Category: Warfare

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Military vs Kindness

In 2024, global military spending reached a record $2.7 trillion.

At the same time, it is estimated that world hunger could be eliminated for $325 billion. That’s approximately twelve percent of the amount spent on the business of suffering and death.

Ending world hunger would only be $108 billion, roughly 4% of military spending.

By simply advocating for peace, you could be instrumental in replacing bombs with food and comfort, with plenty left over for high-quality free health care for everyone on earth.

Then, if you still believe we need weaponry, there’s more than a trillion dollars left over for that.

The choice is yours. Do we really need to rattle our weapons at each other at all costs?

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Volkswagen and Hitler

See also: 10 Surprising Facts About Volkswagens.

People often wonder how Hitler, with all his horrible ideas and rough manners could become so popular a leader. A great deal of Hitler’s appeal to the masses was that he decided to control the automobile industry. He promised them Volkswagens, cars that every family could afford at a time when there was only one car for every 211 people in Germany. (In America at that time, there was one car for every 5.7 people.)

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Huge Army Tank

During World War II, Hitler commissioned Ferdinand Porsche, designer of the Volkswagen and many other cars, to design the biggest, heaviest tank possible. The thing was watertight so it could traverse water. It could cross a river, not by floating, but by crawling across the floor of the river. The problem with this tank is that it was so heavy it literally demolished the streets and foundations of nearby buildings as it passed, due to its weight and vibration.

Ferdinand Porsche, designer of huge German army tanks
Ferdinand Porsche,
public domain via Wikimedia Commons
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United States Secret Service Agency

History & Origins

The Secret Service was originally established in 1865, the same year that the slaves were freed, to suppress widespread counterfeiting after the Civil War — nearly one-third of U.S. currency was fake at the time.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation to create the Secret Service just hours before his assassination.

The agency didn’t formally start protecting U.S. presidents until after President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901. In Buffalo, New York, he was shot twice in the abdomen. It didn’t kill him right away. He became sick from infection, languishing in a hospital for 8 days before his death. If only he had been shot 27 years later, penicillin might have saved him.

Presidential Protection

Theodore Roosevelt was the first full-time protectee of the Secret Service.

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Presidents, First Ladies, and other VIPs have code names assigned by the Secret Service. For example, Ronald Reagan was “Rawhide” and Barack Obama was “Renegade.”

Presidential candidates only receive Secret Service protection starting 120 days before the general election.

After the age of 16, children of sitting presidents no longer receive Secret Service protection.

Operations & Duties

The Secret Service has two major, different functions. It is responsible for both protection (presidents, dignitaries, etc.) and investigation (financial crimes, cyber threats, etc.).

The agency has agents stationed in over 20 countries.

The Secret Service investigates financial cybercrimes, like credit card fraud and identity theft.

The agency has canine units, employing highly trained dogs, particularly for explosives detection.

Training & Equipment

Agents undergo seven months of intensive training at the Secret Service training center in Maryland.

Just like CIA agents, Secret Service agents are trained in high-performance driving maneuvers to evade potential threats.

Agents often have emergency medical training to stabilize protectees in crisis situations.

Interesting Incidents

In 1902, just a year after the agency was created, agents stopped an assassination attempt against Theodore Roosevelt.

In 1981, Agent Timothy McCarthy took a bullet for President Reagan during an assassination attempt.

The Secret Service guards the nuclear football, the briefcase containing nuclear launch codes, at all times.

Technology & Gear

Some agents wear specially designed suits resistant to gunfire.

The presidential vehicle, often called “The Beast,” is heavily armored and equipped with oxygen supplies and blood bags matching the president’s blood type.

Agents use encrypted communication systems to stay connected during missions.

Cultural Impact

The Secret Service has been featured in films like In the Line of Fire, Olympus Has Fallen, and The Sentinel.

Besides plainclothes agents, there’s also a Uniformed Division for guarding major sites like the White House.

Unique Protocols

The agency often runs decoy convoys to confuse potential attackers.

