Military History Mini Podcast

The South African 4 Reconnaissance Commando was hailed for it's operational successes in the conflict with Angola and for adding a maritime operational capacity to the South African military. Here, we cover selection. 

Support the show

The South African 4 Reconnaissance Commando was hailed for it's operational successes in the conflict with Angola and for adding a maritime operational capacity to the South African military. Here, we cover an introductory history.

Support the show

The South African 4 Reconnaissance Commando was hailed for it's operational successes in the conflict with Angola and for adding a maritime operational capacity to the South African military. Here, we introduce and orient you to the topic. 

Support the show

From the edge of death in a Moldavian concentration camp, an escape to the Israeli Navy and going AWOL to the French Foreign Legion, Eliahu Itzkovitz was able to track down his family's killer in the most unlikely of all places: The jungles of French Indochina. 

Support the show

The Lost Battalion is the name given to the nine companies of the 77th Division, roughly 554 men, isolated by German forces during World War I after an American attack in the Argonne Forest in October 1918. Roughly 197 were killed in action and approximately 150 missing or taken prisoner before the 194 remaining men were rescued. They were led by Major Charles W. Whittlesey. On 2 October, the 77th launched an attack into the Argonne, under the belief that French forces were supporting their left flank and two American units including the 92nd Infantry Division were supporting their right.[1] Within the 77th sector some units including Whittlesey's 1-308th Infantry were making significant headway. Unknown to Whittlesey's unit, the units to their left and right had been stalled. Without this knowledge, the units that would become known as the Lost Battalion moved beyond the rest of the Allied line and found themselves surrounded by German forces. For the next six days, suffering heavy losses, the men of the Lost Battalion and the American units desperate to relieve them would fight an intense battle in the Argonne Forest.

Support the show

On October 20, 1952, Marcel Bigeard asked 4 French Non-ommissioned Officers and 80 local tribesmen to embark on a suicidal task --- Defend against the entire Vietnamese 312th Division and give Bigeard's 6th Colonial Parachute Battalion enough time to escape. This is their story. 

Support the show