Mercenary Wars

[terryasp]

Hi Guys
I'm trying to record all of the conflicts that involved Mercenaries / SOF / Contractors since the Second World War.
Would welcome any help anybody can give on the subject. All articles will be credited with copyright logos to those who write them. I also have a section where everybody who is involved with the site are also listed.
Check out <www.mercenary-wars.net> to see what I have already.
At the moment I'm concentrating on the African conflicts, but would welcome any help on the central American conflicts and a list of modern recruitment companies?
Later I will add Iraq and Afghanistan.
If you visit on a regular basis always click onto 'Latest additions' (top left hand side menu) rather than keep going over the same material.
Thanks

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

The history of the Congo/Katanga/Simbas conflicts in the 1960s is very interesting.

However your page on Vietnam is about Hans Josef Wagemuller who is a fictional character from the novel "The Devil's Guard."

If you're looking for mercenaries in Vietnam, read up on the CIA, Air America and the Secret War in Laos.

Also I'd do a lot of research on Executive Outcomes in Sierra Leone and Angola.

Interesting website, one that could become a good resource if you put the time into research and writing.

[terryasp]

Megaraptor;4902423']The history of the Congo/Katanga/Simbas conflicts in the 1960s is very interesting.

However your page on Vietnam is about Hans Josef Wagemuller who is a fictional character from the novel "The Devil's Guard."

If you're looking for mercenaries in Vietnam, read up on the CIA, Air America and the Secret War in Laos.

Also I'd do a lot of research on Executive Outcomes in Sierra Leone and Angola.

Interesting website, one that could become a good resource if you put the time into research and writing.


Thanks for responding.
It’s the research that takes the time, and to getting it accurate which is also a big problem.
On my own it’s going to take a couple of years, which is why I’m looking for a little help.
I’m trying to get first hand information while it’s still available out there.
However, there’s the problem of identity of the writer and of people included on photos??
But I’m getting there, but am always looking for help.
Reading books and surfing the web takes up most of my days.
I’m in touch with a couple of guys connected with ‘Executive Outcomes’ and of their work Sierra Leone
I was not aware that Hans Josef Wagemuller was a fictional character?
Cheers

[Adam Skaggs]

If you read the book Wardog by al venter you'll find a lot of info on mercenaries/contractors and their use in wars since ww2

[Dominique]

In addition to Africa, and Central America, I'd check out info on the Balkans.

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

In addition to Africa, and Central America, I'd check out info on the Balkans.

Yes, there's a whole website about foreign volunteers with Croat forces:

http://www.cfiva.org/cfiva/home/index.cfm

Also, I find the "White Legion" that traveled to Uganda in 1997 to try and stop Mobutu Sese Seko's overthrow to be quite interesting.

[terryasp]

Megaraptor;4902773']Yes, there's a whole website about foreign volunteers with Croat forces:

http://www.cfiva.org/cfiva/home/index.cfm

Also, I find the "White Legion" that traveled to Uganda in 1997 to try and stop Mobutu Sese Seko's overthrow to be quite interesting.


Try the UK one, not many people know of that
http://www.mercenary-wars.net/uk/index.html

[Hardy]

I highly recommend Peter Singer's book:

Singer, W. Peter (2008). Corporate Warriors. The Rise of the Privatized Military
Industry. Updated Edition, New York, 2008

I study this subject for uni, and he gives the best introduction to the topic, in sense of history as well. This book is acknowledged in political science as the key book for introducing into this topic.

[terryasp]

I highly recommend Peter Singer's book:

Singer, W. Peter (2008). Corporate Warriors. The Rise of the Privatized Military
Industry. Updated Edition, New York, 2008

I study this subject for uni, and he gives the best introduction to the topic, in sense of history as well. This book is acknowledged in political science as the key book for introducing into this topic.

Thanks for your interest Hardy

I'll look it up

[Dominique]

And while people might not know it, dig around through the older issues of RAIDS and Soldier of Fortune magazine, as both have published articles on various mercenary/soldiers of fortune, primarily in Africa and Central America during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. In know SOF covered units in Rhodesia, South Africa, El Slavador, the Balkans, Sierra Leone, etc. RIADS had articles on the Balkans, and Africa. Plus, if you do a google search, it should pull up many of the books published on teh suject, including several biographies written by the participants.

[tercio67]

Have a look at Sandline International.

[Anomander]

Hah, i thought this thread was gonna be about Carthage vs Mercenaries :lol:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercenary_War

[-=2RTR=-Somnus]

Sandline folded...

Aegis is the place to be... But... The only way I found to get in with em is when your in country talk to the head of HR (Iraq, Afghan, etc)

It always confuses me why people think private soldiers are a new thing when in actually fact organized army's are much newer and national service for that matter is the newest idea in war fighting. If you think about it using private soldiers is far more humane, as we tend to want to go to fights, in contrast how many conscript do you think want to go to a fight?

Two things have existed since mans rise... Mercenaries (Freelances) and Prostitutes, these two things will be with us for time immemorial. I would like to see the media, do one and stop putting attention on Freelances though. The work has dried up and to top that off the good old days of Governmental over-throws have gone cold... For now... But, I ain't getting any younger...

Why are Freelances better to use then Regular Soldiers? The average US Soldier cost $22,000 a month to have in Iraq, in contrast the average Freelance Contractor cost $15,000. That being said the average Contractor actually got paid a commensurate wage for the task at hand whereas the US Soldier couldn't afford a pot to piss in and saw maybe 10% of that $22,000 a month...

Some very good books from the UK have been written...

'Guns for Hire' is very factual and has some brilliant stories that seem like a Hollywood movie, but I know are true...
'Making a Killing' From the perspective of an ex-Rupert in Iraq in the early days. First hand account.

Those are the only two I can think of right now... But I'll try to get back to this thread with more...

[Lawndart]

Hah, i thought this thread was gonna be about Carthage vs Mercenaries :lol:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercenary_War

Indeed, the first thing I thought of was Xenophon and the Ten Thousand.

[terryasp]

Hi (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/i%20guys) Guys
Thanks for all the suggestions and links.
There are still many conflicts left to cover.
Take a look at the number of Coups since the last world war, and I’m sure I’ve missed many more.

http://www.mercenary-wars.net/coup-list.html

It takes me around three weeks to research and write about a conflict, and my usage of the English language and grammar is not one of my strong points.
Anybody wanting to help with a couple of articles wound be most welcome.
The big problem is copyright, and getting permission to use material from books? And I have plenty of them.
It’s the same with photos from books, even though I add who took the photo and who published it, it’s sometimes not enough. Usually in the small print you will find that often written permission is also required.
Although being a History site with no advertising does help me obtain the necessary permission as long as my E-mails are answered. In some cases I take a gamble and just go ahead and post material.
As you will see on the site, credit is always added wherever possible.
Once again thanks for your help

[Richie B]

Interesting book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Executive-Outcomes-Against-All-Odds/dp/1919854193/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272018022&sr=8-1

Regards

Richie

[-=2RTR=-Somnus]

Well...


Your doing a bang-up job mate... I wish all me mates could read... I'll send em the link anyways... Hahaha... Bunch of stupid Royal Marines and Army lads... Bless our cotton socks...

[terryasp]

I highly recommend Peter Singer's book:

Singer, W. Peter (2008). Corporate Warriors. The Rise of the Privatized Military
Industry. Updated Edition, New York, 2008

I study this subject for uni, and he gives the best introduction to the topic, in sense of history as well. This book is acknowledged in political science as the key book for introducing into this topic.

Thanks for the tip Hardy
I'm in touch with Peter Singer and am awaiting his permission to use some of his material