654th Tank Destroyer Battalion

The 654th Tank Destroyer Battalion codename: Highroad was a tank destroyer battalion of the United States Army active during the Second World War. They landed at Omaha Beach on July 11, 1944. The Battalion was activated on 15 December 1941 at Fort Benning, Georgia.
History.
The battalion was activated on 15 December 1941 at Fort Benning. It was sent to England and equipped with the M10 tank destroyer. The 654th landed at Omaha Beach on 11 July 1944 to fight in the Normandy campaign and was sent into combat on the next day near Fallot. In August, it fought near Mortain during Operation Cobra, the Allied breakout from Normandy. It then advanced across France towards Nancy, fighting along the Siegfried Line and crossing the Saar River in early December. After the German counteroffensive in the Battle of the Bulge began, the battalion was deployed to the Ardennes sector on 21 December. In January 1945, after the counterattack was repulsed, the 654th moved back south to the Metz area. It returned to Belgium in February to receive the upgunned M36 tank destroyer. The battalion was sent back into combat in the Western Allied invasion of Germany, fighting in the offensive across the Roer River and crossing the Rhine on 24 March. It advanced into Germany to Tangerhütte, where it remained until assuming military government duties in early May after the German surrender. In Europe, the battalion was attached to the 5th Infantry Division, the 30th Infantry Division, the 35th Infantry Division, and the 75th Infantry Division. Returning to the United States, the battalion was inactivated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, on 13 November 1945.


Wehrmacht Long Service Award

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award () was a military service decoration of Nazi Germany issued for satisfactory completion of a number of years in military service.
History.
On 16 March, 1936, Adolf Hitler ordered the institution of a service award in four classes, each class reflecting the completion of a select number of years of military service.
The award was bestowed by each branch of the Wehrmacht (army, navy, and air force) and was issued for four years service (fourth class – silver medal), 12 years (third class – gold medal), 18 years (second class – silver cross), 25 years (first class – gold cross), and 40 years (special class). The 40 year special class was introduced on 10 March 1939.
Recipients of the higher level awards wore the decoration simultaneously with one lower year award. The manner they were worn was:
The Long Service Award was retroactive throughout a service member's career, encompassing Reichswehr service as well as service dating during and before World War I. As such, there were a handful of 40 year awards presented, even though the Nazi era only lasted 12 years (1933-1945).
The awards were worn on the left chest, immediately before the medals commemorating the annexation of Austria, Sudetenland and Memel.
Design.
The awards were designed by Professor Dr Richard Klein.
Apart from their finish, (gilt or silver), the third and fourth class medals have a common obverse. Both are 30mm in diameter and bear the German eagle clutching a swastika, surrounded by the words "Treue Dienste in der Wehrmacht" (Loyal service in the armed forces). The reverse shows the number of years of service, either '4' or '12', surrounded by a wreath.<br>Likewise, the design of the first and second class crosses are similar. Both bear the German eagle on the obverse center, with the years of service, '18' or '25', on the reverse. The first class is gilt and 38mm wide – the second silver and 35mm. The 40 year award is identical to the first class, with the addition of a gilt oakleaf cluster to the ribbon.
Wehrmacht Long Service Awards were among Nazi era awards reauthorised for wear in 1957, re-designed to remove the now banned swastika symbol.
Ribbons.
The medal used the cornflower blue ribbon of the pre-1918 . The recipient's arm of service was indicated by an emblem on the ribbon: a spread eagle and swastika for the army and Kriegsmarine, and a flying eagle and swastika for the Luftwaffe, the emblem corresponding in color with the metal of the award.
Other long service awards.
The SS maintained their own Long Service Award given in grades of four years, eight years, 12 years, and 25 years. The Nazi Party and German Police had a similar service award. The Nazi Party Long Service Award was given in grades of ten, 15, and 25 years. The Police Long Service Award was given in grades of eight, 18, 25, and 40 years (though the last class was never awarded).


Luther Skaggs Jr.

Luther Skaggs Jr. (March 3, 1923 – April 6, 1976) was a United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on the beachhead on Guam during World War II.
Biography.
Luther Skaggs Jr. was born on March 3, 1923, in Henderson, Kentucky. He entered the Marine Corps on October 6, 1942, and received recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was deployed overseas on March 1, 1943.
Private First Class Skaggs, a squad leader with a weapon section in the 3rd Marine Division, was critically wounded when a Japanese grenade exploded in his foxhole during the night of 21-July 22, 1944 on the Asan-Adelup beachhead on Guam. But instead of calling a corpsman and revealing his outfit's position, he calmly applied a tourniquet to his shattered leg and for eight hours continued to return the enemy's fire with his rifle and hand grenades.
In his Medal of Honor citation, Skaggs is commended for being uncomplaining and calm through this critical period and serving as "a heroic example of courage and fortitude to other wounded men."
When his section leader became a casualty shortly after landing on the beachhead, PFC Skaggs promptly took over and led the section through intense fire for a distance of 200 yards to a strategic position.
It was while defending this vital position that he was wounded, and after fighting throughout the night propped up in his foxhole, he crawled unassisted to the rear where he continued the attack. Only when the Japanese in the area had been annihilated did he seek medical attention. He lost his leg as the result of the wound.
Private First Class Skaggs was referred to as a "tough little guy" by his buddies, who did not know that he had been hit until the battle was over. He was promoted to corporal upon being honorably discharged from active service in the Marine Corps on April 4, 1946.
The Medal of Honor was presented to him by President Harry S. Truman at a White House ceremony on June 15, 1945.
Luther Skaggs Jr. died on April 6, 1976, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Medal of Honor citation.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS LUTHER SKAGGS JR.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Squad Leader with a Mortar Section of Kilo Company in the Third Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on the Asan-Adelup Beachhead, Guam, Marianas Islands, on 21–22 July 1944. When the section leader became a casualty under a heavy mortar barrage shortly after landing, Private First Class Skaggs promptly assumed command and led the section through intense fire for a distance of 200 yards to a position from which to deliver effective coverage of the assault on a strategic cliff. Valiantly defending this vital position against strong enemy counterattacks during the night, Private First Class Skaggs was critically wounded when a Japanese grenade lodged in his foxhole and exploded, shattering the lower part of one leg. Quick to act, he applied an improvised tourniquet and, while propped up in his foxhole, gallantly returned the enemy's fire with his rifle and hand grenades for a period of eight hours, later crawling unassisted to the rear to continue to fight until the Japanese had been annihilated. Uncomplaining and calm throughout this critical period, Private First Class Skaggs served as a heroic example of courage and fortitude to other wounded men and, by his courageous leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, upheld the highest traditions for the United States Naval Service.
/S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT


28th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)

The 28th Armoured Brigade was an armoured brigade formation of the British Army, raised during World War II.
History.
In 1939, it started off as the 2nd Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade. After the Dunkirk evacuation, with the lack of Armoured vehicles, it was converted into the 3rd Motor Machine Gun Brigade on 1 December 1940. As more equipment became available, it was eventually converted into the 28th Armoured Brigade and served in the United Kingdom throughout the war, under the command of the 9th Armoured Division. It was disbanded on 21 August 1944, without having seen active service as a unit. However, its constituent Armoured Regiments would see service in the Northwest Europe Campaign, replacing units disbanded by heavy losses.


Code of Support Foundation

The Code of Support Foundation (COSF) is a U.S. nonprofit organization that provides assistance to military service members, veterans and their families, many of whom face multiple and complex challenges. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, the group offers three types of programs: casework, online networking among other military service organizations, and outreach efforts.
Background.
The COSF was founded in 2011 by Alan Salisbury, a retired Army major general, with the goal of bridging a gap of understanding and engagement between military and civilian communities. Working with retired military and civilian leaders, Salisbury developed the group's “Code of Support,” a set of six commitments all Americans can make to give meaning to the words, “support our troops.” The group works closely with other military service organizations to coordinate complementary support services.
Services.
According to the group's executive director, Kristina Kaufmann, issues such as suicide prevention and mental health are particularly important to military support groups such as COSF. Kaufmann encourages raising awareness among local communities, including schools, to ensure better support for military families. To address these and other challenges, the foundation offers three primary services designed to meet its vision of bridging the gap between military and civilian communities.
Oversight and awards.
The foundation is governed by a fiduciary board of trustees. Additionally, the group relies on a board of advisors who, along with trustees, support the foundation's goals and objectives. The COSF has been recognized by several businesses and the news media for its innovative programs. In May 2016, the group's leaders were selected by [[Ernst & Young|EY]] as mid-Atlantic finalists for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award.
Financial matters.
The Code of Support Foundation states that it is committed to financial transparency, and requires its partner organizations to follow the same policy. COSF has a Gold Level status with [[GuideStar]], and is designated by the IRS as an approved 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
External links.
[[Category:Organizations established in 2011]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in Alexandria, Virginia]]
[[Category:United States military support organizations]]


Krasnodar Trial

The Krasnodar Trial was a war crimes trial held in front of a Soviet military tribunal in July 1943 in Krasnodar, Soviet Union. Defendants included Soviet collaborators with the German military, police, and SS forces responsible for implementing the occupational policies during the German–Soviet War of 1941–45.
Proceedings.
Units of the German Wehrmacht occupied Krasnodar between August 12, 1942, and February 12, 1943. German forces, including the Einsatzgruppen (mobile death squads), killed thousands of Jews, Communists, and others. Shooting, hanging, burning, and gas vans were used.
The tribunal heard the case against 11 defendants, all Soviet collaborators with the German military, police, and SS forces, who were accused in participating in the murder of 7,000 people. Richard Ruoff, commander of the German 17th Army; , head of the local Gestapo; and 13 other SS officials were charged in absentia. The prosecutors emphasized the collective responsibility of the Nazi regime for the crimes, not just the local commanders. The Soviet press gave wide publicity to the trials. Foreign observers considered the trial to be "stage-managed", but did not doubts the severity and extent of the crimes themselves. Eight defendants were sentenced to death and publicly hanged; three were sentenced to prison terms.


