Leo Niehorster

Is it my imagination, or are the Israeli's reigned in every time they start to get the upper hand in a war? Would "things" be better if the Israeli's had been left to finish off their enemies? Or is it that they were about to stop anyway, and pretend that they were forced to stop? On another track: Without "Allied" intervention, would Egypt have been defeated and occupied by Israel? Or if they defeated Syria completely? And then?

Just discovered this: China publishes 36-volume ROC history http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/09/17/2003513490 The Beijing-based Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) recently published a 36-volume work on the history of the Republic of China (ROC). The CASS, China’s highest research organization in the fields of philosophy and social sciences, spent 30 years compiling and writing the collection. As the work does not touch on the sensitive issue of the ROC’s continued existence in Taiwan, China’s netizens have questioned the legitimacy and value of the collection, Taiwanese media reported on Wednesday. “The ROC remains alive and vibrant on the opposite side of the Taiwan Strait, why would the CASS bother to compile its history?” one netizen asked. People’s Daily Online – the Web site of the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) — reported that late Chinese premier Zhou Enlai (周恩來) ordered the work on ROC history as early as 1971. At that time, China was embroiled in the Cultural Revolution and many political figures opposed the idea, questioning why they should waste time documenting the history of a “reactionary ruling class.” The first volume of the CASS ROC history was published in 1981 and the whole collection, comprising 16 books on ROC history, a 12-books chronology of events that occurred under the ROC and eight volumes offering detailed biographies of key figures, was released earlier this month. ... etc.

That was worth watching. Liked the comments about "Iwo" ( Iwo Jima ). Thanks for the link.

NSFW (language) Rosie O'Donnell in full, true form. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fbwsh9Iw_w

60mm mortars? What goes around comes around. Is the modern version better than the World War II one? At one time eveyrbody got rid of those because they were considered totally worthless.

Frankly, Windows 3.1 wasn't too hot — it was 3.11 that was the good one. And, Windows NT was pretty good, too.

Why do blueprints have to be converted to CAD these days? Why is it not possible to manufacture components from blueprints as used ti be done?

I love it.

My local library has the abbreviated, English-language version of the multi-volume, official Taiwanese history, which was published in Chinese. The language is somewhat stilted, but the book does cover the battles, and with maps: Hsu Long-hsuen, Chang Ming-kai "History of the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)" (2nd Edition) Chung Wu Publishers, Taiwan, 1972 ASIN B00005W210 An Amazon check found it here: http://www.amazon.com/History-Sino-Japanese-war-1937-1945-Long-hsuen/dp/B00005W210 the Amazon prices are reasonable.

And if that is so, why bother?

Fascinating. Am I missing something: only two artillery battalions (131 and 295) ? The other two (245 and 345) shown as Lehr units → or are these also considered as combat units for the 'emergency case' ? And eight (!) engineer battalions plus one company. Almost like a Roman army. Lots of constuction. Speaking of which, no dedicated bridge units? Leo

Swerve?

Sparky notwithstanding, the M113 family did its job for many years. I will miss it.

Initially, the Germans in WWII — besides having 5-man crews for the MBT — had a reserve tank crew detachment in the medium tank companies, consisting of 6 NCO and 25-30 EM. Of these, 1 NCO and 10 EM had been trained as tank mechanics, and could also be used by the maintenance section. (The three tank platoons (with 5 tanks @ 5 men/tank) had 1 officer, 14 NCO, and 10 EM, each). There was also a headquarters section with 2 command tanks and 5 light tanks. (2 Officers, 6 NCO, 17 EM). A total of 22 tanks and 100 men, with an additional 36 men to assist.) As of November 1941 these reserve units had 4 NCO and 10 EM. (Same structure as the early war companies.) By 1944, the Panther company (authorized strength 17 tanks, each) had a 4th (Personnel Reserve) Platoon with 6 NCO and 4 EM. (The three tank platoons (with 5 tanks @ 5 men/tank) still each having 1 officer, 14 NCO, and 10 EM). But only two tanks with the headquarters section. A similar reserve crew section was found in other tank companies and the armored car companies. Found something from the US Army Armor School back in 1972 regarding this very subject: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/750107.pdf (Sorry, no idea how to add links or images with this "blue streamlined" layout).

Depends on the army and the era. For example, German WWII rocket launcher (Nebelwerfer) batteries had an antitank gun (initially 37mm, later 50mm), plus the usual pistols, SMG, rifles, and LMG's. Tube Artillery battalions of the late war vintage had antiaircraft guns (20mm).

I was telling a girl in the bar about my uncanny ability to guess the day women were born just by feeling their breasts. "Really?" she said. "Go on then... Try." After about 30 seconds of fondling she began to lose patience. "Come on," she demanded, "What day was I born on?" "Yesterday?" I replied.

O'Brian by far the better writer. When I was a lad, I read the Hornblower series with pleasure. When I returned to Forester after reading the Aubrey-Maturin books, I was disappointed, both with Forester's style and the material. In addition, O'Brian's characters generate more interest and sympathy. Pity O'Brian died before he finished the series.

Small world. I have just gotten the TV Series "Firefly" and the movie "Serenity" from Amazon.

5

Calling Mr. Darwin, Mr. Charles Darwin, please — another candidate for you, Sir.

Rich, advanced, but poorly defended countries have always been a target for those who have less. There are those who think that taking is easier than buying. Just because they momentarily can't, doesn't mean they wouldn't like to. And, if you really believe Russia has given up its territorial ambitions, might I interest you in this really nice beachfront property right in downtown Hannover ?.

Russia still has ambitions. And a pretty effective military. Big enough to scare its smaller neighbors. Possibly gobbling them up bit by bit. And, with almost the same European appeasement mindset of the 1930's, that might portend trouble for larger countries in the next years.

+1

Thanks. Don't live in the US, and don't own a TV.