"Somebody having an orgasm in the background." The post White Noise – ‘An Electric Storm ’69’: an ambient album in the era of analogue first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

Republican state Sen. Colton Moore blocked by soldier from recording shady illegal alien processing pipeline at Atlanta's international airport. Disturbing video from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) shows a group of migrants tucked away in a hidden room guarded by a U.S. service member. Republican state Sen. Colton Moore‚ who is the vice chairman of the Georgia Freedom Caucus‚ took video shared by the Daily Caller News Foundation showing a hidden room at ATL full of illegal aliens from around the world and volunteers of Team Libertad guarded by a uniformed soldier. Moore said an Atlanta airport “whistleblower” tipped him off about the clandestine makeshift migrant shelter by the terminals‚ and claimed he noticed an uptick of migrants traveling through the airport in recent months. “We’re all getting them flights to where they need to be‚” a man who identified himself as a Team Libertad volunteer says in the video. “These are just recently documented travelers getting released from ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] getting to where they need to be.” “There’s people that‚ they get dropped off here from ICE detention with no help‚” the man added.Save 40% on DNA Force Plus NOW! Try it today and see why so many listeners have made it an essential part of their daily routine! Team Libertad is a migrant advocacy program of the Inspiritus nonprofit that claims its mission is “offering airport accompaniment to asylum seekers at ATL airport.” Moore said that the uniformed soldier — whose military branch affiliation was not established — tried to stop him from filming when he began recording the migrants. “The room was absolutely packed with people from every continent on this planet‚” Moore told the DCNF. “When I took my phone and reached it up above the guy to get a better view of all the illegals in the room‚ that’s when chaos broke out. That’s when the U.S. Army guy took the phone.” “It was a scrimmage between he and I in order to get the phone back. And then he proceeded to tell me to get out of there and just made a real big scene out of it.” This comes as Chicago and Boston are also sheltering illegal migrants at their international airports amid an unprecedented influx of illegal crossings at the southern U.S. border‚ albeit in a much less secretive fashion. #NEW Dozens of migrants are sleeping on the floor of the International terminal of Logan Airport. WBZ says that Massachusetts State Police are being paid overtime to assist at Logan overnight.Volunteers helping the migrants are concerned of hygiene as no showers are… pic.twitter.com/ZHnlkx3N66— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) January 24‚ 2024 Who’s Organizing This? Why Is This Insanity Being Allowed Here In America? Chicago O'Hare Airport Housing Illegal Migrants“I want everybody to know that this is what they're doing out here. I just started over at the airport. So all the migrants are living out here. It's so… pic.twitter.com/u9GNJleUlV— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) October 2‚ 2023 Arizona’s Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) and Tucson airport have even gone so far as to create special expedited lines for illegal migrants who have no ID to fly anywhere they want in the U.S.‚ further exposing the left’s sophisticated illegal immigration processing pipeline. According to Customs and Border Protection data‚ a record-breaking 371‚000 migrants illegally entered the U.S. in December 2023 alone. Follow Jamie White on X | Truth | Gab | Gettr | Minds

In “The Wizard of Oz”‚ at one point Dorothy tells her dog that she has “a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”.  She had been dropped in a strange new world that was crazier than anything she had ever imagined.  Needless to say‚ many of us feel the exact same way.  We’re not in the America that we grew up in anymore.  Instead‚ we now live in a country that appears to be a cross between a really bad science fiction movie and a freak show.  Sadly‚ the pace of change has now reached an exponential rate‚ and things will get even more insane during the years that are ahead of us.  The following are 8 signs that demonstrate how truly bizarre our society is becoming… #1 Facial recognition technology is now being implemented on a widespread basis.  For example‚ the official TSA website is openly admitting that the TSA is starting to use facial scanning technology at airports nationwide… TSA introduced facial recognition technology into the screening process at select airports. The facial recognition technology represents a significant security enhancement and improves traveler convenience. A traveler may voluntarily agree to use their face to verify their identity during the screening process by presenting their physical identification or passport. The facial recognition technology TSA uses helps ensure the person standing at the checkpoint is the same person pictured on the identification document (ID) credential. Photos are not stored or saved after a positive ID match has been made‚ except in a limited testing environment for evaluation of the effectiveness of the technology. The agency is using second-generation Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) scanners as travelers enter the screening process. This technology assists Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in verifying the authenticity of a traveler’s ID credential‚ as well as their flight status and vetting status. TSOs must direct all passengers to the proper lane‚ either TSA PreCheck® screening‚ standard screening‚ or enhanced screening. The CAT-2 units are currently deployed at nearly 30 airports nationwide‚ and will expand to the more than 400 federalized airports over the coming years. #2 The elite want to make national borders meaningless‚ and that is quickly becoming the case.  So many people from foreign countries have moved into the Twin Cities area in Minnesota that authorities are being forced to put up signs explaining that peeing‚ pooping and rape are not allowed while riding public transportation… Peeing and pooping while riding on Metro Transit vehicles falls under the “illegal” category‚ according to the signs. “Transit property is not a public restroom‚” the new rules read. They also explain to riders that sexual assault is illegal. “Sexual contact without consent is forbidden‚” the rules state. #3 Do you remember Michael Cassidy?  