Clyde A. Thomason

Sergeant Clyde A. Thomason (May 23, 1914 – August 17, 1942) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism at the cost of his life while leading an assault in the Makin Islands on August 17, 1942. Thomason was the first enlisted Marine to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II.
Early years; first Marine Corps service.
Clyde A. Thomason was born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 23, 1914, and after his graduation from high school there, traveled widely throughout the United States in a "jalopy" with companions. In December 1934, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Savannah, Georgia. Although he was named for his father, at the time of his enlistment he dropped the "A" of his father's name and became known in the Marine Corps simply as Clyde Thomason. This was the name under which he enlisted in 1934 and was the name subsequently used in official Marine Corps records. He later served in the Marine Detachment of the , Flagship of the Asiatic Fleet, and was honorably discharged in 1939 upon the expiration of his enlistment. The day following his discharge, he was retained in the Fleet Marine Force Reserve. When he again became a civilian, he accepted a position with the Albany, Georgia, branch of the Fire Companies Adjustment Bureau, Inc., and Albany became his home in February 1940.
World War II.
Thomason re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in January 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He asked for action, and when Lt. Col. Evans Carlson was organizing his famous Raiders, Thomason volunteered.
Because he was so tall, , and weighed ; he had to ask for a height waiver to get into the Raiders. He received his training in California before going to the Pacific battlefields in April for duty with the 2nd Raider Battalion.
Letters that he wrote to friends in Albany, Georgia during the time of his service in the Pacific show that he wanted to be "where things are happening." He refused to accept assignments which would keep him away from action.
He wrote of his commanding officer, Lt.Col. Carlson, and of Maj. James Roosevelt, second in command. Lt.Col. Carlson thought so highly of Sgt. Thomason that he selected him to lead the advance element against the Japanese garrison at Butaritari. It was there that Sgt. Thomason's gallantry in action earned him the Medal of Honor.
Sgt. Thomason was one of 30 Marines who did not return from the Makin Island raid. In November 1999, researchers discovered a mass grave on Makin Island that contained human remains, equipment, and dog tags belonging to Marine Raiders. Sgt. Thomason's remains were among those identified. His remains were returned to the United States and were interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
Posthumous honors.
The Medal of Honor was conferred posthumously and was presented to his stepmother by Under-Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, at ceremonies in January 1943 in Washington, D.C.
Following his death, the people of Georgia bought a sufficient number of War Bonds to purchase for the Navy a cruiser, the . The bonds were oversubscribed and there was money enough to pay the cost of two destroyer escorts, one of which, DE-203, was named the , launched at the Charleston, SC, Navy Yard in August 1943.
In 1957, in ceremonies at the Marine Corps Supply Center, Albany, Georgia, a new gymnasium building was formally dedicated in Sgt Thomason's name.
In May 1984, a Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Barracks was named for Sgt. Thomason at the Marine Corps Base, Camp Smedley D. Butler, in Okinawa, Japan.
On December 17, 2004, the Sgt. Clyde Thomason Amphibious Skills Training Facility was dedicated on Coronado Island, California.
On August 17, 2001, Sgt Thomason's remains were re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
On February 18, 2009, the Marine Corps League Detachment #1325 named in his honor was formed in Fayette County, Ga.
The MARSOC Critical Skills Operator (CSO) of the Year award presented at the Marine Corps Association and Foundation Ground Awards Dinner on May 5, 2016 was renamed in his honor to the Sergeant Clyde A. Thomason Marine Special Operator of the Year Special Operations Command Award
Medal of Honor citation.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
SERGEANT CLYDE THOMASON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while a member of the Second Marine Raider Battalion in action against the Japanese-held island of Makin on August 17–18, 1942. Landing the advance element of the assault echelon, Sergeant Thomason disposed his men with keen judgment and discrimination and by his exemplary leadership and great personal valor, exhorted them to like fearless efforts. On one occasion, he dauntlessly walked up to a house which concealed an enemy Japanese sniper, forced in the door and shot the man before he could resist. Later in the action, while leading an assault on enemy position, he gallantly gave up his life in the service of his country. His courage and loyal devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Awards and decorations.
Thomason received the following military awards:


Helena order of battle

The following Union and Confederate Army units and commanders fought in the Battle of Helena of the American Civil War on July 4, 1863.
Union.
District of East Arkansas.
MG Benjamin M. Prentiss
Confederate.
District of Arkansas.
LTG Theophilus H. Holmes


Mike Yates

Captain Mike Yates is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series "Doctor Who", played by Richard Franklin. He was adjutant of the British contingent of UNIT, an international organisation that defends the Earth from alien threats.
Character history.
Yates first appeared in the Third Doctor serial "Terror of the Autons", the latest in a line of Captains assisting Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, although the Doctor implies that he was around for previous stories. He proved more durable than his predecessors, appearing semi-regularly in the programme from 1971 to 1974 alongside the Brigadier and Sergeant Benton. Together with the Doctor and his companions, Yates fought off alien invasions, the machinations of the renegade Time Lord known as the Master, rogue computers and mutated maggots.
Little is known of him outside of his time with UNIT. He was cool under fire, efficient, and both gave and carried out his orders with a minimum of fuss. He appeared to have a relatively good rapport with his men, although he did remind Benton on occasion that "rank hath its privileges". The Third Doctor's assistant, Jo Grant, was dressed up to go on a date with Mike at the start of "The Curse of Peladon", only to be taken on a trip in the TARDIS by the Doctor.
Yates's fall from grace started when he was brainwashed by the artificial intelligence BOSS in the 1973 serial "The Green Death". The brush with ecological disaster apparently made Yates very concerned about the future of the planet, and he was easily recruited by Sir Charles Grover into a conspiracy to reverse time and return Earth to a "golden age" ("Invasion of the Dinosaurs"). The conspiracy was thwarted by the Doctor, and in return for his past service to UNIT, the Brigadier allowed Yates to take medical leave and then quietly resign (actor Richard Franklin believes the initial plan for this story was to kill off Yates).
Trying to recover, Yates attended a meditation centre but uncovered strange goings-on, which he reported to Sarah Jane Smith, since he felt that UNIT would find him untrustworthy. Sarah communicated this back to the Doctor, leading into the rest of the events of the Third Doctor's last serial, "Planet of the Spiders".
Richard Franklin returned as an illusory image of Yates in the 20th Anniversary special "The Five Doctors" and reprised the role of Yates in the 1993 charity special "Dimensions in Time".
As one of the more prominent recurring supporting characters in the television series, Yates is often listed as a companion of the Doctor and indeed is listed as such on the official BBC "Doctor Who" website. However, he is not always listed as such - John Nathan-Turner's book "Doctor Who: The Companions," for instance, excludes Yates.
Other appearances.
Mike Yates has appeared in the spin-off novels taking place during his time with UNIT. In the Virgin Missing Adventures novels "The Eye of the Giant" by Christopher Bulis and "The Scales of Injustice" by Gary Russell, Yates began as a sergeant in UNIT together with Benton and was promoted to Captain at the end of "Scales", which took place between the television stories "Inferno" and "Terror of the Autons". The novel implies that he was promoted directly from Sergeant to Captain, which would be unusual if not impossible in most real-world militaries.
In the Past Doctor Adventures novel "The Devil Goblins from Neptune" by Keith Topping and Martin Day it was established that his full name was Michael Alexander Raymond Yates.
In the Past Doctor Adventures novel "Verdigris" by Paul Magrs, Yates is rendered amnesiac and subsequently turned two-dimensional. The Third Doctor later arranges for Yates to be restored to normal.
In Past Doctor Adventures novel "Deep Blue", we discover that Mike had three brothers, and his mum thought that Mike was the most sensitive.
Stories written as in-universe articles in "Doctor Who Magazine Winter Special" 1991, (subtitled "UNIT Exposed") described significant post-UNIT activity for Yates. He had founded an organisation called the Cosmic Earth Society, written a book called "Help From the Stars" which detailed the revelations of past extraterrestrial involvement in human evolution discovered by UNIT at Devil's End, and revealed other UNIT-operations information to a reporter from the "Metropolitan". His claim that the actual cause of central London's evacuation was dinosaurs having been brought forward in time (part of a plan that he admitted to have been involved in and which was, he claimed, the real reason for his discharge from UNIT) dovetailed with "Day of the Dinosaurs", an entry in a series of science fiction novels written by former UNIT associate Sarah Jane Smith, which featured an organization called WIN (World Investigative Network) commanded by General Lutwidge-Douglas. This lead another "Metropolitan" reporter to doubt that Yates was a crackpot as generally believed.
Richard Franklin also wrote an unpublished novel featuring Mike Yates, "The Killing Stone", set after the events of "Spiders". It was released as an audio book, read by Franklin, by BBV in 2002.
In 2009, Franklin reprised the role of Mike Yates for a series of five audio dramas produced by BBC Audio under the umbrella title "Hornets' Nest". The series saw Yates partnered with the Fourth Doctor, played by Tom Baker. He reunited with the Fourth Doctor in the subsequent sequel series, "Demon Quest" and Serpent Crest.


