IDF AIR CORPS PREPS FOR IRAN

From IDF Operator DOUBLETAPPER

The IDF Air Corps (IAF) is upgrading its F-15 and F-15I (the latter being an F-15 designed specifically for Israel) fighter jets for use in long-distance operations.

Anyone thinking Iran?

According to IDF journal BaMachaneh, the F-15I model is currently being fitted with two new systems – one called “Barad Pelada” (“Steel Hail”), and another named Lightning.

The Barad Pelada advanced weapons system has been operational in the IAF’s F-16s for almost four years, but had to be modified in order to fit the F-15.

Barad Pelada is an advanced Israeli armament that operates like a smart bomb. “The system is unique in that it is able to plan the bombing in an accurate way by identifying the target from above,” a knowledgeable source in the IAF explained. “After the identification, the system carries out guidance to the target and only then is impact made.”

The Lightning advanced attack system has also been in use in the IAF’s other jets. Until now, the F-15I jets had to rely on the older Inbar system, which used to be fitted in all of the IAF’s jets but was gradually phased out.

The Inbar system is capable of providing an operational solution in some ranges, but other attack scenarios require advanced systems like the Lightning, IAF sources said. “The need for the new system led to an accelerated procedure of development of advanced means,” a source in the IAF’s Weapons Department explained. “Once the testing at the Flight Experiment Center is finished, we will complete the system’s integration in the aircraft.”

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

When did the Ark of the Covenant disappear? This article proposes that, based on scripture, the Ark is not present in the Final Temple after Messiah comes.

Possible locations of the Ark.

The Ark of the Covenant last seen in scripture:

The last mention of the Ark in the Hebrew Bible is in the Book of Kings, written around 600 - 575 BC, although there were doubtless earlier source documents that are no longer known. It specifies that there was nothing in the Ark except the tablets. The Ark itself vanished during the Babylonian Conquest, around 587 BC. So the writers of the Book of Kings overlapped with the time when the Ark was in the (First) Temple. There is no mention of an Ark in the Second Temple, and it is generally agreed that there wasn't one.

- posted by Valeria, Special Correspondent to STORMBRINGER on Bible Prophecy and Temple issues.

AMERICAN DESERTER IN GERMANY

Meet Andre Shepherd, American Deserter:


He has chosen to live the good life in Europe, via a legal loophole, while better men and women than him stand by their obligations.

This worthless piece of human debris apparently brainwashed himself, seduced members of the German punk rock / anti-war movement.

These are your friends, Andre Shepherd. You have thrown in your lot with them.

I lived in Germany and observed this crowd - they are the same long-haired, maggot-infested bunch one finds in any country of the Free World; Che T-shirts, Arab keffiya's, etcetera. Nothing original about them, never had an original thought in their lives; they glorify totalitarian dictators like Fidel Castro and terrorist scum like Yasser Arafat. In 2003 they marched in support of Saddam Hussein - the guy who operated a national level torture machine that included rape rooms, people fed into wood chippers and acid showers.

The deserter Andre Shepherd is currently supported by Ulli Thiel, a 65-year-old peace activist in Karlsruhe. Mr. Thiel and his wife set up a bank account in the soldier's name, and they deposit about $262 a month so he has spending money. Mr. Shepherd says he hopes to finish his university degree in Karlsruhe if he wins asylum and that he could happily spend the rest of his life in Germany. "It's just amazing here," he said one morning recently in Mr. Thiel's living room as his German host poured him a cup of coffee.

The United States has had traitors and deserters in every war we have been in - Andre Shepherd is the latest to don the Yellow Badge of Cowardice.

FOOTPRINT OF THE AMERICAN CHICKEN

Situation Update: German immigration authorities heard Mr Shepherd's case, and are currently examining his eligibility for asylum. A decision should be reached within the next few months. If asylum is knocked back, Mr Shepherd will appeal to the courts, a process which could take up to five years.

In the meantime, Mr Shepherd can legally stay in Germany, but cannot return to the United States. The decision to desert was not an easy one, Mr Shepherd says. "Your home country will always think you are a traitor, whether you were justified or not," he explained.

YOU THINK?

There is no honor in what you do, Andre Shepherd. You enlisted in the middle of two wars and THEN you decided what you are doing is wrong? Let me tell you what you did: you turned your back on your country and your comrades in time of war. For the rest of your life, every morning as you look in the mirror, a little voice will be going in the back of your throat as you try to convince yourself that what you did was OK . . .

