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La 6th South African Armoured Division fu una divisione corazzata del South African Army, creata nel febbraio 1943 per prendere parte agli eventi della seconda guerra mondiale.

Prima grande formazione corazzata dell'Esercito sudafricano, la divisione nasceva in realtà per supplire alle carenze di organico date dal declinante numero di volontari offertisi per il servizio oltremare, carenze che avevano portato allo scioglimento delle due divisioni di fanteria sudafricane che avevano combattuto nella campagna del Nordafrica. Addestrata in Egitto, la 6th Division sbarcò a Taranto nell'aprile 1944 per prendere parte ai combattimenti della campagna d'Italia; per integrare l'organico, la divisione incorporò alcune piccole unità di volontari della Rhodesia Meridionale, oltre a vedersi aggregate all'organico, per periodi variabili della sua carriera, unità britanniche e statunitensi.

Inizialmente in forza alla 8ª Armata britannica, la divisione prese parte all'inseguimento delle forze tedesche in Italia centrale seguente la rottura del fronte nella battaglia di Cassino; dopo aver partecipato alla rottura della Linea Albert tedesca, il 4 agosto unità della divisione furono in prima fila nella liberazione di Firenze. La divisione avanzò poi in direzione di Bologna, venendo fermata sull'Appennino tosco-emiliano dalle forti difese della Linea Gotica; il 17 agosto l'unità passo in forza alla 5ª Armata statunitense, prendendo quindi parte nell'aprile 1945 all'offensiva della primavera 1945 sul fronte italiano. Dopo la conclusione delle ostilità nel maggio 1945, la divisione svolse compiti d'occupazione in Piemonte per poi essere progressivamente smobilitata e rimpatriata; l'unità fu sciolta al termine delle procedure di rimpatrio nel marzo 1946.

Storia

La fondazione

La possibilità di formare una divisione corazzata sudafricana venne discussa una prima volta nell'aprile 1941 tra il maggior generale George Brink, comandante della 1st South African Infantry Division in quel momento impegnata nella campagna del Nordafrica, e il primo ministro sudafricano Jan Smuts. All'epoca, il Sudafrica stava lottando con la carenza di materiale umano per mantenere a un livello accettabile l'organico delle due divisioni di fanteria inviate al fronte in Nordafrica (la 1st Division già impegnata e la 2nd South African Infantry Division appena creata e in partenza per l'Egitto): per legge tutte le unità sudafricane inviate al di fuori del Sudafrica stesso dovevano essere composte da volontari, ma da tempo si registrava un afflusso di nuove reclute inferiore alle attese. Se questa tendenza fosse continuata, si sarebbe reso necessario trasformare una delle divisioni di fanteria in una divisione corazzata, visto che l'organico di quest'ultima richiedeva meno uomini rispetto alla prima; più avanti, il progetto divenne di convertire entrambe le divisioni di fanteria in divisioni corazzate, visto che il calo dei livelli di manodopera disponibile divenne anche più pronunciato.

Dopo la seconda battaglia di El Alamein (23 ottobre - 5 novembre 1942), la 1st South Africa Division fu ritirata dal fronte e smembrata: la sua 1st Infantry Brigade fu sottratta all'organico dell'unità e riportata in patria, per essere unita alla 7th Infantry Brigade sudafricana (in quel momento impegnata nella battaglia del Madagascar) e formare il nucleo della 1st South African Armoured Division; le altre due brigate della divisione, la 2nd e 3rd Infantry Brigade, rimasero in Egitto per formare il nucleo della costituenda 6th South African Armoured Division, la quale avrebbe dovuto sostituire sulla linea del fronte la 2nd Infantry Division finita in gran parte annientata alla caduta di Tobruch nel giugno 1942.

Nel gennaio 1943 i leader alleati decisero, nel corso della conferenza di Casablanca, di proseguire le operazioni belliche nel teatro del Mediterraneo avviando l'invasione della Sicilia e quindi dell'Italia una volta ultimata l'occupazione del Nordafrica. Questi piani riducevano la necessità di disporre di un gran numero di divisioni corazzate, molto più utili negli ampi spazi pianeggianti del Deserto Libico-Nubiano, e ciò, unito alla sempre più grave carenza di volontari, portò all'abbandono dei piani per la costituzione della 1st South African Armoured Division: tutte le brigate della disciolta 1st South African Infantry Division furono rimpatriate in Sudafrica per essere combinate tra loro, riorganizzate e riaddestrate formando così il nucleo della nuova 6th South African Armoured Division. La divisione fu ufficialmente attivata in Sudafrica il 1º febbraio 1943 al comando del maggior generale Evered Poole e salpò per Suez il 30 aprile seguente con due brigate a ranghi completi, una corazzata (la 11th Armoured Brigade) e una di fanteria motorizzata (la 12th Motorised Brigade).

In Egitto

Una volta in Egitto la divisione iniziò ad addestrarsi alle operazioni corazzate a Khataba, nel deserto a nord-ovest de Il Cairo, e a integrare nel suo organico alcune unità di rinforzo provenienti dalla Rhodesia Meridionale. In aggiunta, la carenza di manodopera aveva obbligato ad amalgamare numerose unità, e molto del periodo di addestramento fu speso per integrare reparti prima distinti in nuove unità composite. L'addestramento della divisione si concluse con una serie di grandi esercitazioni: l'"Exercise Cape Town" tra il 1º e il 3 dicembre 1943 per la 11th Armoured Brigade (11th Armd Bde), l'"Exercise Durban" tra il 5 e il 7 dicembre per la 12th Motorised Brigade (12th Mot Bde) e infine l'"Exercise Tussle" il 21 gennaio 1944 per l'intera divisione. Il 23 gennaio la divisione si spostò quindi a Helwan.

Oltre che per esercitarsi, il lungo periodo di sosta della divisione in Egitto fu dovuto anche alle indecisioni circa il ruolo che doveva rivestire. All'epoca l'unità era considerata come la formazione più addestrata e con maggior esperienza bellica del Sudafrica: su 14.000 uomini in organico 3.500 erano stati insigniti dell'Africa Star per i loro servigi nella campagna nordafricana, eppure dopo un anno dalla data di creazione della divisione essa si trovava ancora in riserva nelle retrovie. Vi era la sensazione che l'Eighth Army britannica impegnata in Italia non necessitasse di ulteriori divisioni corazzate, e che piuttosto i comandi alleati volessero impiegare i reparti sudafricani come unità di presidio nel Medio Oriente liberando le unità dell'India britannica fino a quel momento destinate a ciò, al fine di fornire rimpiazzi alle due divisioni indiane dell'Eighth Army (la 4th e la 8th Indian Division) già in azione sul suolo italiano.

Questi sospetti sembrarono concretizzarsi il 3 marzo 1944, quando la divisione ricevette l'ordine di trasferirsi nel Mandato britannico della Palestina; i primi elementi si misero in marcia il 7 marzo, ma il 12 marzo questo movimento venne arrestato e la divisione ricevette infine l'ordine di prepararsi a partire per l'Italia. Tra il 14 e il 16 aprile la divisione si imbarcò ad Alessandria d'Egitto, per poi arrivare a Taranto tra il 20 e il 21 aprile seguente.

L'avanzata dopo la caduta di Roma

La divisione era ancora in fase di raggruppamento dopo il suo arrivo in Italia quando la 12th Motorised Brigade, con l'artiglieria e gli elementi di supporto, ricevette l'ordine di trasferirsi nell'area di Isernia per sostituire sulla linea del fronte l'11th Canadian Infantry Brigade, temporaneamente al comando della 2nd New Zealand Division del X Corps britannico. La 12th Motorised Brigade fu la prima unità terrestre sudafricana a entrare in azione in Italia: i sudafricani tennero la linea del fronte del X Corps durante gli eventi della battaglia di Cassino e dello sfondamento dalla testa di ponte di Anzio, per poi essere ritirati e riuniti al resto della 6th Division.

Dopo aver fatto parte della riserva dell'Eighth Army britannica, la divisione fu spostata in avanti e aggregata il 28 maggio al I Canadian Corps, poco dopo che i canadesi e i polacchi del 2 Korpus avevano aperto una breccia nella linea Hitler a nord di Cassino. Dopo la liberazione di Roma da parte degli Alleati il 4 giugno, la 6th Division ricevette l'ordine di muovere su per la via Casilina per fungere da apripista del XIII Corps britannico, a cui fu aggregata il 6 giugno; per portare la divisione all'organico completo di tre brigate come normale per le divisioni britanniche, la 24th Guards Brigade britannica di fanteria motorizzata fu posta agli ordini della formazione sudafricana. La divisione avanzò lungo la valle del fiume Tevere, a partire dalla zona del Lago di Bolsena a est dirigendo verso ovest a una velocità di 16 chilometri al giorno e superando le unità fiancheggianti. Il 10 giugno la 11th Armoured Brigade, che guidava l'avanzata, incappò in uno schermo di postazioni anticarro predisposto dalla 365. Infanterie-Division tedesca a sud di Celleno: per la prima (e unica) volta il comandante della brigata, generale J.P.A. Furstenburg, fu in grado di schierare tutti e tre i suoi reggimenti corazzati e il suo battaglione motorizzato in un'unica battaglia, ottenendo un'importante vittoria. Il tenente colonnello Papa Brits (dello Special Service Battalion) e il tenente colonnello Bob Reeves-Moore (dell'Imperial Light Horse/Kimberley Regiment) ricevettero una Distinguished Service Order per le loro azioni di comando durante questo scontro con i tedeschi. Il 12 giugno la 6th Division prese Orvieto, avendo completato un'avanzata di 121 chilometri in dieci giorni nonostante un contatto giornaliero con le forze nemiche.

