Overview: The story of a little-known Canadian victory in the Second Boer War.
In the fall of 1899, Britain entered the Second Anglo-Boer War in South Africa confident that its army would make short work of a collection of armed farmers. However, initial confrontations quickly changed attitudes. Following a series of humiliating defeats, Britain quickly sought additional troops. Canada answered the call, and its first contingent consisted of the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR).
Fighting their first battle at Paardeburg Drift from February 18 to 27, 1900, The RCR did Canada proud, serving with distinction and demonstrating endurance and tenacity that rivalled the famous British regulars. This victory came at a cost, though. The RCR suffered 39 killed and 123 wounded, but its accomplishments were impressive. Canadians delivered the first major British triumph, which became the turning point of the conflict. The victory also awakened patriotism and national identity at home and earned Canada recognition as a sovereign power.
Overview: The savage struggle to take control of the North American wilderness during the epic Seven Years' War (1756–1763) between France and England is a gripping tale. As the two European powers battled each other for global economic, political and military supremacy in what some have called the first world war, the brutal conflict took on a unique North American character, particularly in the role Native allies played on both sides. Formal European tactics and military protocols were out of place in the harsh, unforgiving forests of the New World. Cavalry, mass infantry columns, and volley fire proved less effective in the heavily wooded terrain of North America than it did in Europe. What mattered in the colonial hinterland of New France and the British American colonies was an ability to navigate, travel, and survive in the uncharted wilderness. Equally important was the capacity to strike at the enemy with surprise, speed, and violence. After all, the reward for victory was substantial mastery of North America.
Overview: The unimaginable particulars of the daring, near-disastrous first Allied airborne commando raid.
Audacious to the acute, Operation Colossus was a raid within the early, darkish days of the Second World Warfare, when Britain stood seemingly alone. After the nation's defeats in western Europe in 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill insisted on an aggressive raiding marketing campaign. Performed on February 10, 1941, Operation Colossus was one such raid, meant to steal again the initiative and create as a lot chaos for the Axis powers as doable.
Nonetheless, dangerous luck stalked the mission, as one mishap after one other appeared to foredoom the operation. Within the aftermath, there have been recriminations in addition to accolades. Few army operations have confirmed as controversial.