He was the guy that beheaded the statue of Satan at the Iowa Capitol‚ and now he is being charged with a hate crime… Michael Cassidy has been charged with a hate crime for beheading a statue of Satan at the Iowa Capitol. Cassidy drove up to Iowa after the Satanic display was erected in the state capitol and took it down. He will be arraigned on February 15. Polk County prosecutors charged Cassidy with felony third-degree criminal mischief‚ saying that he acted “in violation of individual rights” under Iowa’s hate crime statue‚ the Des Moines Register reports. #4 In Montana‚ one family just had their 14-year-old daughter permanently taken away from them because they wouldn’t allow her to transition to a different gender… A Montana mom and dad who lost custody of their daughter after they refused to transition her gender have told DailyMail.com the ordeal ‘has torn their family apart.’ Krista Kolstad revealed the family’s nightmare began when they received a call that their 14-year-old daughter Jennifer told friends at school that she wanted to commit suicide in August 2023. Later that night‚ Child Protective Services (CPS) went to the Kolstad’s home in Glasgow to inspect the house and interview Jennifer‚ later determining that she needed to transition to get better. Republican Governor Greg Gianforte was confronted about this case‚ and he is actually defending the decision. #5 Sticking with Montana‚ it is being reported that a “bioagent superlab” in the state is doing experiments with “Ebola‚ Lassa fever‚ Nipah‚ and even the plague”… DISTRESSING new images show animals being infected with deadly pathogens at a US lab with ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Photos and footage obtained by watchdog White Coat Waste show scientists at the Rocky Mountain Lab sedating monkeys and pigs – and carrying out experiments with deadly viruses. White Coat Waste has described the lab as a “bioagent superlab” that infects animals with highly contagious and deadly diseases – such as Ebola‚ Lassa fever‚ Nipah‚ and even the plague. #6 During a Senate hearing on Wednesday‚ Ted Cruz asked Mark Zuckerberg why Instagram users are given the option to “see results anyway” when attempting to pull up images of child sexual abuse… He then held a blown-up screenshot of an Instagram prompt that asks users if they want to ‘get resources’ or ‘see results anyway’ when browsing harmful images. The warning read ‘these results may contain images of child sexual abuse’‚ with an explanation underneath. ‘You gave users two choices: “Get resources or see results anyway”‚’ Cruz said‚ speaking directly to the Meta founder. ‘Mr. Zuckerberg‚ what the hell were you thinking?’‚ barely pausing long enough for the Meta founder to respond. #7 We have been warned for a long time that a cashless society is coming‚ but now we have reached a point where thousands of businesses all over the United States have already gone cashless… Aaron Bateman pulled out a few $20 bills to pay for a taco lunch in the nation’s capital. To his surprise‚ his money was no good in the city where money is printed. Surfside‚ a popular 24-hour Mexican eatery‚ doesn’t take cash. No cash means no register for robbers to empty out‚ no bills for workers to slip into their pockets and no change counting holding up lines. The global cashless movement has reached Washington‚ where a growing number of fast-casual and other establishments are saying no to greenbacks in favor of plastic and mobile payments. Sweetgreen‚ the national salad chain‚ went cashless in most of its locations last year. Other cashless spots include a frozen yogurt shop downtown‚ a posh wine bar and a beer store. #8 Would you allow someone to put a computer chip in your head?  Well‚ it is really starting to happen.  This week‚ we learned that the very first “brain chip” has been implanted in a human subject… Elon Musk announced that his company Neuralink implanted a brain chip in a human in a preliminary clinical study. If research studies continue to look promising‚ devices like these could one day be a “game changer” for people with limited motor function‚ experts told ABC News. Neuralink says its goal is to help people living with debilitating conditions‚ including paralysis‚ communicate and control external devices with their thoughts. The patient who received the implant is “recovering well‚” Musk said in a post on X Tuesday. What do all of these eight things have in common? Each one of them shows that the agenda of the elite is rapidly advancing. We are living in a society that they are designing for their twisted purposes and that represents their twisted values. The good news is that we live at a time when all of their plans and programs will soon come crashing down. The elite will not succeed in creating the world that they so desperately desire‚ and evil will not triumph in the end. Michael’s new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com‚ and you can check out his new Substack newsletter right here. About the Author: Michael Snyder’s extremely controversial new book entitled “Chaos” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.  He has also written seven other books that are available on Amazon.com including “End Times”‚ “7 Year Apocalypse”‚ “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”‚ “The Beginning Of The End”‚ and “Living A Life That Really Matters”. (#CommissionsEarned)  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog‚ End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News‚ and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  You can connect with Michael on YouTube‚ Facebook and Twitter‚ and sharing his articles on your own social media accounts is definitely a great help.  These are such troubled times‚ and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world‚ that he gave his only begotten Son‚ that whosoever believeth in him should not perish‚ but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so‚ we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today. The post 8 Signs That Demonstrate How Truly Bizarre Our Society Is Becoming appeared first on End Of The American Dream.