Air Force One’s security is heavily coordinated by the Secret Service.

Agents may discourage presidents from excessive handshaking in crowded areas to minimize risks.

Uncommon Facts

Agents use code words like “Tripwire” (potential threat) and “Hammerdown” (mission success) as nicknames for threats.

They actively protect the U.S. financial infrastructure from counterfeit threats.

The Secret Service occasionally partners with the U.S. Marine Corps for rapid-response teams.

The agency frequently conducts covert surveillance missions.

Since 2013, all former U.S. presidents receive lifetime Secret Service protection.

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Ukraine, What AI Has to Say

I asked AI, “Please tell me 30 unusual or unexpected facts about Ukraine.” Here is the response. You may wont to double-check facts. Some of this may not be true.

Sure thing! Here are 30 unusual and unexpected facts about Ukraine:

Ukraine is the largest country entirely within Europe, with a total area of 603,550 square kilometers

The capital city, Kyiv, is home to the world’s deepest metro station, Arsenalna, which is 346 feet underground

Ukrainians wear their wedding rings on the right hand, not the left

The national dish of Ukraine is borscht, a beet soup

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Ukraine is the world’s largest producer of sunflower seeds and sunflower oil

The Ukrainian flag’s colors, blue and yellow, represent clear skies and fertile fields, respectively

The Trembita, the world’s longest musical instrument, originates from Ukraine

Ukrainians celebrate Ivana Kupala Day, a traditional festival where couples jump over bonfires to test their love

The city of Lviv has over 2,500 architectural and historical monuments

Ukraine has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The Antonov An-225 Mriya, the world’s largest airplane, was built in Kyiv during the Soviet era

Ukrainians have a tradition of making Pysanky, intricately decorated Easter eggs

The word “Ukraine” means “borderland” in old Slavic

Ukraine is known as the “breadbasket of Europe” due to its fertile land

The city of Odesa is famous for its funicular railway, which connects the port to the city’s upper part

Ukraine has a rich tradition of folk music and dance, with many regional variations.

The Asgarda are a group of Ukrainian women who train in martial arts in the Carpathian Mountains

Ukraine has a strong tradition of weaving and embroidery, with the Vyshyvanka being the national costume

The Yalta Conference, a significant World War II meeting between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin, was held in Crimea, Ukraine

Ukraine has a rich literary tradition, with famous writers like Taras Shevchenko and Ivan Franko.

The city of Lviv is home to 1,500 cafes, the most per capita of any city in the world

Ukraine has a tradition of making salo, cured pig fat, which is often served with garlic and onions

The Ukrainian national drink is horilka, a strong alcoholic beverage often served with chili pepper

Ukraine has a strong tradition of Christmas caroling, with groups of singers known as Koliadnyky

The city of Kyiv boasts up to three official witch gathering places called Lysa Hora (Bold Mountain)

Ukraine has a rich tradition of puppetry, with the famous puppet theater in Kyiv

Ukraine has a strong tradition of martial arts, with many schools and training centers across the country.

The Ukrainian language uses the Cyrillic alphabet, which has 33 letters

Ukraine has a strong tradition of environmental activism, with many groups working to protect the country’s natural resources.

Ukraine has a rich tradition of folk art, with many artists creating beautiful works inspired by the country’s history and culture.

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Volkswagen

Volkswagen translates to “People’s Car” in German. During WWII, the German Equivalent of the Jeep, a two-wheel drive vehicle with the same air-cooled, 4-cylinder, horizontally-opposed rear engine as all the early beetles and vans was called the Kubelwagen meaning “bucket car.”

The original Volkswagen engines produced 22.5 horsepower. Now, the typical VW engine produces 174 horsepower.

Ferdinand Porsche, inventor of the Porsche cars and many German WWII machines, went to trade school to be trained as a factory foreman. He got the lowest grades in his class.

