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The Battle of Suoi Bong Trang, which took place on February 23-24, 1966, was a confrontation between US, Australian, and New Zealand forces, and the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War. This engagement occurred within the scope of Operation Rolling Stone, an American security operation aimed at safeguarding engineers constructing a strategically significant road near Tan Binh in central Binh Duong Province, approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Bien Hoa airbase.

The conflict involved troops from the US 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, and the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR), which was attached for the operation. These forces successfully defended against a regimental-sized Viet Cong night assault. The Viet Cong, repelled by concentrated firepower from artillery and tanks, suffered substantial casualties and withdrew by morning. Following the attack, there was no pursuit of the Viet Cong by the American and Australian forces, as their focus shifted to securing the battlefield and evacuating their own casualties. Despite occasional sniper and mortar fire from the Viet Cong in the aftermath, these tactics proved ineffective, and the road construction was completed by March 2.

In February 1966, as part of an American road-building initiative challenging the Viet Cong’s mobility around Saigon, the US 1st Engineer Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel Howard Sargent, was constructing an all-weather road in central Binh Duong Province. This road aimed to disrupt communist supply routes and connect various zones while extending the South Vietnamese government’s authority. In response to Viet Cong harassment against the engineers, Operation Rolling Stone was launched by elements of the US 1st Division, with the US 1st Brigade tasked to guard engineers on a rotating basis and conduct probing operations against Viet Cong positions.

Simultaneously, 1 RAR, led by Lieutenant Colonel Alex Preece, detached from the US 173rd Airborne Brigade, was placed under the operational command of the US 1st Division until March 5. This decision was based on the Australians’ reputation for dispersed, aggressive patrolling. The Australian forces, supported by vehicles, helicopters, and artillery, were assigned the mission to protect the engineer base and road work parties.

By February 19, 1 RAR took over from the US 38th Infantry Regiment and implemented a dispersed patrolling strategy, reducing Viet Cong activity. Suspecting a major attack, the Australians, by February 22, engaged Viet Cong Main Force elements, escalating tensions. The night of February 23-24 saw a significant Viet Cong assault, involving three battalions from the 9th Division.

The battle ensued with 1 RAR adopting an all-round defensive position. US reinforcements, including tanks and artillery, were brought in to defend the Brigade Headquarters. The Viet Cong initiated a night assault with mortar and small arms fire, met by intense American and Australian firepower. Although the Australian position faced mortar attacks, the Viet Cong’s attempt was futile, and they suffered heavy losses.

Casualties included 89 dead and 11 wounded Viet Cong, primarily inflicted by American forces. The US-Australian combined force experienced limited casualties, with 11 Americans and two Australians killed, and 72 Americans and two Australians wounded. The battlefield aftermath revealed significant Viet Cong casualties, equipment capture, and destruction of American tanks and personnel carriers.

In summary, the Battle of Suoi Bong Trang was a decisive victory for the US-Australian forces and stands as a testament to the effectiveness of the US-Australian forces in repelling a determined Viet Cong assault. Their coordinated efforts not only secured the battlefield but also ensured the completion of the strategically significant road by March 2, thereby achieving the objectives set forth by Operation Rolling Stone.

In a shocking revelation, the director of Kamal Adwan hospital, Ahmed Kahlot, has admitted that the medical facility was used as a military outpost by the militant group Hamas. This disclosure came during an interrogation by Shin Bet, the Israel Security Agency, shedding light on a dark secret that implicates not only Hamas but also raises concerns about the violation of international laws protecting medical facilities during conflicts.

Kahlot, who has been associated with Hamas since 2010, disclosed that the hospital staff, including doctors and nurses, were not only aware of but actively involved in military operations conducted by Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades and Islamic Jihad’s Quds Brigades. While suspicions regarding the hospital’s dual role had been circulating, this admission provides concrete evidence of the extent to which civilian structures were exploited for military purposes.

In a surprising twist, Kahlot did not mince words when expressing his disdain for Hamas leaders. Accusing them of cowardice, he revealed, “The leaders of Hamas are cowards. They left us in the field while they’re hiding in secret places. The people are the ones who pay the price. (…) They destroyed us.” This internal criticism highlights a growing disillusionment within the ranks of Hamas, especially after enduring two and a half months of war.

The admission by Kahlot corroborates long-standing claims by Israel that Hamas exploits hospitals for military purposes. The transformation of a hospital into a military hub not only endangers the lives of the hospital staff but also poses a severe challenge to the sanctity of medical facilities during times of conflict. This revelation reinforces concerns about the use of human shields, as terrorist groups strategically deploy their operations within civilian structures, believing that their humanitarian nature will deter targeted attacks.

The criticism from Kahlot, someone intimately connected with the workings of Hamas, invites reflection on the tactics employed by the terror group. The revelation not only exposes the exploitation of hospitals for military purposes but also underscores the internal strife within Hamas. As the conflict rages on, such revelations might further erode support for the organization, both domestically and on the international stage.

In conclusion, the admission of Hamas’s use of Kamal Adwan hospital for military operations raises serious ethical and legal questions. The exploitation of civilian structures for military purposes not only endangers lives but also challenges the fundamental principles safeguarding humanitarian institutions during times of conflict.