Il 17 giugno, la Imperial Light Horse dell'11th Armd Bde venne fermata dai paracadutisti tedeschi della Fallschirm-Panzer-Division 1 "Hermann Göring" durante un tentativo di prendere la città di Chiusi; il 23 giugno seguente, tuttavia, la città cadde in mano alla fanteria del Cape Town Highlanders Regiment. Nel corso dello scontro per Chiusi, la compagnia dei Cape Town Highlanders che guidava l'avanzata sulle colline attorno alla città rimase tagliata fuori e, circondata dai tedeschi nella notte tra il 21 e il 22 giugno, fu costretta ad arrendersi. Dopo la perdita di gran parte della 2nd Infantry Division a Tobruch due anni prima, la resa di un gran numero di soldati sudafricani era divenuta una questione sensibile e il primo ministro Smuts, diretto a un incontro del Chiefs of Staff Committee britannico a Londra, fece deviare il suo aereo su Orvieto per conferire con il comando della 6th Division e discutere delle conseguenze politiche e militari di questo evento.

L'attraversamento della Linea Albert

Il 28 giugno, dopo duri scontri, la Linea Albert tedesca (indicata dagli Alleati anche come "Linea del Trasimeno") venne rotta e le truppe alleate ripresero l'avanzata verso nord, con la 24th Guards Brigade che raggiunse Chianciano Terme mentre la 11th Armd Bde spingeva a nord verso il Lago di Montepulciano. L'avanzata del XIII Corps su Firenze era guidata dalla 6th Armoured Division britannica sulla destra, dalla 4th Infantry Division britannica al centro e dai sudafricani della 6th Division sulla sinistra; quest'ultima avanzò su due colonne attraverso Rapolano Terme e Palazzuolo sul Senio finché non incappò nelle difese della Linea Georg tedesca, una posizione di arresto stabilita dal LXXVI Panzer Corps sul lato nord della Statale 73.

La consistenza dei reparti tedeschi che tenevano la linea non era inizialmente nota, e gli elementi di testa del XIII Corps britannico continuarono a spingere in avanti aspettandosi che la linea tedesca si sgretolasse sotto la pressione senza bisogno di lanciare un attacco su vasta scala; il corpo britannico inviò diversi battaglioni a catturare le alture attorno Monte Lignano, ma gli scontri per le colline continuarono per tutto il 6 e 7 luglio senza che i tedeschi della 15. Panzergrenadier-Division venissero scalzati dalle loro postazioni. I sudafricani furono bloccati sul fianco sinistro, con le loro due brigate di fanteria sparse su un fronte di 16 chilometri mentre i corazzati della 11th Armd Bde dovettero essere ritirati in riserva a causa del terreno troppo impervio per loro. Il 7 luglio la 2nd New Zealand Division venne portata in avanti dalle riserve del XIII Corps, e il suo attacco appoggiato dai corazzati della 6th Armoured Division britannica riuscì infine a scacciare i tedeschi dalle colline e a obbligarli a ritirarsi sulla successiva linea di resistenza, la linea Heinrich lungo le rive dell'Arno, entro il 15 luglio; la divisione sudafricana poté quindi riprendere l'avanzata, muovendo verso Radda in Chianti lungo la zona occidentale della regione delle Colline del Chianti.

I sudafricani fecero buoni progressi, muovendo con la 12th Mot Bd a cavalcioni della strada che costituiva l'asse dell'avanzata della divisione e con la 24th Guards Bde sul fianco destro lungo le piste delle Colline del Chianti. Radda fu messa in sicurezza nella notte del 17 luglio, e la divisione ricevette l'ordine di prendere le principali alture del Chianti: la 24th Guards Bde prese Monte Maione con un attacco nella notte tra il 18 e il 19 luglio grazie al supporto dei carri armati del Pretoria Regiment, mentre la 12th Mot Bde prese Monte San Michele il 20 luglio; i sudafricani dominavano ora la vallata del Casentino e le vie di avanzata su Firenze.

La liberazione di Firenze
Il 20 luglio il generale Sidney Kirkman, comandante del XIII Corps, diede le sue disposizioni per il forzamento dell'Arno a ovest di Firenze; questo sforzo sarebbe stato portato avanti dalla divisione sudafricana, con la 4th Infantry Division britannica alla sua destra e appoggio sui fianchi dato dalla 6th Armoured Division britannica e dalla 8th Indian Infantry Division. L'avanzata delle unità sudafricane fu rallentata nelle vicinanze di Greve in Chianti a causa degli ampi campi minati disposti dai tedeschi, che misero fuori uso diversi carri armati; l'11th Armd Bde ebbe tuttavia successo nel catturare Mercatale, difesa da unità della 356. Infanterie-Division tedesca supportate da carri pesanti Panzer VI Tiger I. La divisione si aprì la strada attraverso Greve in Chianti, solo per venire di nuovo bloccata dai paracadutisti della 4. Fallschirmjäger-Division sulle rive del fiume Greve il 24 luglio; i sudafricani riuscirono tuttavia ad aggirare i paracadutisti tedeschi, che si ritirarono nella notte tra il 24 e il 25 luglio ripiegando sulla successiva postazione di difesa, la Linea Paula.

Kirkman pose ancora una volta la 6th South African Armoured Division, appoggiata sul fianco questa volta dalla 2nd New Zealand Division, alla testa dell'avanzata del XIII Corps attraverso la Linea Paula, con obiettivo Firenze: i neozelandesi avrebbero sostenuto il peso dell'assalto principale, mentre i sudafricani avrebbero neutralizzato le postazioni nemiche sulle alture a ovest di Impruneta e quindi ripulito la Statale 2 che conduceva a Firenze; il comandante delle forze alleate in Italia, generale Harold Alexander, diede disposizione perché non si combattesse direttamente dentro Firenze, e Kirkman puntò piuttosto ad aggirare la città. L'attacco iniziò il 31 luglio con pesanti bombardamenti d'artiglieria e più di 100 incursioni aeree della Desert Air Force, che sostennero l'avanzata in tre colonne dei sudafricani, dei neozelandesi e dei britannici della 4th Infantry Division. Entro la mattina del 4 agosto le unità d'avanguardia avevano raggiunto la periferia di Firenze, solo per scoprire che tutti i ponti che attraversavano l'Arno erano stati fatti saltare in aria dai tedeschi; una pattuglia di sudafricani dell'Imperial Light Horse/Kimberley Regiment scoprì tuttavia che Ponte Vecchio era stato lasciato intatto, e sotto un pesante fuoco di artiglieria nemico riuscì ad attraversarlo entrando nel centro di Firenze alle 04:00, prima unità alleata a mettere piede in città.

Presa Firenze, la divisione fu ritirata dal fronte e posta nelle riserve dell'Eighth Army nella zona tra Siena e Castelnuovo Berardenga per un periodo di riposo; il 17 agosto la divisione fu trasferita dall'organico del XIII Corps britannico a quello del IV Corps statunitense, onde rimpiazzare le divisioni ritirate dall'Italia per essere impiegate nello sbarco nel sud della Francia. La divisione lasciò quindi l'Eighth Army britannica per entrare a far parte della Fifth Army statunitense.

Dall'Arno agli Appennini
La divisione tornò in linea alla fine di agosto, per riprendere l'inseguimento dei tedeschi in ritirata dalla linea dell'Arno. Nella notte tra il 28 e il 29 agosto il grosso della 12th Mot Bde attraversò il fiume presso Le Piagge sotto un leggero fuoco d'artiglieria nemico. I resoconti dei prigionieri catturati confermarono che i tedeschi erano in piena ritirata e la brigata, come pure la 24th Guards Brigade che la seguiva, ricevette l'ordine di inviare verso nord pattuglie da combattimento per determinare l'estensione del ripiegamento del nemico; nel frattempo, i genieri sudafricani lanciavano ponti Bailey sul fiume per agevolare il passaggio dei reparti divisionali, operazione portata a termine il 3 settembre sotto uno sporadico fuoco d'artiglieria nemico. Vista la debole resistenza offerta dai tedeschi, il generale Poole incoraggiò l'avvio di una rapida avanzata ma ciò fu respinto dal comando della Fifth Army, il quale non voleva compromettere l'effetto sorpresa dell'offensiva che stava preparando a partire dalla zona a nord di Firenze. L'ordine per i sudafricani di attendere e tenere il massiccio dell'Albano fino a nuovo avviso fu profondamente risentito dal comando di divisione, e venne considerato come rappresentativo della persistente inflessibilità messa in luce dalla leadership della Fifth Army.

