Beatrice Nicolucci’s Post

History is one of the magnets of Croatian tourism, so we highlight Vis as an important maritime base throughout many centuries. Today, it's a true gem of the Adriatic, transforming its historical, including military, significance into a Croatian tourist attraction.

Today is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the American-led Allied invasion of Nazi Germany’s “Fortress Europe” that marked the beginning of the end of that horrific regime. It was, and remains, one of the most ambitious military undertakings in all of human history. The scope of D-Day was immense in every measurable way – the number of soldiers, aircraft and naval vessels involved, as well as the depth of planning and the level of obfuscation to keep the Nazis guessing as to the date and location of an attack that both sides viewed as inevitable. One thing that cannot be measured is the bravery of the men who descended on those French beaches that ugly June day in 1944. Ronald Reagan gave one of his most memorable speeches at the 40th anniversary of D-Day in 1984 at Pointe du Hoc, France, focusing on the bravery and faith of men to whom all Americans owe a deep debt of gratitude. “The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next. It was the deep knowledge – and pray God we have not lost it – that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest." I know there are men who participated in the D-Day Invasion that are still alive today. But a person who was 18 years old on that day would be 98 today. They certainly deserve all the honor and respect we can give them. Ken Burns' Documentary "The War," about how WWII affected 4 specific metro areas in America. The 4th Episode, called "Pride of Our Nation," focuses on the Normandy Invasion. I highly recommend this film -- its a life altering look at our own history.

#onthisdayinhistory, 80 years ago, it was D-Day. #dday80 On June the 6th 1944 the Normandy landings of the Allies took place. It was codenamed Operation Neptune, the start of the Operation Overlord, which would liberate France and the rest of German-occupied Western Europe. It was as such a decisive step towards the unconditional surrender of the German dictatorship and End of World War II in Europe. Operation Neptune stands to date as the largest amphibious assault in history. The preparations had started in 1943 already. They included the Operation Bodyguard, a complex military deception strategy to support the action. D-Day was delayed for 24 hours from the original planning due to the dire weather conditions, and carried out despite those not being optimal, to avoid having to postpone it for two more weeks. The amphibious assault followed naval bombardment, air raids and an airborne assault. The Allies reached almost none of their objectives on D-Day. They nevertheless managed to set beachheads, from where they could carry on with Operation Overlord. The price was terrible: the Allies suffered over 10000 casualties among which 4414 lost their lives. This picture shown one of the landing crafts models made by our friend Olaf Krabbenhöft in a scale of 1:35 for our World War II section on deck 5 of our exhibition. It shows a LCM-3 of the US Navy carrying a M4 Sherman tank. #maritime #museum #hamburg #history #europe

Today, June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of the turning point and ultimate defeat of the Third Reich and Axis powers by Allied forces in WWII’s European theatre. Though some of the fiercest and bloodiest battles were fought during and after the invasion, D-Day marks the beginning of the end for WWII. It seems that so much time has passed that we have collectively forgotten, or minimized, the true importance and impact of this period. The shear faith and force of will displayed by the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied force, a great many who never returned and lie in cemeteries across Normandy, is almost unfathomable today. Though not recognized as a “national holiday” or given a special celebratory month, June 6, D-Day, should always be a day that America recalls not just the sacrifice, but the national will and fortitude to do what is right and stand for the principals instilled by our founders, who knew well the delicate yet strong nature of the nation they brought to life. Pray, then, for an awakening and discovery by our current generations of the strength provided by God to do what is right, what is holy and what is required of us. That at this critical moment in our history, as has been the case over the life of this nation, we respond as other, greater generations have, with strength, moral clarity, unity and faith. #followpursuereach

Good read about effective forward basing and how proper use of historical context can shape strategy. The Romans were known for their well constructed roads which improved commerce and increased the speed and mobility of their army. However it was also used by their enemies as part of a series of invasions and mass migrations that contributed to their empires collapse. The legacy islands/sea bases contested in WWII can also serve as a double edged sword that can either contribute to the US and our allies effectively deterring the PRC, or serve as a way of fulfilling their desire to achieve hegemony within the region. https://lnkd.in/g8kpquwF

The Third Macedonian War and Battle of Pydna: Perseus' Neglect of Combined-arms Tactics and the Real Reasons for the Roman Victory Get this book UK at https://amzn.to/3M9Pgwt Get the book USA at https://amzn.to/4g0h4RQ The Third Roman-Macedonian War was a disaster for Macedon, a defeat leading to the end of that kingdom's independence. This is usually attributed to an innate superiority of the Roman legionary tactics over the Macedonian system. Graham Wrightson, on the other hand, argues that the blame lies entirely with Perseus, the last king of Macedon. He analyses the whole war, following the primary source accounts and focusing on Perseus’ military decisions and his battlefield strategies. It confirms the prevailing view of the sources that Perseus was too hesitant and non-committal in his early conduct of the war. More significantly it argues that Perseus mishandled the Macedonian army when it comes to combined-arms tactics by adopting a defensive posture, particularly at the final battle of Pydna. The Macedonian military system based on a slow sarissa phalanx is suited entirely to an offensive battle plan coordinating a frontally irresistible phalanx in the centre and a rapid heavy cavalry attack on one wing. Most importantly, though, Perseus refused to spend money to hire 10,000 Gallic horsemen and the lack of cavalry cost him the initiative and the victory. This is a fascinating and thoroughly researched study of these dramatic events that adds fresh insight to the question of the legion's supposed supremacy over the phalanx.