Generaloberstabsarzt

Generaloberstabsarzt and Admiraloberstabsarzt are the top Joint Medical Service OF8-ranks of the German Bundeswehr. The equivalent to this ranks in the Heer is Generalleutnant and in the German Navy the Vizeadmiral.
Bundeswehr.
In accordance with traditions in German armed forces, both ranks might be used in "Bundeswehr medical service". Normally the Bundeswehr "Surgeon General of the medical service" (de: Inspekteur des Sanitätsdienstes), or the "Chief of Medical Operation´s Command" (de: Kommandeur Sanitätsführungskommando) might be assigned. However, in future the Chief position might remain vacant, because the Deputy "Surgeon General" is mandated to command the "Medical Operation´s Command".
Equivalent to that three-star ranks (NATO-Rangcode OF-8) are Generalleutnant (en: Lieutenant general) of the Heer or Luftwaffe, and the Vizeadmiral (en: Vice admiral) of the Marine.
Address.
The manner of formal addressing of military surgeons with the rank Generalarzt (OF-6, one-star rank), Generalstabsarzt (OF-7, two-star rank) or "Generaloberstabsarzt" is, „Herr/Frau Generalarzt“. At the other hand, military surgeons with the rank Admiralarzt (OF-6, one-star rank), Admiralstabsarzt (OF-7, two-star rank) or "Admiraloberstabsarzt" is, „Herr/Frau Admiralarzt“.
Rank insignias.
On the shoulder straps (Heer, Luftwaffe) there are three golden stars in golden oak leaves and the career insignia (de: Laufbahnabzeichen) as symbol of the medical standing, or course of studies. Regarding the Marine, the career insignia is in the middle of both sleeves, three centimeters above the cuff strips, and on the shoulder straps between strips and button.
Wehrmacht.
The General of the branch grade Generaloberstabsarzt was the most senior ranks of the medical service of the German Wehrmacht 1933 to 1945.
Siegfried Handloser was assigned to "Generaloberstabsarzt" of the German Wehrmacht. He was simultaneous "Chief of the Wehrmacht´s Medical Service in Supreme Command of the Wehrmacht" (de: Chef des Wehrmachtsanitätswesens im Oberkommando der Wehrmacht) as to July 28. 1942. Curt Schulze was "Generaloberstabveterinär" of the Wehrmacht.
Comparative ranks.
"Generaloberstabsarzt" of the "Wehrmacht" was comparable to the General of the branch (OF8, tree stars), as well as to the Obergruppenführer and General of the Waffen-SS.
In line to the so-called Reichsbesoldungsordnung (en: Reich's salary order), appendixes to the Salary law of the German Empire (de: Besoldungsgesetz des Deutschen Reiches) of 1927 (changes 1937 – 1940), the comparative ranks were as follows: C 1
Kriegsmarine.
Rank designations of the Kriegsmarine as to Match 30, 1934, are contained in the table below.


Maat (rank)

Maat is a naval rank of the German Navy equivalent to the army/ air force rank of Unteroffizier. It is grouped as OR5 in NATO, equivalent to Petty officer, second class in the US Navy.
However, Maate is also the collective name to all junior NCO-ranks (ranks: Maat, Seekadett, and Obermaat) in the modern day's "German Navy".
In navy context NCOs of this rank were formally addressed as "Herr/ Frau Maat" also informally / short "Maat". The sequence of ranks (top-down approach) in that particular group is as follows:
"Unteroffizier ohne Portepee"
History.
The term is derived from the low German "māt" (comrade). Via the Dutch language, the word became a nautical term and described the assistant to a deck officer. Since the second half of the 17th century "Maate" were the lowest class of non-commissioned officers aboard a warship. In the Prussian Navy and the Kaiserliche Marine "Maate" were "Unteroffiziere ohne Portepee". According to their specialization, "Maate" would be known as e.g. "Steuermannsmaat" (Coxswain's Mate), "Feuerwerksmaat" (Ordnance Mate), "Bootsmannsmaat" (Boatswain's Mate) or "Maschinistenmaat" (Machinist's Mate).
"Maate" were recruited among conscripts who volunteered to serve for a minimum of six years. After approximately four years they could expect to become "Maat". Re-enlistment was common but in most specialities the career options would end with achieving the rank of "Obermaat"; only after 18 years in service was a promotion as supernumary "Vizefeldwebel" possible, and only if there was a billet open. The 1914/15 naval budget included 7857 billets for "Maate" and 5237 for "Obermaate".


