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Continue reading →: Black Hawk DownOne of the most renowned Close Quarter Combat (CQC) battles in modern history (at least from an Anglo-American perspective) is the Battle of Mogadishu, also known as the Black Hawk Down incident. This battle occurred on October 3-4, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia, and involved U.S. military forces and Somali militia…
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Continue reading →: The Shortest WarThe shortest war in recorded history is the Anglo-Zanzibar War, which took place on August 27, 1896. This conflict lasted between 38 and 45 minutes. Background The war’s roots lay in the colonial interests and political dynamics of East Africa during the late 19th century. Zanzibar, an island off the…
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Continue reading →: Introduction to NATOThe North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an intergovernmental military alliance established on April 4, 1949. It was founded with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, also known as the Washington Treaty, by 12 countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom and United…
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Continue reading →: Contact MinesContact mines, a critical component in naval warfare, are designed to detonate upon physical contact with a ship or submarine, serving as an element in both defensive and offensive maritime strategies. Early Developments The Chinese are credited with some of the earliest forms of naval mines. During the Song Dynasty,…
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Continue reading →: War of IndependenceThe Israeli War of Independence was a conflict that led to the establishment of the State of Israel. The war lasted from November 1947 to July 1949 and was fought between the newly declared State of Israel and a coalition of Arab nations and militia. The origins of the conflict…
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Continue reading →: Ballad of the Green BeretsThe Ballad of the Green Berets is a patriotic song that pays tribute to the elite U.S. Army Special Forces, released in 1966 during the Vietnam War and became a major hit. Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, a medic with the U.S. Army Special Forces, wrote and performed the song. It…
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Continue reading →: The Longest War
The longest continuous war in recorded history is the Reconquista, which spanned approximately 781 years from 711 to 1492. This series of military campaigns was fought between the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula and the Muslim Moors who had occupied large parts of the region. The Reconquista began when…
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Continue reading →: The Arab-Israeli Wars
Since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, the country has been involved in several major wars and military operations to defend its territory. The characteristics of these conflicts have evolved over time, ranging from proxy wars between superpowers and low-intensity conflicts to conventional battles between regular armed…
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Continue reading →: Thunderstruck
Explosives are crucial for a variety of operations, including demolition, breaching obstacles, and neutralizing enemy fortifications. In military contexts, fieldworks are often designed to delay enemy mobility. These include: Additionally, fieldworks may involve mining and creating barriers. The purposes of these fieldworks are to: The basic components of explosives typically…
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Continue reading →: Holy Smoke!
Smoke canisters, or smoke grenades, are tactical devices used in military operations to create a smoke screen. These screens are used to obscure vision, provide cover, signal, or mark positions. The most common type of smoke grenade used by the US military is the M18, which can generate a dense…
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Continue reading →: CQC Fireteams
In Close Quarter Combat, a fireteam is a small military unit designed to operate as part of a larger platoon or squad structure. Typically consisting of four to six members, a fireteam is the smallest unit within the infantry organization but plays a critical role in executing precise and coordinated…
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Continue reading →: Unknown Solider’s GraveThe concept of the Unknown Soldier’s Grave is a poignant and powerful symbol of collective mourning and remembrance for unidentified fallen soldiers. This practice exists globally, transcending national boundaries, and carries profound historical and emotional significance. The idea of commemorating unknown soldiers began to take shape during World War I,…
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Continue reading →: Sound of Silence
Suppressors, commonly known as silencers, have a history intertwined with firearms development and military tactics. Dating back to the late 19th century, these devices have evolved from rudimentary designs to sophisticated pieces of engineering, offering not only noise reduction but also improved accuracy and recoil control. The concept of firearm…
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Continue reading →: The Great Divide
The separation of the Roman Empire into Western and Eastern halves was a pivotal moment in history, marking the division of one of the most powerful civilizations of antiquity. This event occurred gradually over several centuries, culminating in the formal split in 395 AD. Understanding it, and its relations to…
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Continue reading →: Operation Nachshon
The Israel War of Independence was a significant conflict that occurred in the wake of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine in 1947. Lasting from 1947 to 1949, the war resulted in the establishment of the modern State of Israel. Following World War I, the League of Nations granted…
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Continue reading →: Grenades in CQC
Grenades are a pivotal tool in Close Quarter Combat (CQC), serving multiple roles that enhance the effectiveness of small unit tactics within confined and complex environments like buildings, trenches, and urban areas. Their usage ranges from clearing rooms and trenches to breaking enemy cover and creating smoke screens for concealment…
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Continue reading →: The Slaughtered Men at Solferino
The Geneva Conventions are a series of international treaties established to govern the humane treatment of victims of armed conflicts, including civilians, prisoners of war, and wounded or sick military personnel. The conventions were first adopted in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1864, and have since been updated and expanded. The Geneva…
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Continue reading →: Main Phases of The Great War
World War I, which lasted from 1914 to 1918, can be roughly divided into several phases/domains. These reflect the evolving strategies, major battles, and changing dynamics of the conflict. The main countries involved were the: Allies: United Kingdom, France, Russia, Italy (Initially part of the Triple Alliance but later joined…
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Continue reading →: Lawrence of Arabia
An intriguing character during World War I was T.E. Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia. Lawrence was a British archaeologist, and military officer who played a key role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the war. He became famous for his daring guerrilla tactics and leadership…
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Continue reading →: Race to the Sea
The First Battle of the Aisne holds significance as one of the early trench warfare battles and a pivotal moment in the World War I trajectory. Fought between September 13th and September 28th, 1914, along the banks of the Aisne River in France, it marked the culmination of the German…
This is the Battleground
Welcome to the Battleground Archives, your online repository for all things military. Dive into the collection of articles, images, and insights. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran, a history buff, or simply curious about military subjects, this platform offers stories waiting to be explored. Join on this journey as we uncover the battles, strategies, and courageous individuals who have shaped military history.
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1er RPIMa Afghanistan Assault Team Balkans Battle of the Somme British Army Close Quarter Combat Cold War CQB CQC Delta Force France French Army German Army Green Berets GSG 9 Gulf War Intelligence Collection Iraq NATO Operation Just Cause Operation Urgent Fury SAS SBS Schlieffen Plan SFSG Somalia Special Air Service SRR Suez Crisis Syria Taliban Task Force Ranger UKSF United Kingdom Special Forces US Army Special Forces Verdun Viet Cong Vietnam War War on Terror Warsaw Pact World War I World War II WWI WWII
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