  When the US Civil War erupted in 1861‚ the Union had to decide on a strategy to retake Confederate territory. With the vaunted Army of Northern Virginia protecting the Confederate capital of Richmond‚ Virginia‚ the Union began invading from the Western Theater. One major goal: seize control of the Mississippi River to allow Union troops to move south and block the ability of Confederate troops to travel north.   Victory Goes to the Union A Currier &; Ives image showing Union forces at the Battle of Pittsburg Landing‚ later known as the Battle of Shiloh. Source: Springfield Museums   The Battle of Shiloh was a victory for the Union forces of General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant was hoping to secure the Tennessee River for the Union and allow it to ship troops deep into Confederate territory. Because the Confederacy lacked many railroads‚ the Union could severely limit its troop movement by successfully seizing control of rivers like the Mississippi‚ Cumberland‚ and Tennessee. This would also divide the Confederate States of America into separate zones‚ allowing it to be reclaimed section by section.   Shiloh was a Confederate counterattack after Grant had seized Fort Henry and Fort Donelson earlier in the year. Confederate forces under General Albert Sidney Johnston struck with a surprise attack on April 6‚ 1862. The surprise attack was initially successful‚ but Union reinforcements soon arrived‚ and General Johnston was shot and killed‚ resulting in loss of command. Although the Confederates ended the day having gained some ground‚ Grant counterattacked the next day after linking up with the forces of fellow general Don Carlos Buell. The Confederates retreated to Corinth‚ Mississippi.   Timeline of the Battle of Shiloh A map showing the Union and Confederate positions on April 7‚ 1862. Source: American Battlefield Trust   Confederate General Albert Johnston hoped for a major strike to knock Union forces out of Tennessee. After consolidating his forces‚ Johnston mobilized on April 3‚ 1862‚ hoping to catch Union general Ulysses S. Grant before he could link up with comrade Don Carlos Buell and add 20‚000 additional soldiers to his current 45‚000.   By the night of April 5‚ Johnston’s forces were only a few miles from Grant’s near the small town of Pittsburg Landing‚ Tennessee. The area is heavily forested‚ giving the Confederates the advantage of cover.   A map showing movements of Union and Confederate armies during the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. Source: The Strategy Bridge   On the morning of April 6‚ Johnston’s forces struck‚ surprising Grant’s troops. Steadily‚ the Union troops were forced back. However‚ luck faded for the Confederates in the afternoon when Johnston was struck in the leg by a bullet and suffered a torn artery. Johnston bled to death and was replaced by Piere G.T. Beauregard. Unaware of the true battlefield situation‚ Beauregard halted the Confederate attacks‚ allowing Union general Buell to arrive overnight and reinforce Grant.   The next morning‚ April 7‚ Grant’s larger force counterattacked‚ forcing the Confederates back. After Union ships arrived and provided additional firepower from the Tennessee River‚ Beauregard decided a retreat was necessary at around 3:00 PM.   What Caused the Battle of Shiloh? The guns of Fort Donelson‚ overlooking the Cumberland River in Tennessee‚ which were seized by Union General Ulysses S. Grant in February 1862. Source: TN History for Kids   The Confederacy lacked the manpower and industrial might of the Union and could not easily protect its vast borders. As a result‚ Union forces were able to easily begin retaking chunks of the Confederacy in the Western Theater. One target was Tennessee‚ which stretched from east to west. Fort Donelson overlooked the Cumberland River‚ which would be a major wartime asset if seized. Instead of negotiating cautiously‚ as was expected‚ Union General Ulysses S. Grant demanded the immediate surrender of the fort to his 27‚000 troops. This show of force won Grant praise as a standout among the Union’s notoriously cautious crop of generals.   Having lost Forts Henry and Donelson‚ the Confederacy needed to strike back with force. A static defense that attempted to protect the borders was insufficient‚ given the Union’s major advantage in manpower. As a result‚ Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston was forced to pull his men to a central location–Corinth‚ Mississippi–and plan a counterattack. When he realized that Grant and Buell were going to link up‚ creating a massive army‚ he decided he had to strike first.   Why Was the Battle of Shiloh Significant? Union President Abraham Lincoln (left) famously defended Union General Ulysses S. Grant (right) from critics after his victory in the Battle of Shiloh. Source: Library of Congress   The Battle of Shiloh was significant in that it revealed the Confederacy could not hold back the might of the Union. A defensive war would not be sufficient. Johnston had already had to consolidate his troops to strike back at Grant‚ leaving swaths of his region of the South undefended. The Union could simply wear out the Confederacy. As a result‚ the Confederacy needed to change its tactics. Instead of adopting a purely defensive posture‚ the South might be able to frighten the North by striking where least expected…in the North itself.   