On this day in history, 27 April 1945, the Lapland War officially came to a close. Most folks who are only casually aware of WW2 history probably don't have Finland pop into mind as an Axis co-belligerent. Fewer likely know the reason for this alignment, which was driven primarily by Finland's belligerent, communist, and land-grabby neighbor -- the Soviet Union. Fewer still (including myself until quite recently) are aware that the Finns eventually turned on their former German allies in the last year of the war in a bid to retain Finnish independence from a resurgent Red Army.
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The Request for the American Enfield -- And a Tangential Personal Connection to History (Model 1917)4/19/2020 April 19th, 1917. Less than two weeks after the US declaration of war on Germany, General Crozier -- the US Army's Chief of Ordnance -- clarified his request for authority to secure additional small arms for the war effort. Weapons produced outside of the national armories were desperately needed to make up for the dramatic shortage of m1903 rifles and m1911 pistols. The goal was to put serviceable, and somewhat standardized, weapons in the hands of the AEF Soldiers and Marines that would soon be sent overseas to join the fight.
Click below to read more! On April 16th 1865, Easter Sunday, the last large scale engagement of the American Civil War was fought in Columbus, GA. Columbus is known to most current service members as the town immediately outside the gates of Fort Benning. US Army Fort Benning itself is the home of the Infantry branch, and more recently has become home to the Armor Branch, morphing into the Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE).
Click below to read more! On this day in history, April 11th 1900, some (presumably) bored cavalry trooper stood in a line and turned in his carbine to be upgraded at the arsenal. And this pictured carbine MAY have been one of those. On this day, the 6th Cavalry Regiment turned in their Model 1896 carbines, presumably receiving fresh new Model 1899 carbines in return, shortly before shipping off to China.
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Jon K.Weapons collector, history buff, Army officer, Pug enthusiast. Archives
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