Ferdinand Porche and Volkswagen, his favorite car

As some of you may know, Ferdinand Porsche designed the Volkswagen Beetle, and he considered it his greatest achievement. He rated the VW higher than his winning race cars because this was a car every family could afford. It was a masterpiece of economical engineering for its time, as is evidenced by the fact that the basic design survived for so many years. Volkswagen still makes a version of it today, although it is quite different under the hood. In fact, the engine is no longer under the same hood. It used to be in the back of the car. Now it is in the front.

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People often wonder how Adolf Hitler, with all his horrible ideas and rough manners could become so popular a leader. A great deal of Hitler’s appeal to the masses was that he decided to control the automobile industry. He promised them Volkswagens, cars that every family could afford at a time when there was only one car for every 211 people in Germany. (In America at that time, there was one car for every 5.7 people.)

After World War II, Henry Ford was offered the Volkswagen factory for free by the English government, then in charge of Germany’s industries. They were looking for someone who could operate the plant, thereby creating hundreds of jobs. Ernest Breech, Ford’s chairman of the board looked the plant over and said, “Mr. Ford, I don’t think what we are being offered here is worth a damn!”

Henry Ford and the Volkswagen factory

He was right in a way. At that time the factory had not yet ever produced more than a few hand-crafted prototypes and the workers could only make cars when it wasn’t raining, because large areas of the roof were missing.

One of Henry Ford’s famous quotes came from this Volkswagen offer. When Ferdinand Porsche showed him the plans for Volkswagens, and Ford was asked about his concern of competition, he said, “If anyone can build a car better or cheaper than I can, that serves me right.”

Seventeen years later, Volkswagen was producing a car every eight seconds, and Ford could have owned the company.

Around a hundred years, Elon Musk said something similar about electric cars: “If somebody comes and makes a better electric car than Tesla, so much better than ours that we can’t sell our cars and we go bankrupt, I still think that’s a good thing for the world.”

In 2014, Volkswagen sold more than 10 million vehicles, more than any other car company.

The Volkswagen company owns luxury carmaker brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Porsche.

Volkswagen has more than 100 factories scattered throughout the world.

The Apollo 15 lunar rover was built on a Volkswagen beetle chassis.

Volkswagen has been exploring the use of sustainable materials in their cars, including natural fibers and recycled materials, to reduce environmental impact.


1959 VW Camper Van

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US Navy

The U.S. Navy is the largest navy in the world, with over 330,000 active-duty personnel and more than 290 deployable ships.

The U.S. Navy was established on October 13, 1775, making it the oldest navy in the world.

The U.S. Navy’s motto is “Semper Fortis,” which translates to “Always Courageous.”

The Navy’s aircraft carriers are the largest warships in the world, with the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) being the latest and most advanced carrier. It weighs approximately 100,000 tons.

The U.S. Navy operates around 70 submarines, including ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and attack submarines (SSNs).

The Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron is composed of highly skilled aviators who showcase the capabilities of naval aviation at airshows across the United States.

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The Navy SEALs are one of the most elite special operations forces in the world, known for their expertise in unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, and special reconnaissance.

The U.S. Navy played a crucial role in World War II, including major battles such as the Battle of Midway, Battle of Leyte Gulf, and the D-Day invasion.

The Navy’s research and development agency, the Office of Naval Research (ONR), has contributed to significant technological advancements, including the development of radar, GPS, and the Global Positioning System.

The U.S. Navy has its own version of the Marine Corps’ Marine One helicopter, which is used to transport the President of the United States.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is a civilian law enforcement agency that investigates and prevents crimes involving the Navy and Marine Corps.

The U.S. Navy has its own hospital ships, the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy, which provide medical assistance during humanitarian missions and natural disasters.

The Navy’s Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), commonly known as SEAL Team Six, is one of the most secretive and elite units within the Navy SEALs.

The U.S. Navy’s naval aviators and flight officers are trained at the Naval Aviation Schools Command, located in Pensacola, Florida.

The U.S. Navy has a long-standing tradition of crossing the equator, known as the “Shellback Ceremony,” where sailors who have not crossed before undergo initiation rituals.