L'offensiva della Fifth Army iniziò il 10 settembre: in appoggio all'operazione Olive scatenata pochi giorni prima dalla Eighth Army britannica sul fronte dell'Appennino tosco-romagnolo, l'armata statunitense lanciò un attacco contro i bastioni montuosi a sud di Bologna; come parte di questo piano, alla 6th Division fu ordinato di avanzare lungo la Statale 64 tra Vergato e Bologna per andare a catturare le vette gemelle di Monte Sole e Monte Caprara. La 24th Guards Brigade fu quindi la prima componente della divisione a entrare in contatto con le difese tedesche della Linea Gotica allestite lungo gli Appennini, quando i suoi reparti avanzati incapparono nelle postazioni fortificate tenute da due battaglioni della Lehr-Brigade (mot.) 900 e da due battaglioni della 362. Infanterie-Division. Dopo essere rimasta di guardia nella zona del massiccio dell'Albano, l'11th Armd Bde fu portata in avanti per affrontare i tedeschi della 362. Infaterie-Division, anche se venne obbligata a operare senza i suoi carri armati a causa del terreno troppo impervio. La situazione si sbloccò solo il 22 settembre, quando i tedeschi lasciarono le loro postazioni per ripiegare sulla successiva linea difensiva, detta "Linea Verde II".

I sudafricani ripresero l'avanzata con il II Corps statunitense sulla destra e la 34th Infantry Division sulla sinistra; rapporti riferirono che la provata 362. Infaterie-Division era stata sostituita da un'unità scelta, la 16. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Reichsführer-SS", la quale sbarrava ora il cammino alle unità sudafricane. Entro il 28 settembre la divisione stava avanzando su tre assi ampiamente separati, ma le forze tedesche in ritirata avevano operato vaste demolizioni di ponti e tunnel e ciò, unito alla congestione del traffico sulle strette strade appenniniche, rendeva l'avanzata estremamente lenta; fu quindi deciso di lasciare uno degli assi dell'avanzata ai reparti statunitensi visto che i genieri sudafricani non erano in grado di tenere aperte tre diverse strade simultaneamente: la 24th Guards Brigade fu quindi riunita alla 11th Armd Bde per proteggere il fianco occidentale del II Corps statunitense. Il Monte Vigese dominava la principale linea d'avanzata della 6th Division, ma due giorni di estesi combattimenti sotto la pioggia scrosciante con i tedeschi del SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 36 non consentirono ai sudafricani di conquistare la posizione; Poole ordinò quindi una pausa, per preparare un più coordinato attacco alla montagna da parte della 12th Mot Bde, con le altre due brigate in supporto. Dopo un pesante bombardamento d'artiglieria che vide l'impiego di più di 10.000 proiettili, la posizione di Monte Vigese fu infine espugnata.

Dopo la battaglia per Monte Vigese, la divisione fu ritirata dal fronte per un periodo di riposo e recupero. La 6th Division fu sottratta all'organico del IV Corps e assegnata agli ordini diretti del comando della Fifth Army in previsione di un suo impiego in appoggio dell'avanzata del II Corps statunitense; in aggiunta, l'organico della divisione fu massicciamente rinforzato con l'aggiunta di unità d'artiglieria pesante britanniche e statunitensi e dei carri armati del Combat Comand B, una brigata corazzata distaccata dalla 1st Armored Division statunitense. Alla 6th Division fu assegnato il compito di spingere verso nord verso Bologna per coprire il fianco della 34th Division statunitense: il Combat Command B sarebbe avanzato lungo la Statale 64 e la 24th Guards Brigade lungo la valle del fiume Setta, con la 11th Armd Bde e la 12th Mot Bde a coprire il terreno impervio in mezzo alle due brigate. Entro il 25 ottobre la divisione aveva guadato il Setta e preso il rilievo di Quota 501 sotto Monte Sole, ma l'attacco della 24th Guards Brigade contro Monte Sole stesso fu bloccato dall'abbattersi di piogge torrenziali. Il giorno seguente la pioggia continua aveva trasformato il terreno in un pantano, portando all'isolamento degli elementi della divisione attestati su Quota 501 e alla sospensione del supporto aereo ai sudafricani da parte del XXII Tactical Air Command statunitense.

L'attacco a Monte Sole venne cancellato e la divisione tornò sotto il comando del IV Corps il 4 novembre. Con l'arrivo dell'inverno tutto il fronte della Fifth Army entrò in un periodo di stasi, e l'avanzata si trasformò in qualche azione di pattugliamento per consolidare le postazioni sino a qui raggiunte.

L'offensiva di primavera

Il 15 gennaio 1945 la 6th Division fu riportata in forza al II Corps statunitense; il 18 febbraio seguente la 24th Guards Brigade fu sottratta dall'organico della 6th Division e trasferita in forza alla 56th (London) Infantry Division britannica, ponendo fine a una duratura e apprezzata collaborazione con i sudafricani. La divisione fu sostituita sulla linea del fronte dal Combat Command A della 1st Armored Division statunitense (che prese il posto della 12th Mot Bde) e dal Combat Command B (che sostituì l'11th Armd Bde), e quindi ritirata nelle retrovie nella zona di Lucca

La 6th Division fu quindi assegnata all'imminente offensiva risolutiva degli Alleati in Italia (nome in codice "operazione Grapeshot") prevista per quella primavera. Alla divisione fu assegnato un ruolo nella seconda fase dell'offensiva (fase "Brown"), ricevendo il compito di conquistare i rilievi di Monte Sole e Monte Caprara al centro della linea del II Corps statunitense (e dell'intera Fifth Army), aprendo così la via per la valle del Po; ottenuto lo sfondamento, la 1st Armored Division statunitense doveva muovere verso ovest e la divisione sudafricana doveva dirigere a nord-ovest di Bologna per collegarsi con l'Eighth Army britannica in avanzata in Romagna. I rapporti dell'intelligence riferivano che ora le postazioni obiettivo della 6th Division erano presidiate da reparti della 8. Gebirgs-Division tedesca.

La fase "Brown" dell'operazione Grapeshot ebbe inizio il 15 aprile 1945: quella notte la 6th Division fu la prima delle unità del II Corps a raggiungere gli obiettivi assegnati, prendendo Monte Sole con una serie di ben coordinati attacchi notturni assistiti dai più pesanti attacchi aerei d'appoggio che la divisione ebbe mai nel corso della sua carriera; l'attacco a Monte Sole fu anche la prima esperienza di combattimento per la 13th South African Motorised Brigade (13th Mot Bde), appena arrivata dal Sudafrica per prendere il posto della 24th Guards Brigade nell'organico della divisione. La battaglia era stata feroce per tutte le unità della divisione coinvolte, e nel successivo assalto a Monte Caprara si verificarono gravi perdite. Il 21 aprile l'11th Armd Brigade, supportata da reparti del genio statunitense, fece il suo ingresso nell'abitato di San Matteo della Decima; pesanti combattimenti casa per casa continuarono fino al calare della notte, con molti carri sudafricani messi fuori uso dai Panzerfaust tedeschi. Poole impiegò tutti i reparti disponibili per piegare la resistenza del nemico, ed entro il 22 aprile il paese era stato conquistato.

Questi successi crearono l'occasione per i reparti corazzati di sfondare la linea del fronte e di aprirsi la via per Bologna. I sudafricani si ricongiunsero quindi con i britannici della 6th Armoured Division il 23 aprile, tagliando la via di ritirata dagli Appennini ai reparti tedeschi presi in mezzo tra le due divisioni; in aggiunta, nella loro avanzata i sudafricani distrussero in pratica quanto rimaneva della 65. Infanterie-Division tedesca. Dopo un'avanzata lungo la valle del Po, la divisione si raggruppò nella zona a sud di Treviso il 29 aprile, ricevendo quindi il compito di dirigere su Milano per presidiare la città.

Fine della guerra e smobilitazione

Il 2 maggio 1945 la resa delle forze tedesche in Italia entrò in vigore, e il giorno seguente la 6th Division si spostò nella zona a nord-est di Milano; l'8 maggio giunse la notizia della fine della seconda guerra mondiale in Europa. La divisione sfilò in parata per celebrare la vittoria il 14 luglio all'Autodromo nazionale di Monza, alla presenza del comandante in capo delle forze alleate in Italia Mark Clark e del comandante della Fifth Army Lucian Truscott; nel corso di questa cerimonia diverse decorazioni statunitensi furono assegnate a membri della divisione, compresa un'onorificenza di commendatore della Legion of Merit per il generale Poole.

Le brigate sudafricane furono quindi schierate lungo il confine con la Francia e la Svizzera in funzione di truppe d'occupazione: l'11th Armd Bde fu schierata nel nord del Piemonte, la 12th Mot Bde in Valle d'Aosta e la 13th Mot Bde attorno a Torino; il 16 luglio due unità italiane, la 44ª Divisione fanteria "Cremona" e il Gruppo di Combattimento "Mantova", furono poste agli ordini della 6th Division per assisterla nei suoi compiti di presidio della frontiera, mentre il rimpatrio dei battaglioni sudafricani prendeva vita. Con la progressiva riduzione degli organici, il 18 agosto la divisione fu arretrata nella zona di Imperia: le due brigate motorizzate furono amalgamate in un'unica formazione, come pure la brigata corazzata e l'artiglieria divisionale.

