Gavin Goodhall
Stories (9)
Filter by community
Shadows of Valor: The Legend of Carlos Hathcock, Vietnam's Stealthy Sniper
In a serene field dominated by bamboo and tall grass, a gentle wind stirs, swaying the long grasses in a dance. In these fleeting moments of nature's choreography, an American sniper, outfitted in a complete camouflage ghillie suit, inches his way forward, ever so slightly, a mere centimeter at a time. And as the breeze subsides, he freezes, immobile, resolute, awaiting the next gust that will grant him passage. Yet, in the absence of that fortuitous zephyr, he steels himself to persist in his journey towards a distant goal, a mile and a half away. An almost inconceivable pace of advancement awaits him – a crawl of twelve inches per hour. This deliberate, methodical progress draws the attention of none other than the local wildlife, which grazes and ambles mere inches from his hidden form. Even a venomous viper unwittingly traverses his path, unfazed by the presence of the intrepid sniper.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
Brave and Buried: The Untold Stories of Vietnam's Tunnel Rats
On June 11, 1969, in Ba Ria city, Vung Tau province, Vietnam, a new guy arrived at the base to see a total mess. Just a few days earlier, a group of soldiers got hit by an M16 mine, which they called the "Jumping jack" because it leaped into the air when triggered. This mine killed three soldiers and wounded 24 others. Shortly after that, the enemy planted another mine that went off when a vehicle passed by, and this was the new guy's first encounter with a dead body. In the middle of all this chaos, he had to quickly get used to his job.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
The Hunt for Bin Laden: Inside the Covert Operation that Changed History
For almost a decade, the US was on a mission to track down Osama Bin Laden, the guy behind the 9/11 attacks that killed about three thousand Americans. This led to a big conflict that lasted until May 2nd, 2011. Even though they had kicked out the Taliban, the group that had sheltered Bin Laden, they couldn't catch or kill him. But that was about to change. The CIA had been chasing countless leads for years to find out where Bin Laden was hiding, but they didn't have any luck. He managed to escape Afghanistan, which was controlled by the US, and found safety in Pakistan, a nearby country with rough terrain and not much oversight.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
Unraveling Putin's Power: Russia's Staggering Challenges and Shifting Dynamics
No doubt about it: Vladimir Putin and Russia are practically synonymous. He's got a tight hold on his country and its people that rivals any dictator out there. But things are shifting in their dynamic after many years, and both Putin and Russia are staring down some massive challenges that must be keeping them up at night.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
Eternal Echoes: Unraveling the Legacy of Hiroshima's Atomic Catastrophe
The atomic bomb's explosion was a moment of enormous significance, as "Little Boy" descended to an altitude of approximately 1,900 feet or 580 meters. This event triggered a nuclear chain reaction, culminating in a blinding flash that engulfed Hiroshima, Japan. The ensuing blast generated searing heat that reached an astonishing 12,600 °F or 7,000 °C, setting off a destructive fireball and a powerful shockwave. This catastrophic incident eradicated everything within a radius of about a quarter-mile, resulting in the tragic instantaneous loss of 70,000 lives. Those who managed to survive the initial explosion were thrust into a harrowing struggle against agonizing burns, the effects of radiation poisoning, and the relentless grip of impending death. With the city ablaze, this catastrophe marked the outset of a deeply heartrending narrative that would continue to serve as a poignant cautionary tale for generations to come.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
Military Showdown: Unpacking the U.S. vs. Iran Dynamic
It's been quite a whirlwind in the news recently, with headlines screaming about the U.S. and Iran and all things conflict-related. If you've picked up a newspaper or tuned into the news, you've likely caught wind of the U.S. sending around 1,000 troops to the Middle East. The reason? Well, according to Patrick Shanahan, the American Acting Defense Secretary, Iran has been acting quite hostile lately. The accusations range from alleged attacks on oil tankers to potential breaches of the 2015 deal regarding uranium stockpiles. The New York Times even dubs this situation a "new confrontation with the West." It's got us all thinking - just how bad could things get? And does Iran really pose a genuine threat when put up against the towering behemoth that is the U.S. military?
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
Unraveling Alternate Realities: Imagining a World Where Hitler Triumphed in World War Two
Alright, so we all know about World War Two, that massive and ridiculously expensive war that happened not too long ago. Some folks who are still around today actually remember it firsthand. And guess what? The aftermath of that colossal mess is still lingering even after a whopping 70 years! It's like a time capsule of chaos that just won't quit.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
Tensions Rise: Assessing the Global Power Play Between East and West
In the movie "Red Dawn" from 1984, the brave Wolverines, a group of teen rebels defending middle America against a Soviet Union and Cuban invasion, ask a downed US fighter pilot (played by Powers Booth) what triggered the war. His response? "It's like the toughest kids on the block finally throwing punches." A lot of folks see the current situation between the United States and its buddies, mainly NATO, and China and its buddy Russia, in a similar light. With all the military buildup on both sides, it's kinda inevitable that they'll eventually use their strength to push their own global interests.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
Unveiling the Chaos: Exploring the Epic Tale of World War II
Hey there, let's dive headfirst into the epic tale of World War II. Buckle up, because we're about to take a ride through one of the most colossal conflicts in human history. While we can't cover every twist and turn, we're going to shed some light on how this massive war played out and why it still sends shockwaves around the world.
By Gavin Goodhall2 years ago in History