The U.S. Navy’s submarine force has a tradition called the “Order of the Ditch,” where submariners who have crossed the International Date Line are initiated into a unique brotherhood.

The Navy’s uniform regulations require sailors to have a specific number of buttons visible on their uniforms, depending on their rank.

The U.S. Navy’s fleet is powered by various types of propulsion, including nuclear power for aircraft carriers and submarines, and gas turbines for destroyers and other surface ships.

The Navy operates a fleet of aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems (drones).

The U.S. Navy’s ceremonial band, known as the United States Navy Band, performs at official events, concerts, and ceremonies around the world.

The Navy has its own code of conduct, known as the “Navy’s Core Values,” which include honor, courage, and commitment.

The U.S. Navy’s Naval Reactors program is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of the nuclear propulsion systems used in submarines and aircraft carriers.

The Navy operates its own satellite communications system, known as the Navy’s Fleet Satellite Communications System.

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Women During World War II

Pictured above, Rosie the Riveter, famous ship builder in the Alameda, California shipyard. The Rosie the Riveter campaign encouraged women to take jobs in manufacturing to support the war effort.

Fifteen million Americans joined the armed forces during WWII. One out of every 50 people in the military were women (300,000). Since so many men were participating in the war, many women who stayed home did jobs that had previously been considered men’s work. It was not uncommon to find female welders, garbage collectors, truck drivers, and general laborers during the early 1940s.

Approximately 350,000 American women served in the armed forces during World War II.
Women who served in the military during WWII were initially not given military rank or benefits.

Women were initially barred from combat roles but served in a variety of support roles such as clerks, nurses, and radio operators.

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program was established in 1942 to train women to fly military aircraft for non-combat missions. Over 1,000 women served in the WASP program, flying over 60 million miles during the war.

Women also worked in munitions factories, shipyards, and other industries supporting the war effort.

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Women were also involved in espionage and code-breaking during WWII.

Over 640,000 British women served in the armed forces and in civilian support roles during WWII.

Women in the Soviet Union made up 800,000 of the 2.5 million soldiers who served in combat roles during the war, so approximately one in three Soviet soldiers were women.

Soviet sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko was credited with 309 kills during WWII, making her the most successful female sniper in history.

The Indian National Army formed by Subhas Chandra Bose during WWII had an all-female regiment called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment.

Australian nurses were among the prisoners of war captured by Japanese forces during the war.

Women in France served in various roles, including resistance fighters and members of the French Forces of the Interior.

One of the most famous resistance fighters was Josephine Baker who grew up street performing from a young age in New Orleans. She had a dance style while sometimes singing or playing a trombone that was rather quick and angular. Some say she was the inventor of hip hop. Due to racial discrimination, she moved to France where she became one of the biggest stars in Europe. Josephine liked to perform essentially nude, wearing only a ring of bananas as a skirt, which her audiences loved. Leveraging her social position, she was able to smuggle many German secrets into the hands of French intelligence.

Many women who served in WWII faced discrimination and harassment upon their return to civilian life. It wasn’t until the 1970s that laws were passed to grant them equal rights and recognition for their service.

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Submarines

(If you like explicit bisexual WWII German U-boat stories, you might enjoy: Sexual Submarine Duty)

Table Of Contents

Bushnell’s Turtle

Pioneer

American Diver

The Fish Boat

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Bad Plumbing

Worse Bad Plumbing

HMS Trident’s Strange Guest

USS Scorpion

The K-129

Don’t Let Your Hydrogen Peroxide Leak

“Sexual Submarine Duty,” a memoir involving explicit heterosexual and bisexual activity in a WWII German U-boat.

 

Bushnell’s Turtle

Table of Contents

In the mid 1770’s, During America’s War of Independence with England, David Bushnell, an inventive guy on the American side, created the world’s first attack submarine. Using whiskey barrel technology, he made a watertight, clam shell-shaped vehicle with barely enough room for one man. The thing,  Continue reading Submarines