In southwest Iceland, a volcano has erupted, expelling molten rock into the air after weeks of heightened earthquake activity, prompting evacuations, according to the country’s Meteorological Office. The eruption occurred approximately four kilometres from the town of Grindavik on Monday night, as reported by the Icelandic Meteorological Office. Grindavik had been evacuated in November due to intense seismic activity that damaged homes and raised concerns of an impending eruption.

Images and live streams from the local news outlet RUV depicted lava spewing from fissures in the ground. Icelandic police elevated their alert level, and the country’s civil defence cautioned the public against approaching the area while emergency personnel assessed the situation.

Environmental activist Greta Thunberg expressed serious concerns, fearing that the eruption could set back climate change efforts and pose increased danger to the world.

Fortunately, the town of Grindavik and its crucial power plant remain safe for now. Sigurdur Ingi Johannsson, the infrastructure minister, acknowledged the unpredictability of nature, stating, “I think it’s very difficult to say anything when nature is involved, but as it seems to be drawing up this morning, we seem to have been quite lucky with the location and development (of the eruption), and we hope that will continue.”

In mid-November, 3,400 Grindavik residents were evacuated amid shaking ground, cracked roads, and structural damage to buildings. One month later, many are still residing in temporary accommodation, uncertain if they will ever return home.

The Earth’s surface crack, measuring around 3.5 kilometres in length, has rapidly expanded. The eruption is releasing 100 to 200 cubic meters of lava per second, significantly more than previous eruptions in the area, according to the Meteorological Office.

Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, a scientist who surveyed the site from a coast guard research flight, estimated that twice as much lava had already spewed compared to the entire month-long eruption on the peninsula earlier in the summer. Although the eruption is expected to decrease in intensity, its duration remains uncertain.

Reykjanes, the affected region, is a volcanic and seismic hot spot southwest of the capital, Reykjavik. In March 2021, a spectacular eruption occurred in the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system, featuring lava fountains from a 500-750-meter-long fissure in the ground.

In a historic declaration, Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius asserted, “We stand prepared to defend NATO’s territory.” This momentous decision marks the first instance in NATO’s history where Germany has committed to the permanent deployment of its army soldiers to another European nation. More than 5,000 German troops are set to be stationed in NATO ally Lithuania, strategically positioned just ten miles from the Russian border.

This unprecedented move is a direct response to Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine and heightened verbal threats towards various European nations. It serves as a pointed message to the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin, with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius formally announcing the deployment of German forces to the Baltic region. Pistorius emphasized, “We are sending a clear signal to all who may pose a threat to peace and security in Europe.”

Given Lithuania’s modest army of 15,000 soldiers, Germany’s decision is warmly welcomed, especially considering Russia’s proximity to the shared border. Tensions between Russia and Lithuania have been escalating over the past year, exacerbated by the NATO member’s suspension of cargo traffic to Kaliningrad. Last summer, Lithuania remained on high alert due to concerns about potential Russian retaliatory actions, and in August of this year, along with Latvia and Poland, it faced nuclear threats from Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Lukashenko boldly declared, “We will use them immediately if aggression is directed against us.” Meanwhile, Putin dismissed warnings from NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg and U.S. President Joe Biden regarding Russia’s potential invasion of more countries following its actions in Ukraine. Notably, a military buildup has been observed along the Russian-Finnish border.

This dismissive stance was reiterated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who remarked, “The fact that serious people like the President of the United States are saying this out loud says a lot about their desperate situation.” The deployment of German troops to Lithuania is anticipated to be fully realized by the year 2027, marking a significant development in NATO’s efforts to address regional security concerns.

Under the terms of the development contract, a prototype vehicle will be assembled and validated, marking a crucial step towards full-scale production.

Expressing enthusiasm about achieving this significant milestone in the advancement of next generation fighting vehicles in Hungary, a spokesperson stated, “We are thrilled to have reached another key milestone on our journey towards manufacturing cutting-edge armoured vehicles.”

Distinguishing itself from the system demonstrator exhibited at Eurosatory, the Panther KF51 EVO will be armed with the proven L55A1 120mm smoothbore gun, a feature also found in the latest Leopard 2 variants. This choice ensures logistical compatibility with Hungary’s existing fleet of Leopard 2 tanks.

Declared as the world’s most advanced main battle tank, the Panther KF51 sets a new benchmark for the combat effectiveness of mechanized formations and offers a high level of future adaptability.

To future-proof the platform, the Panther KF51 EVO will come equipped with an autoloader. Furthermore, the turret architecture allows for subsequent retrofitting of new 130mm gun.

Built on a foundation of advanced digitalization and networkability, the Panther KF51 incorporates state-of-the-art force protection technologies like the StrikeShield stand-off protection system. The tank’s design emphasizes a low aggregate weight, leveraging the Buffalo armoured recovery vehicle’s chassis.  This design choice, combined with the tank’s low total weight, enhances the Panther KF51’s mobility and results in synergies across logistics, maintenance, and training due to commonalities with the Leopard 2 family.

