep hills alongside rivers, with very few robust roads and virtually no bridges capable of supporting tanks. Countless small paddy fields were divided by dikes that rarely exceeded a few feet in width, perfectly suited for swift infantry movements but utterly inadequate for tracked vehicles. It appeared to be a graveyard for any mechanized army. As the war broke out with Japan, Jiang's ideas initially seemed validated. Chiang Kai-shek deliberately refrained from deploying his best troops to the northern Beijing area. Instead, he chose to instigate a significant battle in and around Shanghai, where the terrain presented the exact disadvantages for Japanese armor that Jiang had anticipated. Although the Japanese gradually introduced tactical innovations that allowed them to navigate the partly submerged paddy fields north and west of Shanghai, their tanks often found themselves forced along elevated roads, making them vulnerable targets for hidden Chinese infantry. For several weeks during September and October, the Shanghai area indeed resembled a quagmire, seemingly poised to ensnare the Japanese forces until they were utterly depleted. However, the successful Japanese landings in early November, first in Hangzhou Bay and then on the south bank of the Yangtze, dramatically changed things. The stalemate was broken, allowing the Japanese Army to advance despite the persistent challenges posed by the local geography. What would happen next would determine whether Jiang's theories from a decade earlier could work or if Japan's tanks would ultimately triumph even in the river terrain south of the Yangtze.  The Japanese field commanders' decision to shift their focus from defeating Chinese forces near Shanghai to pursuing them all the way to Nanjing, sent ripples throughout the ranks. Every unit had to reconsider their plans, but none felt the impact more acutely than the 6th Division. As one of the first contingents of the 10th Army to come ashore in Hangzhou Bay in early November, its soldiers had advanced with remarkable ease, cutting through the defenses like a knife through butter. Now, with orders to drive west towards Nanjing, they were required to make a huge U-turn and head south. Geography hurt them greatly, specifically the presence of Lake Tai. The original Shanghai Expeditionary Force, bolstered by the 16th Division and other newly arrived units, was set to advance north of the lake, while the 10th Army was tasked with operations to the south of it. This situation implied that the 6th Division had to hurry to catch up with the rest of the 10th Army.   Upon turning south, they reached Jiashan on November 21, only to face a brutal outbreak of cholera among their ranks, which delayed their advance by three days. Meanwhile the other elements of the 10th Army, including the Kunisaki Detachment and the 18th and 114th Divisions advanced  rapidly, entering Huzhou on November 23. To speed up their advance they had commandeered every vessel they could grab and tossed men in piece meal across the southern bank of Lake Tai to its western shore.  However the 10th army was unaware that they would soon face a brutal fight. As the Chinese government evacuated Nanjing, fresh troops from Sichuan province in southwest China were being unloaded at the city's docks and marched toward imminent danger. Starting to disembark on November 20, these soldiers formed the Chinese 23rd Group Army. They presented an exotic sight, sporting broad straw hats typical of southern China, often adorned with yellow and green camouflage patterns. While some appeared freshly uniformed, many were ill-prepared for the colder central Chinese winter, dressed in thin cotton better suited for subtropical climates. A number looked as ragged as the most destitute coolie. Nearly all wore straw shoes that required repairs every evening after a long day of marching. Their equipment was rudimentary and often quite primitive. The most common weapon among the newly arrived soldiers was a locally produced rifle from Sichuan, yet many had no firearms at all, carrying only “stout sticks and packs” into battle. Each division had a maximum of a dozen light machine guns, and radio communication was available only at the brigade level and above. The absence of any artillery or heavy equipment was quite alarming. It was as if they expected to be facing a warlord army of the 1920s. They were organized into five divisions and two brigades, supplied by Liu Xiang, a notable southern warlord. Remarkably, Liu Xiang had been one of Chiang Kai-shek's worst enemies less than a year prior. Now, Liu's troops fought alongside Chiang's against Japan, yet their loyalties remained fiercely provincial, listening to Liu Xiang rather than Chiang Kai-shek. China's warlord era never really ended. Chiang Kai-Shek was actually doing two things at once, meeting the enemy but also getting warlord troops away from their provincial powerbase. This in turn would reduce the influence of regional warlords. Now the Chinese recognized the had to stop the Japanese from reaching Wuhu, a Yangtze port city due south of Nanjing, basically the last escape route from the capital. If it was captured, those in Nanjing would be effectively stuck. General Gu Zhutong, who personally witnessed the chaotic evacuation of Suzhou, had already dispatched two divisions from Guangxi province to block the Japanese advance. However, they were quickly routed. Liu Xiang's troops were then sent to fill the gap on the battlefield. By the last week of November, the Japanese 10th Army and the newly arrived Sichuan divisions, were converging on the same area southwest of Lake Tai. Marching as quickly as possible, they were fated to clash in one of the bloodiest battles of the entire Nanjing campaign. As the Sichuanese troops reached the battlefield at the end of November, they  quickly realized just how ill-equipped they were to confront the modern Japanese Army. The Sichuan divisions hurried towards Lake Tai, primarily marching after sunset to avoid harassment from Japanese aircraft. A significant challenge for the soldiers was the condition of the roads, which were paved with gravel that wore down their straw shoes. Despite their best efforts to repair their footwear late at night, many soldiers found themselves entering battle barefoot. Along their route, they encountered numerous Chinese soldiers retreating. One particular column caught their attention; these troops were better uniformed and equipped, appearing as though they had not seen battle at all. They looked rested and well-nourished, as if they had just emerged from their barracks. This prompted unspoken doubts among the Sichuanese soldiers. Upon arriving in Guangde, the 145th Division quickly began fortifying its positions, particularly around a strategic airfield near the city and dispatched units towards the town of Sian. On November 25, skirmishes erupted throughout the day, and on the following day, the Chinese soldiers began facing the full force of the advancing enemy. Japanese planes bombed the Chinese positions near Sian, followed by rapid tank assaults from the 18th Japanese Division. Unaccustomed to combat against armored vehicles, they quickly routed. The Japanese forces rolled over the shattered Chinese defenses and advanced to capture Sian with minimal resistance. To make matters worse, amidst this critical moment when the Sichuan troops were engaged in their first battle against a foreign enemy, Liu Xiang, fell seriously ill. In his place, Chiang Kai-shek assigned one of his most trusted commanders, Chen Cheng. The Sichuanese soldiers were not happy with the new alien commander. Meanwhile, the Nine Power Treaty Conference in Brussels held its final session. The delegates concluded three weeks of fruitless discussions with a declaration that immediately struck observers as lacking any real substance. The decree stated “Force by itself can provide no just and lasting solution for disputes between nations,”. This was met with approval from all participants except Italy, one of Japan's few allies in Europe. They strongly urged that hostilities be suspended and that peaceful processes be pursued, but offered zero consequences for either belligerent should they choose not to comply. As they say today in politics, a nothing burger. China found itself resorting to shaming the international community into action, with barely any success.  In Berlin, the evening following the conference's conclusion, diplomats gathered as the Japanese embassy hosted a dinner to mark the first anniversary of the Anti-Comintern Pact. Among the guests, though he probably really did not want to be there, was Adolf Hitler. The Japanese Communications Minister, Nagai Ryutaro, speaking via radio stated “The Sino-Japanese conflict is a holy struggle for us. The objective is to hold the Nanjing government accountable for its anti-Japanese stance, to liberate the Chinese people from the red menace, and to secure peace in the Far East.” By hosting such an event, Germany was basically signalling that she would abandon her old Chinese ally to forge a stronger partnership with Japan. This was driving the world into two camps that would emerge as the Axis and Allies. My favorite boardgame by the way, I make a lot of goofy videos on my youtube channel about it.  Back at the front, a city sat midway along the Yangtze River between Shanghai and Nanjing, Jiangyin. By Chinese standards, Jiangyin was not a large city; its population numbered just 50,000, most of whom had already fled by the end of November. The city's military significance had considerably diminished after a naval battle in late September resulted in the sinking of half the Chinese fleet, forcing the remainder to retreat upriver. Nevertheless, the Chinese still maintained control on land. This became a pressing concern for the Japanese after the fall of Suzhou and Changshu led to the collapse of the Wufu defensive line. Consequently, the next line of defense was the Xicheng line, of which Jiangyin formed the northern end. The city stood directly in the path of the 13th Japanese Division, positioned at the far right of the front line. Jiangyin featured 33 partially fortified hills, and like many other cities in the region, its primary defense was a robust 10-mile wall constructed of brick and stone. Standing 30 feet high, the wall was reinforced on the inside by an earthen embankment measuring up to 25 feet in diameter. Defending Jiangyin alone was the 112th Division, comprising approximately 5,000 soldiers. Only in November did it receive reinforcements from the 103rd Division, which had previously participated in the brutal fighting in Shanghai and withdrew westward after the Japanese victory there. Like the 112th, the 103rd also consisted of around 5,000 soldiers from former warlord armies, though they hailed from the hot and humid southwest of China rather than the cold and arid northeast. Both divisions faced an adversary with far superior equipment and training. Just hours after Japanese observation balloons appeared on the horizon, their artillery opened fire. The initial shells fell at approximately 30 second intervals, but the pace quickly accelerated. Most of the shells landed near the river, obliterating the buildings in that area. The explosions tore up telephone wires, severing communication between the scattered Chinese units. As the first shells began to fall over Jiangyin, Tang Shengzhi gathered with Chinese and foreign journalists in Nanjing, openly acknowledging the monumental challenge ahead but resolutely vowing to defend Nanjing to the bitter end. “Even though it is lagging behind in material terms, China has the will to fight. Since the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, we have suffered defeats in various theaters, but we will continue to fight until we achieve final victory.” Tang then promised that Nanjing would be fought to the last man. As early as November 14, the central government had ordered the evacuation of women and children from Nanjing, calling for all means of transportation available to be dedicated to this purpose. However, this directive proved to be an empty proclamation. Almost all resources were directed toward relocating government officials westward. Moving office furniture and filing cabinets took precedence over evacuating people. The government commandeered 600 trucks and 220 boats and ships to aid in this effort, but once those means of transportation were exhausted, little remained for the common people. In the final days of November, Nanjing's mayor, Ma Chaojun, attempted to rectify this dire situation. He sent a cable to the Ministry of Communications requesting that the ships used to relocate government agencies be returned to Nanjing as soon as possible to assist with the evacuation. For most vessels, there wasn't enough time to make the journey back. The people of Nanjing were left to fend for themselves. Meanwhile the battles south and west of the Lake Tai continued to rage in late November. While the 18th Japanese Division advanced toward Guangde, aiming eventually for Wuhu and the Yangtze River, the 114th Japanese Division received different orders. It turned right along the western bank of Lake Tai, clearly intending to push onward to Nanjing. Awaiting them was the 144th Chinese Division, consisting primarily of Sichuanese soldiers. They dug in across the one viable road running west of the lake, with a large body of water on one side and rugged terrain on the other. This terrain forced the Japanese to attack over a narrow front, constraining the advantage they held due to their technological superiority. The Chinese were able to concentrate their limited artillery, primarily mountain guns that could be disassembled and transported by mules or even men, on the advancing Japanese attackers, and utilized it effectively. They allowed the Japanese to shell their positions without immediate retaliation, waiting until the infantry was within 1,000 yards before ordering their mountain guns to open fire. The result was devastating; the Japanese column became disorganized, and their advance stalled. However, just as the Chinese artillery appeared on the verge of achieving a significant victory, the decision was made to withdraw. The officers responsible for the mountain guns argued that the Japanese would soon overrun their positions, and it was preferable to take preemptive measures to prevent their valuable equipment from falling into enemy hands. The commanders of the 144th Division reluctantly concurred. The Chinese did their best to maintain the facade that their artillery remained in position, but the Japanese quickly noticed the weakened defense and attacked with renewed fervor. Despite this setback, Chinese soldiers found their morale boosted as their division commander, Guo Junqi, led from the front, issuing orders from a stretcher after sustaining a leg injury. However, deprived of their artillery, the Chinese faced increasingly dire odds, and they were pushed back along the entire front. As the Chinese front neared collapse, the officers of the 144th Division faced yet another challenge: Japanese infantry approached across Lake Tai in boats commandeered in previous days. With no artillery to defend themselves, the Chinese could only direct small arms fire at the vessels, allowing the Japanese to make an almost unimpeded landing. This was the final straw. Under pressure from two sides, the 144th Division had no choice but to abandon its position, retreating westward toward the main Chinese force around Guangde. Jiangyin endured two days of continuous shelling before the Japanese infantry attack commenced, but the city was fortified to withstand such a bombardment of this magnitude and duration. The 33 hills in and around the city had long served as scenic viewpoints and natural strongholds. The tallest hill, known as Mount Ding, rose 900 feet above the area, providing a commanding view and boasted over 100 artillery pieces. By late November, when the Japanese Army reached the area, most civilians had fled, but their homes remained, and the Chinese defenders effectively utilized them, converting them into concealed strongholds. The attack by the Japanese 13th Division on November 29 was led by the 26th Brigade on its right flank and the 103rd Brigade on its left. The advance proved challenging, constantly disrupted by Chinese ambushes. As a row of Japanese soldiers cautiously crossed an empty field, gunshots would erupt, striking down one of their ranks while the others scrambled for cover, desperately trying to identify the source of the fire. The Chinese launched frequent counterattacks, and on several occasions, individual Japanese units found themselves cut off from the main body and had to be rescued. Despite some setbacks, the 13th Division made satisfactory progress, bolstered by both land and ship-based artillery, and soon nearly encircled Jiangyin, leaving only a narrow corridor to the west of the city. However, the Chinese artillery was well-prepared, effectively targeting Japanese vessels on the Yangtze River. This led to an artillery duel that lasted three hours, resulting in several hits on Japanese ships; however, the Chinese batteries also suffered considerable damage. In the sector of the 103rd Chinese Division, the defenders had taken time to construct deep antitank ditches, hindering the advance of Japanese armored units. During the night of November 29-30, the Chinese organized suicide missions behind enemy lines to level the playing field. Armed only with a belt, a combat knife, a rifle, and explosives, the soldiers infiltrated Japanese positions, targeting armored vehicles. They quietly climbed onto the tanks, dropping hand grenades into turrets or detonating explosives strapped to their bodies. Though reducing Japanese armored superiority granted the Chinese some time, the attackers' momentum simply could not be stopped. On November 30, the Japanese launched a relentless assault on Mount Ding, the dominant hill in the Jiangyin area. Supported by aircraft, artillery, and naval bombardments, Japanese infantry engaged the entrenched Chinese company at the summit. After a fierce and bloody battle, the Japanese succeeded in capturing the position. The Chinese company commander, Xia Min'an, withdrew with his troops toward Jiangyin to report the loss to the regimental command post. When the deputy commander of the 103rd Division, Dai Zhiqi, heard the news, he was furious and wanted to execute Xia on the spot. However, Xia's regimental commander intervened, saving him from a firing squad. Instead, he insisted that Xia redeem himself by recapturing the hill from the Japanese. Xia was put in command of a company that had previously been held in reserve. What followed was a fierce battle lasting over four hours. Eventually, the Japanese were forced to relinquish the hill, but the victory came at a steep price, with numerous casualties on both sides, including the death of Xia Min'an. The last days of November also witnessed chaotic fighting around Guangde, where the unfamiliar terrain added to the confusion for both sides. For the Chinese, this chaos was exacerbated by their upper command issuing contradictory orders, instructing troops to advance and retreat simultaneously. Pan Wenhua, the Sichuanese commander of the 23rd Army, prepared a pincer maneuver, directing the 13th Independent Brigade to launch a counterattack against the town of Sian, which was held by the Japanese, while the 146th Division would attack from the south. Both units set out immediately. However, due to a lack of radio equipment, a common issue among the Sichuanese forces, they did not receive the new orders to withdraw, which originated not from Pan Wenhua but from Chen Cheng, the Chiang Kai-shek loyalist who had taken command after Liu Xiang fell ill and was eager to assert his authority. Fortunately, the officers of the 13th Independent Brigade were alerted to the general order for withdrawal by neighboring units and managed to halt their advance on Sian in time. The 146th Division, however, had no such luck and continued its march toward the Japanese-occupied city. It was joined by the 14th Independent Brigade, which had just arrived from Wuhu and was also unaware of the general retreat order. Upon reaching Sian, these Chinese troops engaged in intense close combat with the Japanese. It was a familiar scenario of Japanese technological superiority pitted against Chinese determination. The Japanese brought armor up from the rear, while the Chinese lay in ambush, tossing hand grenades into tank turrets before jumping onto the burning vehicles to kill any surviving crew members. As the fighting around the flanks slowed, the area in front of Guangde became the focal point of the battle. Japanese soldiers advanced toward the city during the day, passing piles of dead Chinese and numerous houses set ablaze by retreating defenders. At night, the situation became perilous for the Japanese, as Chinese forces infiltrated their positions under the cover of darkness. In the confusion, small units from both sides often got lost and were just as likely to encounter hostile forces as friendly ones. Despite the chaos along the front lines, it was evident that the Japanese were gaining the upper hand primarily due to their material superiority. Japanese artillery bombarded Guangde, igniting many structures, while infantry approached the city from multiple directions. The Chinese 145th Division, led by Rao Guohua, was nearing its breaking point. In a desperate gamble, on November 30, Rao ordered one of his regiments to counterattack, but the regimental commander, sensing the futility of the move, simply refused. This refusal was a personal failure for Rao, one he could not accept. Deeply ashamed, Rao Guohua withdrew from Guangde. As darkness enveloped the battlefield, he and a small group of staff officers found a place to rest for the night in a house near a bamboo grove. Overwhelmed with anguish, he penned a letter to Liu Xiang, apparently unaware that Liu had been evacuated to the rear due to stomach issues. In the letter, he apologized for his inability to hold Guangde. Telling his bodyguard to get some rest, he stepped outside, disappearing into the bamboo grove. Shortly thereafter, his staff heard a single gunshot. When they rushed out and searched the dense bamboo, they found Rao sitting against a tree, his service weapon beside him. Blood streamed thickly from a wound to his temple. He was already dead. 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. As the Japanese forces advanced on Nanjing, tensions escalated within the Chinese leadership. While Commander Tang Shengzhi fortified the city, some sought retreat. Japanese Commander Yanagawa, confident of victory, pushed his troops westward, disregarding high command's hesitations. Meanwhile, ill-equipped Sichuanese reinforcements hurried to defend Nanjing, braving cholera and disorganization. Intense battles unfolded around Lake Tai, marked by fierce ambushes and casualties. 