Fin dall'inizio dell'aprile 1945 era divenuto ovvio che la guerra stava per finire e che la divisione, come pure varie altre unità sudafricane di supporto, sarebbe stata presto riportata in patria per la smobilitazione. Il 1º maggio, tuttavia, l'Esercito sudafricano si rese conto che non erano stati ancora formulati piani concreti per riportare indietro tutti gli uomini: furono rapidamente formulate istruzioni per un'evacuazione per via aerea di 5.000 soldati al mese a partire dal 1º luglio e di 15.000 uomini via mare durante la seconda metà dell'anno, con l'obiettivo di rimpatriare 45.000 uomini entro la fine del 1945. In aggiunta alle unità della 6th Division e ad altri reparti, dall'Italia erano tuttavia in arrivo anche decine di migliaia di ex prigionieri di guerra sudafricani appena rilasciati dai campi di prigionia, alcuni dei quali in detenzione da più di tre anni; apparentemente, tutti questi non erano stati conteggiati nei piani di smobilitazione.

Il deposito delle truppe sudafricane a Helwan a nord de Il Cairo divenne rapidamente sovraffollato, visto che il numero di soldati rimpatriati giornalmente si rivelò ben presto sostanzialmente inferiore a quanto pianificato; la situazione si aggravò quando il previsto trasferimento via mare dovette essere rimandato: il cibo iniziò a scarseggiare e gli standard di disciplina si deteriorarono quando gli uomini in arrivo furono divisi per ordine alfabetico invece di essere riassegnati alle loro unità d'origine. Una riunione di protesa fu indetta il 20 agosto, e mano a mano che la folla si radunava l'incontro divenne sempre più acceso e violento, degenerando in tumulti: furono saccheggiati e dati alle fiamme numerosi locali egiziani, blocchi di negozi, automobili e abitazioni, come pure il locale centro ricreativo della Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. Il generale Poole dovette arrivare rapidamente dall'Italia per placare le truppe, promettendo misure immediate per accelerare il rimpatrio dei soldati; alcune settimane dopo, un'inchiesta stimò l'ammontare dei danni causati dai disordini in più di 22 milioni di sterline.

Entro il 25 gennaio 1946, 101.676 uomini erano stati rimpatriati in Sudafrica, e l'ultimo aereo con a bordo il generale Poole lasciò l'Egitto il 26 febbraio arrivando a Durban il 2 marzo seguente. Il rimpatrio di Poole decretò fondamentalmente lo scioglimento della divisione; la formazione fu brevemente riattivata il 1º luglio 1948, per poi essere sciolta nuovamente e definitivamente il 1º novembre 1949. Nel rapporto dello stesso Poole, durante il suo impiego in Italia la divisione aveva subito un totale di 3.543 perdite, di cui 711 morti, 2.675 feriti e 157 dispersi.

Ordine di battaglia

  11th Armoured Brigade
 Pretoria Regiment
 Prince Alfred's Guard
 Special Service Battalion
 Imperial Light Horse/Kimberley Regiment (fino al febbraio 1945)

  12th Motorised Infantry Brigade
 First City Regiment/Cape Town Highlanders Regiment
 Natal Carbineers
 Witwatersrand Rifles Regiment/Regiment de la Rey

  24th Guards Brigade
(fino al febbraio 1945)
 1st Battalion, Scots Guards
 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards
 5th Battalion, Grenadier Guards

  13th Motorised Infantry Brigade
(dal febbraio 1945)
 Imperial Light Horse/Kimberley Regiment
 Natal Mounted Rifles
 Durban Light Infantry

  Artiglieria divisionale
 1st/6th Field Regiment, Cape Field Artillery
 4th/22nd Field Regiment, South African Artillery Corps
 7th/23rd Medium Regiment, South African Artillery Corps
 1st/11th Anti-Tank Regiment, South African Artillery Corps
 1st/12th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, South African Artillery Corps

  Truppe divisionali
 17th Field Park Squadron, South African Engineering Corps
 12th Field Squadron, South African Engineering Corps
 8th Field Squadron, South African Engineering Corps
 6 SA Div Signal Squadron, South African Corps of Signals
 6 SA Div Artillery Signal Squadron, South African Artillery Corps
 14th Mot Bde Signals Squadron, South African Corps of Signals
 19th Field Ambulance, South African Medical Corps
 20th Field Ambulance, South African Medical Corps

Note

Annotazioni

Fonti

Bibliografia

Altri progetti

Divisioni corazzate
Forze armate della seconda guerra mondiale
Unità militari sudafricane


My Creative Existence: Joy Fold Card.
I have used papers from Graphic 45, Bazzill cardstock, and stamps from Darkroom Door (from the following sets: "Butterflies", "Prague Vol 1", "Journal", and "Wildflowers Vol 1"). I used Kaisercraft pearls for the centres of the butterflies. I masked off the journaling lines in the journal block stamp to create a frame for the butterflies and quote. I love finding new and different ways to use a stamp!
Such a fun and easy card to make, and the design is sure to delight the recipient!
wowsers! what a gorgeous card! I love the design, colors and stamps! awesome artwork!


text:
by Jeff Foust — January 13, 2021
Intuitive Machines will launch its IM-2 lunar lander mission, carrying a set of NASA payloads, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 no earlier than 2022. Credit: Intuitive Machines
WASHINGTON — SpaceX secured contracts Jan. 13 for the launches of a commercial lunar lander mission backed by NASA as well as a privately funded satellite to track methane emissions.
Intuitive Machines announced that it selected SpaceX for the launch of its IM-2 lunar lander mission on a Falcon 9 rocket no earlier than 2022. IM-2 will land in the south polar region of the moon carrying payloads arranged through the agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program in October.
The IM-2 mission will fly a drilling experiment called Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment 1 (PRIME-1), which will look for water ice below the lunar surface. Intuitive Machines said that, besides the PRIME-1 drill, two other NASA technology payloads will fly on the lander.
Intuitive Machines also selected SpaceX for its first lander mission, IM-1. That spacecraft is scheduled to launch later this year as one of the first two CLPS lander missions. Both missions will use a lander design called Nova-C.
"Launching Nova-C on a rocket with a proven record of reliability and outstanding value is an assurance to NASA and our commercial payload customers that IM is dedicated to sticking the landing in back-to-back moon missions," Steve Altemus, president and chief executive of Intuitive Machines, said in a company statement.
Intuitive Machines is one of three companies that have received NASA CLPS awards so far. Masten Space Systems, which won a CLPS lander mission to the south polar region of the moon in April 2020, selected SpaceX in August to launch its XL-1 lander. Masten said at the time that its SpaceX contract does not cover a specific launch vehicle, but rather a service to get the spacecraft to the moon on the company's desired schedule.
Astrobotic, which won an initial CLPS award alongside Intuitive Machines in May 2019, will fly that mission on the inaugural launch of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur in late 2021. Astrobotic won a CLPS award in June for delivering NASA's VIPER lunar rover to the south pole of the moon in late 2023, but has not announced the launch vehicle for that mission.
In a separate announcement, MethaneSAT, a subsidiary of Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), said it will launch its eponymous satellite on a Falcon 9 in October 2022. The spacecraft will launch through SpaceX's smallsat rideshare program, project spokesman Jon Coifman said.
"SpaceX offers the readiness and reliability we need to deliver our instrument into orbit and begin streaming emissions data as soon as possible. We couldn't ask for a more capable launch partner," Steven Hamburg, MethaneSAT project colead, said in a statement.
The 350-kilogram satellite, being built by a team that includes Ball Aerospace and Blue Canyon Technologies, will perform high-resolution mapping of methane emissions, helping scientists and environmental advocates identify sources of the greenhouse gas from oil and gas industry facilities. EDF will make data from MethaneSAT freely available.
EDF received a $100 million grant Nov. 16 from the Bezos Earth Fund, which the organization will use for activities that include the completion and launch of MethaneSAT. The fund, which plans to spend $10 million on climate change initiatives, was established by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and launch vehicle company Blue Origin.
Commercial	Launch	CLPSEDFFalcon 9Intuitive MachinesSpaceX

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
[VIDEO]: Former Coosa punter lays huge hit on Monday Night Football
In his sixth season of NFL play for the Dallas Cowboys, Floyd County's own Chris Jones became somewhat of a celebrity this week when he delivered a huge hit on a Detroit Lions punt returner in prime time on Monday Night Football. Jones, a former Coosa High School standout, signed as a rookie free agent with the Cowboys back in 2011, and has been an integral contributor to his team's impressive run to a NFC East title this season.
In his sixth season of NFL play for the Dallas Cowboys, Floyd County's own Chris Jones became somewhat of a celebrity this week when he delivered a huge hit on a Detroit Lions punt returner in prime time on Monday Night Football.
Jones, a former Coosa High School standout, signed as a rookie free agent with the Cowboys back in 2011, and has been an integral contributor to his team's impressive run to a NFC East title this season.
On Monday night, with his team up 42-21 midway through the fourth quarter, Jones punted from his own endzone on fourth down and eleven, then leveled Lions wide receiver Andre Roberts on the return at the Cowboy's 30 yard line out of bounds.
After a solid high school career as a Coosa Eagle, Jones attended Carson-Newman where he was an All-SAC selection in 2008. He is the son of Mike and Teresa Jones, and was an All-Area selection in high school.
Jones is averaging 45.7 yards a punt on 54 punts this season with a long of 63 with Dallas this season.
http://www.dallascowboys.com/video/2016/12/26/punter-chris-jones-big-hit-lions-returner
Related TopicsCoosaCoosaEaglesCoosaHighSchoolFloydCountyRome
Senorise Sports a South Beach Smile
Indians in the finals


