I have an idea for an article. In reading several stories on your site about the Battle of the Little Big Horn I find myself disagreeing strongly with a couple of your author’s conclusions. Blaming Reno and Benteen for Custer’s fate makes me think the authors have never held a command or been under fire. They simply don’t have a basic understanding of the military in 1876.
Would you be interested in an article on Benteen’s actions during the battle? From when he received the written order from Custer’s adjutant, (“Benteen, come quick…”) until he identified Custer’s body on the 27th, (“There he is…”) his actions merit the Medal of Honor.
Benteen had to fight his way to Reno’s position, where he found the major plinking away at Sioux hundreds of yards away. (“Benteen, I’ve lost half my men.”) Recognizing Reno, his superior, had lost control of the situation it didn’t take long before he took over defacto command.
As he watched Weir and his company ride to Custer, Benteen organized the command. He had to bring up the ammo in the pack train not only per Custer’s order, but for the immediate defense of their position. Reno’s men had already used most of theirs. Add the commotion of some 500 horses and mules under constant fire from the hostiles and he did it in less time than it took to write this letter! As they began to move out Weir came galloping back with hundreds of Sioux on his tail.
As for Reno’s cowardice, let the long dead Indian War veterans argue it at Fiddler’s Green.
I got interested in the Battle of the Little Big Horn decades ago when I was in college. Later my paper for Command and General Staff I argued Custer was shot in the chest by three Cheyenne at Medicine Tail Coulee. My theory was his brother Tom gave the coup de gras to keep him from falling into the hands of the Sioux.
I retired from the army as a major in 1994 and worked as a full-time reporter for Stonebridge Press. I have had articles published in several local and national publications.
I own a Model 1873 Carbine which may have been issued to the Seventh. I’m a small arms and artillery expert and probably fired every type of weapon used by both sides during the battle. In the summer of 1967 I spent a week camping on horseback in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina using WWI surplus tact, US rosettes and McClellan saddles. In the summer of 1968 I went to Vietnam.
In my usual dealings with editors, my question now is how long do you want the article and when do you need it? Thank you for your consideration.
Bernard E. Cooney
Major Field Artillery, AUS ret

By Barney Cooney on Sep 17, 2008 at 3:41 am

Dear John Antal
I’m responding to the inter active combat on page 63 of Nov 2008 issue. As commander Lt. Depew I would dive my tank to a position on hill 152 to control the north pass. I would also have the north pass mined on the north east side of the hill(if time permits). I would have the south pass mined on the south east side of the hill. I would have the road mined on the east side of town, from the abandoned anti-tank ditch, north, to the NE building of village.I would park the half track, with a gunner & driver south of the abandoned trench on hill 152 & west of the land mines. I would place the bazooka soldier at the south end of the trench to help control the south pass. Sgt. Forrester & the rest of the crew I would position in the abandoned trench.
Best regards
warren

By warren olson on Oct 4, 2008 at 4:05 pm

Dear Sirs,

I am the son of Flight Captain Erich Warsitz, the test pilot who
flew the world’s first jet aircraft (Heinkel He 178) on 27 August
1939, as well as the first-ever liquid-fuel rocket aircraft (Heinkel
He 176) in June of the same year. His legendary flying skills
enabled him to assist the pioneering German aircraft and engine
design teams that included Wernher von Braun, Hans Pabst von
Ohain and Ernst Heinkel.

To mark the 100th anniversary of my father’s birth on 18
October 2006, I published a book (German) - Flugkapitän Erich
Warsitz, der erste Düsenflugzeugpilot der Welt (Flight Captain
Erich Warsitz, the World’s First Jet Pilot) -, in which my father
recounted in the original aviator’s jargon the exciting story of the
He 176 and He 178 development. Little is known of this pioneer
period because of the strict secrecy which shrouded the whole
project - it is a fascinating story that tells of the birth of the jet
age and flight as we know it today.

UK publisher of aviation history books PEN AND SWORD BOOKS,
recognizing the worldwide interest shown in my book, has had
the volume translated into English by Geoffrey Brooks. The book
entitled THE FIRST JET PILOT includes many unseen
photographs and will be published in November 2008.

I therefore would like to ask you whether you would be interested
in making a review of my English book in your pages and I would
be glad to send you a review-copy.
For the moment please find more information’s on the subject, as
well as many video and audio files of my father and his flights, in
the following web site: http://www.firstjetpilot.com/index.html

I look forward to hearing your opinion, suggestions or advice and I
thank you for your interest.

Yours sincerely,

Lutz Warsitz
Book Author
THE FIRST JET PILOT
http://www.firstjetpilot.com

By Lutz Warsitz on Oct 23, 2008 at 6:46 am

Some months ago, you featured an article on TE Lawrence.

There is a military archaeology project along the Hijaz RR: it is an
effort to develop new heritage sites from the area’s WW1 activities,
but also to show the effectiveness of irregular/guerrilla warfare.
Called the Great Arab Revolt Project, it is under the auspices of the
University of Bristol, led by Dr Neil Faulkner, and supported by the
Jordanians and Current World Archaeology magazine. The digging this
year occurs November 12-26 and involves both? volunteers and
professionals.

I am one of the volunteers.

For what it’s worth, I understand the BBC may be doing a docu with Rory Stewart
as commentator.

Would Armchair General be interested in a squib on this project? ?

(More info can be found at http://www.jordan1914-18archaeology.org/)

Jo Rawlins Gilbert
Menlo Park CA

http://jos-travel-blog.blogspot.com

By Jo Rawlins Gilbert on Oct 31, 2008 at 8:41 pm