All What's You Should Know

On this day in history, 109 years ago on 28 June 1914, Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand (heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary), and his wife Sophie Chotek Gräfin von Chotova (Duchess von Hohenberg) were assassinated by a member of Serbia's Black Hand gang, Gavrilo Princip. The assassination led to the July Crisis (a series of interrelated diplomatic and military escalations among the major powers of Europe) in 1914, and precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia. This triggered a series of complex events that eventually led to Austria-Hungary's allies and Serbia's allies declaring war on each other, starting WWI. As retaliation, Austria sought to inflict a military blow on Serbia to demonstrate its own strength. However, Vienna, wary of the reaction of the Russian Empire (a major ally of Serbia), sought a guarantee from their German ally that Berlin would support them. The Germans guaranteed their support, but urged Austria-Hungary to attack quickly, w...

On this day in history, Bull Allen, actually Leslie Clarence Allen (9 November 1916 - 11 May 1982), who was an Australian soldier in WWII and the owner of the U.S. Silver Star order and the British Military Medal, died. He owes his fame to his engagement in the Battle of Mount Tambu, in which he rescued twelve American soldiers under heavy enemy fire. . In September 1940, he was embarked for reinforcement for the 2nd/5th Battalion in North Africa and served as a stretcher bearer in D-Company. There he got his nickname 'Bull' because he engaged like a 'bull' in Australian football. He showed himself to be a good soldier during the Libyan campaign, but was admitted to the hospital because of an anxiety neurosis. He rejoined the battalion shortly before the Syrian Campaign. . The 2nd/5th Battalion left the Middle East in March 1942, and later served briefly in Sri Lanka and Australia. It was then transferred to Papua New Guinea in October. Despite malaria, he was ordered ...