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IN THIS ISSUE
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* Welcome Message

* Special Announcement

* D-Day, The Battle of Normandy

* NATO's Early Days

* Warwick the Kingmaker

* Historical Quote

* What's Happening at eHistory.com

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WELCOME TO THE EHISTORY EXPLORER
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Welcome to the first issue of the eHistory Explorer. Our goal is to present a few interesting and informative articles across the span of history. In addition, we plan on using the Explorer to keep you informed about what's going on with ehistory.com.

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or future article requests.

Enjoy!

Larry Gormley, Editor
historyexplorer@ehistory.com

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
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Alan Marsh, the Cultural Resources Specialist for the Andersonville National Historic Site, will be our guest speaker for the October 4 eHistory Chat on Andersonville. This special Chat session will be held from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM CST on October 4.

http://www.ehistory.com/chat/index.cfm

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D-DAY, THE BATTLE OF NORMANDY
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One of the most recognized photos of World War II depicts General Dwight Eisenhower talking with men of the 101st Airborne division on June 5, 1944 the day before the invasion of Normandy. Previously, Eisenhower had been briefed by Air Marshal Leigh-Mallory that the 101st was one of two units that would suffer 80% casualties during the invasion.

Eisenhower decided to visit the division in Newbury and talk with the soldiers. Even though his group arrived unannounced and the stars on his automobile had been covered word quickly spread of his presence. Eisenhower walked amoung the men asking their names and where they lived. At some point a photo was taken that captured the humanity of the general and the crushing importance of the moment.

While the 101st did not suffer the predicted amount of casualties during the Normandy invasion, according the the Army and Navy Register, by the end of the war the total casualties for the 101st was over 7,500 men or almost 90% of the authorized strength of the division.

http://www.ehistory.com/world/library/books/wwii/army/normandy/0018.cfm

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NATO�S EARLY DAYS
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Immediately after World War II the West still consider the Soviets an ally, but a series of provocations soon changed opinions. The Soviets bullied Iran and Turkey, launched a coup in Czechoslovakia, and supported Communist guerrillas in Greece. In response to public pressure, the United States had demobilized the armed forces; the boys were back home.

Soon it became clear that something had to be done, or the Soviets would gradually expand their sphere of influence. The Irans and Turkeys of the world couldn't withstand Soviet pressure by themselves. And the European countries were too weak as well. Germany was of course divided and under military occupation; France was rebuilding after five years of war; Britain was nearly bankrupt and still entangled with an empire that was draining her remaining energy and resources. So the US would have to step up, and President Harry Truman announced the policy of containment. The US would oppose Soviet efforts to expand and wait for it to collapse on its own; the US wouldn't launch a war against Communism.

However, Europe was still weak, unable to defend itself against Soviet aggression. They wanted to get the US more involved militarily, including a nuclear guarantee from the US. But the US was wary. How committed were the Europeans to their own defense? Would they just rely on US troops and atomic bombs? How were they going to handle Germany�s future? What plans did they have for their remaining colonies? Gradually the questions were answered, and the Europeans showed their credentials on defense.

In April 1949 the North Atlantic Treaty was signed, creating NATO, the world�s most successful military alliance. But at the time it was an unknown quantity and the band played 'I've Got Plenty of Nothing'.

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WARWICK, THE KINGMAKER
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Richard Neville, earl of Warwick, is one of the most fascinating figures of Medieval England. Through a combination of shrewd marriages, ruthless ambition and hereditary luck he became the most powerful and wealthy English magnate of his time.

Warwick, the eldest son of Richard, earl of Salisbury, was born in England in 1428. His father was a rich, powerful lord who had married the heiress of the earls of Salisbury. Warwick in turn was arranged to marry Anne de Beauchamp the heiress of the Beauchamp inheritance and the earldom of Warwick. This inheritance included land in eighteen counties, hundreds of manors, and many castles including Warwick Castle. From his vast estates he was able to draw a huge income and he had access to many reserves of fighting men. Both assets he would often use to influence the royal crown. At the battle of Wakefield, during the Wars of the Roses, Salisbury was slain and Warwick inherited his father's huge amount of lands and estates making him second only to the English king in power and wealth.

Over his lifetime Warwick attempted to wield power through the weaknesses of both Yorkists and Lancastrians kings. First he partnered with the duke of York in his attempt to claim the crown. After helping the duke's son Edward IV to gain the crown, he turned against Edward and joined forces with his Edward's brother George, duke of Clarence in 1469. When that gambit failed he switched sides again and allied with Margaret of Anjou the Lancastrian queen to put her husband Henry VI back on the throne. Warwick was killed at the battle of Barnet by the forces of Edward IV.

http://www.ehistory.com/middleages/warsoftheroses/overview.cfm

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HISTORICAL QUOTE
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Endless money forms the sinews of war. Marcus Tullius Cicero, Philippes, 44-43 bc

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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT EHISTORY.COM
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* Our newly updated CIVIL WAR BATTLES now has summaries of over 300 battles and engagements. Our interactive map allows you to easily navigate by state.

http://www.ehistory.com/uscw/features/battles/states/index.cfm

* Upcoming CHAT SCHEDULE (every Thursday night from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM CST): Oct 4 Andersonville Prison - Special Speaker Oct 11 Vietnam Infantry Tactics, 1966 Oct 18 City of Five Flags, Florida's First Place City Oct 25 Naval History of World War I

http://www.ehistory.com/chat/index.cfm

* Expand your Civil Library with our special CIVIL WAR REFERENCE LIBRARY CD: 238 volumes of content for only $89.95 (retail value over $700.00). The CD contains: The Official Record of the War Between the States (128 volumes); The Photographic History of the Civil War (10 Volumes with 3,629 Photographs); Battles and Leaders of the Civil War; and much more.

http://www.ehistory.com/shopping/cd1.cfm

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Thanks to this weeks contributor(s): Dr. Sanders Marble

Larry Gormley, Editor
historyexplorer@ehistory.com

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