Prayer is the way that God has established for us to communicate with Him. Yes we have a God who enjoys communicating with His children, just as you enjoy talking with your children. Today Pastor Al is in the book of Acts, chapter twelve. Peter was in jail at this particular time, and the disciples were praying for his deliverance. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1425/29

The 49ers began their second joint practice of the NFL preseason in Las Vegas much like their first week, undermanned. Undeterred, they fielded enough players against the Raiders to see some progress from last week. "49ers Talk" hosts Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan break down which players were making the biggest impact in the second week of preseason and discuss two emerging rookies on both sides of the ball already making a case for regular-season minutes. Also, Matt and Jennifer update San Francisco's expansive injury room and share Kyle Shanahan's strategy for getting his starters some live reps throughout the rest of the preseason.--(1:00) 49ers in Las Vegas for Week 2 of preseason(3:00) CMC seems back to his normal self; coaches and players vouch(6:00) 49ers' expansive injury updates(11:25) Two rookies on both sides of the ball making cases for regular-season playing time(38:00) How Kyle Shanahan will play veterans for rest of preseason

Anyone who's lived a while knows that no matter how careful we are, no matter how much planning we do, we're going to go through some trials in life. What's your first reaction when trials come? Today as we look at Acts chapter twelve, we'll see what happened to Peter when he was arrested, and his friends started praying for him. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1425/29

Classroom Coverup: Border-Hopping Monster - Gregor's Terrifying Multi-State Spree! Witness a predator's interstate nightmare that spans decades and exposes deadly gaps in school oversight! Gary Gregor abused kids across Utah, Montana, and New Mexico starting in the 1990s—beginning with rubbing their backs and legs inappropriately, kissing them on the head or cheeks, and making lewd comments like "you look sexy" to young girls in Utah's Wasatch County School District at Heber Valley Elementary around 1995. Multiple students accused him, leading to a police investigation and charges of two counts of sexual abuse of a child, but the case fell apart when key witnesses recanted under pressure—possibly due to community backlash or fear—and the charges were dismissed. Despite this, the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission reprimanded Gregor in 1996 for "unprofessional conduct," placing a letter in his file but not revoking his license. Instead of firing him or reporting to a central database, the district allowed a resignation with a $10,000 severance package and a neutral reference letter that omitted the allegations, praising his "creativity in the classroom." This "golden parachute" was a classic "pass the trash" move, motivated by avoiding lawsuits and publicity in a small town where educators are community fixtures. Gregor's file wasn't flagged nationally, so he moved seamlessly to Montana's Bozeman School District in 1996, teaching elementary grades again. Complaints followed almost immediately: Students reported similar behaviors—excessive physical contact, like massaging shoulders or holding hands too long, and inviting kids for overnight stays at his home under the guise of "mentoring." Parents raised concerns, but the district conducted a superficial internal review, concluding no criminal acts but warning him about boundaries. Undeterred, Gregor resigned in 1998 with another neutral reference, citing "personal reasons," and crossed into New Mexico, landing at Española Public Schools in 1999 as a fourth-grade teacher at Fairview Elementary. Española, a district serving a largely Hispanic and low-income population in northern New Mexico, hired him after a background check that missed the prior red flags due to interstate silos. Here, the abuses intensified: Students accused him of touching their thighs under desks, rubbing their backs while they worked, and making comments like "you're my favorite" to isolate girls. He allegedly invited several for sleepovers, where inappropriate contact occurred, including fondling.  The pattern continued when Gregor transferred within New Mexico to Santa Fe Public Schools in 2005, teaching at Agua Fria Elementary. Complaints piled up: More thigh-touching, kisses on the forehead, and lewd remarks during class. Parents reported to administrators, but the district's response mirrored others—an internal probe that ended with a resignation in 2007, again with a neutral reference and no report to authorities. This shuffle allowed Gregor to evade detection until 2016, when a former Española student, now an adult, came forward to Santa Fe police about being raped by him in 2001 when she was 10. This sparked a cascade: Investigators uncovered dozens of victims across his career, leading to a 2018 indictment on 13 felonies, including criminal sexual penetration of a minor. In 2022, after delays from COVID and pretrial motions, Gregor was convicted in Santa Fe County of two counts of child rape and kidnapping, receiving a 108-year sentence (effectively life) for the assaults on two fourth-graders—one from Española in 2001 and another from Santa Fe in 2006. Additional charges from Utah and Montana were pursued but dropped due to statutes of limitations, though civil suits kept the pressure on. Victims' testimonies from trial transcripts and lawsuits are devastating, revealing a predator who exploited trust over years—in Utah, the 1995 complainants described feeling "dirty" after the touches, with one girl suffering panic attacks that led to homeschooling; Montana victims reported emotional scars like a boy avoiding school from unwanted hugs, developing anxiety into adulthood; New Mexico's cases were the most severe, with the 2001 rape victim from Española, identified as Jane Doe, detailing how Gregor groomed her with special attention before assaulting her during an overnight, leaving her with PTSD, depression, and substance abuse issues that derailed her life—she dropped out of high school and struggled with relationships. The 2006 Santa Fe victim recounted being pulled into his lap and penetrated, suffering nightmares and self-harm that required years of therapy. Overall, at least 20 victims across states reported impacts like higher suicide risks (victims of child sexual abuse are 4 times more likely, per CDC data), academic failure, and chronic health problems. Families spoke of guilt for not recognizing signs sooner, with one Española parent telling the Santa Fe New Mexican, "He destroyed our daughter's childhood—we trusted the school, and they failed us." Stats: GAO says repeats average 73 victims if unchecked. Ties: Like McGann's crosses (Episode 2). Fallout: NM's Erin's Law 2019. On X, demands for registry. Watch the spree unfold—subscribe!  Hashtags: #ClassroomCoverup #BorderHoppingPredator #GregorAbuse #MultiStateMonster #SchoolShuffleHorror #VictimTrauma #NoDatabaseFail #TrueCrimeTeacher #PredatorPassed #ReformNow Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Classroom Coverup: Border-Hopping Monster - Gregor's Terrifying Multi-State Spree! Witness a predator's interstate nightmare that spans decades and exposes deadly gaps in school oversight! Gary Gregor abused kids across Utah, Montana, and New Mexico starting in the 1990s—beginning with rubbing their backs and legs inappropriately, kissing them on the head or cheeks, and making lewd comments like "you look sexy" to young girls in Utah's Wasatch County School District at Heber Valley Elementary around 1995. Multiple students accused him, leading to a police investigation and charges of two counts of sexual abuse of a child, but the case fell apart when key witnesses recanted under pressure—possibly due to community backlash or fear—and the charges were dismissed. Despite this, the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission reprimanded Gregor in 1996 for "unprofessional conduct," placing a letter in his file but not revoking his license. Instead of firing him or reporting to a central database, the district allowed a resignation with a $10,000 severance package and a neutral reference letter that omitted the allegations, praising his "creativity in the classroom." This "golden parachute" was a classic "pass the trash" move, motivated by avoiding lawsuits and publicity in a small town where educators are community fixtures. Gregor's file wasn't flagged nationally, so he moved seamlessly to Montana's Bozeman School District in 1996, teaching elementary grades again. Complaints followed almost immediately: Students reported similar behaviors—excessive physical contact, like massaging shoulders or holding hands too long, and inviting kids for overnight stays at his home under the guise of "mentoring." Parents raised concerns, but the district conducted a superficial internal review, concluding no criminal acts but warning him about boundaries. Undeterred, Gregor resigned in 1998 with another neutral reference, citing "personal reasons," and crossed into New Mexico, landing at Española Public Schools in 1999 as a fourth-grade teacher at Fairview Elementary. Española, a district serving a largely Hispanic and low-income population in northern New Mexico, hired him after a background check that missed the prior red flags due to interstate silos. Here, the abuses intensified: Students accused him of touching their thighs under desks, rubbing their backs while they worked, and making comments like "you're my favorite" to isolate girls. He allegedly invited several for sleepovers, where inappropriate contact occurred, including fondling.  The pattern continued when Gregor transferred within New Mexico to Santa Fe Public Schools in 2005, teaching at Agua Fria Elementary. Complaints piled up: More thigh-touching, kisses on the forehead, and lewd remarks during class. Parents reported to administrators, but the district's response mirrored others—an internal probe that ended with a resignation in 2007, again with a neutral reference and no report to authorities. This shuffle allowed Gregor to evade detection until 2016, when a former Española student, now an adult, came forward to Santa Fe police about being raped by him in 2001 when she was 10. This sparked a cascade: Investigators uncovered dozens of victims across his career, leading to a 2018 indictment on 13 felonies, including criminal sexual penetration of a minor. In 2022, after delays from COVID and pretrial motions, Gregor was convicted in Santa Fe County of two counts of child rape and kidnapping, receiving a 108-year sentence (effectively life) for the assaults on two fourth-graders—one from Española in 2001 and another from Santa Fe in 2006. Additional charges from Utah and Montana were pursued but dropped due to statutes of limitations, though civil suits kept the pressure on. Victims' testimonies from trial transcripts and lawsuits are devastating, revealing a predator who exploited trust over years—in Utah, the 1995 complainants described feeling "dirty" after the touches, with one girl suffering panic attacks that led to homeschooling; Montana victims reported emotional scars like a boy avoiding school from unwanted hugs, developing anxiety into adulthood; New Mexico's cases were the most severe, with the 2001 rape victim from Española, identified as Jane Doe, detailing how Gregor groomed her with special attention before assaulting her during an overnight, leaving her with PTSD, depression, and substance abuse issues that derailed her life—she dropped out of high school and struggled with relationships. The 2006 Santa Fe victim recounted being pulled into his lap and penetrated, suffering nightmares and self-harm that required years of therapy. Overall, at least 20 victims across states reported impacts like higher suicide risks (victims of child sexual abuse are 4 times more likely, per CDC data), academic failure, and chronic health problems. Families spoke of guilt for not recognizing signs sooner, with one Española parent telling the Santa Fe New Mexican, "He destroyed our daughter's childhood—we trusted the school, and they failed us." Stats: GAO says repeats average 73 victims if unchecked. Ties: Like McGann's crosses (Episode 2). Fallout: NM's Erin's Law 2019. On X, demands for registry. Watch the spree unfold—subscribe!  Hashtags: #ClassroomCoverup #BorderHoppingPredator #GregorAbuse #MultiStateMonster #SchoolShuffleHorror #VictimTrauma #NoDatabaseFail #TrueCrimeTeacher #PredatorPassed #ReformNow Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Classroom Coverup: Teacher's Deadly Rampage - Ignored Warnings That Led to Murder! Prepare for a chilling true story that will make you question every school hiring process and background check! In this gripping episode, we dissect the case of Andrew McGann, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher who bounced between districts in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas amid alarming red flags of favoritism toward female students and inappropriate comments that parents found deeply unsettling. It all started in spring 2023 at Donald Elementary in Lewisville ISD, Texas, where parents complained about his poor classroom management, but more alarmingly, about lapses in professional judgment—specifically, showing favoritism toward young girls, making odd comments like telling them "If you were older, I would love to marry you," or keeping some inside during recess while letting boys out, sometimes inviting the girls to eat lunch alone in his classroom. One incident involved a little boy crying and reporting feeling uncomfortable with how McGann interacted with the girls, including tickling or giving extra treats. Parents like Sierra Marcum, whose son was in his class, described his behavior as "eerie" and said her son came home upset, sensing something was off. Multiple families reported these issues to the principal, but the district investigated, placed him on administrative leave, and ultimately found "no outright evidence of abuse." Instead of reporting to authorities or flagging his teaching credential under mandatory reporting laws, they let him resign in May 2023 with a neutral reference—no police involvement, no mark on his record—just a quiet exit that allowed him to continue teaching without any hurdles. From there, McGann moved to Spring Creek Elementary in Broken Arrow Public Schools, Oklahoma, for the 2023-2024 school year, teaching fifth grade after passing a background check that came up clean because nothing was documented from Texas. He left voluntarily at the end of the year, citing an out-of-state opportunity, with no issues recorded. Then came a brief stint at Plano ISD back in Texas in August 2024, where he quit after just four days before even interacting with students—the district won't disclose why, but whispers from parents and media suggest old complaints from Lewisville resurfaced, prompting him to leave preemptively.  Undeterred, he taught fifth grade at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, from summer 2024 through May 2025, again without reported problems, though a former student and her mother later described him as "cool" at first but increasingly "off" toward the end. Finally, in early 2025, he relocated to Arkansas and was hired by Springdale Public Schools to start teaching on August 11—just days after his shocking arrest. But on July 26, 2025, McGann allegedly ambushed and stabbed Clinton and Cristen Brink to death on Arkansas' Yellow Rock Trail in Devil's Den State Park, in front of their two young daughters, in what authorities called a random, vicious attack with no clear motive. He confessed after being tracked via eyewitness tips and footage, charged with capital murder. His job-hopping screams "passing the trash"—each move relied on incomplete background checks that missed the "soft" complaints because nothing was officially reported. This fits classic grooming patterns: Building trust through favoritism, isolating kids, testing boundaries with comments and physical contact. Shocking stats show why it's so deadly—unreported suspicions let abusers escalate, per GAO reports finding repeat offenders average 73 victims if unchecked. This case ties directly to the series themes: Like Gary Gregor's multi-state abuses (Episode 5) or Kanyen Cole's recommendation despite flags (Episode 8). The fallout has been heartbreaking—the Brinks' GoFundMe raised over $100K for their orphaned girls, with tributes to the couple's kindness, while McGann's former schools face scrutiny and calls for investigations. On X, the outrage is palpable, with posts calling it "terrifying" and demanding interstate databases to prevent such tragedies. Watch to see how ignored warnings cost innocent lives and what we can do to stop it—hit subscribe for more hard-hitting revelations! (Word count: 612) Hashtags: #ClassroomCoverup #McGannMurder #IgnoredRedFlags #TeacherRampage #SchoolHiringFails #PredatorShuffle #ArkansasHorror #ProtectStudents #TrueCrimeTeacher #PassingTheTrashExposed Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Classroom Coverup: Teacher's Deadly Rampage - Ignored Warnings That Led to Murder! Prepare for a chilling true story that will make you question every school hiring process and background check! In this gripping episode, we dissect the case of Andrew McGann, a 28-year-old elementary school teacher who bounced between districts in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas amid alarming red flags of favoritism toward female students and inappropriate comments that parents found deeply unsettling. It all started in spring 2023 at Donald Elementary in Lewisville ISD, Texas, where parents complained about his poor classroom management, but more alarmingly, about lapses in professional judgment—specifically, showing favoritism toward young girls, making odd comments like telling them "If you were older, I would love to marry you," or keeping some inside during recess while letting boys out, sometimes inviting the girls to eat lunch alone in his classroom. One incident involved a little boy crying and reporting feeling uncomfortable with how McGann interacted with the girls, including tickling or giving extra treats. Parents like Sierra Marcum, whose son was in his class, described his behavior as "eerie" and said her son came home upset, sensing something was off. Multiple families reported these issues to the principal, but the district investigated, placed him on administrative leave, and ultimately found "no outright evidence of abuse." Instead of reporting to authorities or flagging his teaching credential under mandatory reporting laws, they let him resign in May 2023 with a neutral reference—no police involvement, no mark on his record—just a quiet exit that allowed him to continue teaching without any hurdles. From there, McGann moved to Spring Creek Elementary in Broken Arrow Public Schools, Oklahoma, for the 2023-2024 school year, teaching fifth grade after passing a background check that came up clean because nothing was documented from Texas. He left voluntarily at the end of the year, citing an out-of-state opportunity, with no issues recorded. Then came a brief stint at Plano ISD back in Texas in August 2024, where he quit after just four days before even interacting with students—the district won't disclose why, but whispers from parents and media suggest old complaints from Lewisville resurfaced, prompting him to leave preemptively.  Undeterred, he taught fifth grade at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, from summer 2024 through May 2025, again without reported problems, though a former student and her mother later described him as "cool" at first but increasingly "off" toward the end. Finally, in early 2025, he relocated to Arkansas and was hired by Springdale Public Schools to start teaching on August 11—just days after his shocking arrest. But on July 26, 2025, McGann allegedly ambushed and stabbed Clinton and Cristen Brink to death on Arkansas' Yellow Rock Trail in Devil's Den State Park, in front of their two young daughters, in what authorities called a random, vicious attack with no clear motive. He confessed after being tracked via eyewitness tips and footage, charged with capital murder. His job-hopping screams "passing the trash"—each move relied on incomplete background checks that missed the "soft" complaints because nothing was officially reported. This fits classic grooming patterns: Building trust through favoritism, isolating kids, testing boundaries with comments and physical contact. Shocking stats show why it's so deadly—unreported suspicions let abusers escalate, per GAO reports finding repeat offenders average 73 victims if unchecked. This case ties directly to the series themes: Like Gary Gregor's multi-state abuses (Episode 5) or Kanyen Cole's recommendation despite flags (Episode 8). The fallout has been heartbreaking—the Brinks' GoFundMe raised over $100K for their orphaned girls, with tributes to the couple's kindness, while McGann's former schools face scrutiny and calls for investigations. On X, the outrage is palpable, with posts calling it "terrifying" and demanding interstate databases to prevent such tragedies. Watch to see how ignored warnings cost innocent lives and what we can do to stop it—hit subscribe for more hard-hitting revelations! (Word count: 612) Hashtags: #ClassroomCoverup #McGannMurder #IgnoredRedFlags #TeacherRampage #SchoolHiringFails #PredatorShuffle #ArkansasHorror #ProtectStudents #TrueCrimeTeacher #PassingTheTrashExposed Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

We The People must stand strong, stay united, resolute, calm, and focus on the mission. Order Mel's New Book: Americans Anonymous: Restoring Power to the People One Citizen at a Time https://themelkshow.com/book The Show's Partners Page: https://themelkshow.com/partners/ Consider Making A Donation: https://themelkshow.com/donate/ Beverly Hills Precious Metals Exchange - Buy Gold & Silver https://themelkshow.com/gold/ Speak with Gold Expert Andrew Sorchini…Tell Him Mel K Sent You! Dr. Zelenko Immunity Protocols https://zstacklife.com/MelK I trust SatellitePhoneStore when all other networks fail. With their phone, I know I'm always connected, no matter where I am or what happens. https://sat123.com/melk/ I've tried a lot of supplements over the years, but nothing has compared to the purity and results I've experienced with Chemical Free Body. USE CODE MELK Mel K Superfoods Supercharge your wellness with Mel K Superfoods Use Code: MELKWELLNESS and Save Over $100 off retail today! https://themelkshow.com/partners/ Healthy Hydration: https://themelkshow.com/partners/ Patriot Mobile Support your values, your freedom and the Mel K Show. Switch to Patriot Mobile for Free. Use free activation code MELK https://themelkshow.com/partners/ HempWorx The #1 selling CBD brand. Offering cutting edge products that run the gamut from CBD oils and other hemp products to essential oils in our Mantra Brand, MDC Daily Sprays which are Vitamin and Herb combination sprays/ https://themelkshow.com/partners/ Dr. Zelenko Immunity Protocols https://zstacklife.com/MelK Support Patriots With MyPillow Go to https://www.mypillow.com/melk Use offer code “MelK” to support both MyPillow and The Mel K Show The Wellness Company - Emergency Medical Kits: https://themelkshow.com/partners/ Dr. Stella Immanuel, MD. Consult with a renowned healthcare provider! Offering Telehealth Services & Supplements. Use offer code ‘MelK' for 5% Off https://themelkshow.com/partners/ Rumble (Video) - The Mel K Show: https://rumble.com/c/TheMelKShow X: https://twitter.com/MelKShow Twitter (Original): https://twitter.com/originalmelk TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@themelkshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelkshow/ Podbean: https://themelkshow.podbean.com/ GETTR: https://www.gettr.com/user/themelkshow Locals.com: https://melk.locals.com/ Banned Video: https://banned.video/channel/the-mel-k-show We at www.themelkshow.com want to thank all our amazing patriot pals for joining us on this journey, for your support of our work, and for your faith in this biblical transition to greatness. Together we are unstoppable. We look forward to seeing you. God Wins! https://themelkshow.com/events/ Remember to mention Mel K for great discounts on all these fun and informative events. See you there! Our Website www.TheMelKShow.com We love what we do and are working hard to keep on top of everything to help this transition along peacefully and with love. Please help us amplify our message: Like, Comment & Share!

Chatting all things community management, growing a Skool group, and the importance of networking in business -- even if you're an introvert like me!Check out Dee Greene's group, Undeterred: https://www.skool.com/undeterred-free FREE social media manager starter kit: https://bit.ly/thesmmstarterkit

Send me a DM here (it doesn't let me respond), OR email me: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comToday I'm honored to have back on the show once again: Podcast Regular, United Church Minister turned whistleblower, Canadian Hero, humanitarian, father of two, published writer and author, public speaker and podcaster, documentary filmmaker, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, co-founder of the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State, righteous soul, and Eagle Strong Voice: Kevin AnnettIn case you missed any of Kevin's past episodes or our ‘Movie Night' feature where we aired his acclaimed documentary, ‘Unrepentant' on this channel, here is a brief intro to his testimony and background along with some information on what we will be talking about today: Kevin's early life was shaped by compassion and a call to serve as a United Church minister in Port Alberni, British Columbia, in the early 1990s. There, Indigenous survivors of Canada's residential schools revealed a hidden genocide - abuse, forced sterilizations, and child deaths orchestrated by church and state. Kevin's refusal to stay silent led to his 1997 defrocking, a historic first for political reasons. Undeterred, he documented survivors' stories and produced the 2006 documentary Unrepentant, which exposed these atrocities and helped prompt Canada's 2008 apology to Indigenous survivors.His investigations reached global elites, including the Vatican, leading him to co-found the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State in 2010. His work with the International Common Law Court of Justice contributed to Pope Benedict XVI's 2013 resignation, a historic event linked to allegations of church crimes. Despite facing smear campaigns, death threats, and blacklisting, Kevin has earned Nobel Peace Prize nominations for his relentless pursuit of justice.Through his radio program Here We Stand and the Republic of Kanata, a movement for self-governance under common law, Kevin has inspired thousands to reject centralized power. His tireless advocacy, from Indigenous communities to international tribunals, amplifies the marginalized and challenges the powerful.Kevin life is a testament to the power of one individual to ignite change. From a small church in Port Alberni to the global stage, he has exposed truths that shook empires and inspired a movement for sovereignty. As Kevin continues to lead by example, his story reminds us that courage, truth, and solidarity can dismantle even the most entrenched systems of oppression. In a world hungry for freedom, Kevin stands as a beacon, showing us how to govern ourselves - and build a future worthy of our highest aspirations.CONNECT WITH KEVIN:Email: angelfire101@protonmail.comPhone: 289-680-8724Websites:-Republic of Kanata: https://republicofkanata.org/-Radio Free Kanata: https://bbsradio.com/radiofreekanata-'Murder by Decree' & other books published by Kevin: https://murderbydecree.com/#books-'Unrepentant' Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czej73SfYJcCONNECT WITH THE IMAGINATION:EMAIL: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comMy Substack: https://emmakatherine.substack.com/BUY ME A COFFEE: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theimaginationAll links: https://direct.me/theimaginationpodcastRIFE TECHNOLOGIES:Support the show

We at Urbanist Media (and the Urban Roots podcast) are excited to have, yet again, celebrated Juneteenth with Cincinnati Public Radio.This year, we produced brand new ⁠Juneteenth Cincinnati Shorts⁠: weekly, 90-second tributes to people and places important to Cincinnati Black history and African American history. This one is all about Dr. Lucy Orinthia Oxley….—Dr. Lucy Oxley broke barriers as the first Black graduate of UC's medical program in 1935, only to be denied internships due to discrimination. Undeterred, she found opportunities at historically Black colleges outside Cincinnati and eventually returned to open a private practice, first in Walnut Hills and later in Avondale. This short dives into Dr. Oxley's story as a local pioneer in family medicine. Listen to the entire archive (2023-2025) on Cincinnati Public Radio's website: https://cinradio.org/juneteenth-special-programming-from-urbanist-media/—Juneteenth Cincinnati Shorts is brought to you by Urbanist Media's Urban Roots podcast team: Deqah Hussein-Wetzel (Executive Producer / Host & Narrator), Tania Mohammad (Producer / Story Editor), Vanessa Maria Quirk (Story Editor), and Connor Lynch (Audio Editor / Mixer).