Lucas North

Lucas North, formerly known as John Bateman, is a fictional character from the BBC espionage television series "Spooks" (known in the United States as "MI5"), which follows the exploits of Section D, a counter-terrorism division of MI5. North is portrayed by British actor Richard Armitage. The character is introduced in "Spooks" seventh series as the former head of Section D, who was captured and imprisoned during an operation in Russia. He returns to the UK after eight years and is eventually reinstated into MI5. He is described as having once been the best in his field, and he is now trying to regain his former brilliance.
Lucas North is a main character in the seventh, eighth, and ninth series; the ninth series reveals that Lucas "isn't who you think he is." Following the creation of the character by the show's writers, Armitage was chosen early in the casting process, since the producers believed he could carry the mystery of the character. A tentative viewer of "Spooks", he was approached for the role following the completion of the second series of "Robin Hood", in which he portrayed series regular Sir Guy of Gisbourne. After agreeing to appear in "Spooks", Armitage learned how to speak fluent Russian and lost a stone in weight in order to fit the description of his character.
With regard to the show's notorious habit of killing off major characters, Armitage said he had no preference as to Lucas' possible exit. He has performed his own stunts on the series, which have included a waterboarding scene, although the character becomes less physical in the ninth series. The Lucas North character and his portrayal by Armitage met with unanimous praise from cast, crew, and reviewers.
Role in "Spooks".
Character arc.
Born John Bateman, the character later known as Lucas North was raised in rural Cumbria, where his father was a Methodist minister. During his time at Leeds University he lived with Maya Lahan (Laila Rouass). While enrolled at Leeds he visited Dakar, Senegal, where he engaged in shipping cannabis to Hamburg in exchange for money. When he was caught the authorities took the shipment and his money, stranding him in Dakar. To gain enough money to get back to the UK, he worked in a casino. While working there John Bateman was approached by Vaughn Edwards (Iain Glen), who persuaded him to deliver packages for him. One of the packages delivered by Bateman was a bomb that exploded at a British Embassy, killing 17 people. To escape the country Bateman killed a friend of his named Lucas North. North had just made it past the first battery of tests for admission to MI5. Bateman assumed North's identity and left Maya behind. Bateman/North would later suppress these memories, believing that Vaughn was solely responsible for the bombing and for his friend's death. He would later join MI5 in place of the real Lucas North and become head of Section D. He was also once married to Elizabeta Starkova (Paloma Baeza). During an operation in Russia, Lucas North was captured and imprisoned for eight years, during which time he was often subjected to torture.
In the seventh series, Harry Pearce (Peter Firth) is able to secure Lucas' release from prison in exchange for a Russian spy imprisoned in the UK. However, Arkady Kachimov (Stuart Wilson) coerces Lucas to work against MI5, to assist Russia in launching a cyber attack against the UK. In the first episode, Lucas aids section chief Adam Carter (Rupert Penry-Jones) in rescuing a kidnapped soldier and preventing the bombing of a Remembrance Day memorial service; the rescue results in Adam's death. In the second episode, the team begins to suspect Lucas of working for the Russians, but he later reveals that he is actually trying to stop Arkady and the attack; the team succeeds in stopping the attack and apprehends Arkady. Following Adam's death, Lucas is reassigned as Senior Case Officer, and handles Adam's assets. In the third episode, Lucas recalls being tortured and asked for details of "Sugar Horse", a top secret MI5 operation involving the recruitment of Russians who move into top positions in the Russian government. In the penultimate episode, Harry orders Lucas to Moscow to uncover the identity of a Federal Security Service (FSB) mole in MI5 who is sabotaging Sugar Horse and framing Harry. There, Lucas discovers that Connie James (Gemma Jones) is the mole. In the season finale, Section D learns that operation "Tiresias", the Russian equivalent of Sugar Horse, is going to detonate a nuclear bomb in London. Lucas and Ros Myers (Hermione Norris) save Connie from the authorities in order to enlist her help in stopping the attack. After finding the bomb, Connie disarms it, Lucas asks her who sold him out to the Russians and she admits it was her with her final words but she dies in the process as the bomb goes off seconds later.
In the fourth episode of the eighth series, Oleg Darshavin, who had been one of Lucas's interrogators in Russia, approaches him for help in stopping a planned bombing by Sudanese extremists; Lucas takes the case despite Harry's suspicion that he developed Stockholm syndrome during his captivity. Harry's suspicions are solidified when Lucas goes off-piste, but ultimately, Lucas is able to bring Darshavin in and takes him into FSB custody after uncovering his involvement in the plot, while Ros stops the bomb. During the same series, Lucas conducts an affair with CIA liaison Sarah Caufield (Genevieve O'Reilly), who is later revealed to be an operative of "Nightingale", a multinational shadow organisation bent on a New World Order. When he discovers this and confronts Sarah about her involvement, she flees. She returns in the series eight finale, and before she is assassinated, she reveals that Nightingale is attempting to provoke a nuclear war between India and Pakistan. In the end, Lucas and Ros go to a hotel rigged to explode, set up by Nightingale, to save Pakistan President Mudasser and Home Secretary Andrew Lawrence before the building explodes; Lucas rescues Mudasser, who calls off the impending war, but Ros is killed in the explosion before she can get Lawrence to safety.
In the ninth series, Harry reinstates Lucas as chief of Section D; this makes Lucas responsible for the integration of two new team members into the section, Beth Bailey (Sophia Myles) and Dimitri Levendis (Max Brown). Vaughn returns and hands Lucas a briefcase with possessions from his life before MI5, including photographs of him and Maya Lahan. When he visits her, however, she is so shocked at his reappearance and angry over his letting her believe him dead that at first she wants nothing to do with him. Later, Vaughn promises to leave Lucas alone in exchange for an MI5 file on "Albany"; Lucas eventually hands him what he believes is the file. Believing he is free from Vaughn, Lucas persuades Maya to restart their relationship. However, it is revealed the file was not Albany, though it leads to the location of the actual file. Vaughn forces Lucas to find the file, which is in the possession of former Section D member Malcolm Wynn-Jones (Hugh Simon). After convincing Malcolm to give him the file, Lucas hands it over to Vaughn, but it is soon discovered that this file, too, is a fake, and Malcolm has abandoned the house where he and Lucas had met. To force Lucas to continue seeking the file hand Vaughn kidnaps Maya. By this time, Harry Pearce has discovered that Lucas is not who he claims to be. Arrested and questioned, Lucas admits his true identity and his past, but convinces Harry to save Maya. A mortally wounded Vaughn is able to "wake up" Lucas' true persona, who he was before MI5. Believing Harry may not honour the deal they have worked out, Lucas intends to leave the country after getting his hands on the Albany file. The file is revealed to contain directions for building a genetic weapon that Vaughn has agreed to sell to the Chinese. After Lucas acquires the real file from Harry in exchange for team member Ruth Evershed, whom he has kidnapped, Maya is killed while he is trying to escape with her. He delivers the file to the Chinese agents anyway and intends to kill Harry for revenge. During their roof-top confrontation, Lucas learns that Albany is an elaborate deception; the genetic weapon is unworkable. Lucas then forces Harry to turn around, as if he is about to execute him. Instead, Lucas throws himself from the roof, to his death.
Characteristics and relationships.
Lucas North appears to be a person divided between who he was prior to his incarceration and who he has become since. Richard Armitage has described Lucas as "very ambiguous, but quite open with everybody" and "a bit of a double-edged sword, so he's not completely white. He's a bit of a dark horse." He is also described as having "no knowledge of how damaged he is emotionally, until memories start to work their way to the surface." Following his release from prison, glimpses of him adjusting to the outside world—such as a scene in episode two in which Lucas lies on the floor rather than in a bed in order to sleep—reveal to the audience how much he is struggling, though he keeps it hidden from his teammates. Lucas also fights very hard to be accepted and to regain Harry's trust, but he does not always play by the rules. In the series seven finale, Lucas admits to having blamed Harry for his
ordeal. However, in series nine, Lucas also believed he deserved being tortured, as penance for bombing the British Embassy in Dakar.
Lucas is an admirer of English poet and painter William Blake; Elizabeta reveals that Lucas' admiration of Blake is based on their common distrust of systems. Lucas decorates his flat with some of Blake's paintings, and has a chest tattoo resembling The Ancient of Days, one of Blake's watercolour paintings. Though no longer married to Elizabeta, he maintains strong feelings towards her throughout the first half of series seven.
The eighth series sees the return of Oleg Darshavin, one of Lucas's former interrogators during his imprisonment. During his interrogations, Lucas had developed Stockholm syndrome, and his interrogator had managed to deconstruct him almost to the point of being turned and wanting to die. Lucas also becomes involved with CIA liaison officer Sarah Caufield. The initial power struggle between them ends up in a "torrid love affair," which is monitored by the team. When Ruth Evershed (Nicola Walker) returns in the series, Lucas "really takes control of her position", in a similar manner to Harry and Ros's actions during Lucas's return. Armitage described Lucas's friendship with Ros as a "good combo"; while Lucas likes to play the "maverick" with "all guns blazing" Ros would "slip around the back and silently slit a throat."
Following Ros's death in the series eight finale, Lucas "sees the team's been slightly shattered by it" and responds by "trying to pull the team together and aiming to be a strong figure for Harry." The ninth series reveals a dark secret in Lucas's past. Armitage said that Lucas "isn't quite who you think he is." It sees the introduction of a character named Maya, played by Laila Rouass, who is Lucas's old flame and possible first love; she is involved in Lucas's secret. Lucas states that Maya means more to him than his job and reputation. Vaughn would use Maya as a way of controlling him. Armitage also revealed Lucas goes off the radar "quite a lot this series" and behaves "quite strangely."
Conceptual history.
Creation and casting.
The character of Lucas North and his background was first revealed in March 2008, shortly after filming the seventh series began. The producers wanted to create a new character to be a part of the team. They came up with a "new heroic figure" that they wanted to "put as much distance between [the] previous hero," Adam Carter. The producers focused on Richard Armitage early into the casting suggestions, because they felt he could carry the mystery of Lucas North. Writer Neil Cross felt that Armitage would bring the entire tortured history of North on screen.
The producers approached Armitage in November 2007, following the completion of the second series of "Robin Hood", for which he played the regular part of Sir Guy of Gisbourne. Though interested in appearing on "Spooks", he was initially somewhat worried and hesitant to join the series, citing replacing Rupert Penry-Jones, which he thought was a "tall order," and fears of bringing the series down. He agreed to appear on the series upon reading the rough outline of the script. He and the producers discussed about the potential and direction for the character, as well as where he would fit in the world of "Spooks". A tentative viewer of the "Spooks", he spent two days catching up on the series before starting.
Development.
To research for his role, Armitage read novels from authors including John le Carré, Frederick Forsyth and Robert Ludlum. He tried to inspire his acting style for Lucas by Jason Bourne, a character created by Ludlum. He also lost a stone in weight in order to keep with the description that Lucas is malnourished, but also had to keep physically fit in order to perform a fight sequence during his first week of filming. Since Lucas is a fluent Russian speaker, Armitage had to learn it phonetically, which he found "pretty impossible." He originally tried to learn it from a disc, but found it too basic and had since moved on to a language coach.
Though interested, yet frustrated about the writing style and not knowing what is going to happen next, upon starting, Armitage was told by co-star Peter Firth to learn to run with it, as well as learn the lines and political jargon quickly. He also thought the scripts are "quite a workout for the brain." Armitage was also coached on his "serious face" and the ""Spooks" lean" by Rupert Penry-Jones. The numerous tattoos on Lucas's torso were actually transfers planted on Armitage, and took a couple of hours to apply. However, he was often told not to move much, as they could rub off quite easily. Armitage was also one of only two actors, along with Hermione Norris, who plays Ros Myers, who went to Moscow, Russia in the series' first overseas shoot in August 2008.
When questioned regarding "Spooks's" notoriety of killing off main characters, and the chances of Lucas meeting his demise, Armitage stated;
Armitage believes that when it is Lucas's turn to leave the series, he would "leave in style," and has no preference how he would exit, whether "sending Lucas to Manchester or severing his head," he believes the producers would owe him a "brilliant exit." In an interview with Lorraine Kelly on "GMTV" on May 2010, Armitage revealed that in the ninth series, "[Lucas] is not who you thought he was. He's not who I thought he was." He admitted to being surprised at the development while reading the script. With the series theme being "deception", Armitage felt that playing another side of Lucas was "interesting," "quite exciting to play" and like "working in reverse because we've already established his background and then we've had to go and establish a much deeper background." Writers Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent (both head writers of the ninth series, having written five of the episodes) made the decision about Lucas' story-arc in the series during the initial meetings with the producers. Throughout the process of developing Lucas' arc, they worked through "a bazillion different versions." For example, in the series finale, they considered that Lucas would release the Albany weapon on the Grid. Both writers admitted that they were "not-half" concerned with possible negative reactions from fans of both Armitage and the character. In September 2011, co-star Peter Firth confirmed Lucas was killed off in the ninth series finale. He stated that the character "was always going to die." At some point the producers considered having Harry shoot him at the top of the building where he would fall to his death. However, this changed to have Lucas just jumping off the building instead.
Stunt work and on-screen violence.
Armitage performs his own stunts. When performing fight scenes, they would be choreographed carefully so Armitage could take part rather than a stunt double. For series eight, Armitage performed a fight scene in a swimming pool, which he thought was "fun," but also thought it was difficult as it was "like acting and punching in slow motion." In another sequence, he injured a stuntman with a hospital trolley. He was only given a short lesson on how to handle firearms, since he was already accustomed to using them whilst working on "Ultimate Force". While discussing the shootout at the end of series seven, Armitage noted that he is "not a violent person but when you put a gun in somebody's hands [...] it's like a little animal comes out of you that wants to fire the gun again."
In a flashback sequence in one of his early episodes, Lucas is subjected to waterboarding, a method of psychological torture. In order to ensure the authenticity of the sequence, Armitage was himself subjected to the actual torture while shooting. He agreed to perform the sequence after he was convinced by consultants for the FSB and CIA. Armitage was only subjected to it for a short time, and was filmed in slow motion to make it appear he was on for longer. The ambient temperature of the room was also raised to make him as comfortable as possible. However, after the sequence was shot, Armitage changed his opinion entirely, stating; "I only lasted five to ten seconds, and the sound of my voice crying out to stop isn't me acting." Armitage shot more interrogation scenes during production of the eighth series, but only some were added into the episodes. He was "less physical" in the ninth series.
Reception.
The reaction towards the character and Armitage's portrayal were met with unanimous praise. In a viewer poll on their favourite character played by Armitage on "RichardArmitageNet", Lucas North was voted third behind Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and winner John Thornton in "North and South". "Spooks" producer Katie Swinden described Armitage's addition as "fantastic", as he "has that dark and brooding quality which make him perfect for the role." Co-star Hermione Norris thought Lucas was a "really fantastic character" and has brought "a completely different vibe and quality" to the series.
John Beresford of "TV Scoop" thought the acting of the cast in the beginning of the seventh series, including Armitage's was "pitch perfect", and noted he "looks and sounds like he's been here all along, already, and having only seen him briefly in "Robin Hood" I've been quite astonished by how good he is in this." "Sky TV" described Lucas North's character as a "refreshing change" for the series. The "Bromsgrove Advertiser" noted that Armitage "certainly has the looks needed for the part" with "classic leading man presence," and while comparing past main actors of the series, Matthew Macfadyen and Rupert Penry-Jones, the author believed that "the eye candy quota is being kept high." Leigh Holmwood of "The Guardian" reacted positively towards the introduction of Lucas after Adam's departure, believing the change has "more than made amends." David Blackwell of "Enterline Media" liked Lucas "better than Adam Carter or Tom Quinn" and felt that his "dark and conflicted persona adds to the story and makes him a more interesting character than Adam or Tom ever were." Blackwell also believed that Armitage's portrayal gives the character "real intensity and mystery." In the ninth series "Metro's" Lewis Bazley believed that Lucas "continues to give a violent, powder-keg edge to proceedings – thank heaven for small mercies as his continual scowl never convinces in comparison with his predecessors Matthew McFadyen and Rupert Penry-Jones."
Critics reacted positively towards Lucas' development in the ninth series. "Metro's" Keith Watson said that the scene had a "touch of Don Draper about it," one of the factors that ""Spooks" has still got its hooks in." Catherine Gee of "The Daily Telegraph" reflected on the "dramatically provided" twist, stated "just as we were finally beginning to trust him." Vicky Frost of "The Guardian" stated that "Spooks" was "looking a bit lacklustre," but now "seems to have raised its game" because of several developments for series nine, including the closing scenes involving Lucas and Vaughn, and his relationship with Dimitri Levendis.