Another significant effect of Shiloh was the North’s surprise about Southern resistance. Grant was allegedly taken by surprise by Johnston’s forces‚ having not predicted that the Confederates could attack with such force. Civilians in the North were surprised by the savage intensity of the battle‚ which was the bloodiest of the war up to that point. Many had thought the war would be over soon‚ given the Union’s relative ease at retaking New Orleans and other chunks of Confederate territory. Thus‚ the Confederate attack in force at Shiloh revealed that the Civil War was far from over and would be a painful‚ bloody conflict. Despite outrage at the high casualties Grant had sustained‚ Union President Abraham Lincoln famously defended the general‚ saying‚ “I can’t spare this man – he fights.”   5 Facts About the Battle of Shiloh A painting showing the devastation of the Battle of Shiloh‚ which shocked many Americans and led to criticism of General Grant’s high casualties. Source: National Park Service   1. Casualties The Union‚ which was hit by Johnston’s surprise attack‚ suffered some 13‚000 casualties during the two-day battle. Johnston’s forces‚ by contrast‚ only suffered about 10‚000‚ though the number of confirmed killed in battle was almost identical at about 1‚700 per side. The bulk of the 3‚000 additional casualties suffered by the Union came from missing and captured men. The press in the North were outraged at the high casualties suffered by Grant‚ and some demanded his removal as a Union general.   2. Commanders Union forces were led by Ulysses S. Grant‚ who had made a name for himself two months earlier when he seized Forts Henry and Donelson. He was reinforced on the second day of the battle by General Don Carlos Buell‚ a veteran of the Seminole War against Native Americans in Florida and a fellow Mexican-American War veteran. When the Civil War began‚ Buell had been a relatively junior military officer in California before being recalled to train Union troops. He advised Grant to seize the Tennessee river forts‚ leading to his promotion to major general in March 1862‚ shortly before the Battle of Shiloh.   Confederate forces were led by Albert Sidney Johnston‚ a Texas Revolution veteran who had moved to the state ten years after graduating from West Point. He served as Secretary of War for the Republic of Texas before returning to the United States in 1840. Three years later‚ he moved back to Texas and later took part in the Mexican-American War. Now part of the US Army again‚ Johnston was sent to the Pacific Department (ironically‚ where Buell himself was stationed) before resigning his command upon the outbreak of the Civil War after the Battle of Fort Sumter. Like Robert E. Lee‚ Johnston was offered a military command with the Union but turned it down.   3. Number of Forces Involved The armies of Johnston and Grant were evenly matched on April 6‚ the first day of battle. Both men commanded approximately 45‚000 men. On the second day‚ however‚ Buell arrived with 20‚000 men of his own. This gave the Union some 65‚000 soldiers versus only 45‚000 for the Confederates. The numerical advantage leads Johnston’s successor‚ Beauregard‚ to decide to retreat to Corinth‚ Mississippi on the afternoon of April 7 after much evenly-matched fighting.   4. Visiting Shiloh National Military Park Today‚ the battlefield can be visited as a facility of the National Park Service. There is a visitor center and the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center. This interpretive center offers hands-on programs for visitors to experience what life was like for Civil War soldiers. There is also a Contraband Camp‚ which is a historical re-creation of camps made by escaped slaves who fled to Union lines. Visitors to the area tend to stay in the town of Corinth‚ Mississippi‚ where there are chain hotels in addition to bed-and-breakfast-type lodging.   5. Trivia: Highest-Ranking Kill of the War Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston‚ commander of the Western Theater‚ was shot in the thigh on the first day of battle and bled to death quickly. Allegedly‚ he did not realize he was in grave condition until it was too late‚ dying with a tourniquet still in his pocket. After the war‚ his remains were returned to Austin‚ Texas. Due to his depth of experience‚ Johnston was considered one of the finest soldiers in the country‚ and Confederate leaders like President Jefferson Davis bemoaned his loss as a turning point in the war.   Aftermath of Shiloh: Confederacy Goes on the Offensive Confederate General Robert E. Lee lobbied Confederate President Jefferson Davis to invade the North after Shiloh revealed the West could not be defended. Source: American Battlefield Trust   Shortly after the Battle of Shiloh‚ General Robert E. Lee was promoted to command the Confederacy’s strongest army: the Army of Northern Virginia. He knew that the Confederacy would simply be ground down if it continued to fight from a defensive posture. Lee wanted to take the initiative to surprise the North and hit them when they were unprepared. Union armies advancing into the South were already organized but were unlikely to be at the ready on their home turf. Moving the war into the North would also relieve pressure on the South‚ both from Union troops who would be diverted and from the overuse of Southern farms. In the North‚ Confederate troops could resupply from Northern farms.   Lee also anticipated that going on the offensive would put political pressure on Union President Abraham Lincoln to seek peace. Thus far‚ citizens in the North had faced little destruction from the war. After a brief invasion of Maryland‚ Lee planned to tell Northerners that deciding to continue the war was entirely up to Lincoln. Hopefully‚ voters in the November 1862 midterm elections would then pressure Lincoln and the Republican Party to seek a peace deal and allow the Confederate States of America to remain independent. Lee successfully lobbied Confederate President Jefferson Davis to allow this invasion of Maryland‚ which culminated in the bloody Battle of Antietam – a Union victory.

