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I'm surprised no one has mentioned Randy Steffen's works. I've found them to be a good reference.

I just finished "Gone for Soldiers". Not a bad read if you are interested in the Mexican War. You'll have to adjust to Jeff Shaara's odd writing style, and the handful of glaring errors in it. For example, William J. Worth was NOT a Texan, as stated in the book. He was born in Hudson, New ...

FYI - "hogging" describes a force on a ship's hull when weight of the bow and stern overload the midships structure. It bends the hull on both ends and "pushes" the center of the ship out of the water. The opposite is called "sagging". Looks like 2 years of Naval Archit...

I have Patton and it is a really good movie, but it is not really all that moving for me, personally. That's why I did not include it in my list. I did not include "Glory" for the same reason. Stephen P. Wuensche Captain, US Army Field Artillery "The guns! Thank God for the guns!"...

Typical. Hollywood types don't really understand what they're doing when they make a war movie. Here's my short list (in no particular order): 1. The first 20 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan". 2. "Blackhawk Down". The whole doggone movie (except Sam Shephard) is good. 3. "Ge...

Maybe I'll take my battery to see it. We did so a few years ago when "Blackhawk Down" was released.

Nothing like a theater full of Soldiers to motivate you...

Stephen P. Wuensche
Captain, US Army
Field Artillery

"The guns! Thank God for the guns!" - Kipling

One reason Cavalry Officer may live longer is that the Infantry life will destroy your body over time. It is a HARD life - one of the reasons I am glad to be Artillery. As for physical condition, riding does require the use of different muscles not normally used in walking or running, and requires d...

Another interesting aspect is to trace the service of some notable figures in WWII history to the Punitive Expedition. Most notably you'll find Patton, and the colorful stories about how he ended up on Pershing's Staff. Stephen P. Wuensche Captain, US Army Field Artillery "The guns! Thank God f...

I've been taking pictures where possible. The building the museum is in is a leftover WWII gymnasium. They were all built to the same pattern and are identical no matter which post you visit. The stables are quite nice, even though they show their age inside. Stephen P. Wuensche Captain, US Army Fie...

I'm at Fort Leavenworth on TDY, and have noticed that several original buildings are intact. One riding hall is now a gymnasium. Several of the original stable buildings now house the Stable Actvity for horse owners assigned to the post.

Stephen P. Wuensche
Captain, US Army
Field Artillery

There are reprints available of the WWII Handbook on Japanese Military Forces. I'm sure others on this site have one, but if not, I'll research the topic. The manual does touch on the equipment and arms of their troopers, to include photos of saddle, saber, and carbine. Interesting to note, though, ...

I don't know where the custom originated, but reversed boots are symbolic of the soldier's last ride, and that he will never ride again.


Stephen P. Wuensche
Captain, US Army
Field Artillery

The tools have changed, the drudgery has not. Ironically, there are still units that refer to their maintenance period as "stables". In well disciplined units, the soldier is the last in order of precedence. Lulls are spent checking equipment, cleaning weapons, pulling overwatch, reporting...