Roanoke Island order of battle

The following lists the organization of the Union and Confederate forces engaged at the Battle of Roanoke Island, during the American Civil War on February 7–8, 1862.
Union.
Union Army.
Coast Division (Brig. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside)
Union Navy.
North Atlantic Blockading Squadron (Flag Officer Louis M. Goldsborough)
Confederate.
Confederate Army.
Dist. of Roanoke — Brig. Gen. Henry A. Wise (not present in battle; ill)
Confederate Navy.
"Mosquito Fleet" (Flag Officer William F. Lynch)


Petit Meschin

Le Petit Meschin was a French soldier, mercenary and brigand of the Hundred Years War in the 14th century.
Originally from Gascon he was a soldier in his Youth but In 1363, after the Treaty of Brétigny, Meschin and his men began to pillage the countryside. His was one of the many so called Tard-Venus bands, groups of mercenaries left without employment by the end of hostilities.
In early January 1362, the Tard-Venus invaded Forez and Meschin held the priory of Estivareilles.
King John II commissioned Count Jacques de Bourbon and to raise an army to put down the "Free Companies" under the informal leadership of Petit Meschin before they could overrun Burgundy. Bourbon and Tancarville gathered their army at Brignais.
The French King's forces were besieging the town of Brignais, which had been seized by the Companies in March as an operating base. Never dreaming that the companies would dare challenge them in the open the Royal forces took few steps to secure their camp and when the companies attacked that morning of 6 April 1362 they were taken completely by surprise. In the battle that followed the government army was routed and James Bourbon and his oldest son were mortally wounded.
Le Petit Meschin was taken prisoner in 1368, by the , Huart Raincheval, on 11 May 1369.


Carl J. Johnson

Carl Jean Johnson (July 2, 1929 – December 29, 1988), was a public health physician who opposed nuclear testing.
Birth and marriage.
Carl Johnson was born in Sims, Indiana on July 2, 1929, to Fredrick Chancy Johnson (1902 – c. 1975) and Enabel Routh (1907-c.1945). He had the following siblings: George Johnson (1927 − c. 1992); Derrold Johnson (born 1931); and Sarah E. Johnson (born 1939) who married David L. Mort (1937–2005). He was raised in Grant County, Indiana. At age 12 he came down with tuberculosis, and though he overcame the sickness his growth was stunted. He began a strict weightlifting regimen and developed proper eating habits that allowed him to overcome his physical weakness. At least once in his later life, he would have to have cysts from the tuberculosis infection removed. Carl married Kathryn Van Deusen (1923–2005). Kathryn was the daughter of Emmett Peter Van Deusen I (1878–1965) and Margaret McKenzie Barton (1885–1963).
US Army and education.
He entered service in the United States Army on July 3, 1946. As a corporal, he was stationed in Guam as a surveyor. It was largely an uneventful tour of duty, with the exception of while surveying the island's jungles he found a wrecked bomber from World War II that still had the pilot's remains inside. He was discharged from Army service on March 18, 1949. He later became an Army Reservist and attained the rank of colonel. He went to Michigan State University and the Ohio State University College of Medicine. He had a master's degree in public health from the University of California, Berkeley.
Rocky Flats.
In 1976 he was the Director of the Jefferson County, Colorado Department of Health. He reported that soil around the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant contained 44 times more plutonium than the government claimed. In 1977 he reported higher-than-average rates of leukemia and cancer among the local people. In 1980 he reported that plant workers had eight times more brain tumors than expected. In 1981 he was fired. He later won a whistleblower lawsuit against Jefferson County, Colorado. In 1985 he lost an election to become the Boulder County, Colorado Director of Health.
Death and burial.
Johnson died on December 29, 1988, at Lutheran Memorial Hospital in Lakewood, Colorado, of complications following coronary bypass surgery. He was buried in the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado on January 3, 1989.


Task Force Southwest

Task Force Southwest was established by the United States Marine Corps during 2017 for operations under Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan as part of the Resolute Support Mission.
From October 2017-April 2018, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines conducted base security missions in support of military advisors working with the Afghan National Army.
In April 2018, the United States Army's 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division conducted ground defensive patrols in Helmand Province, Afghanistan as members of Task Force South West to protect the area of operations from enemy operations.


Chapman Revercomb

William Chapman Revercomb (July 20, 1895 – October 6, 1979) was an American politician and lawyer in the state of West Virginia. He served two separate terms in the United States Senate.
Life and career.
Revercomb was born in Covington, Virginia, the son of Elizabeth Forrer (Chapman) and George Anderson Revercomb. He attended Washington and Lee University before entering the United States Army in World War I where he served as a corporal. Returning from the war, he transferred to the law school at the University of Virginia, graduating in 1919. He practiced law in Covington for few years before moving to Charleston, West Virginia in 1922.
He was elected to the Senate in 1942. There he championed opposition to the foreign and domestic policies of the administration of Harry S. Truman and was a stalwart supporter of civil rights. In 1945, Revercomb was among the seven senators who opposed full United States entry into the United Nations. Revercomb was defeated for re-election in 1948 and for the state's other Senate seat in 1952. In both races, his support of the national Republican party's civil rights policies were major issues.
In 1956, he won a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Harley M. Kilgore, his Democratic opponent in the 1952 election. He re-entered the Senate and served through the end of 1958. During his second tenure in the Senate, Revercomb voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
In 1958, he lost to Congressman Robert Byrd in his re-election bid in another racially charged election (Byrd held the seat until his death in 2010, becoming the first U.S. senator to serve uninterrupted for more than 50 years). He then lost the Republican nomination for governor in 1960 and retired from politics. He practiced law in Charleston until his death in 1979.
Revercomb was the last Republican to represent West Virginia in the Senate (his 1956-59 term) until the election of Shelley Moore Capito in 2014 ended a 58- year streak of Democratic Senate victories in the state.
External links.
 Retrieved on 2009-5-18


Duke of Warsaw


Lieutenant-fireworker

Lieutenant-fireworker was an officer rank in the British Royal Artillery, ranking below second lieutenant.
After the first lieutenant and second lieutenant, the junior lieutenants of a company of artillery were designated "lieutenants and fireworkers", the conjunction soon being dropped.
The rank was abolished in the Royal Artillery in 1771 and in the Royal Irish Artillery in 1774.


Battle of Viluma order of battle

This is the order of battle for the Battle of Viluma, also known as the Battle of Sipe-Sipe, during the Spanish American wars of independence.


Rafael Peralta

Rafael Peralta (April 7, 1979 – November 15, 2004) was a United States Marine killed in combat during Second Battle of Fallujah during the Iraq War. In September 2008 his family was notified that he was awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest award a United States Marine can receive. In February 2012, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that a new would be named .
Early life and career.
Peralta was born on April 7, 1979 in Mexico City. The son of Rafael and Rosa Peralta and the oldest of four (his siblings are Icela, Karen, and Ricardo), he immigrated to the United States. Peralta's father died in a workplace accident, leaving him head of the household. After his 1997 graduation from Morse High School in San Diego he attended San Diego City College and served in the California Conservation Corps as a crewleader from 1998 to 1999. He joined the United States Marine Corps when he received his green card in 2000, and became a United States citizen while serving in the Marine Corps.
Peralta reportedly served the United States with enthusiasm and patriotism: "In his parents' home, on his bedroom walls hung only three items – a copy of the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights and his boot camp graduation certificate. Before he set out for Fallujah he wrote to his 14-year-old brother, 'Be proud of me, bro ...and be proud of being an American.'"
Death.
On November 15, 2004, the 25-year-old Peralta deployed to Iraq as a sergeant and scout team leader assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment to clear houses in Operation Phantom Fury. Although Peralta was not assigned to enter the buildings, he did so.
Peralta led his team through three house-clearings before charging into the fourth house. After finding two rooms empty on the ground floor he opened a third door and was hit multiple times with AK-47 fire, leaving him severely wounded. Peralta fell to the floor, moving aside to enable the Marines behind him to return fire.
The insurgents threw a hand grenade at the Marines, and the two Marines with Peralta tried to get out of the room but could not. Still conscious on the floor, despite his wounds Peralta reportedly pulled the grenade under his body, absorbing most of the blast and shrapnel. He died instantly, but saved the lives of his fellow Marines. Peralta is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.
Posthumous award.
First Marine Division commander, Lieutenant General Richard F. Natonski, recommended Peralta for the Medal of Honor, based on reports by seven Marines present (or nearby) when he died. In December 2004, Congressman Bob Filner of California introduced legislation awarding Sgt. Peralta the Medal of Honor.
On September 17, 2008, Natonski notified Peralta's family that he would receive the Navy Cross instead of the Medal of Honor. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates rejected the Marine Corps recommendation, saying that his panel unanimously confirmed that Peralta's actions did not meet the Medal of Honor standard "without any possibility of error or doubt". Gates' central argument related to whether the already-mortally-wounded Peralta could have intentionally reached for the grenade, shielding his fellow Marines from the blast. During a Marine Corps investigation of the attack Natonski had said, "I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt" that the gravely-wounded Peralta covered the grenade. Doubt arose when some believed that Peralta was clinically dead when the grenade was thrown.
After it was announced that Peralta would receive the Navy Cross instead, a number of people requested reconsideration, with the congressional delegations from California and Hawaii and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus requesting a presidential review of Gates' decision. Lawmakers continued their efforts; of seven nominations for the Medal of Honor reaching the Secretary of Defense, Peralta's was the only one not approved.
In March 2012 the "Marine Corps Times" reported that navy officials were reviewing new evidence related to Peralta's case, including two videos (one by Marine combat photographer Steve Sebby) and a pathology report. The evidence was provided by California Representative Duncan D. Hunter, who served with 1st Battalion, 11th Marines during Operation Vigilant Resolve (the first battle for Fallujah). In December 2012 the Department of Defense announced that the Navy Cross would not be upgraded, with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta saying that he did not want to overturn his predecessor's decision. Hunter said he would appeal, introducing a resolution co-sponsored by fellow California Representative Xavier Becerra which recommended that Peralta receive the Medal of Honor. When Chuck Hagel replaced Panetta as Secretary of Defense, Hunter hoped he would be more receptive to the new evidence. However, in February 2014 Hagel announced that Peralta's Medal of Honor nomination would not be reconsidered. In June 2015 Peralta's mother, Rosa Maria, received the Navy Cross at a Camp Pendleton ceremony.
In February 2017, Hunter renewed his efforts to have Peralta' Navy Cross upgraded, by petitioning Secretary of Defense James Mattis.
Awards and honors.
Peralta's awards include:
Navy Cross citation.
SERGEANTRAFAEL PERALTAUNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
Legacy.
On April 24, 2006, San Diego Police Department Chief of Police William Lansdowne posthumously awarded Sgt. Peralta the honorary title of San Diego police officer for his heroism in Iraq. Peralta had long wanted to be a San Diego police officer, and the badge was presented to his mother.
On September 21, 2007, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit command-post building 2533 at Camp Hansen, Okinawa was renamed Peralta Hall in his honor.
The History Channel produced a one-hour documentary in Spanish and English about Peralta, "Act of Honor", which appeared on "THC Classroom".
With Peralta's death benefit, his mother purchased a home in Chula Vista. Inspired by his older brother's actions, Rafael's brother Ricardo also enlisted in the Marine Corps and graduated from the School of Infantry in 2010. He was honorably discharged in January 2014, after serving in Afghanistan.
Following legislative action by Congressman Hunter, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced on February 16, 2012 that one of several new "Arleigh Burke"-class guided-missile destroyers would be named , According to Peralta's mother, the destroyer will carry his Navy Cross. In Quantico, Virginia, Peralta's rifle and the last letter he wrote will be placed on display. In July 2017, the ship bearing his name was commissioned at Naval Air Station North Island, with his mother, the ship's sponsor, and several other dignitaries aboard (Susan Davis, Kevin Faulconer, Duncan Hunter, Darrell Issa, and Scott Peters).
In November 2017, a brick with his name was placed in front of the Veteran Resource Center at Southwestern College, where he had previously gone to attend its police academy.