Last time we spoke about Black Saterday and Operation Iron Fist. Conflict erupted in Shanghai on August 13, when Japanese marines disguised as civilians provoked Chinese guards, resulting in fierce gunfire and urban warfare. Both sides engaged in skirmishes around vital locations, with the Eight Character Bridge becoming a focal point. On August 14, air raids misfired catastrophically, killing over a thousand civilians in what became known as "Black Saturday." In an attempt to regain control, Chiang Kai-shek authorized Operation Iron Fist, a bold offensive targeting Japanese strongholds. The attack commenced early on August 17, involving coordinated assaults aimed at exploiting weak points in the enemy defenses. However, poor coordination, entrenched opposition, and the complexity of urban combat resulted in further devastating losses for the Chinese troops. By August 18, Operation Iron Fist had failed, with the Japanese reinforcing their positions and announcing a strategic shift towards expanded military engagement.   #158 The Battle of Shanghai Part 3: The Chinese Counteroffensive “Drive them into the Sea!” 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. On August 18, the Japanese military reinforced their presence in Shanghai, shipping an additional 1,400 marines from Manchuria to bolster the ranks of the Japanese Shanghai Special Naval Landing Force or “SNLF”. Yes, all of you who don't listen to my Pacific War week by week podcast are going to get a lot of acronym lessons soon. And yes, they are not quote en quote real marines, but like most telling these stories its easier to refer to them this way. This influx of troops was a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, heightening tensions as the battle for control intensified. As the battle in Shanghai raged on, a growing sentiment emerged among Chinese leaders that crucial chances had been squandered. On August 18, Chiang Kai-shek sent his trusted aide, Deputy War Minister Chen Cheng, to confer with General Zhang Zhizhong at the front lines. They assessed the situation and agreed that instead of attacking the heavily fortified Hongkou area, they should redirect their focus to the Yangshupu district. The aim was to breach the defenses and split the Japanese forces along the Huangpu River. This strategic shift was precisely what the German military advisers and frontline commanders had anticipated, signaling a decisive move away from their earlier hesitance to engage within settlement boundaries. As attrition took its toll on the Chinese troops already committed in Shanghai, the responsibility for the offensive was placed on the newly arrived 36th Infantry Division, a unit highly trained by German forces. They were positioned to advance from the eastern edge of Hongkou, with two regiments tasked to march south toward the Huangpu. In the early hours of the 19th, two regiments of the 36th launched their long-planned attack, moving swiftly towards the front lines. The night was illuminated by the flames of sabotage and incendiary bombs, aiding visibility amid the chaos. However, the assault quickly faced significant challenges. Many of the Chinese soldiers were inexperienced, becoming easy targets for Japanese infantry positioned in rooftops and upper-story windows. In the absence of cover, some troops were forced to take shelter behind the fallen bodies of their comrades. For a moment, the Chinese troops felt a surge of hope, believing they could push the Japanese into the Huangpu River. General Zhang Fakui, observing from the opposite bank, envisioned a breakthrough. However, upon reaching Broadway, parallel to the river, they confronted a formidable barrier. High walls guarded the wharves, and even the largest artillery pieces struggled to breach the defenses. Attempts to scale the steel gate resulted in devastating fire from entrenched Japanese machine gunners, while fortified factories like the Gong Da Cotton Mill proved equally impenetrable. As the Chinese forces suffered under relentless bombardment, their momentum diminished. The 88th Infantry Division, previously effective, showed signs of disarray and hesitated to engage. Compounding their woes, Japanese reinforcements arrived, swelling their ranks to 6,300 well equipped marines. Despite these challenges, the Chinese committed to deploying their newly acquired British built Vickers tanks, a symbol of their efforts to modernize their military over the years. But with each hour, the balance of power tilted further in favor of the Japanese forces. Meanwhile the 87th Infantry Division was assigned two armored companies, yet it suffered catastrophic losses. The tanks, recently shipped from Nanjing, had crews untrained in coordinated assaults, and many were left without infantry support. The Chinese forces struggled to secure adjacent streets, allowing Japanese armor to outflank and destroy their tanks. The Japanese, too, faced coordination challenges between their armor and infantry, resulting in some of their tanks being annihilated by Chinese anti-tank weapons. On the 20th, General Zhang Zhizhong inspected the Yangshupu front and encountered a former student leading a tank company ready to attack the wharves. The tanks, hastily repaired and ill equipped for battle, faced fierce enemy fire, and the young officer expressed concern about the infantry's ability to keep pace. Despite Zhang's insistence that the assault must proceed, the attack ended in disaster as the tank company was decimated by shells from anchored vessels. The battle blended modern warfare with tactics reminiscent of earlier centuries. An officer named Wu Yujun managed a position during a Japanese cavalry attack on the 18th. After two unsuccessful assaults, Wu set an ambush that resulted in the annihilation of the Japanese riders. This incident illustrated the stark contrast on the battlefield where Chinese soldiers often confronted a technologically superior enemy while grappling with their own inexperience.  Many of the Chinese units arriving in Shanghai were very green, countless having never faced battle before, and their lack of experience proved costly in the initial days of fighting. Brigade Commander Fang Jing of the 98th Division observed that his soldiers constructed inadequate fortifications that crumbled under the Japanese 150mm howitzers. He lamented, “Often, the positions they built were too weak and couldn't withstand the enemy's artillery,”. On the 20th, 5 Chinese aircraft returned after yet another unsuccessful attack on the Japanese battleship Izumo, which remained anchored in the Huangpu. During their flight over western Zhabei, they encountered two Japanese seaplanes. One Chinese pilot broke formation, diving steeply to fire a brief machine-gun salvo, but his plane was quickly shot down, bursting into flames before crashing. The Chinese attacks had posed a significant threat to Japanese bombers, particularly the vulnerable Mitsubishi G3M medium aircraft targeting Shanghai and central China. Japan's First Combined Air Group suffered heavy losses, with half of its medium attack planes damaged or destroyed within the first three days of fighting. However, the Chinese pilots, largely inexperienced and inadequately trained, began to falter against the superior Japanese fighters, eventually withdrawing from the skies over Shanghai. Ground troops expressed frustration over the lack of effective air support, as they rarely saw their planes after the 20th, instead carrying out major troop movements only under the cover of darkness. The Japanese air superiority drastically affected operations on the ground, dictating when Chinese soldiers could eat and transport supplies. Without effective fighter protection and limited anti-aircraft capabilities, the Chinese troops were left exposed. Most of their anti-aircraft weaponry consisted of 20mm Solothurn guns that were ineffective against aircraft and were more often used against infantry. Officers hesitated to use these guns for fear of revealing their positions to the enemy.  By the morning of the 21st, the 36th Division had been relentlessly attacking the wharf area for over 48 hours, yet victory remained elusive. Although some tanks had infiltrated the wharf, they were met with dishearteningly strong Japanese defenses and a well-manned enemy presence. The commanders recognized that they had advanced too quickly without securing their flanks, and their reserves, which could have provided crucial support, remained in the rear. Reluctantly, they concluded that a withdrawal was necessary. The retreat was a painful acknowledgment that pushing the Japanese into the Huangpu River would not be as straightforward as hoped. Part of the Chinese failure stemmed from an inability to execute joint operations across different military branches. German advisors noted that artillery support for the forces in Yangshupu from the Pudong side was limited. In contrast, Japanese naval guns were actively providing support, significantly relieving the pressure on their marines. This imbalance resulted in heavy losses for the Chinese, with the 36th Division suffering over 2,000 casualties by the late 22nd. Meanwhile, Japanese naval aircraft attempted to impede the movement of additional Chinese troops to Shanghai by bombing the railway from Suzhou. Although several bridges were destroyed and railway stations sustained damage, the delays were minimal, offering some reassurance to Chinese commanders who understood that reinforcements were essential for a successful continuation of the battle. The light cruiser Jintsu, carrying the 3rd Division, set to land six miles north of Shanghai, while the 11th Division would disembark a dozen miles further up the Yangtze River. By the evening of the 21st, the task force arrived at the Yangtze River and the Saddle Islands off the river estuary. The soldiers had to transfer to smaller vessels capable of navigating the shallow waters of the Huangpu River.  On the 23rd, Matsui Iwane got aboard the light cruiser Yura and was greeted by Rear Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, then the commander of the 8th cruiser division. Yes, the same man who would be blamed for losing at Midway in 1942. The Japanese fleet had made a strategic sweep as far south as Hangzhou Bay the previous day to disrupt Chinese troop movements and force them to spread thin along the coast. However, with the landings imminent, it was clear the assault would happen at Wusong and Chuanshakou. Initially, Matsui preferred landing both divisions at Chuanshakou for a sweeping advance into the lightly defended countryside west of Shanghai, which would encircle tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers. The 3rd Fleet, however, proposed a bolder strategy: the 11th Infantry Division would proceed with the landing at Chuanshakou, while the 3rd Infantry Division would land at Wusong, directly confronting the heavily concentrated Chinese forces around Shanghai. This plan aimed to exert pressure from both the front and the rear, a tactic that could yield success but risked high casualties if faced with stiff Chinese resistance. Aware of the operation's risks, the naval officers sought to ease potential tensions with their army counterparts by offering over 500 elite marines to support the assault, preparing for what could be a pivotal moment in the campaign. Shortly after midnight on the 23rd, the marines designated as the primary assault wave at Wusong arrived in a convoy of steamers from Shanghai. Their arrival was eagerly anticipated, as they would spare the 3rd Division from being the first to land. As the naval artillery barrage reached a deafening climax, the boats glided across the smooth water towards the shore. Any time a Chinese machine gun opened fire, it drew immediate response from the Japanese gunners, swiftly silencing the threat. Meanwhile, trench mortars onshore targeted the advancing vessels, but their rounds fell harmlessly into the water without causing any damage. At 3:00 am, the first landing craft reached the bank, dropped anchor, and lowered its ramp. The marines waded ashore, climbing the 15 foot high dike to survey the terrain. Suddenly, machine gun fire erupted from a Chinese position just 50 yards away, cutting down several marines. Undeterred, the marines charged with fixed bayonets across the open field. An explosion marked the spot where a soldier had triggered a landmine, followed by more detonations, but there was no retreat; they pressed on, swarming over the Chinese trench and engaging in a brief yet fierce hand-to-hand struggle. Within moments, they had taken the position. The marines quickly cleared the area, paving a path to their immediate objective, a military road running parallel to the Huangpu River. While setting up defensive positions, the 3rd Division began to disembark at the water's edge. By 8:00 a.m, the divisional command stepped ashore as the last unit to arrive. Meanwhile, naval pilots were busy bombing and strafing roads further inland to impede any enemy reinforcements. The landing had unfolded with remarkable success, marking a significant moment in the operation and setting the stage for greater advances by Japanese forces. Meanwhile the 11th division began setting foot on the beach north of Chuanshakou at 3:50 am. As the soldiers advanced towards the town's outskirts, they encountered only minimal resistance as Chuanshakou was defended by a single Chinese company.  Matsui was pleased with the outcome; everything had unfolded according to plan and, in fact, better than he had dared to hope. Casualties in both divisions were surprisingly low, amounting to little more than 40 soldiers. At 5:30 am, Zhang Zhizhong received an urgent phone call at his new headquarters in a small village near Nanxiang. On the line was Liu Heding, commander of the 56th Infantry Division, reporting that an enemy force of unknown size had landed near Chuanshakou. With heavy bombardment disrupting communications, details were scarce, but Zhang immediately recognized the gravity of the situation: a new front was opening, complicating his command significantly. Realizing he could not effectively manage the situation from Nanxiang with communications down, Zhang decided to head to the command post of the 87th Infantry Division in Jiangwan, a town closer to the landing area. By the time he arrived at the 87th Division's base, it was nearly 9:00 am. He was informed that the Japanese had not only landed at Chuanshakou but also at Wusong. Recognizing the urgency, he quickly dispatched half of the 87th Infantry Division and a regiment from the recently arrived Training Brigade, an elite unit fresh from Nanjing, to respond to the threat. Given that the 56th Infantry Division alone could not secure the area around Chuanshakou, Zhang assigned the 98th Infantry Division to defend most of the Yangtze riverbank under threat. He also dispatched the 11th Division, which had just arrived in the Shanghai area with Deputy War Minister Chen Cheng to move toward Luodian, a town just a few miles from the landing zone at Chuanshakou.  Meanwhile, the Japanese forces were advancing swiftly. While the main landing contingent engaged in fierce fighting for control of Chuanshakou, a small unit of a few hundred soldiers was dispatched down the road to Luodian. Marching under the scorching August sun, the reservists, weary from the trek, found little resistance upon reaching Luodian. They hastily set up camp without adequately preparing defenses, making them vulnerable targets. Later that afternoon, advance units of the 11th Infantry Division reached Luodian, shaken but determined to attack even after facing air raids on their journey. The ensuing skirmish was swift; within an hour, the Japanese were repelled. Back over at Wusong Hu Guobing received orders to push back the Japanese on August 21st. He led his regiment towards the Japanese lines, as his platoons dispersed further, dividing into smaller squads. Soon, the sharp crack and rattle of small arms fire resonated along the regiment's front. Battalion Commander Qin Shiquan, a graduate of the Central Military Academy, led two companies toward the enemy positions, taking care to remain unnoticed. When they drew close enough, he ordered his bugler to sound the charge. Then, raising his Mauser pistol, he turned to face his men and shouted, “Attack! Attack!” This sudden noise revealed his position, making it vulnerable. Japanese observers hidden nearby quickly relayed his coordinates to warships offshore. Within minutes, shells began to rain down on the unit with alarming accuracy. Amidst the storm of fire unleashed by the Japanese, all semblance of order disintegrated, and chaos ensued as each unit fought to survive. Hu Guobing spent most of the day dodging Japanese aircraft that circled overhead, waiting for targets to emerge. As Hu Guobing recalled “It felt as though the enemy could see everything. It was crucial not to act rashly. Our only real options were to take cover in a hole or hide behind a ridge”. The gunfire continued throughout the afternoon and did not relent until darkness began to fall. Only then could the soldiers breathe a little easier, grab a few bites of their field rations, and quench their parched throats with sips from their water canteens. Seizing the relative safety of night, they hurried to improve their positions, knowing that once dawn arrived, it would be too late; a shallow trench or inadequate camouflage could spell doom. Although it had been Chiang Kai-Shek's decision to place Zhang Zhizhong and Feng Yuxiang in charge of Shanghai, now designated the 3rd War Zone, he was having regrets. In a telephone conversation with Feng Yuxiang shortly after the Japanese landings, Chiang emphasized the importance of monitoring the younger front-line commanders. He urged “Don't hesitate to give them advice,”. Feng assured him that he would not hold back. He then recounted an anecdote about General Nogi Maresuke, who, during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, allegedly delegated all major decisions to his chief of staff. Feng told him “The frontline commanders possess courage and a fighting spirit. Their role is to take orders and engage in battle. Mine is to stay back, like Nogi, write a few poems, and wait for the inevitable,”. Chiang persistently insisted, “Regardless of the situation, don't be shy. Share your insights with them.” “Of course,” Feng responded. “If I notice something amiss, I'll address it without hesitation. You can count on me.” However, this assurance did little to calm Chiang's concerns. A great concern was Zhang Zhizhong. Much of his rhetoric about fighting the Japanese seemed to lack substance. Zhang had not demonstrated the necessary resolve to launch attacks against the small Japanese forces in the city when decisive action could have turned the tide of the battle. With Japanese reinforcements firmly entrenched in two locations within the greater Shanghai area, it was now too late to pursue a quick victory over the enemy. Compounding the issue, Zhang appeared to spend an excessive amount of time making grandiose statements to the newspapers rather than focusing on the ground situation. Chiang's frustration was palpable, and it was shared by his German advisors, who concurred that Zhang lacked the requisite “toughness” to confront Japanese resistance effectively. The decision to send Deputy War Minister Chen Cheng to the front was an early indication that Chiang was considering replacing Zhang. In a particularly humiliating twist, Zhang was not even informed of Chen Cheng's appointment and learned about it indirectly through other field commanders. Fearing that he was being sidelined, Zhang Zhizhong hurried to the 3rd War Zone headquarters in Suzhou to assess the situation. While in Suzhou, called Chiang, whom began harshly criticizing him for being so far behind the front lines. “What are you doing in Suzhou? What are you doing in Suzhou?”. Zhang Zhizhong replied “Mr. Chairman, I'm back in Suzhou to discuss important strategic matters. Otherwise, I'm constantly at the front What's the matter with you?” Chiang was incensed by this perceived disrespect. “What's the matter with me? You ask me what's the matter with me!” His voice rising to a hoarse shriek, Chiang Kai-shek abruptly hung up. At this point, Zhang must have had little doubt that his days as the chief field commander were numbered. The Japanese landings had accomplished their immediate objective of relieving pressure on the small marine forces holed up in Shanghai. As a result, the Chinese were forced to halt their attacks on Hongkou and Yangshupu and had to reconsider how to allocate their resources across various fronts. If the Japanese landing party grew large enough, the Chinese forces could risk becoming the target of a Japanese pincer movement. In essence, within a few days, they had shifted from an offensive posture to a defensive one. Against this backdrop, Chen Cheng,  leading the 15th Army Group, arrived in Suzhou on August 24th. His presence aimed to bolster resistance, and he was also there to familiarize himself with local conditions, as he was expected to take on a greater role at the front shortly. Chen's confident demeanor and readiness to overrule local commanders indicated that real authority already resided with him. While he agreed with Zhang Zhizhong's plans from the previous day to counter the landings, he deemed them insufficient given the threat posed by the fresh Japanese troops. Consequently, he ordered that more soldiers be redeployed from Shanghai proper to the landing zones. To counter the dire situation, Falkenhausen devised a plan aimed at reigniting enthusiasm for the offensive among the Chinese forces. During a meeting on the 25th, he proposed rallying all troops in the Luodian area to mount a coordinated attack from all sides against the Japanese landing force. Emphasizing the German preference for a decisive strike, he aimed to push the invaders back into the Yangtze. The assembled officers expressed their agreement with the plan. However, as dawn broke, the optimism from the night's discussions began to wane. It had been 48 hours since the landings, and the Japanese army had solidified its foothold at Chuanshakou, rapidly approaching a point of strength that would make it nearly impossible to dislodge them. Tanks and artillery were assembled along the riverbank, while engineers constructed a pier to facilitate the faster unloading of troops and supplies. They had already established a bridgehead that extended 10 miles in length and reached a depth of five miles, initiating the construction of a road heading inland, an evident preparation for a major offensive. In a secret report to Chiang Kai-shek, Falkenhausen outlined the challenging situation as the Japanese consolidated their material advantages. “It should be noted that the enemy's army and navy operate in close coordination. Although their land-based artillery is still relatively weak, this is offset by their robust naval artillery and ship-based aircraft,”. He further noted that the airfields on Chongming Island contributed to Japan's now “complete air superiority, as a result, the main operations on our side should be executed after dark.”  From late August onward, most Chinese movements occurred after sunset. Only then could Chinese and Japanese infantry engage on more equal footing, without the overwhelming advantage provided by air support. Night became the great equalizer in the uneven battle for Shanghai. During the day, the relentlessly active Japanese forces seemed to be everywhere. They deployed rubber boats up small rivers to scout and disrupt. Their observation balloons hovered on the horizon, keeping a vigilant watch on the Chinese and swiftly scrambling aircraft upon detecting any movement. They combined technological superiority with a bravery that bordered on the suicidal; when faced with the prospect of capture, many Japanese soldiers preferred death. Following a fierce battle in the vicinity of Luodian, the Chinese retrieved the body of a sergeant major who had committed hara-kiri, while a gravely injured private was found attempting to slit his own throat with his bayonet. Luodian remained the immediate target for nearly all the Japanese forces in the area, facing the same Chinese units that had driven them out on August 23rd. The Chinese were well entrenched in and around the town, but they lacked the numbers to consider launching offensive operations against the Japanese at Chuanshakou. Instead, their priority was to strengthen their defenses. While waiting for the Japanese to resume the assault, they endured massive and sustained bombardment. Among the Chinese officers, there was a growing sense of crisis and a palpable fear that their defensive line could collapse at any moment. From their perspective, the Japanese appeared to be gaining momentum. However, the situation looked quite different from the Japanese invaders' point of view. Japanese casualties began to rise as the Chinese reinforcements sent to the Luodian area started to make an impact. Two days after the landings, the number of dead and injured from the 11th Division had exceeded 400, and the toll continued to climb. Among the casualties was a senior staff officer who was killed moments after stepping off his landing craft at Chuanshakou, struck down by a Chinese aircraft that had evaded Japanese fighter cover. The death toll escalated so quickly that not all bodies could be cremated, as was customary for the Japanese; privates and junior officers were hastily buried instead. For an army that prided itself on honoring its fallen soldiers more than those left alive, this was a significant blow to morale. The 3rd Division faced different challenges in its sector. It was subjected to relentless attacks on the first day of the landing and had to repel two further major enemy assaults on the second day. Additionally, it experienced occasional shelling from Chinese artillery located on the Pudong side. The greatest threat, however, came from the division's right flank. North of the landing zone lay Wusong Fortress, which had been guarding the approach to Shanghai since the wars against British and French forces in the mid-19th century. From their fortifications, Chinese infantry and artillery continuously targeted the Japanese as they disembarked from their boats and advanced inland. They also fired upon small vessels navigating up the Huangpu River, delivering supplies to the division. As the 3rd Division expanded its bridgehead in the days following the landing, Wusong Fortress remained a persistent threat, impeding the buildup of Japanese forces on shore. Compounding the Japanese sense of being encircled, the village of Yinhang to the south was also under Chinese control. This, combined with the steadily increasing number of Chinese defenders in front of the landing zone, created a challenging tactical situation for the Japanese. Although initial casualties had been lighter than the planners had feared, the number of Japanese losses began to rise. By the 25th, the 3rd Division, often referred to as the “Lucky” Division, reported over 300 accumulated casualties. Two days later, that number had escalated to 500, the majority of whom were killed in action. On the 28th, the 3rd Division was finally able to capture the village of Yinhang, freeing itself somewhat from the tactical constraints it had faced up to that point. On the same day, following an intense naval bombardment, the 11th Division launched an assault on Luodian. Leading the charge was Wachi Takaji, a 44-year-old regimental commander who surged forward with his sword drawn, personally dispatching several enemies along the way. The Chinese defenders were driven out of the town and fled down the roads leading inland. By noon, Luodian was firmly under Japanese control.  However August 29th marked a significant triumph for Chinese diplomacy, as Chiang Kai-shek's signed a non-aggression treaty with the Soviet Union. The pact between Nanjing and Moscow laid the political and diplomatic groundwork for Soviet military aid to China while ensuring that the Soviet Union would not reach an agreement with Japan as long as hostilities continued. Initially, Chiang Kai-shek had been wary of Soviet intentions, expressing concerns in his diary on August 1st, when the diplomats were preparing the treaty, that he feared the Kremlin might use the agreement to pressure Japan into signing a similar pact with Moscow. However, following the signing, skepticism gave way to optimism. Three days after announcing the treaty, Chiang confidently predicted in a speech that the Soviet Union would eventually enter the war against Japan. Chiang would not be wrong about that, but it would only come in 1945, officially. Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin had a clear reason to encourage China to engage in a full-scale war with Japan: it would secure Russia's western flank while he focused on the strategic challenges posed by a Europe dominated by Hitler. A conflict with China could drain Japanese resources, thereby reducing the threat from Asia in the long term. Exasperated British diplomats attempted to warn Chiang Kai-shek about what they perceived as a Soviet ruse, advising that the Russians “only have their own interests in mind.” Nevertheless, this did little to undermine the Chinese leader's belief in the Soviet Union's willingness to help. At a deeper cognitive level, there was a reason why Chiang Kai-shek and his associates clung to the belief that not only Soviet aid but also direct Soviet participation in the hostilities was imminent. This aligned with their expectations of how a war with Japan would unfold. The Chinese General Staff's War Plan A, drafted in 1937, was based on the premise that a conflict with Japan would soon trigger a larger conflict involving either the Soviet Union or the United States. Thus, the key objective for China was to withstand the superior Japanese forces until relief could arrive from a more powerful ally, whether that be Russian or American. This strategy was not as naive as it might seem; it was based on the understanding that neither Moscow nor Washington would want to see Japanese power grow too strong on the Asian mainland. Despite the capture of Luodian and Yinhang, the Japanese continued to face significant challenges. Their grip on the Shanghai region remained highly precarious, relying on control of two isolated pockets north of Shanghai and a beleaguered garrison within the city. Due to their numerical inferiority, they were under intense pressure from Chinese forces. The landings at Wusong and Chuanshakou had initially bolstered the manpower in the Shanghai area by fewer than 8,000 troops, and although reinforcements were gradually arriving, the pace was slow. Matsui Iwane recognized the need for a more radical increase in troop levels to achieve a decisive outcome. By the end of August, he cabled Tokyo, arguing that to complete the operation successfully, he required a total of five divisions or at a minimum the release of the 11th Division's Amaya Detachment, currently stationed in northeast China, to reunite with the division at Chuanshakou. The Japanese imperial staff and navy command responded mostly favorably, agreeing to redirect the detachment to Shanghai alongside several units of the elite marines. One week after the landings, Wusong Fort continued to pose a significant problem for the 3rd Division and the navy, which was responsible for supplying the division. Chinese artillery fire made anchoring near the landing zone a perilous endeavor, resulting in several naval officers being killed when caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. At times, the shelling was so severe that vessels had to interrupt their operations and retreat to a berth in the middle of the Huangpu River, unloading only part of their supplies. Matsui now planned for the 3rd Division to launch a frontal assault on Wusong, while the 11th Division would maintain a support role, dispatching only one regiment to assist. The attack commenced at 10:00 am on August 31rd. Following an intensive naval and aerial bombardment involving 30 planes, a regiment from the 3rd Division boarded landing craft, sailed down the Huangpu River, and landed on the riverbank north of Wusong. Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, the soldiers engaged in fierce skirmishes with scattered Chinese units in front of Wusong in preparation for a final entry into the city. Meanwhile, the Asama Detachment from the 11th Division initiated its part of the offensive by marching along the bank of the Yangtze toward Shizilin. On the morning of September 1st, the Japanese tightened their grip on Wusong. The regiment from the 3rd Division seized a hamlet west of Wusong and readied for an assault on the town itself. The defending Chinese forces put up strong resistance, and it was not until late afternoon that the Japanese made any significant progress, aided by artillery fire from their ships. The Asama Detachment experienced somewhat greater success that day, successfully capturing the fort at Shizilin in the afternoon. The Japanese launched their final offensive against Wusong at dawn on the 2nd. To their surprise, the fort fell with relative ease. By 10:00 am, Matsui saw the Rising Sun flag hoisted over Wusong. “I felt boundless gratification,” he noted in his diary.  With the fall of Wusong, the town of Baoshan became the last major obstacle to uninterrupted Japanese control of the riverbank, stretching from Chuanshakou to the outskirts of Shanghai. The fort at Baoshan also posed a significant threat to Japanese naval operations due to its strategic location at the confluence of the Yangtze and Huangpu rivers. Chiang Kai-shek fully recognized the importance of Baoshan and ordered a battalion of the 98th Infantry Division to hold the town at all costs. Baoshan had one notable advantage: like many ancient Chinese towns, it was encircled by a thick city wall that had historically helped fend off invaders and still served its defensive purpose well. The Japanese were acutely aware that Baoshan favored defense, and even a small contingent of Chinese forces could potentially hold out for an extended period.  On the 4th, the 3rd Division sluggishly advanced toward Baoshan. Around mid-afternoon, an artillery unit arrived to assist by bombarding the city wall. Despite this support, the Japanese soldiers, sent in waves to scale the wall, suffered significant casualties and failed to penetrate the defenses by nightfall. At noon on September 5, Japanese bombers launched an air raid on Baoshan, while naval artillery rained shells indiscriminately over the town's gray roofs. The land attack began an hour later when Japanese tanks advanced toward the town gates. The Japanese pressed the Chinese defenders into a shrinking perimeter. By sunset, the defenders were left with only 100 soldiers. The night passed without incident, as the Japanese refrained from attacking without air support, but everyone knew that dawn would herald the end. Just as the sun rose above the horizon, the assault resumed. As the city neared its fall, the defending commander Yao Ziqing ordered a soldier to escape and report the situation to his superiors. Unnoticed by the Japanese, the soldier scaled a wall and fled into the surrounding countryside, becoming the sole survivor of the battle. He carried with him a message from the battalion: “We are determined to stay at our posts and to continue fighting the enemy until each and every one of us is killed.” 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. Despite initial Chinese hopes for a counteroffensive by the newly arrived 36th Infantry Division, their inexperience and poor coordination led to heavy losses. As the Japanese gained reinforcements, they executed strategic landings at Chuanshakou and Wusong, overwhelming Chinese defenses. Amidst escalating casualties, Chinese troops struggled to maintain morale. However, their resolve to fight persisted, even as defeat loomed over the besieged city and its defenders.