Since 2009, EPMG has successfully contributed to clients' initiatives and organizations with technology deployment, and an array of other business solutions.
At the core of EPMG solutions and its success are EPMG employees. The firm's ability to hire and retain the brightest people in the industry has been the key to EPMG's success. We invite you to explore our site and learn more about EPMG and how a business partnership with our firm can benefit you.
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For more information, visit the official website http://www.cinemafv5.com or download the official Cinema FV-5 User Guide at http://www.cinemafv5.com/tutorials/user_manual.php. For technical support, please read the FAQ (http://www.cinemafv5.com/faq.php) or write to support@cinemafv5.com.
The Lite version is a fully-functional version without any time or feature restriction: it just limits the maximum length of the individual clips you can record. Please acquire the paid version to remove this limitation and record clips of any length.
New option in Settings/Audio to disable the AGC (Automatic Gain Control) algorithm for audio recording. This might help to record audio with less noise on quiet environments, if the internal sound card supports this.
Now it is possible to start/stop the recording by using a hardware camera key, a Bluetooth remote shutter, or special hardware keys like the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active's Blue Key.
Fixed issues with rooted devices not being able to write videos to the SD card.


text:
The Clone Wars Season Five Finale: The Wrong Jedi
March 3, 2013 March 3, 2013 Fangirl	Ahsoka Tano, Ashley Eckstein, Megan Crouse, review, Star Wars, The Clone Wars
Season Five of The Clone Wars concluded yesterday with "The Wrong Jedi." Ahsoka faced not one but two trials, Anakin Force-choked two suspects, the Jedi traitor was exposed, the Jedi Council showed its true colors, and Ahsoka ultimately made a brave and fateful choice.
After the episode aired, Eric Goldman at IGN shared his great interview with Ashley Eckstein. They discuss the finale, Ahsoka's future, and Year of the Fangirl.
Also be sure not to miss the comments from Ashley and Dave Filoni in the featurette for the episode on StarWars.com.
Megan has much praise for "The Wrong Jedi" in her review:
Ahsoka's characterization took an effective turn in "The Wrong Jedi," finally showing how her flaws are an integral part of her. She could be a loner instead of hot-headed; she goes her own way, without replicating Anakin's rebelliousness against authority. Ahsoka does not dislike authority, but simply ignores it. Maybe she made the decision to leave the Jedi Order when she jumped into the air shaft at the end of "The Jedi Who Knew Too Much." Historically Ahsoka is friendly but doesn't get close to people – she left both Lux Bonteri and Riyo Chuchi (who makes a brief cameo in the courtroom) without looking back, and if Barriss was her only friend in the Temple and then she may not have much to stick around for. This episode not so much deepens as widens her characterization, and makes it more evident that she might have been a bit of an outsider all along.
Click onward to read her full review.
Later this month we'll post our Season in Review series for Season Five, like we did at the end of last season. There's certainly a lot to cover!
Update: There is so much good discussion on the season finale around the web, it's worth sharing.
Over at io9, Lauren Davis recaps the episode and shares her thoughts on Barriss.
Okay, I'm going to take a brief timeout here, because I promised I would do this last week, and I am a lady of my word: Chewgumma, you were completely right and I was completely wrong. Last week, we were debating whether Barriss would prove the final villain of this piece. I had huge, major doubts that Barriss was behind the bombing because she has an established history during this time period, one that includes dying in Order 66 in the comic adaptation of Revenge of the Sith and I didn't think they'd go so far off-book with this particular character. But today, Barriss' Wookieepedia entry is a mess. I don't know if you're one for victory boogies, Chewgumma, but I cede the dance floor to you.
Putting questions of canon aside, however, Barriss actually works quite well as the mastermind behind the bombing for the purposes of the show alone. She and Ahsoka are peers, after all, and Ahsoka has been through a lot this season—training freedom fighters, battling pirates, and now operating as a fugitive and murder suspect without the aid of the Jedi Council. Barriss' murderous bombing of the Temple seems nearly as extreme as Anakin's slaughter of the younglings in Revenge of the Sith, but we don't know what tragedies and betrayals Barriss has witnessed in parallel. Barriss and Ahsoka have both come of age in an era where the Jedi have given them much to doubt. It's a shock that Barriss would go this far, but between Barriss' radical actions and the Council's refusal to stand by Ahsoka during this trial, Ahsoka has to question whether she is truly on the side of right.
At Newsarama, Lucas Siegel has praise for Ahsoka's role in the The Clone Wars.
Then, as the season rolled on and I got to know the characters, there was of course one major standout: Ahsoka Tano. The padawan of Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka was new to the program, offering viewers a "way in" to the Jedi order and the Star Wars galaxy. She was spunky – and impetuous, fitting to Anakin – she was hopeful and nervous, she was dedicated and capable, and she cared… the last of which of course sets off warning signs to anyone with knowledge of Star Wars lore – a Jedi isn't supposed to do that, at least not this way or this much.
Ahsoka grew quickly. Over five seasons, she became a powerful Jedi, but so much more than that – she became a powerful friend and confidant to Anakin, to Padmé; she even showed great wisdom, occasionally counseling Jedi much her senior in power, experience, and age. She occasionally exhibited the rare force power of foresight: being able to see possible futures, she held Anakin to the light as an anchor, and she got out of some major scrapes all on her own.
This was the best female character I had come across in all of Star Wars, and really became one of the best, period.
Christian Blauvelt posted an insight recap at Hollywood.com.
Overall this was a powerful and brilliant but also disturbing and upsetting finale which really highlights how far the Jedi have fallen, not only with Barriss turning into a deranged, machiavellian psychopath but also with the Council turning against one of their own Jedi. When Ahsoka left the Jedi Temple it was heart breaking enough to make me cry but I don't blame her. Actually I admire her choice to let go of her home and the only family she's ever known; unlike Skywalker, Ahsoka mastered the ability to let go of attachments. I also admire the restraint she showed; if I were in her position I don't think I would have walked out with so much dignity. I think I would first rage at the Council, demand they get on their sorry, unworthy knees and beg to be forgiven, not forgive them no matter how pathetic they seem and then storm out of the Temple using the Force to knock over a couple of big, fancy and probably sacred statues as I went. The Jedi Order don't deserve to have Ahsoka; she is a true representation of what a Jedi should be like and an Order full of corruption doesn't deserve to have someone as good and pure as her within their ranks. Ahsoka is a far more mature, selfless, compassionate, forgiving and good-hearted character than her former Master ever was.
Over at Big Shiny Robot, Bryan Young asks if this episode makes sense knowing what happens in Revenge of the Sith. His Full of Sith podcast attended the screening of the finale last week and has audio from the Q&A. This quote from Dave Filoni is intriguing:
One thing we're trying to do at Lucasfilm is have an immense level of collaboration these days. It's one of the things as we go forward that we really, really want to have. So that as fans you can really be certain that when things happen across different Star Wars IP, from comic books to novels to videogames to new movies to TV, that it's part of the same universe. That's not been something that I think we really had prior to now. It's always been this is George's universe and what he's doing with the movies and his TV shows, and then there's what everybody else is doing. And it's too much to keep control of. And I know more than anyone how much consternation that has caused fans, because they're like I love this character or I love this character. I think that what we're trying to do is find a way to make everything work very cohesively.
Tricia Barr took her understanding of brand management and marketing, mixed it with a love of genre storytelling, and added a dash of social media flare to create FANgirl Blog, where she discusses Star Wars, fandom, and strong female characters. She also writes about Star Wars for Random House's science fiction and fantasy blog Suvudu.com and for Star Wars Insider magazine.
In her spare time, Tricia puts the finishing touches on her first novel, Wynde. For excerpts and tales of her adventures in creating a fictional universe, hop over to TriciaBarr.com.
For updates on all things FANgirl follow @FANgirlcantina on Twitter or like FANgirl Zone on Facebook.
Tricia Barr took her understanding of brand management and marketing, mixed it with a love of genre storytelling, and added a dash of social media flare to create FANgirl Blog, where she discusses Star Wars, fandom, and the intersection of women within Star Wars fandom. She is co-author of Ultimate Star Wars and Star Wars Visual Encyclopedia from DK Publishing, a featured writer for Star Wars Insider magazine with numerous articles on the Hero's Journey. Her FANgirl opinions can be heard on the podcasts Hyperspace Theories and Fangirls Going Rogue.
Tricia Barr's novel, Wynde, won the 2014 Independent Publisher Book Award Gold Medal for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Ebook. She was also part of Silence in the Library's successful all-female creator science fiction and fantasy anthology Athena's Daughters, which is available now. For excerpts and tales of her adventures in creating a fictional universe, hop over to TriciaBarr.com.
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← REVIEW: Star Wars: The Last Jedi by Michael Reaves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff
Ashley Eckstein Around the Web →
Tricia Barr took her understanding of brand management and marketing, mixed it with a love of genre storytelling, and added a dash of social media flare to create FANgirl Blog, where she discusses Star Wars, fandom, and the intersection of women within Star Wars fandom. She is co-author of Ultimate Star Wars and Star Wars Visual Encyclopedia from DK Publishing, a featured writer for Star Wars Insider magazine with numerous articles on the Hero's Journey. Her FANgirl opinions can be heard on the podcasts Hyperspace Theories and Fangirls Going Rogue. Tricia Barr's novel, Wynde, won the 2014 Independent Publisher Book Award Gold Medal for Best Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Ebook. She was also part of Silence in the Library's successful all-female creator science fiction and fantasy anthology Athena's Daughters, which is available now. For excerpts and tales of her adventures in creating a fictional universe, hop over to TriciaBarr.com.
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Time and again IAV has played a pioneering role in the development of gaseous-fuel vehicles and engines – starting with initial gas-powered vehicle projects in the 1990s to new engine concepts that will go into volume production in the future. Increasingly, this is letting natural gas become established as an environmentally friendly and low-cost alternative to diesel and gasoline.
Gas-powered engines are environmentally friendly and low fuel prices also make them very inexpensive to run. IAV was quick to focus attention on alternative propulsion concepts and, for example, in the early 2000s developed the first gas-powered vehicles with a bivalent gaseous fuel/gasoline drive system for the Volkswagen Group as part of turnkey projects – from gas-powered engine durability, engine management, electronics, exhaust gas aftertreatment, vehicle body and tank system modification right through to validation, crash tests and homologation.
Ever since then, IAV has continued to drive forward the development of innovative concepts and new components. At the moment, for instance, we are working on new tank systems that will replace the conventional compressed-gas steel tanks and extend the traveling range of gas-powered vehicles. Here, the particular focus is on concepts that permit better adjustment to the vehicle body and optimize weight. A further aim is to increase storage capacity using chemical storage processes.
In research projects, IAV is also working on the gas-powered engines of tomorrow: Direct-injection gas-powered engines, for example, promise better fuel economy and higher torque. But we are also working on the development of gas-powered engines which use unconventional combustion processes and are also capable of setting new standards in efficiency.
The interest in gas-powered engines is growing particularly fast in the commercial-vehicle segment because they allow fleet operators to make considerable cost savings. IAV is working on new dual-fuel concepts for engines powered by diesel and gaseous fuel on the diesel principle in which the natural gas is ignited by diesel spray. Depending on the given filling station infrastructure, dual-fuel concepts permit simultaneous operation on natural gas and diesel or on diesel only. Existing diesel engines – such as marine engines – can also be converted to use this technology, bringing down running costs and opening up potential for improving overall emission behavior here as well.
Your request regarding the topic Concepts for Innovative Gaseous-Fuel Drive Systems will be sent directly to the responsible department.