Film still of Henry Cele in Shaka Zulu‚ 1986   In the early 19th century‚ in the region of what is now KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa‚ a powerful kingdom was born. At its head was the clever but brutal King Shaka. Under his rule‚ the small and insignificant Zulu tribe came to dominate all other tribes at a time of immense conflict in the area.   He defined and refined Zulu culture as his conquests created a legacy that exists as a powerful link to the Zulu people today.   His story was one of struggle and violence‚ as well as immense grief‚ sadness‚ and insanity.   The Early Life of Shaka Prince Senzangakhona and Nandi from the 2023 series Shaka iLembe‚ via DSTV   The birth of Shaka was a result of a violation of Zulu tradition. uKuhlobonga was the act of non-penetrative sex‚ and it served an important function. The practice was believed to wash away the umnyama – darkness or bad omens caused by killing another man. Thus‚ when Zulu warriors went to or returned from war‚ uKuhlobonga was a very common act.   Prince Senzangakhona‚ chief of the then tiny Zulu tribe‚ had engaged in uKuhlobonga with a woman named Nandi but had broken tradition and engaged in penetrative sex. To make matters worse‚ Nandi was from a different tribe‚ the Elangeni‚ and engaging in sexual rituals between members of different tribes was also frowned upon.   When Nandi claimed to be pregnant‚ Prince Senzangakhona dismissed it as an intestinal beetle known as iShaka. As the months passed‚ it became clear that Nandi was not suffering from an intestinal beetle. When the child was born in 1787‚ she was sent from her tribe in shame to the Zulu to present her child to Prince Senzangakhona. At first‚ he denied the child was his‚ but his uncle pressured him to admit the child as his own‚ and Prince Senzangakhona relented‚ admitting he was the father and making Nandi his third wife.   The name Shaka was used in a derogative manner‚ and as the boy grew up‚ he was teased and mistreated by Senzangakhona’s other wives and children. Nandi was also the target of distrust and mistreatment.   Ntando Zondi as a young Shaka in Shaka iLembe‚ 2023‚ via News24   Despite being the eldest of Senzangakhona’s sons‚ Shaka would not inherit his father’s title. Shaka’s younger half-brother‚ Sigujana‚ would receive that honor.   One day‚ as an act of revenge‚ Shaka stood and watched as a dog killed one of Senzangakhona’s sheep. Enraged by Shaka’s inaction‚ Senzangakhona argued with Nandi and beat Shaka.   Nandi and Shaka left the Zulu tribe and returned to her mother’s tribe‚ the Elangeni‚ but they were not welcomed with open arms. The stigma attached to them led them to be treated harshly there too. Nevertheless‚ they stayed there until 1802‚ when famine hit the area and forced them to seek help elsewhere.   They took refuge in the mDletsheni clan‚ which was ruled over by an aging King Jobe of the Mthethwa Paramountcy. Nandi and Shaka were accepted‚ and Shaka became a cattle herder for the tribe. In 1803‚ when Shaka was 16 years old‚ King Jobe died‚ and his son Dingiswayo ascended the throne.   Under Dingiswayo‚ the tribe’s focus changed and underwent militarization. Shaka became one of Dingiswayo’s soldiers and showed exceptional ability. Dingiswayo took a liking to this young soldier and promoted him. Shaka eventually became one of Dingiswayo’s generals.   In 1815‚ King Senzangakhona of the Zulu died after an illness and was succeeded by Shaka’s younger half-brother‚ Sigujana. He did not reign for long.   With the support of Dingiswayo and the Mthethwa Paramountcy‚ to which all the tribes in the area belonged‚ Shaka returned to the Zulu tribe with a regiment of soldiers in tow. He took power in a relatively bloodless coup and had Sigujama put to death. Shaka was now King of the Zulu tribe‚ which was still a vassal of the Mthethwa Paramountcy.   Shaka Establishes Himself  The position of the Zulu Empire overlaid onto a map of South Africa showing modern provincial borders. Image supplied by the author using base map from southafricamap360.com.   Shaka quickly proved himself a capable leader and an asset to the Mthethwa Paramountcy. Although heavily militarized‚ the Zulu did not always resort to warfare to achieve their goal. The Zulu were still small‚ and Shaka applied pressure via diplomatic means rather than open conflict. Through this tactic‚ he allied himself with many of his smaller neighbors‚ primarily to fend off Ndwandwe raids from the north.   Shaka’s accession to the Zulu throne coincided with a period of immense strife within the region. The Mfecane‚ as it is known by the Zulu‚ does not translate well into English‚ but it roughly translates as “scattering‚ crushing‚ forced dispersal‚ and forced migration.” It is also known as the Difaqane of Lifaqane in Sesotho.   The Mfecane is a widely debated topic‚ and original academic theories posit that it was a result of Zulu expansion‚ but the theory has been challenged‚ and evidence suggests this time of strife started at the end of the 18th century before Shaka became king. There was wholesale slaughter and genocide during this period as the region erupted into war‚ and initial theories put the death toll at between one and two million people‚ but this figure has been reduced in modern estimates.   