The Kerrville flood remains a horrific piece of Texas/national history. I have signed up for a couple of races to help give back to that community. I even kicked in some extra at HEB's fancy Central Market to help. I also signed up for a race in San Antonio next month called Poker 5K. I misremembered the name of the org benefiting from this. Also, a big shout-out to my dear friend, PJ Izaguierre, for all that he is doing for the recovery effort. He had to move the Colorado Bend race to another venue, marked it, and it got flooded. Undeterred, he found a new place and I hope to see you out there on Saturday night!

Last time we spoke about the allied invasion of Balikpapan. In June 1945, the war in the Pacific escalated as American forces, spearheaded by Generals Eichelberger and Krueger, fiercely battled the entrenched Japanese on Luzon. Despite harsh conditions and fierce resistance, the Americans made crucial advances, capturing key positions that rekindled hope for the Filipino people. Concurrently, preparations for the invasion of Balikpapan intensified. The Australian 7th Division assembled for a July 1 amphibious assault against a heavily fortified Japanese defense, known for its formidable coast artillery and entrenched positions. The Australians faced fierce opposition upon landing; however, skilled maneuvering and robust artillery support allowed them to swiftly gain a foothold. As the Australians secured their beachhead, they marked the beginning of a challenging campaign against determined Japanese forces in Balikpapan, setting the stage for further confrontations in the Pacific theater.  This episode is Victory at Bougainville  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.  We last left off on Bougainville, by mid-April, Brigadier Heathcote Hammer's 15th Brigade had commenced its crucial task of relieving Brigadier Field's weary and battered 7th Brigade. This transition came at a pivotal moment when Brigadier Stevenson's 11th Brigade successfully secured the Soraken Peninsula, a strategic point on Bougainville's southern coast, while also continuing their efforts to contain enemy forces along the notorious Numa Numa Trail, a crucial supply route for Japanese troops. Supported by reinforcements in artillery and air power, Generals Savige and Bridgeford were optimistic about continuing their limited offensive toward the south. Their immediate objective was to capture the line of the Hongorai River, considered a significant tactical advantage, followed by the Hari River, which would serve as the 15th Brigade's main aim. On the opposing side, General Kanda had learned a harsh lesson about the ineffectiveness of banzai charges during the fierce fighting at the Battle of Slater's Knoll. This costly experience prompted him to alter his strategy significantly. He decided to pull his remaining troops back to a defensive perimeter focused around Buin, which is located in the southern region of Bougainville. Here, he reinforced his defenses with garrison troops from Kieta, situated on the eastern side of Bougainville, the Shortlands Islands to the northwest, and the Fauros Islands to the northeast. However, with this concentration of forces not expected to be operational until July, the troops stationed in the forward areas were tasked with executing a critical delaying action in the meantime, buying precious time for reinforcements to arrive. Meanwhile, on April 17, the Australian 24th Battalion began its advance along the Buin Road, a vital route for both supply and troop movement. Two companies made their way toward Dawe's Creek, while another company launched an assault against the enemy strongholds at Kindara. Remarkably, they broke through enemy lines the following day, pushing further to Sindou Creek and Umam Creek. Here, they faced multiple sharp counterattacks over the next week, demonstrating the fierce resistance from Japanese forces determined to hold their ground. As patrols moved deeper into the thick jungle on either side of the Buin Road, the struggle became increasingly intense. Each advance was hard-fought, marked by skirmishes that tested the resolve and endurance of the Australian soldiers. Finally, on April 26, the advance resumed in earnest, making rapid gains toward the Hongorai River. The combination of heavy air support and relentless artillery bombardment had effectively dispelled any opposition along the route, allowing the Australians to push forward with renewed vigor. By May 4, as the 24th Battalion finally approached the banks of the Hongorai River, they encountered significant resistance. However, on the 4th Lieutenant Lawn's platoon was advancing with two tanks and a bulldozer when the crew of the leading tank came to a log across the road and saw movement in the bush. A burst of machine-gun fire from the tank cut the leaves away and revealed the barrel of a field gun. The first round fired from the tank's 2-pounder disabled the enemy gun and the enemy seemed to flee. Farther ahead, however, a mine exploded at the rear of the second tank. It was discovered that it had been exploded with a wire by a Japanese concealed in the bush. Henceforward mines and concealed guns were encountered more and more frequently. They were detected chiefly by the practised eyes of the engineer teams of Major Needham's 15th Field Company who became increasingly skilful. Mechanical detectors were defeated by several sorts of mine employed wooden boxes filled with T.N.T., for example; but their presence was betrayed by protruding fuses, wires, disturbed earth, and confirmed by prodding with a bayonet. As the 24th Battalion neared the Hongorai it became evident that the Japanese intended to make the Australians pay a price for each advance, and that they were willing to trade a field gun for a tank at every opportunity. On the 4th and many later occasions leading tanks were fired on at a range of a few yards by guns cleverly concealed beside the track, but in positions from which the Japanese could not hope to extricate them. In other respects also the Japanese tactics were improving and their striking power was strengthened. Each forward Australian battalion was now under frequent artillery fire, evidently directed by Japanese observers who remained close to the Australian advance, and it was this which was now causing most of the casualties. The shells usually burst in the trees and their fragments were scattered over a wide area with lethal effects. To counter the tanks the Japanese were now establishing their positions not astride the track but about 100 yards from it in places where the tanks could not reach them until a side track had been made. The Hongorai River, a critical geographical landmark, ran through Bougainville's lush terrain, acting as both a natural barrier and tactical objective. In late April, the 9th Battalion had continued to push forward across the Huio River, a vital waterway that intersected with Japanese defenses. They faced some enemy resistance but managed to clear the Horinu-Rumiki Trail by the end of the month. This narrow, winding path had strategic importance, connecting various units and enabling supplies to move closer to the frontline. On May 3, the 9th Battalion was finally relieved by the 57th/60th Battalion, which, due to its relative inexperience, found progress challenging along the Commando Road a route named after the elite Australian commandos who often operated in this area. Their inexperience in facing seasoned Japanese troops led to slower advances in the crucial days that followed. Meanwhile, the 2/8th Commando Squadron had been conducting deep reconnaissance patrols towards the Hari River and along the Tiger Road, determined to discover the extent of Japanese defenses south of the Hongorai. The Tiger Road, notorious for its rugged conditions, was pivotal for troop movements in the region. On May 5, the 24th Battalion, now bolstered by a newly assigned tank squadron, resumed its advance with renewed determination. However, they were once again halted by fierce defenders who launched a strong yet costly counterattack the following morning. This desperate but valiant effort by the Japanese troops resulted in significant casualties and demonstrated their resolve to maintain control of the Hongorai line. Subsequently, the Japanese forces ultimately abandoned their positions along the Hongorai during the night. Finally, on May 7, the Australians reached the Hongorai River, marking a significant milestone in their campaign. At that moment, the 57th/60th Battalion was securing a crucial crossing over the Hongorai on the Commando Road, enabling further advances into enemy territory. With the next objective focused on the line stretching from the Hari River to Monoitu and Kapana, Brigadier Hammer's battalions shifted their tactics for the second and third weeks of May. They undertook deep patrols into Japanese-occupied territory, gathering vital intelligence while also seeking to harass the enemy and disrupt their operations. Additionally, the commandos maintained their patrols along the challenging Tiger Road and established a new patrol base further north at Monorei. This base would serve as a critical outpost for monitoring enemy movements and launching further operations. Meanwhile, the 58th/59th Battalion explored the rugged areas south of the Buin Road, successfully clearing the Aitara Mission. This mission played a crucial role in their broader strategies, as it prepared them to execute a wide flanking maneuver aimed at cutting the road east of the Hongorai, further encircling Japanese forces. To support the advancing Australian forces, New Zealand aircraft launched significant attacks on Japanese concentrations positioned along the Buin and Commando Roads. On May 17, the 57th/60th Battalion crossed the upper reaches of the Hongorai River, advancing across a wide front along the Commando Road to draw the enemy's attention to that area. On the eve of this move Hammer issued an order of the day in a characteristic style. He spoke of his "undying admiration" for and "extreme confidence" in his men and told them that the next few weeks might see the major defeat of the Japanese in south Bougainville. "Go to battle as you have done in the last month and no enemy can withstand you." In the subsequent days, they successfully secured territory up to the Torobiru River, creating pressure on the Japanese lines and disrupting their defensive operations. On May 20, following a powerful air and artillery bombardment, the 24th Battalion finally launched its long-anticipated assault across the Hongorai River. This marked a turning point as they occupied the strategically significant Egan's Ridge by May 22. Egan's Ridge offered an elevated position that overlooked the surrounding terrain, making it crucial for controlling movement in the vicinity. Meanwhile, the 58th/59th Battalion executed a stealthy wide flanking maneuver towards Mayberry's Crossing, positioning themselves strategically to disrupt Japanese supply lines and communication. On May 21, the Australians moved out once more to cut the Buin Road at Runai, an essential route that facilitated movement and supplies for the Japanese forces. In the following days, the remaining sections of this critical road were secured as the Japanese forces west of the Hari River were forced to retreat, effectively diminishing their operational capabilities in the region. As these operations unfolded, the 2/8th Commando Squadron established a new base on Morokaimoro, positioning themselves for further reconnaissance and engagements. They began patrolling towards Taitai and the Mivo River, both vital points of interest as the Australians sought to gather intelligence on enemy movements. In the meantime, the 57th/60th Battalion pressed on to capture the Oso Junction by May 27. However, they encountered harassment from night raiding parties and artillery fire, which highlighted the persistent threat of Japanese resistance in this area. On 2nd June the main advance was resumed, the 58th/59th moving forward without opposition through positions which had been "completely devastated by air, artillery and mortars". "Not one enemy was found alive or dead," wrote the battalion diarist, "although a strong smell of death pervaded the whole area." A prisoner taken later in the day said that the air strike had completely demoralised the defenders, and when they heard the tanks approaching they had fled. On the left the 57th/60th reached the Sunin River against slight opposition. On the 3rd and 4th the 58th/59th continued the advance, moving slowly because of the need to disarm an unprecedentedly large number of mines and booby-traps-more than 100 in three days-until they reached the Peperu River. Patrols moving stealthily forward to the Hari and across it found evidence of much confusion, many positions dug but unoccupied, and small groups of Japanese at large. It was decided to attack frontally towards the Hari next day. At the same time, the 57th/60th Battalion also reached the Sunin River, facing only slight opposition during their advance. On June 6, the 58th/59th Battalion launched an attack towards the Hari River, but despite their efforts, they only managed to gain about 500 yards against strong defensive positions held by the Japanese. The next three days proved challenging as the 58th/59th Battalion, supported by tanks, found their progress impeded by swampy terrain, a road littered with hidden mines, and intermittent shellfire threatening their advance. The combined obstacles of the natural environment and determined enemy resistance severely limited their ability to make significant gains. In light of the pressing circumstances, Brigadier Hammer made a pivotal decision to send the 58th/59th Battalion on a shallow outflanking march to the north. Their mission was clear: cut the Buin Road several miles east of the Hari River. At the same time, the 57th/60th Battalion was tasked with thrusting wide to the south, maneuvering around the Ogorata River to intercept the same road near Rusei. After four days of concentrated air and artillery bombardment designed to weaken enemy defenses, the 58th/59th Battalion commenced its operation on June 12. They sent two companies forward to secure a position along the road, located 2,000 yards east of the Hari. This forward position was critical for their strategy to disrupt Japanese supply lines. Two days later, on June 14, these forces continued their advance eastward toward the Ogorata River, while the remainder of the battalion engaged the enemy at the Hari ford, a crucial crossing point. Despite the fierce opposition, the ford was finally secured on June 15, following another extensive bombardment that significantly diminished the Japanese presence along the road west of the Ogorata. This success was instrumental in facilitating further operations in the area.  Concurrently, the 57th/60th Battalion had embarked on their mission on June 11, making slow but steady progress through the challenging, trackless bush. They ultimately found a path leading from Kingori to Rusei, where they began encountering Japanese resistance. Pushing through treacherous swampy terrain and dense bamboo thickets, the Australians reached the Buin Road at Rusei by June 15, successfully coordinating with patrols from the 58th/59th Battalion the following day. In addition to securing Rusei, a robust patrol from the 57th/60th Battalion set out along the northern flank to establish a patrol base north of Musaraka. This base detected a significant enemy presence behind them, leading to a critical reassessment of their positions. Consequently, in late June, the 24th Battalion was dispatched to take over the Taitai-Kingori-Katsuwa area, reinforcing the Australian foothold and securing vital routes in the region. Meanwhile, back to the south, the 57th/60th Battalion began to push eastward toward the Mobiai River on June 16. However, their advance quickly met strong opposition just 400 yards into enemy territory. Faced with determined resistance, the battalion executed a wide outflanking maneuver, a tactical shift that successfully forced the Japanese forces to withdraw by June 19, allowing the Australians to continue their advance. In the following days, the 57th/60th Battalion pressed steadily forward, ultimately encountering increased opposition near the Mobiai River on June 24. A heavy bombardment was launched in an attempt to dislodge the entrenched Japanese forces, but it proved ineffective. However, the next day, the Japanese troops had mysteriously withdrawn, allowing the Australians to secure a vital crossing over the river. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the 58th/59th Battalion moved in to occupy the newly attained Mobiai positions. Meanwhile, the 57th/60th and 24th Battalions advanced farther north, preparing for an outflanking maneuver aimed at Shishigatero, a critical tactical point lying to the northeast. In anticipation of an Australian offensive, General Kanda dispatched the 23rd Regiment to establish a defensive base near the Mivo ford. This strategic relocation was part of his preparations for the final defenses behind the Mivo River, as Japanese troops sought to hold their ground against the advancing Australians. By June 28, the 57th/60th and 24th Battalions reached their designated assembly areas, where they successfully repelled several Japanese counterattacks. The next morning, they began their advance southeast, shrouded in the loud thunder of artillery barrages that paved the way for their push. They reached the Buin Road at the confluence of the Ivana, Koopani, and Mivo Rivers, making significant headway. At the same time, the 58th/59th Battalion aimed to open the road for the 24th Battalion, positioned about 1,000 yards away. However, they encountered sharp resistance from Japanese forces defending their positions fiercely. Following this notable success, as Hammer's units faced and repelled various Japanese counterattacks at their new positions, General Bridgeford directed Brigadier Noel Simpson's 29th Brigade to the frontline to relieve the beleaguered 15th Brigade. Each incoming battalion was met with sharp clashes as they moved up, as Japanese forces sought to maintain their hold on strategic territory. Finally, on July 10, Hammer's units were relieved, a long-awaited reprieve after weeks of grueling combat. Despite the shift in command, Simpson's battalions began sending patrols forward in preparation for a crossing of the Mivo River. Unfortunately, due to the heavy resistance encountered and the onset of relentless rains that would continue throughout the month, this final offensive was never carried out. Instead, the troops were limited to vigorous patrolling activities during July and August, maintaining a presence but unable to launch significant offensives in the harsh conditions. Many of these patrols encountered fierce opposition, signaling that the enemy intended to mount a determined defense along the Mivo line. These patrols regularly captured crucial documents from Japanese soldiers ambushed along the tracks leading to their forward positions, allowing Australian forces to construct a clearer picture of the enemy's intentions and deployments. Among these daring reconnaissance missions was one conducted by a patrol from the 42nd Battalion, led by Lieutenant Oldfield. Tasked with scouting a potential crossing at the Mivo, Oldfield and four other soldiers discovered the river was in flood. Undeterred, they stripped off their gear, swam across the turbulent waters, and advanced 500 yards beyond the riverbank, without any weapons. The weight of the Australian artillery and mortar bombardments altered the enemy's tactics. Rather than holding fixed positions, the Japanese began to dig in less and instead employed a strategy of hit-and-run raids and ambushes executed by small groups of three to ten men. Before July 10 arrived, the relentless rain compelled a second postponement of the advance; the new date for the operation was set for July 24. However, the downpour continued to intensify. By July 10, even the patrols could not cross the flooded Mivo. "Torrential rain flooded the divisional area, reducing the Buin Road to a treacherous sea of mud and creating a series of islands between the various rivers." On July 17, conditions worsened further, with a dramatic eight inches of rain falling in just 36 hours. The new challenge was no longer about advancing troops but ensuring that the men were fed where they remained. Virtually all the bridges along the lines of communication were washed away, and all the rivers were flooded; the Mivo was now surging at a speed of twelve miles an hour. As a result, the forward units could only be supplied via air transport. It would take weeks to repair the damaged roads and bridges, leading to D-day being postponed until late August. As the southern operations unfolded, General Savige made a strategic decision to bring Brigadier Arnold Potts' 23rd Brigade from Munda and its surrounding islands to Torokina. Upon arrival, Savige immediately tasked the 27th Battalion with taking over the central sector beyond Pearl Ridge. The Australians quickly began bombing and launching attacks in the Berry's Hill-Hunt's Hill area, ultimately securing this crucial location on May 16. Following the seizure of Berry's Hill, the 27th Battalion conducted