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Home > Beauty > The threat of the skinny brow
The threat of the skinny brow
Are skinny brows the next bygone trend to have a renaissance?
By Olivia Costa
We blame Naomi for our past overplucking | GETTY IMAGES
Y2K is back with a vengeance. It staked its claim with low-rise jeans and Ed Hardy's resurgence, but there, looming thin and angular on the horizon – rising like a sliver of a crescent moon – are skinny eyebrows.
Perhaps the defining beauty focus of the last 10 years, brows have been subject to enormous upheaval. An eyebrow-specific dictionary is needed to decipher and remain up to date with the lexicon of brow-related terminology: waxing, threading, lamination, pomade, ombre. The list goes on.
While there's no hard evidence, there are hints that lead me to believe we might just have a (hopefully brief) return to the skinny brow.
The 20 Year Phenomenon
If low rise jeans were the warning shot then consider thin brows a declaration of war.
An obvious place to lay blame is the 20-year trend cycle – an often cited phenomenon that suggests 20 years is the time it takes for a trend to rise, gain popularity and fall, before starting all over again (though I would argue that in the Instagram age the length of the trend cycle is becoming increasingly shorter). 20 years ago we were at the turn of the millennium, emerging from the grungy '90s which saw a punk revival, embodied in alternative subcultures. The extremity of the punk aesthetic was often achieved through harsh DIY methods: hair and clothing were distressed and bleached; skin pierced and tattooed; eyebrows often shaved off and drawn back on, thin and precise.
As the fashion world and then mainstream culture caught up with the grunge and minimalist movement, thin eyebrows became the look du jour, notably driven by pioneering makeup artist, Kevyn Aucoin. Cue the '90s 'It Girls' all sporting pencil-thin brows: Gwen Stefani, Naomi Campbell, Angelina Jolie – the list goes on. It's been about 20 years since the last boom of the narrow brow, and while the trend is oh-so wrong, the timing is right.
Before the '90s, thin brows were last at the height of beauty in the '30s – and before that, the original Renaissance.
Rogiwe van der Weyden's Portrait of a lady | SUPPLIED
The Renaissance was a period of ardent and dynamic change between the 14th and 16th century that prompted rapid development of the economic, social, political and artistic worlds – not unlike the world right now.
It could be argued that the 2020s is akin to a modern Renaissance: we've seen a pandemic unlike anything in recent history; there's been a shift in attention to dismantling social injustices, including demands for action in response to the climate crisis, and the Black Lives Matters movement; and a democratisation of art, with artists of all mediums able to self-publish and directly access wealth and success without traditional barriers to entry. The link between thin brows and cultural upheaval might seem extreme, but let's walk that fine line.
While the trend is OH-SO-WRONG, the TIMING is RIGHT
Portraiture was a very popular art form during the first Renaissance, with artists striving to encapsulate the ideals of beauty rather than a photorealistic depiction of their subject. By today's standards, the beauty goals of the Elizabethean era seem bizarre: hairlines that were shaved then scoured back to achieve high, expansive foreheads with extremely thin or sometimes completely removed eyebrows. The idea was to have a bare and smooth face to encourage the eye to wander from the plain face to the much more exciting and adorned body.
Like the chicken and the egg, it's hard to tell what came first – were skinny eyebrows a response to a changing culture, or did the eyebrows shown in art influence ideas of beauty?
Perhaps thin brows are a callback to those times of change, a symbol that we are moving into a modern Renaissance.
Dior knew we'd be back for more (or less, as it were) | GETTY IMAGES
Where minimalist fashion reigned supreme in the late 2010s – potentially born out of the Great Recession and then proliferated by the simultaneous rising power of the influencer – in a post-pandemic world, maximalism seems to have snared the throne. Minimalism was always going to be usurped, whether by a pandemic that's left people itching to get dressed up or in the tidal changes of the trend cycle – the combination of both has lead to a complete 180 in aesthetic.
While thin, barely-there eyebrows would seem to lend themselves to minimalism, there exists an argument that they're a critical element of the maximalist aesthetic. Self-sacrificing in order to let loud jewellery, clothing and makeup shine, the contrast of a thin brow magnifies the key elements of a look. Barely-there brows with a bold lip will only make the lip bolder.
Though fine and unassuming, the attitude of skinny brows is strong. There's a certain boldness and nonchalance to them, unfussed about an unframed face. If there's one ineluctable lesson from history we should learn, it's that what goes around comes around. So buckle up and hold onto your tweezers as we ride into the modern renaissance, the wind in our hair – but not in our brows.
Goop's very own Gwyneth Paltrow shares her guide to exfoliation
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Five skincare tips Lily Collins lives by for glowing skin
Diana Silvers on beauty, self-care and achieving radiance
Baby braids are back for our serotonin-induced and stylish aussie summer
Jodie Comer on how her approach to beauty has changed over time


Items where Author is "WINDI DEWI SAPUTRI , 1011011197"
WINDI DEWI SAPUTRI , 1011011197 (2016) ANALISIS PENGARUH KINERJA KEUANGAN PERUSAHAAN DAN FAKTOR EKONOMI MAKRO TERHADAP RETURN SAHAM PADA PERUSAHAAN SEKTOR PERBANKAN YANG TERDAFTAR DI BEI TAHUN 2011-2014. FAKULTAS EKONOMI DAN BISNIS, UNIVERSITAS LAMPUNG.
This list was generated on Wed Apr 24 19:15:51 2019 WIB.