War With Zwide The three phases of the bull horn tactic‚ which show the enveloping of the enemy in a classic pincer movement. Images from: Allen‚ Calvin. Shaka Zulu’s Linkage of Strategy and Tactics: An Early Form of Operational Art? 2014. Published via Semantic Scholar   Within a year of Shaka becoming king of the Zulu‚ Dingiswayo died‚ murdered at the hands of King Zwide of the Ndwandwe. The Ndwandwe was a rival nation to the Mthethwa‚ and a war between the two saw a temporary scattering and a power vacuum left within the Mthethwa nation. Shaka stepped in to fill that vacuum and established reforms to reunite the Mthethwa and strengthen its military. Despite being heavily outnumbered by the Ndwandwe‚ Shaka took the Zulu army and defeated the Ndwandwe.   He defeated Zwide at Gqokli Hill before clashing with the Ndwandwe again at the Mhlatuze River‚ which proved to be the critical battle that saw the Ndwandwe completely defeated. The massive superiority of Ndwandwe numbers was mitigated by the river they had to cross‚ and when their army was evenly split on each side of the river‚ Shaka launched his attack. This battle proved the effectiveness of Shaka Zulu’s strategies and tactics‚ which he had implemented.   Shaka used the Bull Horn formation to devastating effect. The Zulu army was deployed with flanks (horns) extending from the main body (chest) of the formation‚ while behind‚ the reserves (loins) waited to reinforce any area of the main formation. In an era when battles generally consisted of standing in lines and throwing spears at each other‚ this tactic was innovative and deadly‚ especially when coupled with the usage of the iklwa – a short stabbing spear instead of the longer assegai. The iklwa is so named as it represents the sound the spear makes when it is pulled from its victim.   The Zulu became formidable warriors with the innovative iklwa‚ a short stabbing spear with a long‚ broad blade. Still from the movie Zulu‚ 1964   It is difficult to determine exactly how Shaka’s revenge came to fruition‚ but Zwide managed to escape Shaka’s attempt at capturing him.   Shaka was not empty-handed‚ however. He had captured Zwide’s mother‚ a sangoma named Ntombazi. According to legend‚ he locked her in a house with jackals and hyenas‚ and after she was savaged‚ he burned the house to the ground.   The remnants of the Ndwandwe fled to the northwest and gave battle once again in 1825 but were finally crushed by Shaka’s army once and for all.   After the war with the Ndwandwe‚ Shaka continued to subdue the neighboring tribes‚ often turning to violent conquest in order to do so.   Shaka Meets with Europeans Zulu warriors‚ via Martial Devotee   White traders arrived in Port Natal in 1824‚ and by this time‚ Shaka had established a powerful‚ centralized monarchy. The two Europeans who set out to meet Shaka were Henry Francis Fynn and Francis Farewell. Henry Francis Fynn would end up spending nine years living in Shaka’s kraal‚ and the two became good friends.   Meanwhile‚ Shaka had productive dealings with other Europeans. He was visited by Europeans who wished to establish contact and have peaceful relations with Shaka‚ and Shaka returned the sentiment. He sent a delegation to Major J. Cloete‚ the representative of the Cape government at Port Elizabeth (part of the British Empire). Favorable relations were established‚ and Shaka showed immense interest in the technology‚ culture‚ and trade that the British brought.   Shaka proved to be generous to the British and ceded land to them to establish a settlement in Port Natal. However‚ Shaka also built large barracks nearby at Dukuza to let them know that they should not take advantage of his generosity.   The Death of Nandi &; Shaka’s Insanity Statue of Shaka Zulu‚ via Stars Insider   In October 1827‚ Shaka’s mother‚ Nandi‚ died. This triggered a descent into madness for Shaka‚ and his behavior became violent and erratic‚ with the Zulu people bearing the brunt of his questionable decisions. He had people executed en masse for not mourning enough‚ and he sent his armies out to force other tribes to grieve. Women found pregnant at the time of Nandi’s death were also executed‚ along with their husbands. Cows were even killed so that their calves could feel what it was like to lose their mother.   He banned the planting of crops and the use of milk for an entire year. This formed the basis of the entire Zulu diet‚ and famine was sure to follow. This destructive behavior generated massive concern within Zulu society‚ and within the political echelons‚ a plot was hatched to depose Shaka.   While Shaka’s armies were away‚ his bodyguard Mbopha‚ with his half-brothers Dingane and Mhlangana‚ set upon him with their spears‚ murdering the Zulu king. His body was hastily buried in a grain pit‚ and Dingane declared himself the new king of the Zulu nation. Under his rule‚ the Zulu would continue the militaristic tradition founded by Shaka and would come into disastrous conflict with expanding European enterprises.   The Zulu Nation would eventually fall to the British in 1879 and thus have barely half a century of independent rule.   Still from Shaka iLembe (2023) with Shaka portrayed by Lemogang Tsipa‚ via The Citizen   Shaka was a complex man. Hailed as a hero by some‚ and a villain by others‚ there is no doubt that he made his mark on South African history and created the foundation for the Zulu nation that exists today.