patrols toward key positions at Sisivie, Tokua, Base Point 3, and Wearne's Hill throughout late May. On June 3, they initiated an attack towards Tiernan's Spur, making significant progress before being relieved by the 7th Battalion. The 7th Battalion, upon taking over, adopted an aggressive posture, and on June 11, they attacked Tiernan's Spur, successfully securing the feature this time. Soon after, a combination of reconnaissance and air bombardment set the stage for an assault on Wearne's Hill on June 16. However, they encountered strong opposition and were unable to seize its crest until June 20. In parallel operations, a company captured Sisivie without encountering resistance on June 12. Another company was dispatched to establish a forward base in the Wakunai Valley, successfully creating observation posts that overlooked Inus Point and the large Numa Numa Plantation by June 21. After conducting extensive bombardments against remaining Japanese positions, the Australians finally secured the remainder of Wearne's Hill on June 24. Starting June 26, the 7th Battalion began probing towards Centre Hill, which they ultimately found abandoned on July 6. Meanwhile, on July 3, Tokua was occupied as a base for future operations probing north toward Ibu and Buritsiotorara. Artillery and aircraft continued to harass North Hill, which was finally captured on July 13. Just five days later, Cameron's Hill was also successfully attacked and secured. The 7th Battalion then pressed forward along the main track towards Charlie Creek and McInnes Hill, achieving their objectives by August 8 as the remaining Japanese forces were forced to retire to Numa Numa. Looking north, the 55th/53rd Battalion took over from the exhausted 26th Battalion in early April, following the fall of the Soraken Peninsula. Upon assuming command, Lieutenant Colonel Stevenson immediately directed the 55th/53rd to cross the Nagam River and launch an attack towards Pora Pora, a key strategic location in the region. The battalion pressed on along the main coastal track, but on April 13, they faced an unsuccessful assault against the enemy positioned at McKinnon's Ridge. Meanwhile, a company from the battalion moved through an inland route, encountering no resistance as they advanced to a position just two miles from Pora Pora. Recognizing the resolute enemy defenses along the main track, the Australians initiated a program of heavy artillery bombardment, complemented by flanking maneuvers designed to outmaneuver the entrenched defenders. This relentless strategy began to pay off, eventually forcing the Japanese to retreat on April 21. During this critical period, the unopposed company on the inland track continued to push forward until it was only one mile from Pora Pora. In the following four days, the 55th/53rd Battalion fought its way into the Pora Pora bottleneck, engaging in fierce combat that successfully expelled the Japanese forces by April 30. With this victory, the Australians were able to continue their advance northward, making rapid gains against a retreating enemy. On May 4, they captured the Ratsua jetty, a vital logistics point that facilitated further operations. Two columns of the 55th/53rd commenced a swift march towards Ruri Bay, while a company from the 26th Battalion successfully seized Torokori Island on May 6. Three days later, as they finally approached Ruri Bay, the Australians successfully repelled an enemy ambush. However, Brigadier Stevenson's orders were now to halt their advance at the Ratsua-Ruri Bay line and focus on active patrolling extending northward to Tarbut and Tarlena. Despite this directive, the situation became increasingly precarious. The Japanese, bolstered by four small provisional battalions of naval troops under Captain Kato Ekichi, grew aggressive beyond the established line. Daily patrol clashes erupted, with Australian positions and supply lines subjected to constant ambushes. Recognizing the need for reinforcements, the weary 55th/53rd Battalion was relieved by the 26th Battalion on May 21. In response, the 26th immediately dispatched two companies to thrust forward in the area south and east of Buoi Plantation. However, these units quickly encountered strong counterattacks, while patrols faced heavy resistance around Siara and Chindawon. As Stevenson's forces found themselves facing a fortified opponent stronger than anticipated, permission was granted to send two companies from the 31st/51st Battalion to take over the western sector on June 3. Despite this reinforcements, the Australians continued to struggle to make meaningful progress northward. After the 26th Battalion had been in the line for three hard weeks its diarist wrote that the campaign had become one of "holding a superior number of enemy by the aggressive action of a tired depleted battalion-companies were no more than half strength and had been in forward areas continuously for four months". The battalion's fighting strength on 3rd June was only 23 officers and 353 other ranks. The constant patrolling, the artillery fire and the raids on jeep trains on tracks well to the rear were wearing down the men's spirits. In response to the persistent challenges, a strategic decision was made to outmaneuver the Japanese by landing a reinforced company of the 31st/51st Battalion at Porton Plantation, aiming to approach the enemy from the western flank. During the early hours of June 8, the assault force successfully landed unopposed and swiftly established a perimetric defense reaching 150 yards inland. However, the surprised defenders quickly regrouped, unleashing a barrage of machine-gun fire that effectively thwarted the unloading of heavy weapons, reserve ammunition, and essential supplies. Although supporting artillery fire was effectively directed at the Japanese positions, the Australians soon found themselves pinned down as Captain Kato reinforced the defenses surrounding their perimeter. To complicate matters further, a convoy of Australian supplies and reinforcements attempting to reach the newly established perimeter was successfully repelled by the tenacious defenders during the night. The next morning, it was decided to withdraw the force late that evening. However, as the Australians prepared for their retreat, the Japanese launched a strong counterattack from three sides. The enemy attacked in relentless waves, and although they were met with devastating Australian fire, the pressure forced the company to pull back towards the beach. In the morning they launched what was evidently intended as a final blow, thrusting from three sides. Now estimated at over 400 they attacked in waves and were mowed down by the Australian fire. To confuse their enemy they shouted English phrases such as "Watch the right flank", "Throw it in the middle", "It's only me, Jack", and so on. The Australians pulled back towards the beach and at 1 p.m.  During the afternoon, three landing craft moved towards the beach under heavy enemy fire in an effort to embark the soldiers. Unfortunately, two of the crafts were overloaded and became stranded. One eventually drifted off with the tide during the evening; however, the other remained besieged by heavy fire throughout the night. On June 10, Australian forces continued their attempts to rescue the stranded men, launching efforts under the cover of a strong air attack. At dawn on June 10, there were 38 living men on board the besieged landing craft, commanded by Corporal Hall. Their meager arsenal included two Bren guns, five Owen submachine guns, and nine rifles. The remaining rations consisted of eight tins of fruit or vegetables, three or four tins of meat, and three tins of condensed milk. Corporal Hall devised a defensive plan to maximize their chances of survival. He removed the wooden shelves under the overlapping sides of the ALCA to create protective cover under the flaps for all the troops. The dismantled wireless set was discarded overboard to free up additional space. To assist with breathing during rising tides, each man was issued six-inch lengths of copper piping. A continuous watch was kept from the coxswain's enclosure to monitor Japanese movements and report any developments. The soldiers cleaned and oiled their weapons using lubricant sourced from the engines, ensuring that they were well-maintained and ready for use. A medical kit was placed in the capable hands of a member of the 19th Australian Field Ambulance, who diligently distributed morphine and dressings as needed. At 15:30 on June 10, a concerted effort to rescue the stranded survivors commenced. An intense and precise air attack targeted the enemy positions, but unfortunately, it failed to hit the pillbox from which most of the fire directed at the barge was originating. Bombers dropped inflated rubber rafts near the landing craft in an attempt to assist, but Japanese gunfire prevented any men from reaching these lifelines. Under the cover of an artillery smoke screen, a landing craft attempted to reach the shore. However, enemy fire wounded several crew members, including the coxswain, damaging the steering gear and causing the craft to circle out of control. Amidst this chaos, Corporal Hall attempted to silence the pillbox with a Bren gun, but his efforts were in vain. In a desperate bid to assist the aircraft in locating the target, he splashed bullets towards the pillbox, yet the attempt proved futile as the damaged landing craft was forced to withdraw. They successfully repelled several Japanese parties attempting to swim out to the immobilized craft during the night. Finally, in the early hours of June 11, the besieged Australians were rescued by three assault boats, managing to pull them from the critical situation. In this endeavor, the Australian forces suffered significant losses, with 23 men reported killed or missing and 106 wounded. Among these casualties, five killed and seven wounded belonged to the 42nd Landing Craft Company. Estimates suggest that the Japanese forces faced losses of approximately 147 confirmed dead, with an additional 50 likely killed. The infantry units suffered specifically dire consequences, with two officers killed and three wounded, these included both company commanders, leaving only Lieutenants Patterson and Reiter, two young veterans from the 6th Division, as the sole surviving leaders from six platoon commanders. Additionally, 14 other ranks were reported killed or missing, while 57 were wounded. Of those wounded, five were sent to the field ambulance suffering from exposure, and nine sustained cuts and bruises. The repulse of the Australian attempt to land near Porton on June 8, 9, and 10 significantly boosted Japanese morale. Observers reported that the landing occurred on a rough strip of beach, making it difficult for the enemy to negotiate the surrounding reefs. The high ground in the vicinity provided an excellent vantage point for the Japanese, allowing for optimal placement of automatic weapons. In response to the Australian advance, Captain Kato swiftly dispatched 150 troops from Chabai to reinforce the approximately 100 men already engaged in combat. These reinforcements succeeded in thwarting any further enemy landings, ultimately pushing the Australians back to the beach, from where their remaining forces were evacuated in haste. Kato estimated that around 250 Australians had landed, resulting in the loss of 60 killed and 100 wounded, alongside 26 Japanese fatalities. If the Japanese report regarding their own losses is accurate, it suggests that both sides engaged in this grim action sustained approximately equal losses. Moreover, during this battle, the reinforced 26th Battalion failed to exploit this diversionary attack, missing the opportunity to push against the stubborn resistance of Captain Kato's isolated posts. On June 20, Brigadier Potts' 23rd Brigade began taking over the northern sector, with orders to contain the Japanese forces in the Bonis Peninsula and patrol towards Buka Passage. This relief operation was completed by the end of the month. However, the 8th and 27th Battalions continued to face harassment from Kato's deep patrols throughout July. Ultimately, the overextended 27th Battalion on the right flank was withdrawn on July 22 to allow the 8th Battalion to successfully attack and capture Commo Ridge the following day. On July 24, the 8th Battalion launched an unsuccessful attack on Part Ridge. However, this heavy assault shook the defenders, paving the way for the Australians to capture the ridge against light opposition on August 5. This marked the last major action of the Bougainville Campaign. In total, Savige's 2nd Corps endured losses of 516 Australians killed and 1,572 wounded. It is estimated that approximately 8,500 Japanese soldiers were killed by Australian forces and their native allies, while an additional 9,800 succumbed to illness during the Australian period on Bougainville. By the end of the campaign, only 23,571 men remained out of about 65,000 who had been on the island when the Americans launched their attack in November 1943. Now, attention turned westward to Balikpapan, where General Milford's 7th Australian Division successfully landed on July 1. They secured an important perimeter extending through Santosa Hill, Parramatta, Mount Malang, and Stalkudo. The battle resumed the following day, with the 2/14th Battalion advancing along the Vasey Highway to seize the Sepinggang airstrip unopposed. Meanwhile, the 2/3rd Commando Squadron took over the area northeast of Stalkudo, though they made little progress toward the Lady Schofield feature due to heavy enemy fire. The 2/27th Battalion strengthened and extended its hold on the high ground northwest of Stalkudo. The 2/16th Battalion pressed northward, successfully capturing Resort, Owen, and Oxley without sustaining any losses. The 2/12th Battalion took Potts and consolidated its position on Portee. The 2/10th Battalion conducted mopping-up operations in the secured areas, patrolling vigorously forward, and also seized Mount Sepuluh. Lastly, the 2/9th Battalion, supported by a troop of tanks, cleared Kandasan town along the coast as far as Signal Hill. By the end of the day, Brigadier Eather's 25th Brigade had landed to take over the central portions of the front, tasked with pushing inland astride the Milford Highway. On July 3, one company of the 2/10th Battalion advanced through the port, while another cleared the Tank Plateau, and a third focused on the lower ground between the plateau and Parramatta. Concurrently, the 2/9th Battalion, supported by its troop of tanks, successfully took the Santosa barracks, which they had bypassed the previous day. The division now held a bridgehead approximately five miles wide and one mile deep, successfully securing one of the two airstrips. On July 3, light aircraft began operating from this newly established base. However, unloading heavy equipment and stores proved to be a challenging task, causing considerable anxiety among the troops. A swell made it difficult to transfer loads to Landing Craft Tank (LCTs) and small craft, while it was impossible to run the Landing Ship Tank (LSTs) directly onto the beach. By 06:00 on July 3, progress was evident, with 985 vehicles and 1,932 tons of various equipment and stores successfully landed, alongside 16,950 men ashore. Later that morning, an LST began unloading at a pontoon jetty constructed on Green Beach by an American naval construction battalion. The captured port was a scene of devastation, characterized by wrecked workshops and warehouses, leaving little more than twisted, rusty steel and piles of rubble where houses once stood. The seven wharves designed for ocean-going vessels had all been burned, rendering them unusable. Among the debris, one dump of scrap iron collected by the Japanese from the ruins measured 520 yards long, with another scrap pile opposite it stretching about 150 yards. As unloading operations continued on the main beaches, the 2/14th Battalion began moving towards the Manggar airstrip but found themselves halted at Batakan Kechil. The 2/27th Battalion took over the defense of the Sepinggang strip, and the 2/3rd Commando Squadron discovered the Lady Schofield feature abandoned, allowing their patrols to press on more than a mile across the high ground overlooking the Sepinggang River. Meanwhile, the 2/33rd Battalion encountered heavy opposition in the hills above Chilton Road but managed to capture Opus, Operator, and Oxygen, as well as a height to the northeast named Orange. The 2/31st Battalion advanced along Milford Highway, facing increasing opposition, but they rapidly secured the junction with Chilton Road. However, they were unable to capture the strong enemy defenses at Nobody and Nurse. The 2/12th Battalion began a march towards Pandansari but had to assault Nail to eliminate the threat of enemy harassing fire. The following day, while the 2/33rd Battalion occupied Letter and Lewis, the 2/31st found Nobody and Nurse abandoned, allowing them to easily secure these features. One company also took control of Nail and began probing towards Lodge. At the same time, the 2/14th Battalion resumed its advance towards Manggar. They successfully crossed the river and pushed 1,300 yards across the airstrip without facing any opposition. However, after midday, heavy Japanese fire unexpectedly swept across the airfield, resulting in the deaths of several officers at the control tower. Despite this setback, and aided by the fire from destroyer Eaton, the Australians pressed on and ultimately secured Manggar and its airfield. By the end of the day, General Milford had successfully pushed the enemy out of Balikpapan and further secured the Sepinggang and Manggar strips. However, it became clear that Admiral Kamada was attempting to withdraw the remnants of his force to the Batuchampar area, aiming to delay any advance along the Milford Highway for as long as possible. The 454th Independent Battalion continued to hold the commanding terrain north of Manggar, and on July 5, its defenses came under intense naval, air, and artillery bombardment, which initially failed to silence the Japanese guns. Meanwhile, Brigadier Eather pressed his advance north in the center. The 2/25th Battalion took control of the positions at Nurse and Nail, while the 2/33rd pressed on against dwindling opposition to capture Mackay, Marshall, Mutual, and Margin. The 2/31st Battalion moved forward to seize Letter and Lewis, followed by the capture of Laverton and Liverpool. Recognizing the necessity of securing the western side of Balikpapan Bay to facilitate port operations, Milford ordered Brigadier Chilton's 18th Brigade to land the reinforced 2/9th Battalion at Penadjam. Following a naval and artillery bombardment, the landing was executed unopposed during the afternoon of July 5, with patrols of the 2/9th immediately probing north and south to secure the perimeter. The following day, a patrol moved south toward Nanang village and onward to the Sesumpu River, while other units explored the area towards the Riko River and Separi. On July 6, the 2/33rd Battalion successfully attacked and captured Metal and Muffle, but they were ultimately repelled from Judge. Meanwhile, the 2/25th pressed onward, taking control of Liverpool and occupying Huon. Looking southeast, the 2/14th Battalion began to probe enemy positions on this day. A strong patrol successfully captured Waites' Knoll but had to repel a series of strong counterattacks during the night, while another patrol was forced back along Vasey Highway. Over the next few days, the Australians continued to engage, probing and bombarding the commanding enemy positions. Ultimately, the 2/14th launched an attack and captured the Frost and Brown features on July 9, effectively eliminating the enemy threat in that area. Meanwhile, the 2/16th Battalion and the 2/5th Commando Squadron attacked an enemy concentration at Gate on July 6 and secured the position two days later, further solidifying their hold on Grand by July 9. To the northwest, on July 7, the 2/25th Battalion moved to Cult and then attempted an assault on Jam but was repelled by fierce defenders. The following day, while Jam underwent probing and bombardment, the 2/33rd Battalion discovered Justice abandoned after heavy shelling and pressed on toward Joint and Judge. Concurrently, Brigadier Eather had dispatched the 2/6th Commando Squadron into the hills overlooking the Sumber River. They successfully occupied Job on July 8 and seized Freight the following day. By July 9, after a concentrated artillery barrage, Jam, Joint, and Judge finally fell as the 25th Brigade secured the first stretch of the Milford Highway to Batuchampar. The 2/31st Battalion then advanced to a road bend due north of Junior, where they encountered an ambush by Japanese raiders. Meanwhile, a company of the 2/9th Battalion landed unopposed at Djinabora on the afternoon of July 8, and on the following day, a patrol base was established at Teloktebang. 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. General Hammer launched a fierce campaign across Bougainville, battling entrenched Japanese troops, they secured the strategic Soraken Peninsula and advanced toward the vital Hongorai River. By July, they had reached the Hari River, significantly weakening Japanese defenses. However, relentless rain hindered further operations.

