Will Dabbs

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Mark James Robert Essex and the Second Battle of New Orleans

Mark James Robert Essex and the Second Battle of New Orleans

The seething racial vitriol that drove Mark James Robert Essex to blast the holy crap out of downtown New Orleans continues to drive headlines today. Within this sordid tale, however, there resides any number of legitimate tactical lessons. Law Enforcement tactics nationwide evolved markedly as a result.

Who Dares Wins: 22 SAS and the Pebble Island Raid

Who Dares Wins: 22 SAS and the Pebble Island Raid

8,000 miles South of the UK and 400 miles east of Argentina lie the Falklands Islands. The UK has held possession of the Falklands since 1833, and the islands are liberally populated with British subjects, some three thousand or so by 2006.

The Alpha Nazi: The Killer of Tanks

The Alpha Nazi: The Killer of Tanks

Hans-Ulrich Rudel was the most highly decorated German soldier of World War 2. He remained an unrepentant Nazi to his death.

Miracle at Mirbat: When an SAS Operator Singlehandedly Held Off an Army with a Howitzer

Miracle at Mirbat: When an SAS Operator Singlehandedly Held Off an Army with a Howitzer

Labalaba spent his childhood on an island and craved adventure. He initially enlisted with the Royal Ulster Rifles and also served with the Royal Irish Rangers. He was a stone-cold warrior.

The 11-Year-Old Grizzly Slayer: Elliot Clark and his Remington 870

The 11-Year-Old Grizzly Slayer: Elliot Clark and his Remington 870

When an Alaskan youth named Elliot Clark faced one of these enormous beasts intent on eating him and his family, this young stud stood his ground, lifted his Remington 870 20-gauge, and put the monster down.

The British SAS & Operation Trent: The Real Freaking Deal

The British SAS & Operation Trent: The Real Freaking Deal

A HALO parachute jump into a hostile combat zone is a staple of modern spy movies. Because of the resources required and the inherent risk involved such stuff is vanishingly rare in real life. In November of 2001, however, a recon patrol from G Squadron of the British 22 SAS did just that.

LCPL Amarjit Pun and the Sterling Submachine Gun

LCPL Amarjit Pun and the Sterling Submachine Gun

When the incoming fire seemed overwhelming and his comrades were falling LCPL Amarjit Pun unlimbered his Sterling submachine gun and won the day. Sometimes big things do indeed come in small packages.

Operation Canned Goods: The Spark That Lit the Fire

Operation Canned Goods: The Spark That Lit the Fire

Alfred Naujocks was the guy who started World War 2 with Operation Canned Goods.

The Battle of Graveney Marsh: The Last Ground Combat Fought on British Soil

The Battle of Graveney Marsh: The Last Ground Combat Fought on British Soil

WW2 was such a horrible, curious thing. These Germans flew to the English homeland dropping high explosives and ended up in a brief firefight with the Tommies responding to the crash site. When the dust settled the Brits gave the Germans beer in return for souvenirs. War is undeniably strange indeed.

A Young American Goes to War: The M1 Rifle

A Young American Goes to War: The M1 Rifle

The man survived the Longest Day to advance with the Allied vanguard. A product of the Mississippi backwoods and a survivor of the Great Depression, this tough teenager found that he had a knack for soldiering.