Every day, for the rest of your miserable life, you will have to justify your actions to yourself, to your friends and family, and to your children and grandchildren when they ask, "Daddy, what did you do in the big Iraq War?"

"WAR IS AN UGLY THING, BUT IT IS NOT THE UGLIEST OF THINGS. THE DECAYED AND DEGRADED STATE OF MORAL AND PATRIOTIC FEELING WHICH THINKS THAT NOTHING IS WORTH WAR IS MUCH WORSE. THE PERSON WHO HAS NOTHING FOR WHICH HE IS WILLING TO FIGHT, NOTHING WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HIS OWN PERSONAL SAFETY, IS A MISERABLE CREATURE AND HAS NOT CHANCE OF BEING FREE UNLESS MADE AND KEPT SO BY THE EXERTIONS OF BETTER MEN THAN HIMSELF." - John Stewart Mill

STORMBRINGER SENDS

Inspired by my June 25 post re The Battle of The Greasy Grass, I just completed an analysis of the Little Bighorn Campaign (May - June 1876), more popularly known as (or perhaps a sub-campaign of) the Centennial Campaign (March - September 1876).

The most heavily-analyzed engagement in US military history proved too much for the confines of a single blogpost. After nine pages of exhaustive analysis - done in military brief OPORD format - I have barely scratched the surface of my subject. My intent at this time is to save this material for NEXT year's anniversary of The Greasy Grass, and present it in less than 500 words, with hyperlinks to provide referenced material.

There is a TON of information on the web regarding this portion of American history - perhaps you've heard of Custer taking of a Cheyenne woman as a second wife? Monaseetah was the daughter of Black Kettle, whom Custer killed eight years earlier at the Battle of Washita River.

Multiple sources maintain Monaseetah bore Custer a son, and that both were present at the Greasy Grass the day he was slain, alongside 196 of his men. It is even quite possible she went up after the battle, and encountered his corpse on the battlefield. These are some of the incredible nuances of this fascinating story.

I will return to regular posting tomorrow, or as soon as I can come up with something suitable. STORMBRINGER is a team effort, of course, and at this time I'd like to encourage readers to communicate suggestions & critique directly via email: linnane_sean@yahoo.com

tanushree dutta

tanushree dutta

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra

Rani Mukherjee's Sardar look revealed

Yash Raj Films’ next release, DIL BOLE HADIPPA, is a romantic comedy set in Punjab which brings together for the first time Rani Mukherjee and Shahid Kapoor. It is the story of a girl who has to become a man to fulfil her dreams.

The first look of DIL BOLE HADIPPA is now out! The movie has Rani Mukherjee in a completely new look as the latest sardar in town.

The versatile Rani, having played several demanding roles over the years, now takes on the challenging role of a sardar who, though from a small village, dreams in 70mm in this full-on musical romantic comedy entertainer based in Punjab. Mike Stringer, who was responsible for all the disguises in DHOOM 2, was specially flown in from London to design her look for the film. The costumes have been designed by Manish Malhotra.

The film, directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Aditya Chopra, stars Shahid Kapoor, Rani Mukherjee, Anupam Kher along with Rakhi Sawant & Sherlyn Chopra and others and is slated to release worldwide on 18th Sept 2009.

Catch the theatrical trailer when you go to see NEW YORK which releases in theatres tomorrow.


courtesy : Bollywoodmantra.com

Ravi Kishan to select Rakhi's life partner

We all know that Rakhi Sawant loves to give surprises but this time it was her turn to be surprised.. Bhojpuri Superstar Ravi Kishan who is like Rakhi’s elder brother gave her a surprise by making a special appearance on NDTV Imagine’s most awaited Rakhi Ka Swayamvar. He took the responsibility to make sure that his sister is considering the right people and for the genuine purpose of getting married. Ravi was at his best, throwing questions at all 16… from the amount of money they make, their parent’s reaction to their decision of taking part in Rakhi’s swayamvar to the very personal kind such as details about their virginity. Ravi’s intimidating questions brought out the true faces of each contestant.

On Ravi’s presence on the show, Rakhi said, “I have always considered Ravi as my elder brother. I am very happy that he took out time from his busy schedule to meet the prospective grooms. As any elder brother would, he grilled and questioned each and everyone of them to find out who is best suited for me“.