The Panther KF51 features a core crew of three – the commander, gunner, and driver – with an additional station reserved for a subsystem operator or battalion commander. This flexibility enables the tank to function as a mobile command post.

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black & white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o’clock for the 7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage.

Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI’s so far from home.

Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as 2nd in line, it was soon Richard’s turn. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, “I understand. I just wanted her to see it”.

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, “This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for “my gentlemen”. With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him.

She then made quite a to do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren’t too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he’d like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. “That’s the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army”, he said.

Richard, like many others, came home to people who spit on him and shouted ugly things at him. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet.

I’ll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say Thank You to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces.

Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.

If you’d like to pass on this story, feel free to do so. Perhaps it will help others to become aware of how important it is to acknowledge the contribution our service people make.

Origins:   Ann-Margret (born Ann-Margret Olsson in 1941) caught the entertainment industry’s eye while still a teen. Her vivacious spirit and startling good looks helped propel her into a successful career as an actress, singer, and dancer, but she was initially saddled with a sex kitten image that limited her to siren roles. With the help of her husband (Roger Smith

of television’s 77 Sunset Strip), she began to shake free of that perception during her thirties; and she has since been twice nominated for Academy Awards (for Carnal Knowledge in 1971 and Tommy in 1975) and has been the recipient of numerous Emmys.

The book signing story presented above adheres to the facts of Ann-Margret’s life, and according to Bruce Thompson, webmaster of Ann-Margret.com (the star’s offical web site), it is indeed true. Ann-Margret entertained American servicemen in Vietnam as part of Bob Hope’s traveling troupe in the 1960s, and she participated in a number of signings at book stores when her autobiography, Ann-Margret: My Story, was published in 1994. (My Story made the New York Times‘s best-seller list scant days after its release.)

Ann-Margret is still remembered fondly by many of those soldiers who served in Vietnam and who were lucky enough to be in the audience for one of her shows. In press interviews she has often spoken about former G.I.s who have stepped forward to thank her for taking the time to do her part back then, so it’s hardly a stretch to think she would be thanking them in return.

In April 2015 a reader wrote to us to report his recent encounter with the star, who still runs true to form in her love for our veterans after all these years:

I actually had the pleasure of meeting her at an autograph signing at Chiller Theatre in Parsippany, NJ this past weekend.

With the limited time I was permitted with her, I brought up the article on Snopes and thanked her for always supporting our veterans.

She told me she hadn’t known about it being on Snopes but verified that the story was true and said that she was so overwhelmed with emotion.

She told me she had just been at a VA hospital the previous week and said she always tries to see “[her] boys” whenever she can.

At 74 years old (her birthday was yesterday, actually!) she’s one of the classiest celebrities I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. She spent as much time as she could talking to each person that came up, and said she was having the time of her life being able to meet such wonderful people. A true sweetheart, and still loves her vets every bit as much to this day.

I told her, “God bless you for what you do for our soldiers.”

She replied, “And God bless you for recognizing how important they are.”

And that’s how she signed my photo, “God Bless”.

Thanks for sharing the original story, it certainly gave me a unique experience in meeting Ann-Margret.

ED: Video follows the article.

In a landmark aviation feat in 1928, the legendary Charles Kingsford Smith etched his name in history by completing the first-ever trans-Pacific flight from mainland US to Australia aboard the iconic Fokker F.VIIb/3m trimotor, famously known as the Southern Cross. Covering an astounding distance of approximately 11,670 kilometres (7,250 miles), this pioneering journey was a testament to human ingenuity and aviation prowess.

Fast forward to the present day, where the spirit of the Southern Cross has been resurrected in the form of a meticulously crafted replica. Constructed in South Australia over the span of seven years, from 1980 to 1987, this full-sized flying reproduction stands as the largest known replica aircraft in the world, paying homage to the golden age of aviation.

However, fate dealt a blow to the Southern Cross on May 25, 2002, when it suffered a severe takeoff accident, resulting in major structural damage. Undeterred by the setback, the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) stepped in, acquiring the historic aircraft from the South Australia Government in 2010. What followed was an exhaustive and intricate 12-year restoration effort by dedicated HARS volunteers, breathing new life into this aviation marvel.

The culmination of this laborious restoration journey was marked by the Southern Cross achieving airworthiness in the year 2023. On the historic day of December 8, 2023, the aircraft emerged from its cocoon of restoration, taking to the skies once again in a resplendent display of its revived glory. This momentous occasion was graced by a public flight demonstration that garnered widespread acclaim for its seamless execution and the remarkable dedication exhibited by the restoration team.

At the helm of this historic flight were esteemed Qantas pilots Bruce Simpson and Mark Thurstan, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to guide the Southern Cross through the skies. Their presence underscored the significance of this achievement, connecting the past and present of aviation history.

The rebirth of the Southern Cross stands not only as a tribute to Charles Kingsford Smith’s pioneering spirit but also as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the aviation community to preserve and celebrate the heritage of flight. The Southern Cross replica, now soaring through the skies once more, serves as a living testament to the indomitable human spirit and the enduring legacy of those who paved the way for aviation exploration.