94th Infantry Division (German Empire)

The 94th Infantry Division (94. Infanterie-Division) was a formation of the Imperial German Army in World War I.


Warrant Officer Basic Course

Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) is the technical training program a newly appointed U.S. Army Warrant Officer receives after attending Warrant Officer Candidate School. WOBC is designed to certify warrant officers as technically and tactically competent to serve in a designated military occupation specialty. WOBC is the first major test a newly appointed officer must pass to continue serving in the Army as a warrant officer, as WO1 appointments and award of a Warrant Officer MOS are contingent upon successfully completing WOBC.
WOBC is held at multiple locations throughout the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. For example, Signal WOBC is taught at Fort Gordon, Georgia, Aviation WOBC is taught at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and others are taught at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Fort Huachuca, Arizona.


88 (Arracan) Battery Royal Artillery

88 (Arracan) Battery Royal Artillery is currently a gun battery within 4th Regiment Royal Artillery based in Alanbrooke Barracks, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire. The battery was raised in Calcutta, India, on 14 February 1802 and has been known by a variety of names during its existence. Over its history it has moved between different Royal Artillery Regiments or Battalions due to reorganisations of the Royal Regiment of Artillery and changes in role. However, its title "Arracan" has endured for a considerable period of time.
During the First Anglo-Burmese War of 1825 the battery took part in the expedition from Chittagong to Arracan. The Honour Title 'Arracan' was granted to the battery in 1930 in recognition of this exceptional feat of arms.
88 (Arracan) Battery, the Rednecks are a L118 light gun battery.


Jagdwaffe

Jagdwaffe (), was the German "Luftwaffe"'s fighter force during World War II.
Aircraft.
The "Jagdwaffe" used many aircraft, including the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Bf 110, Me 163, Me 262, Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Ta 152, and Heinkel He 162.


Trevilian Station Union order of battle

The following units and commanders fought in the Battle of Trevilian Station of the American Civil War on the Union side. The Confederate order of battle is shown separately. Order of battle compiled from the corps organization during the battle and from the casualty returns.
Army of the Potomac.
Cavalry Corps.
MG Philip H. Sheridan
Escort:


Confederate States Secretary of the Navy

The Confederate States Secretary of the Navy was the head of the Confederate States Department of the Navy. Stephen R. Mallory held this position through the entire duration of the Confederate States of America.


2003 invasion of Iraq order of battle

This is the order of battle for invasion of Iraq during the Iraq War between coalition forces and Iraqi regular forces supported by Fedayeen Saddam irregulars and others between March 19 and May 1, 2003.
Coalition Forces Land Component Command.
Lieutenant General David D. McKiernan, Commanding.
V Corps (LTG Wallace).
Corps Asset
Iraqi forces.
Saddam Hussein was the supreme armed forces commander.
Iraqi Army.
Chief of Staff: Ibrahim Abd al-Sattar Muhammad Ahmed
Republican Guard.
Under the supervision of Qusay Hussein, commanded by Staff General Sayf al-Din Taha al-Rawi.


The Fourth Doctor Boxset

The Fourth Doctor Boxset is a collection of two audio dramas by Big Finish Productions based on the long-running British science fiction television series "Doctor Who". The stories were written by Robert Banks Stewart and former "Doctor Who" producer Philip Hinchcliffe, who had previously worked together on two stories of the thirteenth season of the series, "Terror of the Zygons" and "The Seeds of Doom".
The Foe from the Future.
by Robert Banks Stewart (adapted by John Dorney)
Plot.
The TARDIS arrives in Devon, in the year 1977. But history is unravelling. At the centre of it is a seemingly haunted manor owned by a mysterious man named Jalnik.
The Valley of Death.
by Philip Hinchcliffe (adapted by Jonathan Morris)
Plot.
In 1870, Professor Cornelius Perkins mounted an expedition to the Amazon rainforest and was never heard from again. A century later, his great-grandson flies to South America looking for answers. Joining him is the Doctor, on a mission from UNIT, investigating rumours of a crashed UFO.