To watch Ravi Kishen in action tune into NDTV Imagine’s Rakhi Ka Swayamvar from June 29th at 9:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.


courtesy : Bollywoodmantra.com

Salman makes Mallika to roll chapatti

The coming episode of ‘Dus Ka Dum’ is going to be full of fun as two Haryanvis will spice up the show will jokes and enjoyment. They are two different personalities, one from the film arena and the other from the sports. One is hot while the other is handsome, both are contrasting but hailed from the same city and live an hour away from each other back home. They are Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and boxing champ Vijender Singh. Salman had a great fun playing with the two. To everyone’s surprise, he made Mallika to roll chapatti.

When Mallika Sherawat revealed that she is taking cooking classes and can cook meal for both the men, Salman immediately asked for the belan (rolling pin) and some dough and then began the struggle to make the chapatti full circle. Mallika to some extent able to end up perfectly but Salman’s chapatti was to be seen when Vijender put his hand on Salman’s chapatti and ended up with a mess.

On a lighter note, when Vijender was asked whether he is engaged or not, he replied that he is booked. While Mallika confessed that her door is still open as she is strictly single and so is Salman. Sallu miya immediately responded to her statement and said ‘No’.

The episode with Mallika, Vijender and host Salman is full of masti. So don’t forget to tune in Sony Entertainment TV.


courtesy : Bollywoodmantra.com

Aamir, Kareena shop at Connaught Place

Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor are on a shopping spree together. In true sense they are not shopping anything but shooting a scene, they were spotted at the Connaught Place shown marketing for a scene for Raju Hirani’s ‘3 Idiots’,

It’s obvious that when two famous celebrities like Kareena and Aamir are out in the public place there would be immense gathering. The set up and equipments were placed up at 6.30 pm and the artists arrived at around 8. It was already so late and when Bebo found that the area was jam-packed, she was bit angry.

More than 15 policemen surrounded the place and the stores were covered with black curtains. Kareena was dressed in kurta and salwar with broad specs and straight hair and Aamir in pink t-shirts and jeans.



courtesy : Bollywoodmantra.com

aishwarya ray

Anil Kapoor blasts Akshaye Khanna over phone

Akshaye Khanna and Arshad Warsi enmity is affecting Anil Kapoor’s home production Shortkut-The Con Is On as Akshaye is not promoting the film along with other team members to avoid Arshad. Miffed Anil called Akshaye and blast him over phone, reminding him of the clause.

“Akshaye is hardly around to promote Shortkut -- The Con Is On, which is Anil's home production. Apparently, Akshaye had a difference of opinion with Arshad (Warsi) and he was not attending any promotional event which Arshad was attending. His standard excuse was that he was feeling unwell. After two occasions, we had to bring this to Anil's notice and he was obviously miffed," says a member of the production team.

Anil who is in LA is constantly keeping in touch with his actors guiding them how to promote the film in a better way. "I am in touch with all my artistes on a regular basis and I keep guiding and advising the entire team as this is for the time that I am not around during the release of the production," says Kapoor.



courtesy : Bollywoodmantra.com

Sallu angry over Kat-John bed scene

The song ‘Mere Sang’ of ‘New York’ might hit the chartbuster but one man who is boiling in anger to see Katrina Kaif going cozy with his enemy John Abraham is Salman Khan. He did not want Katrina to do such a bold scene with anyone and especially with his enemy, John.

The promo that’s showing Katrina going too intimate with John on bed has not gone well with Salman and it hopes to bitter their relationship further which was always in news for shakiness. The song is compared to Katrina’s debut film ‘Boom’ which has shown Kat nothing more than a sex symbol.

A big question mark appears whether Salman Khan would accompany Katrina to the ‘New York’ premiere or skip it.



courtesy : Bollywoodmantra.com

Jaya stands for bahu Ash

Both were superb in their role. But the best actress award should go to any one and Priyanka Chopra was lucky to bag the best actress IIFA award beating Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who was also in the nomination for ‘Jodhaa Akbar’. The announcement came as a surprise for filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker who was expecting Ash to be awarded. In his speech, he compared Priyanka with Aishwarya and at the same time expressed his shock for not awarding Ash. He even dragged Jaya Bachchan’s name to the drama and said that she also thinks the same.