The Third Macedonian War and Battle of Pydna: Perseus' Neglect of Combined-arms Tactics and the Real Reasons for the Roman Victory Get this book UK at https://amzn.to/3M9Pgwt Get the book USA at https://amzn.to/4g0h4RQ The Third Roman-Macedonian War was a disaster for Macedon, a defeat leading to the end of that kingdom's independence. This is usually attributed to an innate superiority of the Roman legionary tactics over the Macedonian system. Graham Wrightson, on the other hand, argues that the blame lies entirely with Perseus, the last king of Macedon. He analyses the whole war, following the primary source accounts and focusing on Perseus’ military decisions and his battlefield strategies. It confirms the prevailing view of the sources that Perseus was too hesitant and non-committal in his early conduct of the war. More significantly it argues that Perseus mishandled the Macedonian army when it comes to combined-arms tactics by adopting a defensive posture, particularly at the final battle of Pydna. The Macedonian military system based on a slow sarissa phalanx is suited entirely to an offensive battle plan coordinating a frontally irresistible phalanx in the centre and a rapid heavy cavalry attack on one wing. Most importantly, though, Perseus refused to spend money to hire 10,000 Gallic horsemen and the lack of cavalry cost him the initiative and the victory. This is a fascinating and thoroughly researched study of these dramatic events that adds fresh insight to the question of the legion's supposed supremacy over the phalanx.

The Battle of Plataea (479 BCE) Background: The Battle of Plataea was the final land battle in the second Persian invasion of Greece, part of the larger Greco-Persian Wars. Following the Greek naval victory at Salamis a year earlier, the Persians, led by King Xerxes and later Mardonius, endeavored to complete their conquest of Greece. In response, a coalition of Greek city-states, spearheaded by Athens and Sparta, united against the Persian invasion. The Battle: On the plains of Plataea, in 479 BCE, the Greek forces, numbering around 110,000 men, faced a Persian army that, according to sources, could have numbered up to 300,000. Despite the staggering overmatch, the Greeks had a tactical advantage: they chose the battleground, forcing the Persians to fight on terrain that negated their numerical superiority. It is worth noting at this point that the Greeks knew the land inside and out. Greek armies had fought each other at Plataea for centuries. Specific Tactics: The Greeks utilized the phalanx formation. This compact infantry formation maximized their heavy armor and long spears, making them a formidable force in close combat while mitigating the effectiveness of Persian archers. Conversely, the Persians relied on an army that included light infantry, archers, and cavalry, better suited for wide open spaces and less effective in the cramped battlefield conditions. The allied Greeks had the home-field advantage. Aftermath: The victory at Plataea effectively ended Persian ambitions in Greece, leading to the withdrawal of their forces and securing Greek independence. Militarily, it demonstrated the effectiveness of hoplite warfare, making Greek hoplites highly sought-after mercenaries and setting the stage for the city-state's rise as the principal actor in Greek politics. Economically, it paved the way for the Golden Age of Greece, as peace allowed for prosperity and the flourishing of arts, philosophy, and democracy, at least until they fell back into fighting among one another, but more on the Peloponnesian War later. Why This Matters: The Battle of Plataea was a turning point. While it did not entirely end the Greco-Persian Wars, the battles after it were not decisive. The Persians had already lost. Plataea was decisive, just as Salamis was. It preserved Greek culture from Persian domination, contributing to the development of Western civilization as we know it. Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum #bitesizedhistory, #history, #militaryhistory, #war, #military

Remembering D-Day and the giants whose shoulders we stand on as veterans and current service-members. #Dday #remember #honor Fascinating Facts About the Pivotal WWII Invasion: - The "D" in D-Day simply meant "Day," as the actual date remained secret due to the importance of weather and tidal conditions. - Over 150,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, supported by 5,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft. - The Allies executed an elaborate deception campaign involving fake radio transmissions, double agents, and even inflatable tanks to mislead the Germans about the true invasion location. - Paratroopers played a crucial role in securing key bridges and exit routes, while dummy parachutists distracted and confused the enemy. - The naval bombardment preceding the landings was the largest in history at the time, with bombers dropping over 5,000 tons of bombs. - An artificial "Mulberry harbor" was employed to quickly offload supplies and equipment without access to a port. - Despite the operation's overall success and significance in turning the tide of the war, D-Day resulted in over 10,000 Allied casualties, with 4,414 confirmed dead. D-Day marked a pivotal moment in World War II, paving the way for the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation. Its meticulous planning, deception tactics, and the bravery of Allied forces will forever be remembered in the annals of history.