<![CDATA[Fixbayonets.us]]>Mon, 16 Jan 2023 15:05:52 +0000Captivate.fmMark Flowershttps://artwork.captivate.fm/621f040f-12fd-4a75-8000-060c4cc17d45/_zmlp6s2xvgG-73WyiZG2MgQ.jpegFixbayonets.usMark FlowersMark FlowersMy goal is to tell stories that you won't usually find in history books. My passion is military history, and I've been studying for nearly sixty years. I tell stories about people caught up in war; the men and women at the sharp end of the spear. My podcasts support my work and provide an avenue to present more content about America's wars in the mid- to late-20th century.https://fixbayonets.usnoepisodicTo be a Marine in World War IITo be a Marine in World War IIIn this episode of the Fix Bayonets, we’ll look back nearly 80 years to examine the world of the World War II Marine.

]]>In this episode of the Fix Bayonets, we’ll look back nearly 80 years to examine the world of the World War II Marine.

]]>6be07c85-8444-4c35-abee-a05cbbcaf968Tue, 01 Dec 2020 15:57:00 -070032:50nofull7Mark FlowersDesert Shield II – deploying the armored forceDesert Shield II – deploying the armored forceThis is the second episode too the Fix Bayonets podcast looking back at Operation Desert Shield in 1990. I share some of my memories of that time and what the deployment meant to Soldiers in The Army's heavy armored forces

]]>This is the second episode too the Fix Bayonets podcast looking back at Operation Desert Shield in 1990. I share some of my memories of that time and what the deployment meant to Soldiers in The Army's heavy armored forces

]]>430de4e5-46a9-4870-8268-aaacc18c1f44Thu, 29 Oct 2020 14:02:00 -070012:38nofull6Mark FlowersFlamethrower up! A short story of Marines on Iwo JimaFlamethrower up! A short story of Marines on Iwo JimaThis is a short story I wrote to illustrate one aspect in the experience of the World War II Marne.

]]>This is a short story I wrote to illustrate one aspect in the experience of the World War II Marne.

]]>36158fef-99cf-4159-ab46-05ba0bfa6a23Fri, 16 Oct 2020 17:56:00 -070027:50nofull5Mark FlowersUncovering Veterans' StoriesUncovering Veterans' StoriesMany veterans want to tell their stories, but don't know how to start. Families often want to know about what their relatives did in the service. It's too late to find out after your veteran has passed.

In this episode, I offer some perspective on how to converse with veterans about their experiences, why it can be hard for them to open up, and tips for conducting positive interviews.

]]>Many veterans want to tell their stories, but don't know how to start. Families often want to know about what their relatives did in the service. It's too late to find out after your veteran has passed.

In this episode, I offer some perspective on how to converse with veterans about their experiences, why it can be hard for them to open up, and tips for conducting positive interviews.

]]>1da08dfb-5216-4d4b-8ffd-4eb71fa5722bSun, 27 Sep 2020 13:00:00 -070021:33nofull4Mark FlowersDesert Shield 1 – the Iraqi threatDesert Shield 1 – the Iraqi threatThis is the first of several episodes I'll be presenting over this 30th anniversary of the Gulf War. In this episode, I examine the role that the Iran-Iraq War played in Saddam Hussein's decision to invade Kuwait.

I provide an analysis of the two warring armies in the Iran-Iraq War, how they adapted, and the techniques each used to gain battlefield superiority. I also look at the Iraqi Republican Guards, which conducted the invasion. I close the episode with an overview of the U.S. Army of the 1980s.

All the best, Mark

]]>This is the first of several episodes I'll be presenting over this 30th anniversary of the Gulf War. In this episode, I examine the role that the Iran-Iraq War played in Saddam Hussein's decision to invade Kuwait.

I provide an analysis of the two warring armies in the Iran-Iraq War, how they adapted, and the techniques each used to gain battlefield superiority. I also look at the Iraqi Republican Guards, which conducted the invasion. I close the episode with an overview of the U.S. Army of the 1980s.

All the best, Mark

]]>d2427c9c-02a3-441d-8b34-8503b1c2c7b0Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:04:00 -070015:50nofull3Mark FlowersBuddies – a short storyBuddies – a short storyThis is a fictional short story based on my research into the life of World War II Marines. It tells about three buddies heading for the next amphibious operation.

]]>This is a fictional short story based on my research into the life of World War II Marines. It tells about three buddies heading for the next amphibious operation.

]]>2e7da362-c271-4af4-b90b-ebfa92aba2f3Sun, 13 Sep 2020 15:56:00 -070016:12nofull2Mark FlowersMilitary suicide – Fight to liveMilitary suicide – Fight to liveI'm a combat veteran and the son of a combat veteran who committed suicide. I've had too many friends and battle buddies who killed themselves.

This is my inaugural episode of the Fix Bayonets podcast – Military history you didn't learn in school. I'm dedicating this episode to the service members and veterans who are fighting to live. There is always hope.

If you care about our service members and veterans, I hope you'll check out this episode. It's that important.

Never forget, Mark

]]>I'm a combat veteran and the son of a combat veteran who committed suicide. I've had too many friends and battle buddies who killed themselves.

This is my inaugural episode of the Fix Bayonets podcast – Military history you didn't learn in school. I'm dedicating this episode to the service members and veterans who are fighting to live. There is always hope.

If you care about our service members and veterans, I hope you'll check out this episode. It's that important.

Never forget, Mark

]]>18fe91c9-3907-4ce9-b0b5-f4b71caf6a6dTue, 08 Sep 2020 09:00:00 -070021:00nofull1Mark Flowers