"Against the Sun"

The crew of a downed USN dive bomber fights to survive as they find themselves in the open ocean with nothing but their wits and will to survive.  This movie tells the real life story of a daring tale of survival during the dark days of WWII.  Check out the trailer below to see what ya think.

A really good flick,
Brian

Battleground Weird WWII: KV-47A "Flaming Turtle"

Here are the rules for one of the the Soviet's most fierce light walkers, the KV-47A.  Swing over here to field these flamethrower armed walkers in your games of BGWWWII.

Feel the burn!!
Brian

"Desert Commandos" aka "Attentato ai tre grandi", "Les Chiens verts du désert " & "Fünf gegen Casablanca"

 

A crack German commando team is sent into the harsh North African desert to infiltrate the Allies' lines and assassinate their top leaders meeting at the Casablanca Conference.  Can these skilled assassins pull it off and end the war in Germany's favor or will they die trying?  The film had a great premise and had some decent acting talent but it failed in just about every way possible.  If you want to give it a go, check it down below.

Not a big loss if you miss it,

Brian

"A Man Called Sarge"

A small band of Allied commandos are tasked with destroying the fuel depot at Tobruk, can they do it or will they just die from all the shitty one liners and lame jokes instead?  This was Cannon's take on the popular Naked Gun flicks in the early 90s but falls far short from its genius.  It's really pretty shitty but has some great scenes with Jennifer Runyon so it might be bearable.  Maybe.  No, just skip this crap.

If your into stupid ass flicks that are trying so hard to be funny and are not, then this is your flick.
Brian

"Dinosaurs of the Eastern Front"

A WWII topic that is often overlooked in the history books is now a riveting new documentary on the Discovery Channel.

Time for the real truth on the dino menace,
Brian

Medal of Honor Monday: Emile Deleau Jr.

Emile Deleau Jr.

"He led a squad in the night attack on Oberhoffen, France, where fierce house-to-house fighting took place.  After clearing 1 building of opposition, he moved his men toward a second house from which heavy machine gun fire came.  He courageously exposed himself to hostile bullets and firing his sub-machine gun as he went, advanced steadily toward the enemy position until close enough to hurl grenades through a window, killing 3 Germans and wrecking their gun.  His progress was stopped by heavy rifle and machine gun fire from another house.  Sgt. Deleau dashed through the door with his gun blazing.  Within, he captured 10 Germans.  The squad then took up a position for the night and awaited daylight to resume the attack.  At dawn of 2 February Sgt. Deleau pressed forward with his unit, killing 2 snipers as he advanced to a point where machine gun fire from a house barred the way.  Despite vicious small-arms fire, Sgt. Deleau ran across an open area to reach the rear of the building, where he destroyed 1 machine gun and killed its 2 operators with a grenade.  He worked to the front of the structure and located a second machine gun.  Finding it impossible to toss a grenade into the house from his protected position, he fearlessly moved away from the building and was about to hurl his explosive when he was instantly killed by a burst from the gun he sought to knock out.  With magnificent courage and daring aggressiveness, Sgt. Deleau cleared 4 well-defended houses of Germans, inflicted severe losses on the enemy and at the sacrifice of his own life aided his battalion to reach its objective with a minimum of casualties."

From Sgt. Deleau's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on July 25, 1945.

Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,

Brian

"Amen"

A Catholic SS officer suddenly realizes that the Third Reich is murdering innocent men, women and children on a massive scale and thus tries to get the Pope to bring it to the world's eyes.  With he help of a devote priest, can they convince the Pope and the powers behind him to do what is right or will they stay quiet in fear of Nazi retaliation?  This is a very interesting take, or lack there of, of the Church's role in the silence of the Holocaust.  Not a film for the squeamish but a sobering look at the realities of WWII.  View the trailer below.

A good film on a horrible subject,
Brian

Medal of Honor Monday: James H. Diamond

James H. Diamond

 

"As a member of the machine gun section, he displayed extreme gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty .  When a Japanese sniper rose from his foxhole to throw a grenade into their midst, this valiant soldier charged and killed the enemy with a burst from his sub-machine gun; then, by delivering sustained fire from his personal arm and simultaneously directing the fire of 105mm and .50 caliber weapons upon the enemy pillboxes immobilizing this and another machine gun section, he enabled them to put their guns into action.  When 2 infantry companies established a bridgehead, he voluntarily assisted in evacuating the wounded under heavy fire; and then, securing an abandoned vehicle, transported casualties to the rear through mortar and artillery fire so intense as to render the vehicle inoperative and despite the fact he was suffering from a painful wound.  The following day he again volunteered, this time for the hazardous job of repairing a bridge under heavy enemy fire.  On 14 May 1945, when leading a patrol to evacuate casualties from his battalion, which was cut off, he ran through a virtual hail of Japanese fire to secure an abandoned machine gun.  Though mortally wounded as he reached the gun, he succeeded in drawing sufficient fire upon himself so that the remaining members of the patrol could reach safety.  Pfc. Diamond's indomitable spirit, constant disregard of danger, and eagerness to assist his comrades, will ever remain a symbol of selflessness and heroic sacrifice to those for whom he gave his life." 

From PFC Diamond's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on March 6, 1946.

