Category Archives: War

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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Forgiveness

Posted on January 14, 2025 by odeboyz

The time for forgiveness has goneGales howl across mountain peaksTrees are bundled to the groundAnimals crushed and left to dieNo-one cares The time for forgiveness has goneFires rage devouring housesSparks a thousand feet highAnd drones admire the sightA wonderful spectacle … Continue reading →

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War Studies: The Importance of Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar, 21st October 1805

Posted on January 8, 2025 by odeboyz

The British Empire was founded on the Royal Navy and Nelson’s triumph at Trafalgar sealed British naval supremacy. The importance of Trafalgar was that it brought naval and global domination for 136 years. Naval supremacy transformed Britain into ‘The policeman … Continue reading →

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War Studies: Bombing Japan, 1945

Posted on December 4, 2024 by odeboyz

In March 1945 the USA bombed Tokyo. They used incendiary bombs on a wooden city purposefully creating an inferno. The Japanese didn’t surrender. In August ‘A’ bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Pacific War ended shortly afterwards. “Bombs … Continue reading →

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Douglas Adams on War

Posted on November 27, 2024 by odeboyz

“Luckily they lived even further back in Galactic Time….when the Galaxy was young and fresh and every idea worth fighting for was a new one.” Life, the Universe and Everything (1982) p144

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War Studies: The Annexation of Crimea, 2014

Posted on November 27, 2024 by odeboyz

The annexation of Crimea was a masterclass in strategic warfare. The transition from Ukraine to Russia was accomplished by subterfuge. Despite Ukrainian protests, the West metaphorically shrugged its shoulders. Putin had learned the lesson of 1939. Poland was partitioned by … Continue reading →

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Letter from the Occupied West Bank

Posted on November 24, 2024 by odeboyz

Dear all Not ‘waiting for Christmas’ kind of waiting though it will soon be advent but the desperate, frightened, overwhelmingly emotional  kind of waiting. I  managed to wait till I was walking down the hotel corridor to my bedroom before … Continue reading →

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