Michael Porter’s Post

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.

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

https://lnkd.in/eTB8qvuz This is a highly informative comparison of the WWII Battle of Crete and potential war in Taiwan. The similarities are striking, and so are the lessons.

On this day in history, 18 April 1942, the carrier USS Hornet launches 16 B-25s headed toward Japan for a mission later known as the Doolittle Raid. This Raid, a response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, was planned in secrecy by a handful of men so as to surprise their targets in Tokyo and the surrounding areas. The Doolittle Raid targeted military installations only, and although the attacks did very little physical damage, the shock of an attack on their homeland significantly impacted the Japanese and their military strategy in the Pacific War. Each plane was crewed by five men, for a total of 80 Doolittle Raiders. They were to take off from the Hornet, drop their payload on their Japanese target, and head for friendly Chinese territory. One plane made an emergency landing in the Soviet Union and its crew taken prisoner until they escaped. Two Raiders died during the mission, and eight were captured by the Japanese. Three of these would be executed, and one died in prison before the end of the war, when the rest were freed. Surviving Raiders later came together for reunions to celebrate life and honor those who had died. The last Doolittle Raider, Richard Cole, died in April 2019, less than two weeks before the anniversary of the Raid. Image Source: Naval History & Heritage Command #wwiihistory #doolittleraid #wwii #historyfacts #Museum #educational

📘 Dive into the strategic complexities and untold stories of the Aleutian Campaign, a lesser-known but crucial part of WWII. This detailed analysis offers valuable insights for modern military strategy and operations. Click the link to explore this fascinating chapter of history ➡️ https://buff.ly/3X5KEhH #WWII #MilitaryHistory #StrategicStudies #AleutianCampaign

Just over 80 years ago, Allied bombers destroyed the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino, one of the most important buildings in European history. The reason given was Military Necessity and its use by Germany for military purposes. Yet this reason was always doubtful, and its destruction was always more a military convenience. It is entirely possible that the attack was little more than a publicity stunt. I have been studying this attack for several years and have now had my conclusions published. Plumes of Smoke is a study of the destruction, its legality and moral reasoning and the efforts to manage the controversy at the time and afterwards. How important is the preservation of our heritage during military operations? It is fascinating to see how little we have learned over the decades when we compare with the events of today. Published by Helion.

Only a few of the greatest generation remain with us. But 80 years later let us never forget these HEROES that helped save the world and preserve American freedom and democracy! 🇺🇸 U.S. President, Joe Biden, along with other leaders, are honoring them today at the 80th D-Day Commemoration on those same shores and cliffs. I salute the memory and sacrifice of the WWII heroes. D-Day was the name given to the June 6, 1944, invasion of the beaches at Normandy in northern France by troops from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries during World War II. At the time, the D-Day invasion was the largest naval, air and land operation in history, and within a few days about 326,000 troops, more than 50,000 vehicles and some 100,000 tons of equipment had landed. By August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and in spring of 1945 the Allies had defeated the Germans. Historians often refer to D-Day as the beginning of the end of World WarII.

An event that is greatly appreciated and honored by Americans of subsequent generations for the sacrifices and bravery of the "Exceptional Generation" of WWII veterans of whom very few remain alive today. My only regret is that the contributions and sacrifices of the Red Army go largely ignored in the annual D-Day celebrations, when in fact were it not for Russian advances on the Eastern Front, D-Day could never have taken place when it did. The Soviets probably killed The Soviets killed probably 2,8 million German (born) soldiers and German auxiliary troops in battle or died of their wounds, helped by their allies like Polish, Rumanian and Bulgarian troops. Another 1.1 million German born soldiers died in Soviet custody (50% during the war and 50% after the war). Estimates of Russians killed by Germans range in the millions- some say as high as 20 million died fighting the Wehrmacht and driving them back to Poland and eventually to Berlin. No Western leader has ever attended a Russian Victory Day celebration and no Russian leader has ever been invited to a D-Day commemoration.

War Made Invisible How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine Norman Solomon *"War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine" by Norman Solomon How the U.S. government, with the help of media and political institutions, obscures the devastating human consequences of its military operations. The book critiques the normalization of perpetual war in American society, arguing that the realities of civilian casualties, destruction, and trauma caused by U.S. military actions are often hidden or downplayed, such as media manipulation, political rhetoric, and sanitized reporting—that mask the true costs of war, both abroad and at home, creating a culture where warfare is accepted and its human toll largely ignored. Through powerful analysis, the book highlights the moral implications of this invisibility and calls for greater transparency and accountability. https://lnkd.in/dHStqaTX

Excellent PDF on #FullSpectrumDominance Full Spectrum Dominance: Totalitarian Democracy in the New World Order "For the faction that controls the #Pentagon, the #military industry and the oil industry, the #ColdWar never ended. It went on 'below the radar' creating a global network of bases and conflicts to advance their long-term goal of Full Spectrum Dominance, the total control of the planet: land, sea, air, space, outer space and cyberspace." "Their methods included control of #propaganda, use of #NGOs for regime change, Colour Revolutions to advance #NATO east, and a vast array of #psychological and #economic #warfare techniques, a Revolution in Military Affairs as they termed it." By F. William Engdahl - 274 pp - No Paywall https://lnkd.in/d9EynpEM