I bet, most of you know Turkey, which is a very nice country with lots of natural beauties and cultural wealth, but these are not the only things that Turkey have.
The video we now present you below demonstrates an excellent piece of machinery customized in Turkey. What you're going to see in this professionally filmed video, which is also combined with an iconic song to double the pleasure, is a 1958 model Apache customized by Es Garaj of Turkey. The truck itself looks so perfect with its extremely impressive paintjob.
Check out the video below and enjoy the charismatic beauty of this 58' Apache!


text:
package com.github.mkolisnyk.cucumber.runner;

import org.junit.Assert;
import org.junit.Test;
import org.junit.runner.notification.RunNotifier;

import cucumber.api.CucumberOptions;

public class RetryAcceptanceTest {

    @ExtendedCucumberOptions(
            jsonReport = "target/81/cucumber.json",
            jsonUsageReport = "target/81/cucumber-usage.json",
            usageReport = true,
            detailedReport = true,
            detailedAggregatedReport = true,
            overviewReport = true,
            overviewChartsReport = true,
            pdfPageSize = "A4 Landscape",
            toPDF = true,
            outputFolder = "target/81",
            retryCount = 3)
    @CucumberOptions(
            features = { "src/test/java/com/github/mkolisnyk/cucumber/features/Test.feature" },
            tags = { "@failed" },
            glue = "com/github/mkolisnyk/cucumber/steps", plugin = {
            "html:target/81", "json:target/81/cucumber.json",
            "pretty:target/81/cucumber-pretty.txt",
            "usage:target/81/cucumber-usage.json", "junit:target/81/cucumber-results.xml" })
    public static class SampleTestRetryIsOff {
        public static int retries = 0;
        public SampleTestRetryIsOff() {
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck(Throwable e) {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck() {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck(int value) {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck(int value, int index) {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
    }

    @ExtendedCucumberOptions(
            jsonReport = "target/81/cucumber.json",
            jsonUsageReport = "target/81/cucumber-usage.json",
            usageReport = true,
            detailedReport = true,
            detailedAggregatedReport = true,
            overviewReport = true,
            overviewChartsReport = true,
            pdfPageSize = "A4 Landscape",
            toPDF = true,
            outputFolder = "target/81",
            retryCount = 3)
    @CucumberOptions(
            features = { "src/test/java/com/github/mkolisnyk/cucumber/features/Test.feature" },
            tags = { "@failed" },
            glue = "com/github/mkolisnyk/cucumber/steps", plugin = {
            "html:target/81", "json:target/81/cucumber.json",
            "pretty:target/81/cucumber-pretty.txt",
            "usage:target/81/cucumber-usage.json", "junit:target/81/cucumber-results.xml" })
    public static class SampleTestRetryIsOn {
        public static int retries = 1;
        public SampleTestRetryIsOn() {
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck() {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck(int value) {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck(Throwable e, int index) {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck(Throwable e) {
            retries++;
            return true;
        }
    }
    @ExtendedCucumberOptions(
            jsonReport = "target/141/cucumber.json",
            jsonUsageReport = "target/141/cucumber-usage.json",
            usageReport = true,
            detailedReport = true,
            detailedAggregatedReport = true,
            overviewReport = true,
            overviewChartsReport = true,
            pdfPageSize = "A4 Landscape",
            toPDF = true,
            outputFolder = "target/141",
            retryCount = 3)
    @CucumberOptions(
            features = { "src/test/java/com/github/mkolisnyk/cucumber/features/Test.feature" },
            tags = { "@passed", "~@flaky", "~@exclude" },
            glue = "com/github/mkolisnyk/cucumber/steps", plugin = {
            "html:target/141", "json:target/141/cucumber.json",
            "pretty:target/141/cucumber-pretty.txt",
            "usage:target/141/cucumber-usage.json", "junit:target/141/cucumber-results.xml" })
    public static class SampleTestRetryIsOnPassed {
        public static int retries = 1;
        public SampleTestRetryIsOnPassed() {
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck() {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck(int value) {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck(Throwable e, int index) {
            retries++;
            return false;
        }
        @RetryAcceptance
        public static boolean retryCheck(Throwable e) {
            retries++;
            return true;
        }
    }

    @Test
    public void testRetryGetsFalse() throws Exception {
        ExtendedCucumber runner = new ExtendedCucumber(SampleTestRetryIsOff.class);
        RunNotifier notifier = new RunNotifier();
        runner.run(notifier);
        Assert.assertEquals(1, SampleTestRetryIsOff.retries);
    }
    @Test
    public void testRetryGetsTrue() throws Exception {
        ExtendedCucumber runner = new ExtendedCucumber(SampleTestRetryIsOn.class);
        RunNotifier notifier = new RunNotifier();
        runner.run(notifier);
        Assert.assertEquals(2, SampleTestRetryIsOn.retries);
    }
    @Test
    public void testRetryGetsTrueForPassed() throws Exception {
        ExtendedCucumber runner = new ExtendedCucumber(SampleTestRetryIsOnPassed.class);
        RunNotifier notifier = new RunNotifier();
        runner.run(notifier);
        Assert.assertEquals(1, SampleTestRetryIsOnPassed.retries);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


What Type of Sleeper Is Best Suited for a Nighslee Mattress?
How Does Nighslee Compare with Other Beds?
The Tuck team collected and analyzed 134 verified customer experiences from 16 unique sources and spent over 20 hours testing this mattress in our lab for this review. This research is supported by you, our readers, through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Read more about how we're supported here.
Nighslee offers the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress. As the name implies, this bed features a comfort layer of ventilated, gel-infused memory foam. It also has a transitional layer of bamboo-infused polyfoam and a high-density polyfoam support core; the cover is made of rayon derived from bamboo. The Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress is 10″ thick and considered 'Medium' in terms of firmness, or a 5.5 on the 1-10 firmness scale.
Temperature neutrality is a major strength of the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress. The ventilated, gel-infused top layer, bamboo-infused transitional layer, and breathable cover help regulate the temperature of the entire bed. As a result, it sleeps cooler than many all-foam competitors. The mattress also conforms very closely without excessive sagging, making it optimal for sleepers – side and back sleepers in particular – who weigh between 130 and 230 pounds, as well as lighter or heavier individuals who prefer moderate firmness. Other advantages of the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress include great motion isolation, no noise when bearing weight, and an exceptionally light frame that is easy to lift and move for most.
Current price-points for the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress are significantly lower than those of the average memory foam model. Nighslee also offers free shipping within the contiguous U.S., and backs the product with a 100-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty.
Read on to learn more about how the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress is constructed, priced, and shipped. We'll also provide an overview of Nighslee's return and warranty policies, as well as other products available from the company.
WHAT USERS ARE SAYING:The Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress from Nighslee has an expected lifespan of about six years, which is typical of lower-cost foam beds.
WHAT USERS ARE SAYING:A 3" memory foam comfort layer and dense polyfoam support layers enable the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress to isolate motion transfer very well.
WHAT USERS ARE SAYING:Some off-gassing may occur when the Cool Gel Memory Foam Bed is new, but long-lasting and/or excessive odors do not appear to be a major issue.
WHAT USERS ARE SAYING:With a 'Medium' (5.5) feel, the Nighslee offers close conforming, pressure relief, and improved spinal alignment for side sleepers.
WHAT USERS ARE SAYING:This mattress is not very responsive, as is typical of all-foam beds, and it may be insufficient for some couples.
WHAT USERS ARE SAYING:The gel-infused top layer and a rayon from bamboo cover allow the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress to provide better temperature neutrality than many of its all-foam competitors.
WHAT USERS ARE SAYING:Like many all-foam beds, the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress offers minimal edge support and sinkage around the perimeter is likely to occur over time.
WHAT USERS ARE SAYING:The Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress is virtually silent when bearing weight.
Based on our customer feedback, the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress from Nighslee has received the following grades among sleepers of different weights and preferred sleep positions. Please note that these ratings are subjective, and that everyone has varying experiences on different mattresses. Sleeper comfort and spinal support are the most important factors when it comes to selecting a mattress.
'Medium' firmness settings are considered optimal for sleepers weighing between 130 and 230 pounds. As a result, the Nighslee Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress is best suited for those in the average weight group. The mattress conforms closely enough to improve spinal alignment for side sleepers, while minimal sagging makes it a good option for back sleepers seeking an even, supportive surface.
The Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress from Nighslee is available in one firmness setting, 'Medium' (5.5), and measures 10″ thick. The table below lists full firmness, thickness, and composition specs for the mattress.
The next table lists width, length, and thickness dimensions for the Nighslee Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress in each available size, along with corresponding price-points. Please note this mattress is not currently available in a California King size.
Availability: The Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress is available on the Nighslee website. It is also sold on Amazon.com. Nighslee does not operate any brick-and-mortar stores or showrooms.
Nighslee offers a 100-night sleep trial for the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress.
This sleep trial does not require a break-in period of any kind; customers may return their mattress for a full refund at any point during the 100-night trial.
This trial is exclusively available to those who buy their mattress from Nighslee or Amazon.com; if purchased from other sellers, the customer should defer to that company's sleep trial and return policy.
Nighslee will cover all return costs and arrange for the mattress to be picked up from the customer's residence at no extra charge. All returned mattresses are either recycled or donated to charity.
Each household is limited to one return/refund per year.
Nighslee will, at its sole option, repair or replace any defective mattress for as long as the warranty is valid. Replacing a mattress will not extend the warranty and will not result in a new warranty.
Manufacturing flaws associated with the cover, including fabric tears or unraveled stitches.
Visible sagging or indentations in the sleep surface that do not measure three-quarters of an inch (3/4″) or deeper. These are considered standard wear and tear.
Burns, cuts, tears, stains, and other types of physical damage that occur due to misuse, neglect, improper storage, or inadequate foundational support.
This warranty is non-transferable. It is exclusively offered to original owners who purchase their mattress from Nighslee or an authorized retailer. Those who buy or acquire their mattress from the original owner or a non-authorized retailer will not receive warranty coverage.
Standard shipping is free for all customers in the contiguous U.S. FedEx coordinates all orders; most customers receive their mattress within three to five business days. Buyers are encouraged to contact Nighslee if their bed has not arrived by the end of the fifth business day.
Nighslee does not ship mattresses outside the contiguous U.S., including to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico.
Nighslee does not offer old mattress removal with any orders.
7 out of 10 owner experiences show that customers have had a positive experience with Nighslee, irrespective of whether or not they liked their mattress.
Nighslee does not operate any brick-and-mortar locations, and the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress is not sold in any retail stores.
As any consumer does with a product they're considering, our mattress assessments naturally involve comparing them with other similar products. Be it composition, firmness, or price, we think it's important to see how Nighslee mattresses stack up to other beds.
Considering its low price-point, the Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress from Nighslee is a high-value option for shoppers. The bed provides close body conforming that can alleviate aches and pains, and improve spinal alignment for side sleepers. The Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress also provides a more comfortable sleep temperature compared to other all-foam models; this is due in part to its ventilated and gel-infused comfort layer, bamboo-infused transitional layer, and breathable rayon cover. Additionally, the mattress isolates motion transfer very well, does not produce any noise when bearing weight, and is exceptionally light and easy to move.