This case concerns the consequences for debtor misconduct in a Chapter 13 case. The Chapter 13 debtors, Marcus and Amanda Purdy, sought court approval to take out a mortgage to purchase a home, but the court denied the motion to incur debt and the debtor's motion to reconsider the ruling. Undeterred, the debtors moved forward with obtaining a mortgage to purchase the property, providing a letter to the mortgage lender on the Chapter 13 trustee's letterhead which was later discovered to have been forged by Mrs. Purdy. When the Chapter 13 trustee discovered the forged letter, he moved to dismiss the debtor's case with prejudice with a 15-year bar to refiling. The bankruptcy court ultimately granted the motion, dismissing the case and barring Mrs. Purdy from filing for bankruptcy for 10 years, and barring Mr. Purdy, who did not have knowledge of the forged letter, from filing for 5 years. The debtors appealed the order to the district court, which not only affirmed the bankruptcy court, but instructed the clerk to refer the matter to the U.S. Attorneys' office for criminal prosecution. Mrs. Purdy was thereafter federally prosecuted for mortgage fraud, and in final tragic twist, the home purchased without bankruptcy court authorization wound up burning down a few months after it was purchased. Judge Gunn discusses the bankruptcy case, the appeal to the district court, and the collateral criminal consequences with attorney Landon G. Van Winkle and the U.S. Bankruptcy Administrator (“BA”) for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Brian Behr. Issues discussed include the investigative role of the Chapter 13 trustee and BA's office into debtor misconduct, the role of local rules in bankruptcy cases, and the penalties debtors may face for violations of court orders in bankruptcy.

Send me a DM here (it doesn't let me respond), OR email me: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comToday I'm honored to have back on the show for a second time: United Church Minister turned whistleblower, Canadian Hero, humanitarian, father of two, published writer and author, public speaker and podcaster, documentary filmmaker, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, co-founder of the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State, righteous soul, and Eagle Strong Voice: Kevin AnnettIn case you missed either of Kevin's past 2 episodes or the ‘Movie Night' feature where we aired his acclaimed documentary, ‘Unrepentant', here is a brief intro to his testimony and background along with some information on what we will be talking about today: Born in Edmonton in 1956, Kevin's early life was steeped in a deep sense of justice and curiosity about the world. Educated at the University of British Columbia, he earned degrees in Anthropology, Political Science and beyond preparing him for a life of service. Ordained in 1990, he began his ministry in Port Alberni, British Columbia, in 1992, unaware that this small coastal town would become the crucible for his life's mission. It was here, among a community scarred by poverty and historical trauma, that Kevin first heard the heart-wrenching stories of Indigenous survivors of the residential schools - stories of abuse, cultural erasure, and unimaginable loss.What began as an effort to open his church's doors to Indigenous congregants quickly transformed into a profound awakening. Survivors shared accounts of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, including deliberate programming designed to silence them through fear, shame, and self-destruction. Kevin learned of the sinister mechanisms of mind control - techniques rooted in trauma-based programming, akin to the CIA's MKULTRA experiments, used to break spirits and ensure compliance. Kevin's pursuit of truth came at a profound personal cost. His refusal to stay silent led to his dismissal from the United Church in 1995, followed by a campaign of defamation, blacklisting, and the painful loss of his family. Yet, these trials only deepened his resolve. He saw the parallels between the survivors' programmed silence and the societal denial that shielded the perpetrators. Undeterred, he founded the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State (ITCCS) in 2010, uniting survivors across 26 countries to seek justice. The ITCCS prosecuted figures like Pope Benedict and Canadian officials for crimes against humanity, sparking global awareness of child trafficking and institutional abuse. CONNECT WITH KEVIN:Email: angelfire101@protonmail.comPhone: 289-680-8724Websites:-Republic of Kanata: https://republicofkanata.org/-Radio Free Kanata: https://bbsradio.com/radiofreekanata-'Murder by Decree' & other books published by Kevin: https://murderbydecree.com/#books-'Unrepentant' Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czej73SfYJcCONNECT WITH THE IMAGINATION:EMAIL: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comBUY ME A COFFEE: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theimaginationAll links: https://direct.me/theimaginationpodcastRIFE TECHNOLOGIES:https://realrifetechnology.com/15% Code: 420CZTL METHELENE BLUE:https://cztl.bz?ref=2BzG1Free Shipping Code: IMAGINATIONSupport the show

In 2024, Lexy Doherty stepped up to walk into the MAGA buzzsaw and lost to Rep. Mike Collins by more than 26%. Undeterred, she's making another go of it in 2025, getting an early jump on fundraising and campaigning. Lexy joined me today to share her insights on how things can work in her favor in seventeen months. ------Lost in all the antics from Saturday was this: there's a trend, locally and nationally, to protests becoming chaotic. The introduction of short-tempered or overzealous police activity. Listen, no one can be more appreciative of the work officers do, day in, day out, and how working protest detail can really ramp up tensions. Anyhow, in all the uproar in Dekalb County was the arrest of the ICE-stalking journalist Mario Guivera, who could be deported by ICE now. ------Meanwhile, after the double murder (triple, if you count the family dog ... what scum Vance Boelter is) came the predictable debate as to his political leanings (made clear by his roommate). For Jon Stewart, however, the more pressing matter is that politicians who are usually quick to want to invade (checks notes) major cities run by Democrats, or draw a line when one American is felled by an immigrant. They're all-too eager to enactvlegislation and throwvhundreds of billions at anti-immigration measures, but have no response for gun-wielding assassins.Also fck Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah).------One of the funnier moments from Atlanta' 'No Kings Day' protest was the brass instrument-wielding heroes there to drown out the Proud Boys. Loved. It.

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military reporter Emanuel Fabian and political reporter Tal Schneider join host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Defense Minister Israel Katz agreed on Israel’s response to Hamas’s counter-offer to a US proposal for a hostage-ceasefire deal at their meeting yesterday, Army Radio reports. The response has been forwarded to mediators, the report says. Officials are now awaiting the terror group’s response, but in the meantime, fighting continues on the ground in Gaza. Fabian fills us in. In a first, Israeli Navy missile boats on Tuesday morning launched strikes against infrastructure at the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeida in western Yemen. Fabian explains the pros and cons of using the naval forces instead of the air force for similar future attacks. The UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway said Tuesday that they would freeze assets and bar the entry of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for having “incited extremist violence” against Palestinians in the West Bank. Schneider weighs in on all the various diplomatic efforts on the table designed to pressure Israel to stop the Gaza war, including the upcoming conference in New York co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia on the topic of the two-state solution. Leaders of opposition parties decided this morning to submit a private bill to dissolve the Knesset, starting the process of four votes that may -- or may not -- lead to new elections. Schneider dives into the thorny topic and explains the forces pulling strings behind the scenes. Check out The Times of Israel's ongoing liveblog for more updates. For further reading: Palestinians say 20 killed near aid site; IDF says troops fired at Gazans who posed threat Israeli Navy carries out Yemen strikes for 1st time, targeting Houthi port IDF shoots down Yemen missile; multiple interceptors launched as it breaks up UK, Canada and 3 other nations sanction Ben Gvir and Smotrich over settler violence Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves and video edited by Thomas Girsch. IMAGE: Illustrative: An LRAD missile is launched from the Sa’ar 6-class corvette INS Magen during a test in November 2022. (Israel Defense Forces)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Today's shout-out goes to Terry White from Dodge City, KS. Thank you for partnering with us through Project23. You're helping others find rest in Christ and strength in His Word. This one's for you. Our text today is Mark 6:30-34: The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. — Mark 6:30-34 The disciples return from their first mission trip—tired, drained, and hungry. They've been pouring themselves out in ministry. And Jesus sees it. “Come away by yourselves… and rest a while.” This is the heart of Jesus. He doesn't just care about the mission—he realizes they are the mission. He invites them to recover, to respire, to rest. But before they get to their quiet place, the crowd shows up. Not a few people—thousands. Uninvited. Unexpected. Undeterred. And Jesus? He sees the crowd. He knows what it'll cost. But he doesn't send them away. Looking past the obligation, he sees who they are: "sheep without a shepherd." Therefore, he teaches them. He puts down his plan and picks up their burden. Because with Jesus, compassion always overrides convenience. Recognize that Jesus and the disciples were tired. But compassion made space for the crowd. That's not soft leadership—it's spiritual maturity. And it's the kind of heart Jesus is forming in us. Let's be honest—most of us guard our convenience with everything we've got. We guard our calendars, our boundaries, our margin, and our entertainment. But sometimes the Spirit brings the “crowd” to the shore of your day. And the question is—will you see them as a problem or a person? Will you protect your comfort, or extend compassion? Compassion will cost you something. It always does. But it's how we love like Jesus. It's how we lead like Jesus. It's how we point people to Jesus. So today—who's the crowd in front of you? Stop seeing your colleagues, children, and spouse as an inconvenience. See them as an opportunity to soften your heart and have a heart of compassion like Jesus. ASK THIS: Why do you think Jesus invited the disciples to rest but still made room for the crowd? How did He balance compassion with leadership? Where are you tempted to protect convenience over showing compassion? What would it look like to allow compassion to override your plans this week? DO THIS: Think of one time recently when convenience won over compassion. Ask Jesus for the grace to make space—and love like He does next time. PRAY THIS: Jesus, give me your eyes to see people—especially when it's inconvenient. Teach me to love like you, even when I'm tired, interrupted, or busy. Amen. PLAY THIS: "God of Justice" by Tim Hughes.

Keywords Independent Monitoring Board, prison reform, criminology, Faith Spear, criminal justice, prison advocacy, emotional toll, monitoring prisons, recommendations, prison conditions Summary In this conversation, Faith Spear, a criminologist and former chair of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), shares her experiences and insights into the role of the IMB in monitoring prisons. She discusses the challenges faced by IMB members, the emotional toll of the work, and the need for reform within the prison system. Faith reflects on her journey to the IMB, the expectations versus reality of the role, and the impact of her whistleblowing article that led to her suspension. Despite the challenges, she remains passionate about prison reform and continues to advocate for change. takeaways The IMB is a statutory body that monitors prisons. Members of the IMB have 24/7 access to prisons but face challenges in independence. Faith's background in the voluntary sector influenced her path to the IMB. Expectations of the IMB role can differ significantly from reality. The IMB is funded by the Ministry of Justice, affecting its perceived independence. Building trust with prisoners is a significant challenge for IMB members. The emotional toll of working in prisons can be substantial. Support and camaraderie among IMB members can be lacking. Faith's whistleblowing article raised important issues but led to her suspension. Faith continues to advocate for prison reform through her blog and public speaking.     Faith Spear FRSA is a prison reform advocate best known for her integrity and as staunch critic of this country's prison system. Until January 2017, Faith served as Chair of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay. She authored a groundbreaking article published in The Prisons Handbook 2016 speaking out against wrongdoings, injustice, and unfairness in prisons and highlighted issues such as the deficiency in purposeful activity, poor prison conditions and lack of independent prison monitoring. As a result, Faith was controversially suspended from her role by the Prisons Minister, Andrew Selous MP, bullied and ostracised by her local IMB board and unsupported by the IMB Secretariat, faced two investigations and a disciplinary hearing at Ministry of Justice HQ. Dismissed from her role in January 2017 by the second Prisons Minister, Sam Gyimah and banned from the IMB for 5 years. Undeterred, Faith has developed a reputation for her courageous and outspoken stance on prison-related issues. Known for challenging the status quo and addressing systemic failures within the prison system. Her work has earned her respect among her peers and recognition as a leading voice in the ongoing efforts to reform the UK's prisons. Topics of Faith's blogs have proven consistently correct, evidenced by the crisis in our prisons, unprecedented overcrowding, critical understaffing, places of violence and devoid of any meaningful rehabilitative outcomes.   Follow Faith on X/Twitter: @fmspear Bluesky: @faithspear.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-spear-frsa-818a53149/ Blog: www.thecriminaljusticeblog.com

Keywords Independent Monitoring Board, prison reform, criminology, Faith Spear, criminal justice, prison advocacy, emotional toll, monitoring prisons, recommendations, prison conditions Summary In this conversation, Faith Spear, a criminologist and former chair of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), shares her experiences and insights into the role of the IMB in monitoring prisons. She discusses the challenges faced by IMB members, the emotional toll of the work, and the need for reform within the prison system. Faith reflects on her journey to the IMB, the expectations versus reality of the role, and the impact of her whistleblowing article that led to her suspension. Despite the challenges, she remains passionate about prison reform and continues to advocate for change. takeaways The IMB is a statutory body that monitors prisons. Members of the IMB have 24/7 access to prisons but face challenges in independence. Faith's background in the voluntary sector influenced her path to the IMB. Expectations of the IMB role can differ significantly from reality. The IMB is funded by the Ministry of Justice, affecting its perceived independence. Building trust with prisoners is a significant challenge for IMB members. The emotional toll of working in prisons can be substantial. Support and camaraderie among IMB members can be lacking. Faith's whistleblowing article raised important issues but led to her suspension. Faith continues to advocate for prison reform through her blog and public speaking.     Faith Spear FRSA is a prison reform advocate best known for her integrity and as staunch critic of this country's prison system. Until January 2017, Faith served as Chair of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) at HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay. She authored a groundbreaking article published in The Prisons Handbook 2016 speaking out against wrongdoings, injustice, and unfairness in prisons and highlighted issues such as the deficiency in purposeful activity, poor prison conditions and lack of independent prison monitoring. As a result, Faith was controversially suspended from her role by the Prisons Minister, Andrew Selous MP, bullied and ostracised by her local IMB board and unsupported by the IMB Secretariat, faced two investigations and a disciplinary hearing at Ministry of Justice HQ. Dismissed from her role in January 2017 by the second Prisons Minister, Sam Gyimah and banned from the IMB for 5 years. Undeterred, Faith has developed a reputation for her courageous and outspoken stance on prison-related issues. Known for challenging the status quo and addressing systemic failures within the prison system. Her work has earned her respect among her peers and recognition as a leading voice in the ongoing efforts to reform the UK's prisons. Topics of Faith's blogs have proven consistently correct, evidenced by the crisis in our prisons, unprecedented overcrowding, critical understaffing, places of violence and devoid of any meaningful rehabilitative outcomes.   Follow Faith on X/Twitter: @fmspear Bluesky: @faithspear.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-spear-frsa-818a53149/ Blog: www.thecriminaljusticeblog.com

Send me a DM here (it doesn't let me respond), OR email me: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comToday I'm honored to introduce you all to: United Church Minister turned whistleblower, Canadian Hero, father of two, published writer and author, public speaker and podcaster, documentary filmmaker, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, co-founder of the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State, righteous soul, and Eagle Strong Voice: Kevin AnnettA United Church minister turned relentless whistleblower, Kevin stands as a towering figure in the fight for truth and justice. For decades, this Canadian hero we get to hear from today has fearlessly exposed the dark underbelly of his nation's history - the systematic genocide of Indigenous children in church-run Indian Residential Schools. At immense personal cost, Kevin has become a beacon of hope for survivors, a thorn in the side of the powerful, and a catalyst for global awakening.Born with a fierce sense of justice, Kevin's journey began in the 1990s when, as a minister in Port Alberni, British Columbia, he uncovered harrowing accounts of abuse, murder, and cultural annihilation inflicted upon Indigenous children. What he discovered shattered his world: a deliberate campaign by church and state to erase a people, with a staggering 50% death rate in the schools - a truth later confirmed by the Globe and Mail in 2007. Unwilling to stay silent, Kevin embarked on a mission that would cost him his career, his family, and his reputation, but would also ignite a movement that could not be extinguished.In 1998, Kevin convened the first independent Tribunal into residential school crimes in Vancouver, a groundbreaking effort that recommended genocide charges against Canada and its churches to the United Nations. He founded The Truth Commission into Genocide in Canada in 2000, authored the seminal book ‘Hidden from History: The Canadian Holocaust' in 2001, and released the award-winning documentary ‘Unrepentant' in 2007, which shocked the world with its raw testimonies and undeniable evidence. His work forced an official apology from the Canadian government in 2008, though the establishment quickly erased his name from the narrative.Undeterred, Kevin went global. In 2010, he co-founded the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State (ITCCS), uniting survivors across 26 countries to hold the Vatican, the British Crown, and Canadian leaders accountable for crimes against humanity. His efforts led to the 2011 excavation of children's bones at a mass grave in Brantford, Ontario, and the historic 2012 prosecution of Pope Benedict and others by the International Common Law Court of Justice. Kevin's courage even sparked the resignation of Pope Benedict - a testament to the power of his unrelenting pursuit of justice.CONNECT WITH KEVIN: Email: angelfire101@protonmail.comPhone: 289-680-8724 Websites: -Republic of Kanata: https://republicofkanata.org/-Radio Free Kanata: https://bbsradio.com/radiofreekanata-'Murder by Decree' & other books published by Kevin: https://murderbydecree.com/#books -'Unrepentant' Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czej73SfYJcCONNECT WITH THE IMAGINATION:EMAIL: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comBUY ME A COFFEE: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theimaginationAll links: https://direct.me/theimaginationpodcastRIFE TECHNOLOGIES: https://realrifetechnSupport the show

Hey did you know I have exclusive Podcast Episodes on Patreon? Click here to check out episodes such as "What if Japan invaded the USSR during WW2?: https://www.patreon.com/pacificwarchannel Join Craig and Gaurav as they tell the tale of the greatest victory in naval history, the battle of Trafalgar! In the early 19th century, as the clouds of war loomed over Europe, the mighty British Royal Navy found itself pitted against the combined forces of France and Spain. At the forefront of this clash stood Admiral Horatio Nelson, a naval tactician known for his audacious strategies. On October 21, 1805, near Cape Trafalgar, a confrontation was set to unfold that would determine the fate of naval dominance for years to come. As dawn broke, Nelson's fleet, consisting of 27 ships, faced off against the larger Franco-Spanish armada of 33 vessels. Undeterred by the numerical disadvantage, Nelson executed a bold plan, dividing his forces into two columns aimed to break the enemy line. This tactic, known as “crossing the T,” allowed the British to unleash devastating broadsides while minimizing the enemy's firing response. The battle began with a savage exchange of cannon fire. Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory, charged into the fray, leading the assault. In the heat of battle, he famously signaled, "England expects that every man will do his duty," rallying his crew as they faced overwhelming odds. However, amidst the chaos, Nelson was struck by a sniper's bullet, falling gravely injured. His final moments were marked by a mixture of triumph and despair, knowing the battle was won but at great personal cost. Hours later, the British emerged victorious, capturing 17 enemy ships and solidifying their naval supremacy. Nelson's death echoed through Britain, marking him as a legendary figure, while the defeat resonated across the seas, changing the course of history. The Battle of Trafalgar ensured that the British Royal Navy would reign supreme, a testament to courage, strategy, and sacrifice.   Don't forget I have a Youtube Membership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbp8JMZizR4zak9wpM3Fvrw/join or my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pacificwarchannel where you can get exclusive content like "What if Japan invaded the USSR during WW2?" Don't forget to check out Private Internet Access using my link to receive 83% off, 4 months free with a 30 day money back guarantee: https://www.piavpn.com/PacificWarChannel

On this week's episode, meet Canadaian East Coast fighter Nicole "BamBam" McMahon! Waiting to make her debut, this girl has so much to offer the world and can't wait to show it! Undeterred after two fights falling off, we talk to this Tower 1 fighter about her dreams, her journey, and of course her nickname!!! Then, Timmy B and BamBam delve into the drama of PFL Africa (again) and how Ngannou MUST be on the card, and the disgusting society we live in where Corey Sandhagen makes $2mill on OnlyFans by showing his bits....Now sit back and enjoy.Now sit back and enjoy.Also, you'd look way cooler wearing our shirt. Go buy it.https://millions.co/fight-in-sight/merchFor sponsorship opportunities or to find out how you can be a guest on the show, please email us at fightinsightpod@gmail.comNicole's IG: https://www.instagram.com/nicole.m.stardust/FIGHT IN SIGHT IG: https://www.instagram.com/fightinsightpodcast/FIGHT IN SIGHT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ZW2w0va-VWeep_JtlhAjQ#UFC #Onlyfans #pfl #francisngannou #ngannou #nicolemcmahon #bambam #mmapodcast #mmanews #correysandhagen

For Jamie Hubble, a physical therapist in the Virtua early intervention program, working with children aged zero to three isn't just a job—it's a calling. In this role, she visits families in their homes, empowering parents with strategies to help their little ones learn to crawl, walk, and explore their world.   But one little girl, Penny, captured not just Jamie's professional expertise, but her heart. Penny's diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) presented unique challenges. Undeterred, Jamie and her husband, Kyle, embarked on a mission to find alternative ways to support Penny's development. What began as dedicated therapy evolved into an undeniable bond, culminating in their decision to adopt Penny. Today, Penny is a thriving, vibrant child, a testament to their love and commitment.   Jamie's story beautifully illustrates how a therapist's dedication can extend far beyond clinical care, blossoming into the creation of a cherished family.