Death Comes to Time

Death Comes to Time is a webcast audio drama based on the long-running British science fiction television series "Doctor Who", produced by the BBC and first broadcast in five episodes on the BBCi Cult website from 12 July 2001, accompanied by limited animation.
It was the BBC's first new "Doctor Who" broadcast since the 1996 film.
Synopsis.
When two Time Lords are killed, the Seventh Doctor together with his companion Antimony must stop the powerful General Tannis' plans for conquest and Ace is groomed to face a new destiny.
Plot.
In a show of force, General Tannis destroys the city of Annit — population 9 million — and then demands the surrender of Admiral Mettna. This is the first stage in the Canisian invasion of the Santine Republic, which falls quickly. Tannis himself kills their president. It is to this world the Seventh Doctor and Antimony have arrived. The Doctor soon meets Senator Sala, the leader of the resistance and rescues her and other resistance fighters from captivity. When the Doctor sees burning trees, he realises someone is trying to contact him.
A being identifying himself as a "God of the Fourth" appears on a spaceship to rescue a prisoner — that prisoner is Ace. He tells her that he is Casmus, and that she was rescued so that she could learn.
The Doctor and Antimony travel to the Temple of the Fourth on the planet Micen Island, where they see the statues of long dead Time Lords. They see an inscription "We serve the many, until the many are One, until twilight falls and death comes to Time." A Time Lord called The Minister of Chance arrives, it was he who had sent the Doctor a message. The Minister informs the Doctor that two Time Lords — the Saints Antinor and Valentine have been brutally murdered on Earth. The Doctor wistfully says that even Time Lords die, but the Minister fears a greater evil. The Minister travels to Santiny to replace the Doctor, whilst the Doctor sets out to investigate what has happened to the Saints.
The Doctor and Antimony arrive at an analysis centre for radio telescopes. They meet Dr Kane who tells them Dr Valentine and Antinor were killed by animals — perhaps a dog or a large cat — they were bitten. The Doctor asks her what they were investigating before they died. The Doctor discovers that black holes are being created and that existing ones are growing at a drastic rate. Something has torn a rent in space-time. Two policemen, Campion and Speedwell, arrive at the centre investigating the Doctor's activities at the crime scene, but Speedwell is called away to another animal attack in the East End of London, accompanied by the Doctor.
The Doctor sees the body of a young woman with bite marks in her neck, and also another police constable. Investigating further they enter a bar and find twenty bodies with their throats ripped out, and see a figure flee from the scene.
Meanwhile, Ace wakes from a dream about being rowed to the edge of a whirlpool by a man who seems friendly but dangerous. Casmus teaches her how to remember dreams, and tells her that soon they will be going to Mount Plutarch to have her abilities tested by the Kingmaker. On Santine, the Minister of Chance arrives and meets with the leaders of the resistance.
When the Doctor and Speedwell find more bodies, they notice there appears to be two different styles of killing, some for feeding, and some were just in the way. They see a man hole, and beyond they run into the killer — the vampire Nessican who had killed Valentine. Speedwell shoots him, but to no effect as only severing the spinal column would kill a vampire. Nessican attacks the Doctor and succeeds in drinking some of his blood, but the Doctor had eaten some garlic flakes which kill the vampire. On hearing a description of a woman who fled the bar, the Doctor recognises who it is and realises she is the second killer.
Back at the laboratory, Campion has been attacked and killed. Dr Kane appears detached about his death before Antimony — he realises she killed him. When the Doctor and Speedwell arrive, Speedwell shoots her, but this time succeeds in severing her spinal column. Kane tells the Doctor that the rent in time is the work of a Time Lord, but not who, before she dies.
Before his death, Nessican had managed to contact his employer, Tannis, and informed him that the Earth is rich in resources and completely defenceless. The Doctor gives Speedwell Nessican's transmitter and asks him to take it to a certain man. Speedwell knows the man – it is his boss, Speedwell is not in fact a policeman but a lieutenant colonel.
The Minister of Chance takes Sala to Captain Carne and hands her over to him. He suspects a ruse but sends her away to be tortured, planning to kill the Minister at a later date. On the Canisians homeworld, Premier Bedloe announces the defeat of the Santine Republic by Tannis, claiming that its people had been freed from oppression. Meanwhile, Tannis's troops have surrounded the city, and he has taken Bedloe's child as a hostage. When Bedloe confronts him, he denies wanting to overthrow the Premier, but he intends to use him as a front while Tannis wields the true power and goes about his plans of universal conquest. Tannis leaves Bedloe accompanied by one of his men, Major Bander, who will prevent him from coming to any harm, unless Tannis says otherwise.
The Doctor realises that the tears in the fabric of time could only be caused by another Time Lord misusing his powers for evil. Antimony wonders whether it could be the Minister of Chance, but the Doctor thinks otherwise. He plans to strike back on Alpha Canis whilst the Minister keeps Tannis busy on Santine.
Casmus explains to Ace that he predicted that she would be on the Canisian prison ship from where he rescued her. He tells her that there is no true chaos in the Universe, just an Order of great complexity than can be easily perceived.
Sala is tortured and afterwards put in the same cell as the Minister, who heals her wounds. Her broken wrist repaired, they will be able to infiltrate the base and find the other political prisoners. When Carne interrogates the Minister, he is told that the Santine resistance plans to attack a prison at Luria. His reaction reveals to Sala and the Minister that the prison really exists, which they had not known with certainty. They turn the tables on Carne threatening to inform the Fleet Pilot that he had revealed the prison's existence. Carne shows them a prison map, and the Minister tells him where the resistance intend to attack. Having seen all the weaknesses of the prison, the Minister uses a word of power which causes the planetary computer system to shut down. The Minister and Sala flee in the confusion.
On Alpha Canis, the Doctor tells Antimony that they can't just kill Tannis, as someone else would take his place. It is the Doctor's plan to give Tannis another enemy to fight — Premier Bedloe. The Doctor investigates the Premier's family and works out what Tannis has done to Bedloe. The Doctor informs a public wallscreen that he has kidnapped Bedloe's children and waits for the City Guards to turn up and arrest them.
The Fleet Pilot reports what the Minister has done to Tannis, but he is not surprised at all and orders him to locate the Minister. However, when found Tannis will deal with him personally.
Ace and Casmus spend some time star gazing and Casmus tells her that she will never have normal relationships with other humans, now that she has a special relationship with Time. Ace sees the loneliness of being a Time Lord.
Bedloe decides to question the Doctor personally about his "confession", while Bander reports back to Tannis that the man he was told to look out for has arrived. The Doctor admits the confession was just to get Bedloe's attention. Bedloe says that he would move against Tannis if his child could be kept from harm. Trusting the Doctor, he tells him of Tannis's private villa. The Doctor and Antimony break into the villa, rescue the child and return him to his father. When they return however, they are confronted with Tannis, who has struck a new deal with Bedloe.
On Santine, the Minister of Chance and Sala try to find their way back to the resistance. The Minister tells her that his true name is unpronounceable and she gives him the nickname "Snake". She is still in a weakened state from her interrogation, and the Minister has to use his healing powers again. Just as Sala asks to be left behind, they are found by a resistance member who tells them that they now have the required information to rescue the prisoners from the Lurian camp. When Sala asks the Minister why he doesn't use his powers to save everyone's life, he tells her that she cannot understand his people's position.
Ace faces a test known as the "Cavern of Infinite Death". Casmus tells her she must pass through the Cavern without touching the red liquid that flows through it, as it would have disastrous consequences. Stepping on the stalagmites, Ace proceeds to cross, but at one point stumbles and falls into the liquid. She panics, but Casmus tells her the liquid is not poisonous, merely coloured red. Soon she will be able to break the rules of the Universe. Casmus warns her that her new powers could easily be misused.
Tannis threatens to shoot either the Doctor or Antimony if they move. He then reveals his secret — he is a Time Lord — but unlike the Doctor or the Minister, one who wants to use his powers to rule the Universe. The Doctor tells Antimony to flee, but he refuses. Tannis says that this is because Antimony, without realising it, considers the Doctor to be his father. He then shoots Antimony in the leg, revealing circuits and servo-mechanisms. Having seen so many companions leave or die, the Doctor built a companion who would always stay with him. To the Doctor's dismay and helplessness, Tannis taunts him saying the Doctor could save Antimony by speaking Tannis out of existence, but that he won't do it. Finally, Tannis shoots Antimony in the head, and leaves the Doctor to watch him die.
Back on Santine, Tannis reveals to the Pilot why he is concerned about the activities of the Minister. He had dropped a plague on a particularly obstinate planet to exterminate the population, but after three days the plague had vanished, the population unharmed. Upon investigation, Tannis discovered a cult dedicated to a god they called "Manaster". The Santine resistance mount their attack on the Luria prison, but Tannis is prepared, and sends in ships to slaughter the escapees. Sala pleads with the Minister to use his powers to interfere, but he refuses until Sala is singled out by the Pilot. Seeing her gunned down, the Minister loses his self-control, and unleashes a rage upon Tannis's ships. Many of them explode, and Tannis orders the rest to retreat. Leaving the fate of the Minister to others, Tannis decides it is time to visit the Earth.
Ace is brought to the cave of the Kingmaker, an old woman who watches over the Time Lords, as they themselves watch over time. She gives Ace a test, she will be sent to Anima Persis, a world ravaged by biological and psychic warfare. She must restore the planet to its rightful inhabitants without abusing her new powers. Ace is given a TARDIS and a wand. Casmus tells her the wand has the ability to manipulate time, a power the Time Lords resist using. She leaves in the TARDIS to Anima Persis, with a strong warning not to use the wand there. Casmus tells her he will be waiting for her when she returns, but the Kingmaker knows his time is near to an end.
Ace arrives on Anima Persis in a wasteland where she encounters the terrified survivors. Identifying herself hesitantly as a Time Lord, she informs them she is there to defeat the ghosts and reclaim the planet. A young girl named Megan offers to guide Ace, and takes her to a crater. There, Ace is assaulted by her own thoughts, directed back at her by the dead spirits. They threaten to take her new TARDIS and use it to travel throughout the Universe spreading terror, unless Ace gives Megan over to them. The dilemma cracks Ace's resolve and she uses her forbidden Time Lord powers to manipulate time to destroy the spirits. Later, she wakes within the TARDIS, and finds herself with Golcrum, a Canisian guard on the ship from which Casmus rescued her. He was exiled to Anima Persis by Tannis because of that failure, and Ace was the first living being he has seen. Ace is despondent as she wiped out the villagers in her attempt to destroy the dead spirits, and misused her Time Lord powers.
Casmus is visited by Tannis, who has come to kill him. Tannis has eliminated the other Time Lords and set the Doctor and the Minister against each other. Casmus reveals Ace has been transformed into a Time Lord, but Tannis laughs at him, and he says he will destroy her too. Casmus says the age of the Time Lords has passed, and expresses pity for Tannis even as he prepares to shoot him.
The distraught Doctor goes to Mount Plutarch to plead with the Kingmaker, but she will not interfere with Tannis's actions. He is utterly evil, but has broken no laws of time, only amassing power through the use of conventional force. She tells the Doctor that Tannis is not responsible for the damage to time, it is in fact the Minister of Chance who is the cause. The Doctor is charged with the responsibility to destroy his friend, before the damage engulfs the Universe.
The Doctor goes to Casmus's garden, and is reunited with Ace. They mourn Casmus's death, and the Doctor reassures Ace about the events she witnessed on Anima Persis. There have been no living beings on that planet for centuries, everything she had seen was an illusion. She has not yet developed the powers she thought she had. Ace produces Casmus's wand, but the Doctor shows her it is just a stick. Anima Persis was a test, one that all Time Lords fail, so that the memory of failure stays with them forever as a stark warning. Now, together, they must deal with Tannis. Ace and Golcrum leave for Earth to prepare a welcome for Tannis, whilst the Doctor must now confront his old friend. Consumed with grief and fury, the Minister shouts at the Doctor to leave him alone. The structure of time has been corrupted, so the Doctor revokes the Minister's TARDIS, and leaves him to face himself, now powerless.
At NASA mission control, a fleet of spaceships is detected approaching Earth. The President is informed, and receives an ultimatum from Tannis. He must surrender immediately, or a bomb will be dropped on London. The President receives a telephone call from the British Prime Minister, who informs that counter-measures are being taken. The bomb explodes in the ship before it is launched, and to Tannis's shock, a fleet of shuttles emerges from behind the Moon. Tannis then himself receives a message from Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, and some of his ships are destroyed.
Tannis orders his troops to make a ground assault, and they land near Stonehenge. They move towards London, but are confronted by UNIT troops, led by Lieutenant Colonel Speedwell. Abandoning his troops to their fate, Tannis seeks out the Doctor. He finds Ace first and starts to beat her to death, before the Doctor finds them. Tannis baits him, that he dare not use his powers to save Ace, as he had not saved Antimony. However, Tannis must be stopped. With no surviving Time Lords, Tannis would then be free to misuse his own powers. He had not done so before so that other Time Lords would not act in concert against him. With the choice between himself abusing his powers, or leaving Tannis free to abuse his, the Doctor must use them to stop Tannis and does so, even though it means his own passing. Declaring himself a God of the Fourth, the Doctor unleashes the power, and afterwards, he and Tannis are gone.
Speedwell, Golcrum and the Brigadier celebrate the defeat of the Canisians, but Ace finds them and tells them the Doctor is gone. Ace returns to the Kingmaker, and, conferred with full Time Lord powers, a new age is begun.
Media Release.
The full adventure has been released in an expanded and re-edited edition on CD. It also includes an interview on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 with John Humphrys talking to Sylvester McCoy, a science writer for the Daily Mail, and a Dalek. In addition to this, there is a spoof interview between John Humphrys and General Tannis, plus a selection of audio out-takes from the recording. It has also been released on mp3-CD which also includes the original RealPlayer webcast.
Spin off.
The character of the Minister of Chance (now played by Julian Wadham) is played in a podcast-only audio drama entitled "The Minister of Chance", also featuring Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann and Jenny Agutter.


