Events 838 – Battle of Anzen: The Byzantine emperor Theophilos suffers a heavy defeat by the Abbasids. 1099 – First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Jerusalem. 1209 – Massacre at Béziers: The first major military action of the Albigensian Crusade. 1298 – Wars… Read More
Introduction The Flight of the Wild Geese was the departure of an Irish Jacobite army under the command of Patrick Sarsfield from Ireland to France, as agreed in the Treaty of Limerick on 03 October 1691, following the end of the Williamite War in Ireland. More broadly, the term Wild Geese is used in Irish… Read More
Introduction The Simba rebellion of 1963 to November 1965, also known as the Orientale revolt, was a rebellion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which took place within the wider context of the Congo Crisis and the Cold War. The rebellion, located in the east of the country, was led by the followers of… Read More
Introduction 5 Commando was a mercenary unit of the Congolese National Army (Armée Nationale Congolaise, ANC; Democratic Republic of the Congo) formed in response to the Simba rebellion. It was active from 1964 to 1967. Need for Mercenaries In December 1963, a Communist-inspired rebellion broke out in the Congo province of Kwilu. It was initially… Read More
Events 905 – King Berengar I of Italy and a hired Hungarian army defeats the Frankish forces at Verona. King Louis III is captured and blinded for breaking his oath (see 902). 1242 – Battle of Taillebourg: Louis IX of France puts an end to the revolt of his vassals Henry III of England and… Read More
Introduction There are a lot of recognised benefits to sports and fitness training. Playing sports is one effective way to exercise: strengthening and toning your muscles, developing endurance, improving heart health, boosting energy levels, and facilitating you to socialise and have fun with others. However, like all things, as well as the positives, there are… Read More
Introduction ‘Fitness’ is a term that has different meanings depending upon who you ask, but generally refers to one’s health and physical condition. An active lifestyle and healthy eating can certainly improve your fitness but being fit is also about having good mental health. Therefore, it is fair to say then that to be fit… Read More
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 