One section of the industry felt that Ashutosh was wrong in dragging Jayaji’s name to the episode while Jaya Bachchan felt Ashutosh was correct. She said, “First of all it is being presumed that Ashutosh unnecessarily mentioned my name regarding Aishwarya’s omission from the awards. The fact is, I suggested he bring up the question on stage at IIFA. We were discussing why Aishwarya has not been given any award for Jodhaa-Akbar and I suggested Ashutosh bring up the matter. So when he mentioned my name he wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

Aishwarya’s omission from the award disheartened Jaya as she feels her bahu has lived her part well and looked very similar to the royal Rajasthani queen in her body language.



courtesy : Bollywoodmantra.com

Saif undergoes botox treatment

“Love Aaj Kal’ has different shades of Saif’s character. It’s a young love story and so he has to look young and handsome like college going guys. Saif Ali Khan was feeling the pressure to look young and handsome opposite Deepika Padukone at the age of 38. It was at the moment he has decided to go for botox treatment to look younger.

He has undergone the artificial face lifting treatment in London, removing his wrinkles, spots and dark lines. A close source to the actor revealed, "Saif was wearing shades to a lot of events just after he got the job done. This was to hide the telltale signs. Now that the after-effects have worn out, he steps out in day light without the shades."

There are many celebrities who have undergone the treatment to look young and Saif now added to the list. If we look at the promo then surely we will feel the difference in Saif's looks.

Bebo might feel happy to see the young Saif.



courtesy : Bollywoodmantra.com

ROGERs RANGERS

Part of an ongoing series of posts about the history of US Army Special Forces to include more than 200 years of unconventional warfare history; "Swamp Fox" Francis Marion, the Confederate partisan cavalry raiders of Colonel Mosby and Colonel John Morgan, the WWII OSS Jedburgh Teams, OSS Detachment 101 in Burma, the Alamo Scouts, and the 8240th Partisan Infantry in the Korean War. Since 1952, Special Forces have served in Vietnam, El Salvador, Panama, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, and in the current conflict in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.

Special Forces traces its lineage back to before the Revolutionary War. Rogers' Rangers was an independent militia company of Rangers attached to the British Army during the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War. The unit was informally trained by Major Robert Rogers as a rapidly deployable light infantry force tasked with reconnaissance and conducting operations against distant targets.

Rogers' Rangers operated primarily in the Lake George and Lake Champlain regions of New York. The unit was formed during the severe winter of 1755 by provincial forces entrenched at Fort William Henry. The Rangers frequently undertook winter raids against French towns and military emplacements, traveling on crude snowshoes and across frozen rivers.

Their military tactics were so bold and effective that the unit became the chief scouting unit of British Crown forces in the late 1750s. Rogers' Rangers were one of the few non-Indian forces able to operate in the inhospitable region due to the harsh winter conditions and mountainous terrain.

Never fully respected by the British regulars, the Rangers were nonetheless highly valued for gathering intelligence about the enemy. Ironically, several members of Rogers' Rangers became influential leaders in the American Revolutionary War and a large number of ex-Rangers were present as patriot militiamen at the Battle of Concord Bridge.

After the events at Lexington and Concord,, Robert Rogers offered his help to the commander of the Colonial Army, George Washington. Washington refused, fearing that Rogers was a spy because Rogers had just returned from a long stay in England. Rogers was infuriated by this and did indeed join the British—forming the Queen's Rangers (1776) and later the King's Rangers.

Also claiming descent from Rogers' Rangers is the U.S. Army Rangers.

UPDATE AFGHANISTAN: GEN STANLEY McCHRYSTAL

STORMBRINGER already alerted on how General McChrystal’s politically correct instincts resulted in the Pat Tillman Silver star fiasco.

So what’s the deal with McChrystal’s initial command guidance to US and NATO forces in Afghanistan?

NEW US BATTLE RULE: NO FIGHTING NEAR AFGHAN HOMES

The top U.S. general in Afghanistan will soon formally order U.S. and NATO forces to break away from fights with militants hiding in Afghan houses so the battles do not kill civilians, a U.S. official said Monday . . .
. . . McChrystal will issue orders within days saying troops may attack insurgents hiding in Afghan houses if the U.S. or NATO forces are in imminent danger and must return fire, said U.S. military spokesman Rear Adm. Greg Smith.
"But if there is a compound they're taking fire from and they can remove themselves from the area safely, without any undue danger to the forces, then that's the option they should take," Smith said. "Because in these compounds we know there are often civilians kept captive by the Taliban."

General Stanley McChrystal has just broken a combination of Rules No 2 and No 3 of Sean Linnane’s 3 Rules of Leadership:

#1 Never Lie to the Troops

#2 Never tell a man to do anything you’re not willing to do yourself.

#3 Never Give an Order you know won’t be obeyed.