 

Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,

Brian

Medal of Honor Monday: James L. Day

James Lewis Day

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a squad leader serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-Second Marines, Sixth Marine Division, in sustained combat operations against Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands from 14 to 17 May 1945.  On the first day, Corporal Day rallied his squad and the remnants of another unit and led them to a critical position forward of the front lines of Sugar Loaf Hill.  Soon thereafter, they came under an intense mortar and artillery barrage that was quickly followed by a fanatical ground attack of about forty Japanese soldiers.  Despite the loss of one-half of his men, Corporal Day remained at the forefront, shouting encouragement, hurling hand grenades, and directing deadly fire thereby repelling the determined enemy.  Reinforced by six men, he led his squad in repelling three fierce night attacks but suffered five additional Marines killed and one wounded whom he assisted to safety.  Upon hearing nearby calls for corpsman assistance, Corporal Day braved heavy enemy fire to escort four seriously wounded Marines, one at a time, to safety.  Corporal Day then manned a light machine gun assisted by a wounded Marine, and halted another frenzied night attack.  In this ferocious action, his machine gun was destroyed, and he suffered multiple white phosphorus and fragmentation wounds.  Assisted by only one partially effective man, he reorganized his defensive position in time to halt a fifth enemy attack with devastating small arms fire.  On three separate occasions, Japanese soldiers closed to within a few feet of his foxhole, but were killed by Corporal Day.  During the second day, the enemy conducted numerous unsuccessful swarming attacks against his exposed position.   When the attacks momentarily subsided, over 70 enemy dead were counted around his position.  On the third day, a wounded and exhausted Corporal Day repulsed the enemy's final attack and dispatched around 12 of the enemy at close range.  Having yielded no ground and with more than 100 enemy dead around his position, Corporal Day preserved the lives of his fellow Marines and made a primal contribution to the success of the Okinawa campaign.  By his extraordinary heroism, repeated acts of valor, and quintessential battlefield leadership, Corporal Day inspired the efforts of his outnumbered Marines to defeat a much larger enemy force, reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

From Cpl. Day's Medal of Honor citation, awarded on January 20, 1998.

A true ass kicker in every way,
Brian

 Star awarded on Nov. 10 1999 at 155 S. Palm Canyon Dr.

James L. Day Middle School in Temecula, California

Medal of Honor Monday: George F. Davis

George Fleming Davis

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Walke engaged in a detached mission in support of mine sweeping operations to clear the waters for entry of our heavy surface and amphibious forces preparatory to the invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 6 January 1945.  Operating without gun support of other surface ships when four Japanese suicide planes were detected flying low overland to attack simultaneously, Commander Davis boldly took his position in the exposed wings of the bridge and directed control to pick up the leading plane and open fire.  Alert and fearless as the Walke's deadly fire sent the first target crashing into the water and caught the second as it passed close over the bridge to plunge into the sea off portside, he remained steadfast in the path of the third plane plunging swiftly to crash the after end of the bridge structure.  Seriously wounded when the plane struck, drenched with gasoline and immediately enveloped in flames, he conned the Walke in the midst of the wreckage; he rallied his command to heroic efforts; he exhorted his officers and men to save the ship and, still on his feet, saw the barrage from his guns destroy the fourth suicide bomber.  With the fires under control and the safety of the ship assured, he consented to be carried below.  Succumbing several hours later, Commander Davis, by his example of valor and his unhesitating self-sacrifice, steeled the fighting spirit of his command into unyielding purpose in completing a vital mission.  He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country." 

From Cmd. Davis' Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1946.

U.S.S. Davis

"Hangmen Also Die!"

The "Hangman of Prague" has been assassinated and the Nazis are hot on the trail of those involved.  Can the heroes escape or will they, along with the rest of the Czech population, suffer from their avenging Nazi oppressors?!  This is a fictional tale of the real life mission by the SOE to assassinate Reinhard Heydrich.  This flick was written and directed by the film legend Fritz Lang but is a bit lacking in the acting and budget but still an good flick.  Check out the trailer below and see what you think.

A nod to the brave men and women who fought the Nazi jackboot with everything they had!
Brian

Medal of Honor Monday: Charles W. Davis

Charles Willis Davis

"For distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on Guadalcanal Island.  On January 12, 1943, Maj. Davis (then Capt.), executive officer of an infantry battalion, volunteered to carry instructions to the leading companies of his battalion which had been caught in crossfire from Japanese machine guns.  With complete disregard for his own safety, he made his way to the trapped units, delivered the instructions, supervised their execution, and remained overnight in this exposed position.  On the following day, Maj. Davis again volunteered to lead an assault on the Japanese position which was holding up the advance.  When his rifle jammed at its first shot, he drew his pistol and, waving his men on, led the assault over the top of the hill.  Electrified by this action, another body of soldiers followed and seized the hill.  The capture of this position broke Japanese resistance and the battalion was then able to proceed and secure the corps objective.  The courage and leadership displayed by Maj. Davis inspired the entire battalion and unquestionably led to the success of its attack." 

From Capt. Davis' Medal of Honor citation, awarded on July 17, 1943.

 John Cusack as Capt. John Gaff (Capt. Davis) in 'The Thin Red Line".