In China's remote northwestern border region, just 47 kilometers from the frontier, there is a small primary school that has a 23-member volunteer teaching team.With an average age of 24, these young educators have dedicated their youth and passion to the rural school in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, where most of the students are from the Kirgiz ethnic group.Wang Yizhi, a graduate of Shanxi Agricultural University, is one of the volunteers and now teaches Chinese to second-graders. After working at the border region school for two years, Wang said that she has witnessed firsthand how volunteer teaching has changed local education and promoted ethnic unity.That was why she recently wrote a heartfelt letter to President Xi Jinping on behalf of her team, detailing their experiences when serving at the primary school in Karajol township in Artux, a city in the Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture, while reaffirming their commitment to serving in border areas.The volunteers were overwhelmed when they received a reply from Xi on Saturday — an unprecedented honor that filled them with immense pride and motivation.In the message, Xi noted that more young people have chosen to serve as volunteers in the country's western regions and rural areas over the years, demonstrating their spirit of dedication and sense of responsibility. He also called on China's young people to dedicate themselves to the country's modernization drive by serving where the nation needs them most."We never imagined receiving such a prompt and direct response from the president, due to his busy schedule," Wang recalled, her voice trembling with emotion."I may not be able to do much," she added, "but I'll give it my all" — a promise that embodies the unwavering commitment she has held from the beginning.According to Wang, there are over 290 students at the school, and most are the children of border patrollers, herders or farmers.At the beginning, the children faced significant educational challenges, and many parents undervalued formal schooling, resulting in frequent absences, she said."Some parents even doubted whether we young graduates could really teach," Wang added.Undeterred, she and her colleagues tailored their teaching to local needs and conducted over 2,000 home visits. Their perseverance bore fruit as the students learned how to speak Mandarin, how to do math calculations, and even how to speak English."Seeing their children's progress changed parents' attitudes," Wang said. "They started actively supporting regular attendance and learning."This dedication earned the volunteers extraordinary trust. "Parents told us, 'You treat our children as your own, and we consider you family'," she said.One particularly moving moment came when a group of parents arrived unexpectedly at the school. "I at first feared a student was probably in trouble," Wang recalled. "But the parents presented me with flowers, saying in broken but sincere Mandarin: 'You are a great teacher. Our children are so lucky to have someone like you'."Wang's story is echoed by other volunteers. Huang Shaozhu, 24, a former international trade major, now teaches math at the school. Upon receiving the reply, she was moved to tears."President Xi commended us for not only promoting local education and ethnic unity, but also for contributing to prosperity and stability along the border, which is a powerful recognition of our efforts," she said.Su Weibing, 24, an arts graduate who obtained a primary school Chinese-language teaching qualification during his service, taught students basic skills such as phonics, pen-holding, and writing with diligence and care.Sun's efforts paid off. "We've seen remarkable progress in the Chinese performance of the class," he noted. "The average score has jumped from the 30s, all the way up to the 60s and 70s."‌"I want to help the children here broaden their horizons, discover learning goals, and one day have more career choices," he said. "The nearly two-year volunteer service helps me grow alongside my students. That's my greatest reward."Gao Chao, a 27-year-old English teacher who majored in fine arts in college, drafts detailed lesson plans and carefully designs her teaching approach for every class to ensure she delivers the knowledge clearly and effectively."President Xi's reply has strengthened my resolve to stay here, and I will keep his instructions in mind," Gao said, adding that she was preparing for the civil service exams in order to continue to serve on China's western frontier.Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, Xi has on many occasions encouraged young people to go to the west, to the countryside and the grassroots, and go where the motherland needs them most to volunteer and make selfless contributions.Launched in 2003, the "Go West "program has seen over 500,000 university graduates volunteer in the education, health, agriculture and social management sectors in the country's western region for a period of one to three years.Mi Xiaobing, deputy secretary of the Communist Youth League of China Shanxi Provincial Committee, said that President Xi's reply vividly demonstrates his care for China's young people in the new era.Among the 23 volunteers at the border school, 12 fresh graduates were selected from seven universities in Shanxi, and the province has so far deployed ‌10,518 volunteers under the "Go West" program, he said. the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region 新疆维吾尔自治区the Kirgiz ethnic group吉尔吉斯族the "Go West" program西部计划home visits家访fresh graduates应届毕业生

In Parashat Tazria , the Midrash relates a poignant story about a Kohen who served his community by diagnosing tzara'at . After losing all his wealth, he faced the painful dilemma of how to support his wife and children. With no viable options in his hometown, he resolved to leave Israel in search of livelihood. As he prepared to depart, he trained his wife—his only possible successor—in the laws of tzara'at . He taught her: "Every hair has its root, and the condition of the hair reveals the state of that root. If a hair becomes dry and colorless, it indicates that the affliction at its root is severe. But if the hair remains healthy, then the affliction is healing." His wife asked, "What if there are two hairs growing from one root?" He replied, "Each hair has its own root and is sustained individually." With profound insight, his wife responded, "If Hashem created a source of sustenance for every single hair, then surely He created sustenance for each one of your hairs—and for each of our children's hairs. And if Hashem is so meticulous in sustaining even a single hair, how much more so will He provide for you and our family." Her words, full of Emunah and clarity, convinced him to remain in Israel. Struggling with Parnassah is an intense and painful challenge. Chazal teach that if all other forms of suffering were placed on one side of a scale and poverty on the other, poverty would outweigh them all. Yet because the test is so great, the spiritual opportunity it offers is equally immense. The Chovot HaLevavot writes in the Shad HaBitachon that if a person's Parnassah is delayed in coming, he should think in his heart of how Hashem brought his Nishama down from the Kisei HaKavod into this world to do a job specifically at this time in history. The world has a 6,000 year plan and for reasons that only Hashem knows, He placed this person's Nishama specifically at this time. The same Hashem is the One in charge of giving him his Parnassah and he is the One who is holding it back now. And He knows that this is what is going to enable him to succeed in his mission. There is nothing better for a person than to go through the current period with his Parnassah delayed in coming. If he can internalize this and trust that Hashem is doing what's best for him, it would make him so great. It is very possible that the whole test is just to see how the person will respond and perhaps in the Zichut of the proper response, his future Parnassah will come in abundance. A man shared his experience: he had launched a promising business venture with two investors ready to commit both capital and valuable ideas. At the final moment, both investors inexplicably withdrew. Undeterred, he pivoted to another opportunity, this time drawing serious interest from a large institutional investor. The deal appeared certain—so much so that plans were being made for post-investment operations. He prayed fervently. But again, without clear explanation, the investor backed out. One by one, other prospective clients also disappeared.He was left bewildered, caught in a whirlwind of hope and disappointment. He has been praying and improving in Torah and mitzvot but is seeing no success in Parnassah. Of course, he should continue praying and improving but the greatest thing he could do is to accept with love that Hashem was behind everything that happened and it was all for his best, for him to fulfill his purpose in this world. We hope Hashem will shower him with Parnassah but in the meantime, he can rise to great levels by trusting Hashem and understanding that he was acting in his best interests. He can feel calm and composed knowing that he is in Hashem's hands and he could radiate that emunah to his family. The spiritual elevation he will get from that avodah will be worth more than any Parnassah that anyone could ever have. The tests in Parnassah are very difficult but that just means that the rewards for overcoming them are that much greater. Shabbat Shalom.

About Gareth Davies:Gareth Davies began his journey in the world of professional sport, only to have his career cut short far earlier than expected. After trying his hand at conventional employment, he quickly realized he wasn't built for the 9-to-5 grind—especially when it meant being told when he could take a holiday and how little he was worth.A born entrepreneur, Gareth went on to own multiple businesses, but it was 30 years ago when he was first introduced to network marketing that something truly clicked. He was drawn to the personal growth, the people, and the promise of building something on his own terms.Alongside his wife, Gareth built a thriving business during the pandemic—only to see it unravel due to decisions beyond their control. Undeterred, he sought out a more transparent and values-driven company where he could rebuild with integrity and intention.Now based in the Arctic Circle, where he moved from the UK a decade ago, Gareth continues to blend entrepreneurial grit with a deep passion for helping others grow—not just in business, but in life.In this episode, Jennie Bellinger and Gareth Davies discuss:Network Marketing Journey and MindsetRedox Molecules and Health BenefitsPersonalized Sales ApproachImportance of Continuous Personal DevelopmentEntrepreneurial Flexibility and AdaptabilityKey Takeaways:Success rarely follows a straight line in direct sales, but rather, embrace the ups and downs, learning from each experience and staying committed to personal growth.Understanding your body's cellular needs can transform your approach to wellness. Speak directly to a person's specific pain points or goals rather than using broad, unfocused messaging, and when you connect a product's benefits to an individual's unique challenges, you create genuine interest and trust.Your mindset and knowledge are your most valuable business assets.Being open to new opportunities and willing to pivot when necessary can lead to unexpected breakthroughs, and whether it's changing industries, exploring new products, or reimagining your approach, flexibility is key to long-term success."What you do today will compound through your life.” — Gareth DaviesConnect with Gareth Davies:  Facebook Name: https://www.facebook.com/garethrdaviesLinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethrodneydavies/Instagram Business Link: https://www.instagram.com/compound_garethLink to Gift from Gareth Davies:Free Gift for Listeners:Claim your FREE 30-minute Health Consultation Video Call with Gareth Davies! Whether you're looking to reboot your energy, optimize your lifestyle, or simply have someone in your corner—this session is for you.Book your call here: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/AcZssZ2ul1iLPjOH3QTVJaa-T1p2FqJi1k8wINJpfg9ZxN39OK3N9TaifVEmUy2D6SYeZYkGXkRN647kConnect with Jennie:Website: https://badassdirectsalesmastery.com/Email:  jennie@badassdirectsalesmastery.comFacebook personal page: https://facebook.com/jbellingerPLFacebook podcast page: http://facebook.com/BadassDirectSalesMasteryFacebook group for Badass Crew: https://facebook.com/groups/BadassDirectSalesMomsInstagram: https://instagram.com/BadassDirectSalesMasteryPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedirectsalesdomme/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/BadassDirectSalesMasteryThe Badass Direct Sales Mastery Podcast is currently sponsored by the following:Bella Grace Elixir: https://shopbellagrace.com/?ref=jenniebadassdirectsalesmasteryLeadBuddy Digital Marketing: Use code BDSM when checking out at https://leadbuddy.io/pro-monthly-9310?am_id=jennie582Show Notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel AlvarezAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Knitting and wool are so essential in the Faroe Islands that in the early 1800s, exports of sweaters and socks made up about half of the economy. Today, the nation of about 55,000 people has 8+ knitwear brands, 2 active spinning mills, and 70,000 ewes. Sissal Kristiansen, the owner of knitwear company Shisa Brand, started an initiative called The Wool Islands to celebrate the heritage and potential of Faroese fiber. “We owe it to our past and our future to utilise the natural resources that we have, and on the Faroe Islands, that is wool,” she says. The first project of the Wool Islands was a 15-minute documentary that takes viewers on a sweeping journey through the Faroese landscape, meeting shepherds, knitters, and of course sheep. Available to watch free on YouTube and the project's website, the film welcomes you to the small country, which is located in the North Atlantic between Shetland and Iceland. Today, the economy of the Faroe Islands relies on tourism; the film shows how enticing a destination it is for knitters, spinners, and textile lovers. Sheep and knitting are everywhere in the Faroe Islands, but maintaining the quality and value of the local wool depends on visitors, locals, knitters, and consumers to recognize its unique importance. Drawing on the natural colors produced by the native sheep, Faroese knitting patterns are characterized by graphic, highly contrasting stranded patterns that generally carry floats over less than five stitches. Sissal's designs for Shisa Brand feature bold traditional motifs in contemporary silhouettes and scales. Some of Shisa Brand's iconic garments feature black-and-white geometric patterns, and the ready-to-wear items are handmade by local handknitters using Faroese wool. Undeterred by wool's reputation for scratchiness next to the skin, she celebrates the lofty texture, warmth, and silkiness of the dual-coated fleece. Hearing Sissal speak about her home and her passion for Faroese wool will leave you yearning to wear Faroese knitwear, knit with Faroese yarn, and visit the country's wool islands. Links Shisa Brand website (https://www.shisabrand.com/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/shisabrand) Find The Wool Islands film and resources about wool in the Faroe Islands at the program's website (https://www.thewoolislands.com/) Watch a panel (https://youtu.be/O07UJxisLeg?si=mUwdb82UIJfXW4gk) moderated by Isabella Rossellini featuring Sissal and other Faroese designers and producers, hosted by the Scandinavia House in April 2024 Read Sissal's “Legacy of Wool: Faroese Gold” in Farm & Fiber Knits (https://farmfiberknits.com/legacy-of-wool-faroese-gold/) Føroysk Bindingarmynstur (Faroese Knitting Patterns), the collection of Faroese knitting motifs documented by Hans Marius Debes, is available from Navia. (https://www.navia.fo/en/knitting-patterns/1151-foroysk-bindingarmynstur.html) Yarn grown in the Faroe Islands is available from Navia (distributed in the US by Kelbourne Woolens. (https://kelbournewoolens.com/collections/navia) Spinnaríið við ánna (Spinnery by the River) (https://kyrra.fo/pages/about-us) produces 100% Faroese yarns at a family-owned micro mill. Snaeldan (https://snaldan.fo/) mill produces yarn and knitwear in the Faroe Islands. Signabøgarður tógv (https://www.facebook.com/siignabogardur) offers 100% Faroese wool yarn. This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com (https://www.treenwaysilks.com/). You'll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you'll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. KnitPicks.com has been serving the knitting community for over 20 years and believes knitting is for everyone, which is why they work hard to make knitting accessible, affordable, and approachable. Knit Picks responsibly sources its fiber to create an extensive selection of affordable yarns like High Desert from Shaniko Wool Company in Oregon. Are you looking for an ethical, eco-friendly yarn to try? Look no further than Knit Picks' Eco yarn line. Need needles? Knit Picks makes a selection for knitters right at their Vancouver, Washington headquarters. KnitPicks.com (https://www.knitpicks.com/)—a place for every knitter.

Cajuns Hunting BigfootAs a kid infatuated with Bigfoot, I worked summers for my dad's painting business, where I met a crew member from Louisiana who shared a chilling tale. His uncle, a seasoned big game hunter, ventured into a notorious Louisiana swamp to hunt a Sasquatch, only to be found days later, nearly dead, aged, and paralyzed, claiming he'd become the hunted. Undeterred, the nephew and his friends entered the same swamp for revenge and deer hunting, but their first night turned chaotic when an eerie silence, a foul odor, and a towering creature with glowing eyes invaded their camp, sparking panic, gunfire, and a frantic escape. They later found their campsite destroyed, and though some dismissed the story, the nephew's fierce defense of his experience convinced me of his belief in the creature's existence.Join my Supporters Club for $4.99 per month for exclusive stories:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-if-it-s-true-podcast--5445587/support

A fun inspiration - on GARDENING DAY!Beatrix Potter

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.

A lot of people think cold calling is dead. John Waller disagrees. John Waller is a true, old-school salesman and the founder of The OnHold Experience, a company that produces audio recordings that promote your business to your customers over the phone while they're waiting on hold. John's been selling since he was a kid growing up in England in the early 1960s trading bubble gum for toy cars  – something that he paid dearly for as you'll find out. Undeterred by that early childhood incident, he's since led a successful sales career spanning decades, selling insurance and phone headsets before he got into selling on-hold messages. While a big fan of cold calling, John has also incorporated newer tactics into his sales process such as LinkedIn and attending virtual networking groups to set up “warm calls” and build relationships that lead to numerous referrals and new business.  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/b22mr7UTn7Y  Connect with John Waller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wallerjohntheonholdguy/  Learn more: https://www.theonholdexperience.com/   

Send me a DM here (it doesn't let me respond), OR email me: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comToday we are welcomed back by former 3-time podcast guest: Ritual abuse, mind control and sex trafficking, rape and abduction survivor, overcomer and warrior, devoted wife and loving mother, podcast host, content creator, author and blogger, singer and performer, vocal coach, entrepreneur, Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell Recruit, beauty queen - past and present, and someone I've been honored to call a long-term dear friend, Molly Skye Brown. From the tenderest of ages, Molly faced unimaginable trials, her innocence stolen by the cruel hands of neglect and abuse by her family and those around her. A pedophile, a predator lurking beyond the confines of her family in a neighboring home, preyed upon her vulnerability, shattering the sanctity of her childhood. Yet, within this fragile vessel burned a passion, a gift that would not be extinguished a voice destined to soar.Molly, a child performer and singer of extraordinary talent, stepped into the merciless jaws of the Hollywood machine. Her dreams, like delicate wings, were torn and tattered by the very industry that should have nurtured her. Powerful men and women, entrusted with guiding her ascent, instead exploited her gifts, weaving a web of vulnerability around the little girl with stars in her eyes.Undeterred, Molly poured her heart into her craft, believing that dedication and hard work would pave the path to her dreams. Opportunities glimmered before her, each one a promise of the spotlight she craved. But with every boundary she dared to set, an invisible ceiling descended, confining her spirit and perpetuating the cycle of abuse from those she trusted most.As she blossomed into adulthood, Molly's quest for safety led her down treacherous roads, her aspirations as a singer colliding with the harsh reality of an industry that demanded her very soul. The Hollywood machine, a ravenous beast, devoured the innocence of the child who only wished to share her voice with the world - a voice stifled by the weight of perpetration.In a moment that would forever alter her destiny, a supposed agent, cloaked in promises of stardom, lured Molly to a dinner meeting. What followed was an abduction, brutal assault, a rape that shattered her world and left scars that still ache today. Defeated by not giving up, Molly rose from the ashes, embarking on a relentless quest for justice - a battle that has waged through years of trials, facing the man who should have been her champion but instead became her tormentor. Dargan Watts, the name that echoes through Molly's story, stands as one of the final adversaries in a lifetime of struggle. With unwavering resolve, Molly will be confronting him once more in the courtroom, her spirit unbroken, her voice resounding with the strength of a warrior. Each step forward wears down her enemy, a testament to her fearless determination. Today we get to hear more about this journey - an epic odyssey of resilience and survival, a candle flickering defiantly in the darkest of nights. Her spirit, a warrior's heart, inspires awe and reverence. From the melodies she once sang to the powerful words she now speaks, Molly stands as a beacon of hope for all survivors, her voice a roar that echoes beyond the confines of her own story.CONNECT WITH MOLLY: Website: https://www.mollyskyebrown.com/CONNECT WITH THE IMAGINATION:EMAIL: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.com OR standbysurvivors@protonmail.com My Substack: https://emmakatherine.substack.com/BUY ME A COFFEE: Support the show

Sermon by Pastor Ryan Beavers

The episode begins with a host setting the atmosphere for a spine-chilling story, highlighting the cold weather outside and inviting listeners to prepare for a tale titled "Devilstone." This narrative unfolds in Dublin, where the protagonist, Timothy Martin, leads a comfortable life thanks to a substantial inheritance. However, his tranquil existence is disrupted when he inherits an abandoned property in County Fermanagh, known as Devilstone, from a forgotten uncle.Timothy's initial reaction is nonchalant; he considers renting the property out but is met with a skeptical response from his solicitor, Ian Carney. Carney strangely advises against renting it to prospective tenants, raising curiosity and concern. Shortly after, a visitor named Mr. Stoker arrives, furious about having visited Devilstone with his wife. Stoker claims that the house is haunted, which Timothy dismisses as absurd, thinking it's merely an excuse to avoid the rental.Despite Everts, Timothy's loyal manservant, suggesting the hauntings might have a foundation, Timothy is determined to investigate Devilstone for himself. They travel to the estate, encountering an imposing, gloomy mansion that unsettles both of them and their dog, Kim. As they explore the property, strange occurrences and eerie sounds begin to surface, raising the tension.The narrative escalates with Timothy feeling someone's presence, witnessing strange footprints appearing in the mud, and experiencing physical manifestations of terror. Undeterred, he pushes forward, wanting to investigate further despite the creeping fear. However, they soon find themselves trapped in a room as doors mysteriously close, and a chilling voice ominously warns them of impending danger. The ghostly figure of Jason O'Flynn, Timothy's ancestor who had died tragically on the very grounds, appears, confirming that the house is indeed haunted.The suspense builds as Timothy learns about the tragic backstory of Jason O'Flynn, who cursed the place after the demise of his wife. This curse has seemingly trapped his spirit within the house, and the connection to the recent events becomes clear. Timothy resolves to uncover more about the mystery shrouding the estate. The investigation moves forward, but the discoveries lead to a climactic moment when Timothy and Everts uncover a trapdoor concealing the preserved body of Jason O'Flynn himself. This revelation ultimately leads to the lifting of the curse, allowing the ghost to finally rest in peace. The episode closes with a sense of foreboding yet comfort, as the host reflects on the themes of fear and gratitude, urging listeners to find solace in their lives as they drift off to sleep.Overall, the episode is a rich blend of suspense, historical intrigue, and supernatural elements, examining themes of legacy, fear, and confronting the unknown. With careful narrative pacing and intriguing character development, it culminates in a resolved mystery that lingers in the mind of the audience.