McChrystal's command guidance forces combat commanders and NCOs to modify their behavior, to seek loopholes – in military planning terms, this General Officer guidance is known as an artificial constraint.

General McChrystal's order basically outlines tactical guidance for the enemy: if you were the Taliban, where would you initiate all contact from now on?

This order will cause our forces to hesitate under fire, and in combat hesitation is fatal.

Essentially, we've just instituted the same self-imposed "no-fire" zones that assisted our Communist enemies in Vietnam.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who took command of international forces in Afghanistan this month, has said his measure of effectiveness will be the "number of Afghans shielded from violence," and not the number of militants killed.

I agree with one aspect of this sentence: in war, body count math is not a measure of victory.

WHAT CHANGED?

Twenty years ago this month Chinese citizens were mowed down, run over by tanks, for the crime of peacefully assembling in public and speaking out for freedom in their country.


This same incredible year – 1989 - saw the collapse of a number of Communist governments around the world.

I was working with the British Army in Hong Kong at the time: I and my counterparts all agreed it was nothing short of miraculous. We were soldiers of the Cold War era; none of us ever expected to see the Berlin Wall come down without a shot being fired.

But come down it did – and the weapons that brought it down were not bombs or bullets but rather words and ideas –– spoken by brave men and women across a generation.

John F. Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech, given June 26, 1963 in the Rudolph Wilde Platz near the Berlin Wall:


“There are many people in the world who really don't understand, or say they don't, what is the great issue between the free world and the Communist world. Let them come to Berlin. There are some who say that communism is the wave of the future. Let them come to Berlin. And there are some who say in Europe and elsewhere we can work with the Communists. Let them come to Berlin. And there are even a few who say that it is true that communism is an evil system, but it permits us to make economic progress. Lass' sie nach Berlin kommen. Let them come to Berlin.”

And of course, Ronald Reagan’s famous words, given in Berlin, June12, 1987:


“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Fast forward to the present. Untold thousands of Iranians seeking freedom for their country are being brutally repressed by a totalitarian regime as evil and insidious as any of the Iron Curtain countries. They are being struck down in the streets with truncheons and tear gas, water cannons and even live ammunition.


Where are the brave words and ideas to embolden this latest generation of freedom fighters?

You are the President of the United States, Mr. Obama. The people of Iran look to you for inspiration, to validate their cause. Now is the golden opportunity to add some real chutzpah to that “Hope and Change” slogan. Say something.

ROGERs RANGERS STANDING ORDERS

Rogers Rangers was an unconventional fighting force stood up in the (then) British Colonies of North America, to fight the French and their Indian allies in the Seven Years War, a.k.a. the French and Indian War. Modern US Special Forces and Ranger units trace their lineage directly to this organization.


Standing Rules of ROGERS' RANGERS

1. DON'T FORGET NOTHIN'.

2. Keep your musket clean as a whistle, hatchet sharp and scoured, sixty rounds powder and ball, and be ready to march at a minute's warning.

3. When you’re on the march, act the way you would if you were sneaking up on a deer. See the enemy first.

4. Tell the truth about what you see and do. There is an army depending on you for correct information. You can lie all you please when you tell other folks about the Rangers, but never lie to another Ranger or to an officer.

5. Don't ever take a chance you don't have to.

6. When we're on the march, we move in single file, staying far enough apart that one shot can't go through two men. This also helps conceal the number of men in our party.

7. If we strike swamps or soft ground, we spread out abreast so it's harder to track us.

8. When we’re on the march, we keep moving until dark to give the enemy the least possible chance at catching up to us.

9. When we make camp, half the party stays awake while the other half sleeps.

10. If we take prisoners, we keep them separated until we have time to examine them, so they can't cook up a story between them.

11. We never return home the same way we went out. We use a different route, so we won't be ambushed. Be extra careful when we get close to home: the enemy may be
lying in wait nearby.

12. Whether we travel in big parties or little ones, each party keeps a scout 20 yards ahead, 20 yards on each flank and 20 yards in the rear, so the main body can't be surprised and wiped out.

13. Every night, you'll be told where to meet if we have to disperse to avoid being surrounded by a superior force.

14. Never sit down to eat, or stop to replenish water supplies, without posting sentries.

15. All hands shall be awake, alert and ready for action before dawn. Dawn's when the French and Indians like to attack.

16. If we find that somebody's trailing us we make a circle, come back on our own tracks, and ambush the folks that aim to ambush us.

