Category Archives: War

War Studies: Britain’s Civil War (aka The Troubles), 1968-98

Posted on August 26, 2025 by odeboyz

The British civil war was centred in northern Ireland and later migrated to the mainland. Assassinations, atrocities, the breakdown of law and order, internment, loss of civil liberties and state repression occurred over 30 years. These techniques had failed when … Continue reading →

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Why weren’t Auschwitz’s railway lines bombed?

Posted on August 20, 2025 by odeboyz

In desperation, some Jewish leaders asked the Allies to bomb the railway lines  leading to the extermination camps and even Auschwitz itself. The response…was negative…In fact, Allied aircraft  were already flying over Auschwitz, bombing nearby industrial targets and dropping supplies … Continue reading →

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Winston Churchill in Casablanca, 1943

Posted on July 19, 2025 by odeboyz

“Hopkins meanwhile, had found Churchill in bed washing down his breakfast with a bottle of white wine. Asked what he meant by this. Churchill replied that he had a ‘profound distaste on the one hand for skimmed milk and no … Continue reading →

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Defining a terrorist organisation is interesting

Posted on July 16, 2025 by odeboyz

Proscribing Palestine Action makes them terrorists. This ‘feels’ wrong. Terrorists, like Hamas, slaughter and try to change governments by violence. On 7th October 2023, Hamas slaughtered 1200+ Israelis, provoking a war. In Britain, The Troubles, dominated daily life for forty … Continue reading →

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War Studies: Falklands War, 1982 ~ The price of pride

Posted on June 4, 2025 by odeboyz

The Falkland Islands in 1982 had a dwindling, ageing population.1 Worse: they were of no economic or strategic importance for the UK. Falklanders were excluded from British citizenship in 1981 by Margaret Thatcher. She wanted to off-load them. Thatcher’s solution … Continue reading →

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War Studies: Judaea 70-135 CE (AD)

Posted on May 21, 2025 by odeboyz

Colonial powers occupy countries without waiting for an invitation. Even though they are out-numbered, they succeed by using brute force. Key areas are garrisoned which are necessary. Unfortunately, garrisons become a focus for hostility and a cycle of violence. Once … Continue reading →

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War Studies: British naval supremacy ended on the 10th December 1941

Posted on April 23, 2025 by odeboyz

A 136 years of the Royal Navy’s global supremacy ended with the sinking of the battleship, Prince of Wales and battle cruiser, Repulse by the Japanese. Neither the Admiralty, or politicians, understood that British naval domination was shaky beforethis débâcle. … Continue reading →

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War Studies: Crimea, 2014: Might is right

Posted on April 2, 2025 by odeboyz

“Might makes right” has been described as the credo of totalitarian regimes.1 The doctrine was first developed by the Ancient Greeks, “justice is nothing else than the interest of the stronger”….”2 The Russian invasion of Crimea was an audacious example of ‘might is right’. … Continue reading →

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The Israeli-Gaza Campaign: An early assessment

Posted on February 26, 2025 by odeboyz

“Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment.” Don Corleone, The Godfather by Mario Puzo Israel’s strategic objectives are crystal clear. First, get the hostages back from Hamas. Second, obliterate Hamas as a military and political force. This assessment analyses … Continue reading →

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War Studies: The Importance of the Battle of Tsushima, Japan, 27-28 May 1905

Posted on February 5, 2025 by odeboyz

Japan was humiliated by the USA in the mid-1850s.1 This introduced them to the brutal reality of global power. They vowed to modernise their military, making them equal to the western powers.2 The Royal Navy was the world’s largest and … Continue reading →

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