  With the loss of over 600‚000 soldiers‚ the Battle of Stalingrad was an unmitigated disaster for the German war effort against the Soviets. With dwindling supplies‚ logistical nightmares‚ and an increasingly powerful enemy‚ the Germans knew they needed to achieve a spectacular victory to keep the Soviets from advancing westwards.   In June 1943‚ the Germans threw the dice in their last gamble. Gathering all the forces they could muster‚ with thousands of tanks and almost one million men‚ the Germans struck the Soviet line along the Kursk salient.   Meeting them in combat was a determined and well-organized force that outnumbered them two to one. This was the Battle of Kursk‚ the largest tank battle in history.   Background to the Battle of Kursk The situation around Kursk in the summer of 1943‚ via Emerson Kent   Fighting on the front line in 1943 saw the development of a Russian salient‚ extending westwards around the city of Kursk. For the Germans‚ keeping their offensive alive was a desperate task after the crushing defeat at Stalingrad. The Germans devised Operation Citadel‚ where they would enact a pincer movement. This push would involve advancing northward from Belgorod and southward from Orel to meet up in Kursk in the middle of a 160-mile stretch. This action would create a cauldron and cut off all the Soviet soldiers within it‚ forcing the surrender of a significant portion of the Soviet army.   The Germans wanted to launch the offensive in April‚ but the terrible supply situation pushed this date back to July‚ when the Germans finally finished their preparations. They had‚ according to military historian David M. Glantz‚ amassed an army of 780‚000 troops‚ 2‚928 tanks‚ and 7‚417 artillery pieces. These were arranged into a total of 37 infantry and panzer divisions and were supported by 1‚800 aircraft.   The plan for Operation Citadel‚ the German attempt to encircle the Soviets by capturing Kursk‚ via tarnmoor   The months of German buildup to the offensive gave the Soviets plenty of time to prepare‚ and they had a good idea of what the Germans were trying to do. After ditching an idea for a pre-emptive attack‚ the Soviets prepared defensive fortifications and dug in.   They laid minefields and built anti-tank ditches and bunkers. They prepared for likely avenues of attack and created defenses to funnel the enemy into kill zones. With all the defensive positions prepared and covered and with masses of reserves ready‚ the Soviets had almost two million soldiers‚ 5‚000 tanks‚ 31‚000 artillery pieces‚ and 3‚500 aircraft to defend the salient.   Both German and Soviet numbers would increase during the battle as more reserves arrived‚ boosting the strength of both armies.   The Battle Begins Marshals Konstantin Rokossovsky (left) and Georgy Zhukov (right)‚ who led the Soviet efforts at Kursk‚ via russiainphoto.ru   On July 4‚ 1943‚ the German attack began in the south with efforts to capture the high ground. These actions were successful‚ and the Germans managed to establish artillery positions. Late in the evening‚ the Soviets launched a major artillery and rocket barrage of the German forward positions‚ focusing on the II SS Panzer Corps.   In the north‚ a major artillery duel started‚ but the Soviets failed to completely disrupt the German forces‚ and after a particularly heavy artillery preparation‚ the Germans began their advance.   The Soviet Air Force (VVS) launched a pre-emptive strike on the Luftwaffe airfields but failed to obtain any significant results. On the southern flank‚ the Luftwaffe had air superiority for several days after the initial start of the operation‚ while in the north‚ the air forces were evenly matched.   The Battle Develops Soviet soldiers during the Battle of Kursk‚ via the Moscow Times   On the morning of July 5‚ the major offensive began. In the north‚ Field Marshal Walter Model’s 9th Army pushed southwards with ten divisions. Leading the advance were the unmatched and formidable Tiger tanks.   Minefields slowed the advance‚ as did a Soviet counterattack which was thoroughly defeated. The German attack penetrated about six miles before stalling. Soviet artillery bombardments and minefields slowed the German advance to a crawl.   The following day‚ the Red Army counterattacked. Poor coordination‚ however‚ hampered the attempt‚ and of 200 Soviet tanks committed to the attack‚ the Germans knocked 69 of them out of action.   The Germans then launched attacks of their own against Soviet troops at Olkhovatka and Ponyri‚ but the rugged defense forced the Germans back with heavy losses. Taking these towns‚ however‚ was vital for the German advance‚ and renewed efforts started on July 7. The Soviets‚ under Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky‚ viewed these settlements as equally vital‚ and forces were pulled from other areas to reinforce the defenses there.   The battle for Ponyri went back and forth several times‚ with the Germans finally taking the town on July 10. Both sides suffered heavy losses.   Heavy German attacks on Olkhovatka‚ however‚ failed. With high losses‚ the German command realized they lacked the necessary power to achieve a breakthrough. Field Marshal Günther von Kluge decided to keep up the pressure to draw more Soviet defenses away from the southern front where it was hoped a breakthrough could be achieved.   The Voronezh Front Members of the SS Division Totenkopf during the Battle of Kursk‚ via Second World War the Military Photo Archive   On July 5‚ at the same time as the advance in the north had commenced‚ the battle for the southern flank opened‚ with Field Marshal Von Manstein in command of the German forces. The Soviets were prepared‚ and opposing the Germans were three lines of defense that formed the Voronezh front.   The Germans attacked along a two-mile front and quickly ran into trouble. The left wing of the attack comprised the Panzerfüsilier Regiment‚ which ran into a minefield and stalled. Immobilized and subjected to severe artillery barrages‚ the regiment suffered heavy casualties. Engineers were brought up to clear a path through the minefield‚ and under heavy fire‚ the regiment managed to get going again‚ only to be bogged down again in marshy terrain south of the village of Gertsovka.   