17. When we’re on the march, we stay at least a hundred yards away from lakes or rivers, to avoid being trapped against a shoreline.

18. Never cross a river by a known, regular ford. These are prime places for ambush.

19. Don't stand up when the enemy's coming against you. Kneel down, or hide behind a tree or rock.

20. Let the enemy come till he's almost close enough to touch. Then let him have it, jump out and finish him with your hatchet.

To this day, these rules are found in the US Army Ranger Handbook, and are posted on barracks walls of every Infantry unit in the US Army.

IF I WAS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

. . . North Korea wants to fire one of their stoopid bottle rockets at us over the 4th of July weekend? Y-A-W-N . . . no big deal . . . float the US Navy out there and zap it with THIS:



Everybody likes fireworks on Independence Day, after all . . . =D

USAF PARARESCUE JUMPERS

. . . also known as the PJ's. My post-retirement activities involve these guys.

Sean Linnane

THIS IS SCARY

Al Qaeda to attack US from Mexico with Bio weapons
تنسيق-الكليات-لعام سكس نيك كس



U.S. counterterrorism officials have authenticated this video of Kuwaiti dissident and al Qaeda recruiter Abdullah al-Nafisi threatening to smuggle anthrax into the United States via tunnels under the Mexico border.

The video makes clear that al Qaeda is looking to exploit weaknesses in U.S. border security and also is willing to ally itself with white militia groups or other anti-government entities interested in carrying out an attack inside the United States, according to counterterrorism officials interviewed by The Washington Times.

Source this report DoubleTapper.

IF GUNS ARE OUTLAWED . . . CAN WE HAVE SWORDS?

I have not heard until now of these attempts by the government to outlaw singlehand-opening knives.



Domestic politics aren't really our thing here at STORMBRINGER except when it comes to protecting out Constitutional rights . . . particularly our 2nd Amendment rights - that's the Amendment that guarantees all the other Amendments. In any case seeing as this blog is named after a sword in the first place, this seems like an appropriate issue . . .

The government said they don't want debate on this for more than 30 days. Kniferights.org wrote several letters saying we should at least go to 120 days. Whatever happened to the 2nd Amendment, anyway? Aren't knives arms as well? So this is how it starts . . . . . . posted by VA Shepard.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY

A most excellent find! THE TWELVE CAESERs by Suetonius! This classic of Ancient Rome is on the required reading list of all professional soldiers and philosophers. This is a modern translation in English, of course, and now, thanks to the wonderful technology of the Internet, we can challenge ourselves with French or Italian translations, or brush up on the old high school Latin with the original text!



Like Mrs. Mussolini used to say: "Study hard, there will be a test!"

THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO

Today is the 194th anniversary of the great Battle of Waterloo. 25,000 Frenchmen killed or wounded, 7,000 captured, 15,000 missing; 22,000 Englishmen, Dutchmen and Germans killed or wounded; all in the space of an afternoon.

Lord Arthur Wellesley the Duke of Wellington

Several myths and legends surround the Iron Duke; he was English coolness-under-fire, personified. One anecdote has him napping under a tree with a newspaper over his face when his subordinates alerted him to the nearby presence of the Emperor of France, Napoleon himself. "Shall we shoot at him, sir?" The cool-as-a-cucumber-reply, "Certainly not! Generals have far more important things to do than take potshots at each other."

Other notables include Prince William of Orange, future King of the Netherlands. This is back when royalty earned their titles, apparently; Prince William was wounded during the battle.
Prince William of Orange

Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher arrived late in the day. His Prussian Legions tipped the balance of power on the battlefield and decided the issue.
Field Marshall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher

At the height of the battle, the French cavalry charge the British lines:
The British Infantry squares held, of course. Here's how it looked to the oncoming French:

My neighbor in Stuttgart, an elderly gentleman who remembered the French coming to town at the end of World War II, said of Napoleon: "Only Hitler was worse!"

When my youngest daughter was one, we used to joke and call her "Napoleon" because she had a curl like this in the middle of her forehead. She used to sulk just like this, as well.


Waterloo is a tiny village in Belgium, just south of Brussels. I have been there, of course.

Viewing the great panoramic painting of the battle, inside the ancient museum. The panorama was painted by Demoulin at the turn of the century.

Team member VA Shepard once remarked, "Napoleon had his Waterloo, we had Gettysburg. The difference was, after Gettysburg our war still ran on for two more years."
I cannot imagine combat on this scale.