Army Group South Ukraine

Army Group South Ukraine () was a German army group on the Eastern Front during World War II.
Army Group South Ukraine was created on 5 April 1944 by renaming Army Group A. This army group saw action during the Jassy-Kishinev Operation and after taking heavy casualties was redesignated Army Group South ("Heeresgruppe Süd") at midnight on 23 September 1944.


6th SS Mountain Division Nord

The 6th SS Mountain Division "Nord" (6. SS-Gebirgs-Division "Nord") was a German unit of the Waffen-SS during World War II, formed in February 1941 as "SS Kampfgruppe Nord" (SS Battle Group North).
The division was the only Waffen-SS unit to fight in the Arctic Circle when it was stationed in Finland and northern Russia between June and November 1941. It fought in Karelia until the Moscow Armistice in September 1944, at which point it left Finland. It fought in the Operation Nordwind in January 1945, where it suffered heavy losses. In early April 1945, the division was destroyed by U.S. forces near Büdingen, Germany.
Operation Barbarossa.
The division was formed from the units of the "SS-Totenkopfverbände" (concentration camp guards) to guard the border with the Soviet Union following the 1940 German occupation of Norway. In the spring of 1941, the newly formed division was moved into positions at Salla in northern Finland with General Nikolaus von Falkenhorst in command.
The 6th SS Nord Division was made up mostly of volunteers from Hungary, Romania, and a few Norwegians. In time the division formed a SS-Gebirgsbrigade formed by volunteering Norwegians and Finns. An Austrian Regiment was also attached. A number of Swiss volunteers served in the division.
Prior to the invasion of the Soviet Union, Operation Barbarossa, a new unit was attached, SS "Gebirgsjäger" (Mountain) Artillery Regiment 6, and the brigade was redesignated a division, 6th SS Division "Nord".
The new division, partly as a result of inadequate training and poor leadership, soon became notorious for twice breaking in the face of enemy forces. When it took part in Operation Arctic Fox, more than half of its infantry units broke and retreated in disarray. In September 1941 the division was attached to the Finnish III Corps under General Hjalmar Siilasvuo, and took up defensive positions at Kiestinki (Kestenga) in the Loukhsky District. The division broke for a second time, after a panic took hold among personnel, who came to believe that they were facing a major attack by Soviet armored forces.
By the end of 1941, it had lost a significant proportion of its fighting personnel, from both combat and non-combat related causes. Over the winter of 1941–42 it received replacements from the general pool of Waffen-SS recruits.
1942–1945.
Throughout the rest of 1942 and through 1943 it remained on the Kestenga front, which was quiet compared to other areas of the Eastern Front. In September 1942, the unit was renamed as the SS Mountain Division Nord. In September 1944 it was ordered to withdraw from Finland, upon the conclusion of a separate armistice between Finland and the Soviet Union. The division then formed the rear guard for the three German corps withdrawing from Finland in Operation Birch and from September to November 1944 marched 1,600 kilometers to Mo i Rana, Norway, where it entrained for the southern end of the country. The Norwegian Ski-Battalion unit was then left behind, in accordance with their contracts. They were merged into "SS-und-Schi-Jäger-Polizei-Battalion 506 (mot.) with app. 50% men from different German Police units in South Norway. The rest of the division was transferred to Germany.
The division briefly refitted in Denmark where its losses were replaced by young "Volksdeutsche" (ethnic Germans) who had been conscripted into the Waffen-SS and received only a brief training. The division took part in Operation Nordwind in the Low Vosges mountains of northeastern France. By 2 January, part of the division (SS Gebirgs Regiment 12 and 506th Battalion) went into action against the U.S. 45th Infantry Division, attached to 361st Volksgrenadier Division. For six days the SS men fought in and around the town of Wingen, finally being pushed back by the U.S. forces with most of the battle group killed or captured. On 16 January, the SS Regiment 11 surrounded six companies of the American 157th Infantry Regiment. The American troops were forced to surrender three days later, losing 482 men. Nord advanced for six more days before being stopped by American counterattacks. German attempts at a breakthrough were halted altogether by 30 January.
The division remained on the western front after the Nordwind offensive, fighting American forces around Trier and Koblenz on the Moselle River in March. By Easter 1945 it numbered about 2,000 soldiers, including stragglers from other units. It still had six howitzers and an assault gun. The division refused to give up, and moved east to re-establish contact with other German units. However, as it moved, it drew the attention of the US Army by cutting American lines of communication. In early April 1945 over the course of several days the U.S. 71st Division fought a series of meeting engagements with the 6th SS Division Nord. As a result, the division was destroyed; its personnel scattered or captured.
Order of battle.
At its inception in September 1941 the division was made up of the following units:
After being designated SS-Gebirgs-Division „Nord“ on 15 January 1942 the division's units were all renamed as Gebirgs (Mountain) units and the infantry regiments renamed and renumbered. The division was given the number 6 on 22 October 1943. The new structure was as follows:


Antietam Union order of battle

The following Union Army units and commanders fought in the Battle of Antietam of the American Civil War. The Confederate order of battle is listed separately. Order of battle compiled from the army organization during the Maryland Campaign, the casualty returns and the reports.
Army of the Potomac.
MG George McClellan
General Staff and Headquarters.
General Staff
General Headquarters
Escort: Cpt James B. McIntyre
U.S. Engineer Battalion: Cpt James C. Duane
Provost Guard: Maj William H. Wood
Headquarters Guard: Maj Granville O. Haller
Quartermaster's Guard:
I Corps.
MG Joseph Hooker (w)

BG George G. Meade
Escort:
II Corps.
MG Edwin V. Sumner
Escort:
V Corps.
MG Fitz John Porter
Escort:
VI Corps.
MG William B. Franklin
Escort:
IX Corps.
MG Ambrose Burnside

BG Jacob D. Cox
Escort:
XII Corps.
MG Joseph K. Mansfield (mw)

BG Alpheus S. Williams
Escort:


Kalavryta massacre

The Kalavryta massacre (), or the Holocaust of Kalavryta (Ολοκαύτωμα των Καλαβρύτων), refers to the near-extermination of the male population and the total destruction of the town of Kalavryta, Greece, by the 117th Jäger Division (Wehrmacht) during World War II, on 13 December 1943.
History.
In early December 1943, the German Army's 117th Jäger Division began a mission named "Unternehmen Kalavryta" (Operation Kalavryta), intending to encircle Greek Resistance guerilla fighters in the mountainous area surrounding Kalavryta. During the operation, 78 German soldiers, who had been taken prisoner by the guerrillas in October, were executed by their captors. In response, the commander of the German division, General Karl von Le Suire personally ordered the "severest measures" — the killing of the male population of Kalavryta — on 10 December 1943.
Operation Kalavryta was mounted from six cities: Patras, Aigion, and Corinth on the Gulf of Corinth and from Argos, Pyrgos and Tripolis in central Peloponnese. All "Battle-Groups" were aimed at Kalavryta, although the divisions from Pyrgos, Argos, and Corinth returned to their bases soon after. Wehrmacht troops burnt villages and monasteries and shot civilians on their way. The Germans reached Kalavryta on December 9. In the early morning of December 13, 1943 the Germans rounded up all residents of the town and forced them into the school building where they separated the older boys and men from the women and children. They moved the men to a field owned by Thanasis Kappis, a school teacher, just overlooking the town. After looting the town and setting it ablaze, the Germans machine-gunned the men. 438 men and older boys were killed. There were only 13 male survivors, saved because they were hidden under the bodies of the dead. Austrian soldiers were part of the contingent. The next call of order was to lock rounded up women and children into a primary school. After doing so the Germans set the school on fire. There was one Austrian man who disobeyed orders & opened doors to the blazing school, knowing he would sacrifice his life, for women and children to escape. He was later executed for his acts of treason, but the victims escaped. The following day the Nazi troops burned down the Agia Lavra monastery, a landmark of the Greek War of Independence.
In total, 693 (actual memorials in Kalavrita and other villages name every one) civilians were killed during the reprisals of Operation Kalavryta. Twenty-eight communities—towns, villages, monasteries and settlements—were destroyed. In Kalavryta itself about 1,000 houses were looted and burned, and more than 2,000 livestock seized by the Germans.
Today the Place of Sacrifice is kept as a memorial site, and the events are commemorated every December. On 18 April 2000, then-President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Johannes Rau, visited Kalavryta and expressed shame and sorrow for the tragedy.
In literature.
Comprehensive historical accounts of Operation Kalavryta have been documented in two non-fiction books:
Some survivors of the events have documented their stories in short publications in Greek which can be found in Kalavryta’s museum and bookstore.
Other authors have weaved narratives into the events surrounding the Kalavryta massacre, including "Just Another Man: A Story of the Nazi Massacre of Kalavryta" (1998) by Andy Varlow and "Hitler's Orphan: Demetri of Kalavryta" (2014) by Marc Zirogiannis. "Hitler's Orphan" is a historical novella that tells the story of the massacre from the perspective of the Zirogiannis family.


President of Ciskei