On the right wing‚ the Großdeutschland Panzergrenadier regiment achieved much more success‚ pushing forward and supported by the Luftwaffe‚ which repulsed attempts by the VVS to slow down the advance. This success made it possible for other elements to advance‚ and Gertsovka‚ along with several other settlements‚ was captured as the Germans achieved a successful strategic wedge through the Soviet defenses. To the east of this advance‚ another penetration was made by three divisions of the II SS Panzer Corps. With strong support from the Luftwaffe‚ the SS Panzer spearhead achieved significant success and was followed by infantry ready to exploit the weakened Soviet defenses. The advance‚ however‚ slowed down as stiff resistance‚ difficult terrain‚ and bad weather hampered progress.   An artist’s impression of Stuka dive bombers during the Battle of Kursk‚ via Smithsonian Magazine   To the southeast of this advance‚ the III Panzer Corps and Corps Raus launched their operation across the Donets River in support of the southern attack. The initial progress was slow‚ and bridges had to be built to support the weight of the heavy Tiger tanks. The Luftwaffe’s help was questionable and caused significant damage by accidentally bombing their own troops. Traffic jams‚ destroyed bridges‚ and Soviet artillery barrages added to the woes. Once across the river‚ however‚ the situation got better for the Germans. With two infantry divisions joining the fight‚ the Germans broke through the first line of defense and repelled a Soviet counterattack.   The slow progress of this advance‚ however‚ allowed the Soviets to prepare significant resistance along the second line of defense.   The accumulation of German forces along the Voronezh front prompted the Soviets to deploy virtually all their reserves to the area. The situation was critical for the Red Army.   With all the airpower available on the Voronezh front‚ the Soviets launched a counterattack comprising almost 600 tanks and self-propelled guns. This massive attempt to stop the advance of the II SS Panzer Corps was poorly coordinated‚ and the elements arrived in a piecemeal fashion. Disaster ensued as the Soviet counterattack was destroyed by the German defense. Anti-tank guns and the Luftwaffe made short work of their enemies‚ inflicting massive casualties and destroying hundreds of tanks.   A destroyed T-34 and one of its unfortunate crewmen‚ via Second World War the Military Photo Archive   By July 8‚ II Panzer Corps had broken through the second line of defense and advanced 18 miles since the start of the Battle of Kursk. They pushed straight for the key target of Prokhorovka‚ a town directly in front of them. The Soviets‚ anticipating this move‚ bolstered their defenses by the town and prepared to receive the attack from Germany’s crack troops. They understood that if II SS Panzer Corps and the 6th Panzer Division‚ which had seized a bridge across the Donets‚ were to link up‚ the Soviets would lose the 69th Army‚ and the battle would shift dramatically towards a German victory. Prokhorovka had to be defended at all costs.   II Panzer Corps advanced‚ with plans to split and attack the flank of the Soviet defenses at Prokhorova before launching the main frontal assault. Before they could attack Prokhorova‚ however‚ the Soviets had moved into position and launched a counterattack. At 8:00 on the morning of July 12‚ the Soviet barrage began‚ and half an hour later‚ the rumble of tanks moved toward the II Panzer Corps. Five tank brigades smashed into the German defenses‚ and furious battles raged for the entire day. By nightfall‚ the Soviets had suffered grievous losses‚ but they had managed to slow II Panzer Corps down enough to stop the Germans from achieving a breakthrough.   This was enough for Hitler to call an end to the offensive. Sicily had been invaded two days earlier‚ and forces needed to be transferred to Italy.   The Soviets‚ however‚ were not finished with the Germans at Kursk.   The Soviet Offensives: Operation Kutuzov and Operation Rumyantsev Map of the Soviet offensives after the failure of Operation Citadel‚ via Researchgate   Taking full advantage of the stalled German offensive‚ the Soviets launched a counteroffensive that had been planned for the eventuality of a stalled German offensive in the Kursk salient.   To the north of the Kursk salient was the Orel salient‚ held by the Germans. From the north‚ south‚ and east‚ Soviet attacks (Operation Kutuzov) struck at the German positions‚ threatening to encircle the German 9th army. Completely overwhelmed‚ the German forces pulled back and went on the complete defensive.   In the south‚ the main offensive (Operation Rumyantsev) planned for the summer operations took place. The Soviets launched diversionary attacks to tie down the German forces‚ which comprised the northern wing of Army Group South. The Soviet advance liberated Belgorod on August 5 and Kharkov (Kharkiv) by August 23.   The Aftermath of the Battle of Kursk Soviet troops inspecting a damaged Tiger‚ via Second World War the Military Photo Archive   The Battle of Kursk broke the German offensive opportunities and forced the Germans into a defensive position along the entire Eastern Front.   It is difficult to determine the exact losses of the Battle of Kursk‚ and the subject is argued over by many notable historians. A rough estimate puts the casualties at 200‚000 German soldiers killed‚ wounded‚ or missing‚ while the Soviets suffered around four times that amount. In terms of armor‚ the Germans lost 1‚200 tanks and assault guns‚ while the Soviets lost over 6‚000.   As the war continued‚ the effectiveness of the Soviet armies would improve‚ and the ratio would even out as Soviet soldiers and equipment achieved par with the Germans.   Photograph of a T-34 tank‚ via Sputnik / Yuriy Kaver   The Germans achieved nothing with the Kursk offensive. For the Soviets‚ while the casualties were high‚ they proved that they could defeat the Germans without the aid of the weather or any other external factors. It was‚ however‚ also a good opportunity to turn the victory into an exercise in propaganda to mobilize the Soviet people.   The Germans remained on the defensive for the rest of the war on the Eastern Front‚ and slowly the Soviets whittled away at their enemy‚ finally achieving the breakthrough they needed to begin a full strategic offensive towards the heartland of Europe and their ultimate destiny.