Day 95 of Damian Browne's journey to conquer a 3,000-kilometer run around Ireland's coast for the Million Euro Lap, aiming to raise €1 million for charity. Fresh off a trip to Ireland, Damian's back in the grind—cycle three, day three—battling the aftermath of COVID, jet lag, and a nine-day training hiatus. What started as a triumphant return quickly turned into a war against fatigue, fever, and a body screaming for rest. But Damian's not here to fold.Day one kicked off cycle three with a bang, only for day two to deliver a brutal reality check: coughing, stiffness, and a positive COVID test. Undeterred, he hit the gym for a “light and hot” session—bear crawls and glute ham raises that torched his body and soul. Halfway through, he nearly tapped out, but clawed through the essentials. By day three, an upper body strength session scored an 8.8 RQS, and he's feeling “a hundred times better.” This episode is a gritty testament to resilience, the healing power of sweat, and the will to keep pushing when the odds stack up.In This Episode:✔️ COVID comeback: How Damian turned sickness and jet lag into fuel for cycle three✔️ Light and hot magic: Bear crawls and glute hammers with minimal rest—simple, brutal, effective✔️ Strength unleashed: Smashing cycle two targets in just three days of cycle three✔️ Running reset: Upping the running frequency with a cautious eye on recovery✔️ Road ahead: Tackling gym disruptions with trips to Sydney and Ireland looming

Nicole Markovich joins us on the podcast to tell us about her 2022 AT thru-hike, the drastic changes to her life that ensued, and the ultimate formation of a business that encompassed both her teaching and backpacking experience. As if that wasn't enough, she also met the man who would become her boyfriend at Springer Mountain the first night on trail. Undeterred by the distance between their respective lives, Nicole moved to Tennessee to start a new life and a new business. You can find out more about Nicole's guiding trips and engage with her on social media by clicking the links below. Wildwood Hiking Co. Wildwood Hiking Co. Instagram (@wildwood_hiking_co) Instagram (@travel_by_trail) Dave is at Franklin, NC, adjusting to life on trail with new friends and even some new gear. Beth shares her musical favorites as she gets ready to hit the trail very soon. Our book reading, Happy Hiking, by my friend, Emily Leonard is–of course–written from a woman's POV and a woman's voice. I hope you enjoy listening to my reading of it. If you'd like to buy the book, you can find it on Amazon at Happy Hiking: Falling in love on the Appalachian Trail, or on Emily's website, at Happy Hiking. I used my hike last year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. I hope you want to support this critical mission. Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out. I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, “I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell.” You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. Come on the show! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at Hiking Radio Network . If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received. Additionally, you can “Zelle” me a donation to steve@hikingradionetwork.com. Or “Venmo“ me at @‌Steve-Adams-105. They both work! If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

Luke begins today's passage by including a brief log of their journeys, including a prophecy from Agabus, who foretells that Paul will be bound by the Jews and handed over to the Gentiles when he reaches Jerusalem. Undeterred, Paul heads to Jerusalem and meets with the elders of the church. There is a rumor going around that Paul is maligning Jewish customs amongst those Jews who live alongside the Gentiles, when in reality, he's only teaching that those customs have no saving power. When he enters to the temple, Paul is falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the temple, and a riot ensues. Our reading ends just four verses shy of the entire chapter simply because those verses are better read as a direct prelude to chapter 22. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In today's episode of The Daily Windup, we share the inspiring story of a determined entrepreneur who stumbled upon her first government contracting success, Angela Chamberlain. Inspired by Eric's advice, she delved into government contracting and found a remarkable opportunity related to fitness training for the military. Undeterred by her lack of experience in construction, Angela identified a gym owner with the perfect skill set to pursue the government contract. Listen now as Angela reflects on her remarkable journey, filled with unexpected twists and the realization that government contracting is within reach for anyone willing to seize the opportunities.

Send me a DM here (it doesn't let me respond), OR email me: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.comToday I'm honored to have on the show and introduce you all to: French whistleblower, survivor advocate, and fierce mother and mama bear who is in the fight of her life to save her two children who were kidnapped and abducted by their father, authorities, and the satanic cult he belongs to: Dalila SadockIn a world shrouded by shadows, one courageous mother emerges as a beacon of hope, shattering the silence with her unwavering resolve. Dalila, a lioness of love, steps onto the stage of this transformative podcast, her voice echoing from the heart of France to unveil a chilling tale of betrayal and resilience. She fearlessly exposes a sinister reality: her beloved children, Camile and Milo, were torn from her arms, abducted by their own father with the complicity of a corrupt system - police and authorities entwined in a web of deceit.Once a devoted girlfriend, Dalila's life seemed a fairy tale when she met her ex-boyfriend online, a man she believed was her soulmate. Their romance blossomed swiftly, leading them to build a life together and welcome their first child within a year. Yet, beneath the surface of this dream, a nightmare brewed. It was only after the birth of their second child that Dalila's intuition screamed louder than the reassurances of doctors who dismissed her daughter's haunting signs of sexual abuse as mere imagination. Undeterred by their denials, she fought for the truth, eventually escaping her husband's grip and securing full custody of her children through the courts - a victory for a mother's fierce love.But the battle was far from over. Even with limited visitation rights, her ex's shadow loomed darkly. Unable to contact her children during his time with them, Dalila's heart broke as she witnessed their return - shaken, screaming, and scarred by unspeakable trauma. What unfolded next was a mother's relentless quest for justice. Her children whispered of horrors unimaginable: caged children, graphic accounts of abuse, sketches depicting human sacrifice amid famous French landmarks, presided over by prominent politicians. These were not mere childish tales but cries for rescue, painted in the innocence of their terror.With no agenda but to shield her little ones - already in her care full-time by law - Dalila turned to the authorities, armed with her children's drawings and testimonies. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, her pleas were met with betrayal. One fateful day, as her children sat in school, the very system meant to protect them facilitated their abduction. Stripped of her rights, accused of fabricating their suffering, Dalila watched helplessly as custody was handed to their abuser. Since that devastating moment, she has not laid eyes on Camile and Milo, her every attempt to reclaim them met with indifference - even surviving assassination attempts dismissed by those sworn to uphold justice.But Dalila is no ordinary soul; she is a warrior forged in the fires of adversity. Refusing to be silenced, she has taken her story to the global stage, gracing international podcasts with a mission to ignite a movement. The voice of a fierce mama bear, a desperate hope that the world's ears will turn toward her children's plight, exposing the corrupt underbelly of France's justice system. Camile and Milo are blessed beyond measure to have a mother whose love defies oppression, a mother who transforms pain into power.CONNECT WITH THE IMAGINATION:EMAIL: imagineabetterworld2020@gmail.com OR standbysurvivors@protonmail.com My Substack: https://emmakatherine.substack.com/BUY ME A COFFEE: Support the show

Nick Panetta is our guest this week. He is an avid section hiker on the Appalachian Trail, and a stickler for detail. He attempted a southbound thru-hike back in 2012, was woefully ill-prepared, and only made it part of the way through the 100 Mile Wilderness. Undeterred, perhaps even more determined, Nick went away and started to understand the requirements for extensive backpacking over a period of time. He shed plenty of excess weight in his gear, and now prepares methodically with spreadsheets to guide him along his way. Nick's is an instructive story on how to learn by one's mistakes and prepare for the trail as best you can to mitigate risks along the way. Our Mighty Blue Class of 2025 brings Beth back to the show as she prepares for her own thru-hike attempt at the end of this month, while Dave checks in with us on his reflections–and a picture from the Green Dragon Hostel–of the first few days. Our book reading, Happy Hiking, by my friend, Emily Leonard is–of course–written from a woman's POV and a woman's voice. I hope you enjoy listening to my reading of it. If you'd like to buy the book, you can find it on Amazon at Happy Hiking: Falling in love on the Appalachian Trail, or on Emily's website, at Happy Hiking. I used my hike earlier this year on the South West Coast Path in the UK to help raise money for my absolute favorite charity, Parenting Matters, on whose board I've been privileged to serve for over a decade. You can learn more about the hike and the organization–and donate–by visiting Hike with Steve - Empowering Parents, One Step at a Time | Parenting Matters %. I hope you want to support this critical mission. Don't forget. Our entire series of videos from our Woods Hole Weekend in 2022 is now FREE and available at my YouTube page at Woods Hole Weekend - Trailer There, you'll find all sorts of tips and tricks that our guests took away from the weekend that helped them with their own hikes this year. Check it out. I often ask listeners for ideas on who to interview, and I'm sure several of you say, “I could do that. I've got an awesome story to tell.” You're the person we need to hear from. If you'd like to be interviewed on the podcast, just register as a guest on the link below, and I'll be in touch. Come on the show! If you like what we're doing on the Hiking Radio Network, and want to see our shows continue, please consider supporting us with either a one-off or monthly donation. You'll find the donate button on each Hiking Radio Network page at Hiking Radio Network . If you prefer NOT to use PayPal, you can now support us via check by mailing it to Mighty Blue Publishing, PO Box 6161, Sun City Center, FL 35751. Any support is gratefully received. Additionally, you can “Zelle” me a donation to steve@hikingradionetwork.com. Or “Venmo“ me at @‌Steve-Adams-105. They both work! If you'd like to take advantage of my book offer (all three of my printed hiking books–with a personal message and signed by me–for $31, including postage to the United States) send a check payable to Mighty Blue Publishing at the address just above.

This week it's another international episode of the show - with Romesh in Mumbai and Tom still sat on his floor at home. Undeterred, we're talking… a big family gathering, doing voices for toys, Rom at the boxing and an interview with Kugan Cassius, problematic fashion labels, bad gym faces and having no arse, a dilemma about an asthmatic grandma and a bit of bother with some sunglasses. Plus, the long-awaited reveal of our new podcast artwork! For questions or comments, please email us at wolfowlpod@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you. Instagram - @wolfowlpod TikTok - @wolfowlpodcast YouTube - www.youtube.com/WolfandOwlPodcast Merch & Mailing List - https://wolfandowlpod.com A Mighty Ranga Production For sales and sponsorship enquiries: HELLO@KEEPITLIGHTMEDIA.COM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to John Hewitt, a true pioneer in the tax preparation and financial services industry, having founded and scaled two companies to over $500 million in value - Jackson Hewitt Tax Service and Liberty Tax Service. Throughout his illustrious career spanning 55 years, John has always kept sight of his driving purpose – to change lives. He takes pride in having a monumental positive impact on franchisees, employees, and customers. We'll be exploring his strategies for scaling successful empires, overcoming barriers, financing growth models, and more. KEY TAKEAWAYS One of the key ingredients is that you have to get buy-in from everhyone involved. You have to have a dream that’s fairly accurate then get your employees, customers, vendors, investors, etc to buy-in to where you’re going. As a franchisee, one of the things you want from your franchisor is consistency and quality. Whoever offers the worst service in your system will determine what your brand name is worth. We call every customer and ask them how we did, which no one else does, in the franchise world, they send and email, text, or send them a survey. It’s been great for us because not only do we police our brand, but our customers love to be called and asked how we can improve our service to them. Plus, we get higher staff retention and get more referrals. Anything that’s systemic should be able to be provided by software and computers. We divide issues up into ‘tip of the iceberg’. If it’s something that is systemic – an iceberg – we’re looking for a solution to it, if it’s just a one-off situation then we don’t build systems or use software for it. I’ve been doing it this way since 1981, making things expeditious and consistently high quality. Train your staff so they can go anywhere and be successful, but treat them so well that they want to stay. It comes from creating a culture and an attitude in your organisation, and the attitude starts with employees first: If you want your customers to be treated well by your employees you have to treat your employees well, you have to listen and be loyal to your team and build a team of a people with a great attitude. You can’t teach a great attitude. BEST MOMENTS ‘There are two major parts of growth: The amount of money you spend, and the amount of money you take in, you always have to make sure they’re balanced.’ ‘I’ve been in taxes for 55 years: There are only 2 certainties in life: death and tax, it’s recession proof.’ ‘In the pet industry we’ve seen young people in the past 10 years delay having children. Sometimes I ask if they have children and they say: “I have 2 dogs, those are my children.”’ ‘Brand loyalty is such a cool and important thing to have which is why my company is called Loyalty Brands.’ ABOUT THE GUEST John Hewitt is a visionary entrepreneur renowned for founding two of the largest tax preparation companies in the United States - Jackson Hewitt Tax Service and Liberty Tax Service. As the pioneer behind the "Hewitt" in Jackson Hewitt, John grew the company to over 1,300 offices and $483 million in sales before selling it in 1997. Undeterred, John founded Liberty Tax in 1997, rapidly expanding it to over 4,000 offices in the U.S. and Canada. By 2012, Liberty Tax was one of the top 100 largest retail organizations in North America. Now John is applying his strategic prowess to investing, John helps entrepreneurs build their own empires as CEO of Loyalty Brands. Guided by ambition and faith, he continues to compete - and win - on an extraordinary level. ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook TikTok Email Website

It was a puzzle that John Wilson simply couldn't resist. Intel had long sold processors to the federal government on a commercial basis, but the rising importance of High Performance Computing (HPC) demanded a new approach. Undeterred by the maze of federal acquisition regulations, Wilson volunteered to stand up a dedicated government unit, a move that he tells us helped unlock cutting-edge HPC research. The work took him to the edges of “bleeding-edge technology,” even if it also meant navigating the detailed rigors of government compliance.That knack for transformation would serve Wilson well when he later encountered another pivotal moment: the day the moving truck arrived at his new home in Oregon—just as Intel announced the dissolution of the very business group he was joining. Rather than panic, he thrived, moving on to master complex FP&A and business development roles. It was the same mindset that guided him in standing up an entirely separate legal entity to better serve government contracts, broadening his view of finance from purely operational tasks to strategic decision-making.Today, as CFO of Sabey Data Centers, Wilson continues to fuse vision with pragmatism. He has drawn from his HPC experience—where technology evolves at breakneck speeds—to guide Sabey's approach to data center design and expansion. Collaborating with teams to manage billion-dollar investments, he remains resolute on two fronts: balancing the need for innovation with disciplined capital allocation, and preserving a culture of “good stewardship” that ensures long-term stability for tenants ranging from tech giants to smaller enterprises.

Kate Adie introduces stories from DR Congo, Israel, Ecuador, Malaysia and Germany.Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the ongoing conflict in the DR Congo. Amid the violence, a clinic in Goma is helping civilian casualties recover and rehabilitate. Hugh Kinsella-Cunnigham met some of the people trying to rebuild their lives.Regional leaders in the Middle East are focusing their attention on the second stage of the ceasefire – and the continuation of the hostage and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. Some hardliners in the Knesset are demanding a resumption of the war, which worries families still waiting for their relatives to be released, reports Wyre Davies.Ecuador goes to the polls this weekend, in a vote which is seen by many as a referendum on President Daniel Noboa's hardline war on the country's criminal gangs, which critics say has led to innocent people arrested and detained. Ione Wells reports from the city of Guayaquil.A recent survey in Malaysia revealed more than 70 per cent of young Malaysians are in debt. Officials says this is down to a ‘shopping addiction' and the growth of ‘flex culture' on social media. Hannah Gelbart went to find out more about the country's appetite to spend.In an age of translation apps achieving fluency in a foreign language can perhaps seem a futile exercise. Undeterred, Lucy Ash recently moved to Berlin to learn German. After making little progress, she moved to the country's Baltic coast where she volunteered as a farm hand - and could finally escape the multitude of English-speakers in the capital.Series producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie HillImage: Naomi at the Shirika La Umoja centre in Goma. Taken by Hugh Kinsella Cunningham

Terry Hobbs and Vicky Edwards - Box Full of NightmaresIn 1993, three eight-year old boys, Stevie Branch, Michael Moore, and Chris Byers, were murdered; their naked, mutilated bodies found shoved into the mud at the bottom of a ditch. The information developed by investigators pointed to three teenagers as the murderers. The three teens were convicted after two separate trials. One was sentenced to life imprisonment, one was sentenced to life plus forty years, and the third was sentenced to death. The convictions of the three teens became one of the most controversial cases in the State of Arkansas. During the early years of their incarceration, the growth of the Internet connected people all over the world through discussion forums and websites. As a result, the three teens, who became known as the “West Memphis Three,” developed a cult following that included the support of high-profile celebrities, including Johnny Depp, Peter Jackson, and Eddie Vedder and others, who all bought into the myth that the three convicted murderers were innocent.Today, the three convicted murderers are free. They appear to have given up their quest for judicial exoneration. Once they exhausted all other potential “guilty” parties, (some joined their camp and others were obviously not guilty), they focused their attention on Terry Hobbs, step-father of Stevie Branch, in an effort to divert attention from the evidence proving their guilt. Terry Hobbs was never a suspect in the murders and the facts of the case do not support his guilt. Undeterred, the convicted killers and their supporters continue to point fingers at Terry Hobbs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Are you tired of dressing in sun protective clothing that has no fashion sense? On today's podcast, Kristine & Addy Thompson, mother and daughter team, share their journey to creating a fashion brand, NINI, that puts the cute and stylish into sun protective clothing. Plus, they share their first venture into entrepreneurship for the duo. BACK STORY Kristine and Addison, a dynamic mother-daughter duo whose passion for an active lifestyle under the sun led to the creation of a revolutionary fashion brand. Nestled in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, Kristine and Addison's journey began with a shared love for outdoor activities – whether it was engaging in spirited games of pickleball, strolling through the charming streets of Paris, or simply savoring a cocktail on their favorite patio. In their pursuit of the perfect ensemble for sun-soaked adventures with friends, Kristine and Addison encountered a gap in the market. Despite the abundance of options, none quite met their criteria for a blend of fashion, comfort, and sun protection. Undeterred by the lack of suitable choices, the duo embarked on a mission to create Nini, a brand committed to designing the ideal pieces they themselves desired. Website: nini-designs.com Instagram: @ninidesignsco     SUBSCRIBE TO ICONIC HOUR If you enjoyed today's podcast, I'd be so appreciative if you'd take two minutes to subscribe, rate and review ICONIC HOUR. It makes a huge difference for our growth. Thanks so much!   ICONIC LIFE MAGAZINE  Stay in touch with ICONIC LIFE magazine. We invite you to join our digital VIP list and SUBSCRIBE!   JOIN OUR ICONIC COMMUNITY Website: iconiclife.com Instagram: @iconiclifemag Facebook: Iconic Life YouTube: ICONIC LIFE   FOLLOW RENEE DEE Instagram: @iconicreneedee LinkedIn: Renee Dee   Thanks for being a part of our community to Live Beautifully.  

David is absolutely loving the current series of The Great Pottery Throw Down, so much so that he really wants to become one of its hosts. As Joe's not seen the show before, David enthusiastically explains everything about it to him and what incredibly cosy TV it is. They then both have a think about what skills would be needed for David to join its presenting team. But after quite a few tries at him reading out some of the presenter links, they start to suspect that he might not have the right personality for it? Undeterred by this, they plough on with the presenter practicing - and even get in touch with one of the show's previous hosts Ellie Taylor to get some tips. This one was a long old episode to record, so we've split it in half for you. Part two coming very soon… FOR ALL THINGS CHATABIX'Y FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE/CONTACT: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chatabixpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/chatabix1 Insta: https://www.instagram.com/chatabixpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/chatabix Merch: https://chatabixshop.com/ Contact us: chatabix@yahoo.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices