War Department

Donald Trump’s selection of Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department signals the incoming administration’s intention to enact significant changes at the Pentagon. Some of what the administration aims to pursue seems ill-advised; waging a culture war inside the U.S. military is a specious enterprise, whether prosecuted by the left or the right. However, the Trump administration could swiftly enact one cultural change at the Pentagon that would be for the good, and send a powerful signal aligned with the administration’s priorities: Trump could ask Congress to redesignate the Defense Department as the War Department.

The Atlantic. 

Thursday, March 11, 1824. Bureau of Indian Affairs formed.

 Today In Wyoming's History: March 11

Formed on this day, in 1824.  Taking over the role of various predecessor agencies, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun formed the bureau as a department within the Department of War, doing so without authority.

Last prior:

Friday, March 5, 1824. The First Anglo Burmese War commences.

Saturday, March 27, 1943. News of the bazooka.

 

Demonstration photograph of M1A1 Rocket Launcher.

The War Department officially released news of a new weapon, the M1A1 Rocket Launcher; the first "bazooka".

The first of a series of weapons, it would prove to be an enormously successful series which continues on in the form of various other rocket launchers, particularly those with an anti armor role.

U.S. Marine with a FGM-148 Javelin, a modern descendant of the first bazooka.

The British engaged in frontal attack on the Mareth Line, inflicting heavy losses on the Afrika Korps.  At El Hamma the Afrika Korps is forced to retire to new positions.

The heaviest RAF raid on Berlin to date took place.