text:
Thomas Taylor
Thomas Taylor MPhys, MSc
EMAIL: thomas.taylor@eng.ox.ac.uk
Tom graduated with an MPhys Physics degree from the University of York in 2014, specialising in Computational Modelling of Low Temperature Plasmas for Biomedical Applications. He was then awarded a position on the NHS Scientist Training Programme at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), with the Department of Clinical Engineering. He undertook an MSc at King's College, London at the same time, which was co-supervised by Prof. David Clifton, and which developed systems for tracking equipment in complex hospital environments.
Tom is now a doctoral student at Balliol College and a Research Assistant in CHI Lab.
Tom's work focuses on developing AI-based systems for improving the management of the hospital. This work answers directly to the Executive Board of the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and builds on Tom's combined expertise in biomedical engineering and clinical engineering.
Professor David Clifton Dr Tingting Zhu


text:
Athens 2004 Olympic Store
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Home | OLYMPIC GAMES 2004 | SPORTS PINS | Sports in Moving Pins | Sailing Sport Athens 2004 Moving Pin
Sailing Sport Athens 2004 Moving Pin
Product: Olympic Moving Pin
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SKU: 03-051-022 Categories: Sailing, Sports in Moving Pins Tags: Moving Pins, Olympic Sports, Sailing Sport, Sports Pins, Yachting Sport
Sailing Olympic Sport
Athens 2004 Olympic Games Pin
Sailing (also known as yachting until 1996) has been one of the Olympic sports since the Games of the I Olympiad, held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Despite being scheduled in the first Olympic program, the races were canceled due to severe weather conditions. Apart from the 1904 Summer Olympics, sailing has been present in every edition of the Olympic Games.
Sailing/Yachting is an Olympic sport that has been part of the Olympic programme starting from the Games of the 1st Olympiad (1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece). With the exception of 1904 and possibly 1916, sailing has always been a part of the Olympic program. The Sailing program in 2004 consisted of eleven disciplines divided over nine sailing classes. For each discipline multiple races were scheduled between 14–28 August 2004 along the coast near Athens. Athens hosted the Olympic sailing competitions for the second time, having previously done so during the 1896 Summer Olympics. However, in 1896, the sailing competition was cancelled due to heavy storms and further bad weather conditions. This time the weather conditions were good. The sailing event was executed on the several types of Olympic courses in different course areas using the 'Fleetrace' and 'Matchrace' formats.
The pin depicting the Sailing sport in action – the athlete in moving on the surface of the pin.
Licensed Manufacturer: Efsimon Collection
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text:
NHL Winter Classic: Capitals, Penguins Finally Meet Outdoors In Winter Classic
By Adam Vingan Dec 31, 2010, 8:20pm EST
Share All sharing options for: NHL Winter Classic: Capitals, Penguins Finally Meet Outdoors In Winter Classic
NHL Comissioner Gary Bettman announced the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins in May. In September, the NHL officially partnered with HBO to bring the road to the outdoor game to television sets. The miniseries, "24/7," premiered in mid-December, about a week before the Caps and Pens met for the first time.
The preparation and hype is over.
The Capitals and Penguins will face off Saturday night at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh in the 2011 Winter Classic.
Inclement weather postponed the start of the game from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. Weather forecasts predict rain throughout the afternoon hours in Pittsburgh, but the rain should subside by the late afternoon. None of the previous Classics, held in Buffalo, Chicago and Boston, were delayed in any way.
Regardless, the Winter Classic match-up between the teams comes just one week after their first meeting of the season, a 3-2 shootout win for the Penguins. Pascal Dupuis scored in the seventh round of the shootout to left the Penguins to victory.
Pittsburgh enters Saturday's game having won 16 of 20, including a 12-game winning streak that has propelled them to the top of the NHL standings. Sidney Crosby's 25-game point streak, tied for 11th-longest in league history, was snapped Wednesday in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Islanders.
Meanwhile, the Capitals are just four points behind the Penguins in the standings despite their sub-.500 December, their first losing month in over two years. Since snapping their skid, the Caps are 4-0-1 with the one loss coming by the hands of the Penguins. Alex Ovechkin has scored in back-to-back games for the first time since December 4-6.
The rivalry between the two teams has a rich history, long before Crosby and Ovechkin entered the league. The Penguins and Capitals have met in the playoffs eight times with Pittsburgh prevailing in all but one of the series. Coincidentally, three of the teams' combined five Stanley Cup Finals appearances have come in years where they have met in the postseason.
NHL Winter Classic: Eric Fehr's Two Goals Lift Capitals To 3-1 Victory Over Penguins In Winter Classic
NHL Winter Classic: Eric Fehr's Two Goals Lead Capitals To Big 3-1 Victory Over Penguins In Winter Classic
NHL Winter Classic: Semyon Varlamov Will Reportedly Start For Capitals


Guest Post at Yes & Yes!
Well hello there, I wanted to give a shout out to all the readers visiting here from Yes & Yes! I hope you'll stick around. I'm not new to blogging, but this blog is new, as I've taken a bit of a hiatus from writing for the last couple of years.
For my own readers, yesterday Sarah von Bargen of Yes & Yes fame was kind enough to allow me to guest post the Web Time Wasters feature over at her blog. Head on over to check out some fun links!
This entry was posted in Blogging and tagged guest post, links, sarah von bargen, yes and yes on February 27, 2012 by A Little Coffee.


I don't know whether Shankar's 2.0 is a disappointing film or not. Because I belong to that category that wasn't impressed by the trailer and yet believed that we may get something better when the movie hits the big screen. Sadly that's not the case here. The trailer in many ways is an exact representation of the movie. And with visionary filmmaker Shankar moving more towards being a template filmmaker, 2.0's chances of living up to your optimistic expectations are less.
So after the Chitti chapter, Vaseegaran is proceeding with his other robotics experiments. In the meantime, a phenomenon happens in the city where the mobile phones of people are getting sucked into the air by a force. The government and authorities eventually identify the need of Vaseegaran's Chitti to restore normalcy in the system and the film is basically about how that process happens.
If you have been someone who was following 2.0 closely, you must have heard fan theories about the story and what was disappointing to me was that it was very close to those predictions. Shankar's visionary aspect does pop up sporadically. The many formations he creates to demonize the character played by Akshay Kumar and some of the quirks he puts in the features of the robot versions have the glimpses of his visionary aspect. But as a director, he is struggling here to place it in a subtle way. It is not your typical Rajinikanth showoff movie and you need to have conviction in what you present. Maybe Shankar himself felt this dullness in the narrative and made the last one hour of the movie very loud. But the content here was so flat and preachy even that pepping up can't save the movie from looking like a half-baked one.
Rajinikanth is okay in his role and he doesn't have the superstar charm here because of the story structure. While the Vaseegaran and Chitti versions were pretty ordinary it was the other interpretations of Chitti, which only came in the last hour had the Rajini vibe to its credit and I feel by that time the movie was out of hands from getting a recovery. Akshay Kumar had more scope to perform even though he was always covered in a prosthetic layer. In my opinion, he managed to give a sense of humaneness to Pakshirajan. Amy Jackson is rightly cast as a robot as expressions won't be needed. Adil Hussain, Kalabhavan Shajon etc are there as other characters.
Written by Jeyamohan and Shankar, 2.0 is a concept that needed a better development. The character of Pakshirajan is trying to make us aware of the fact that our urge for comfort has unknowingly resulted in the extinction of a lot of birds and that has an impact on our lifestyle as well. Like all Shankar movies the social awareness agenda this time happens about the usage of mobile and mobile tower frequencies. But his usual charm of blending both aspects in an exciting formula was clearly missing here. Shankar's pattern of making the character a superhero-like figure after the character going through multiple rejections and eventually taking revenge on each one who mocked him is repeated here and the only change is that this time that is the villain. The visual effects of the movie are a very subjective case. If you were totally pleased by the visual effects portions you saw in the trailer, this one will satisfy you. For me, the only thing that worked was the bird-like figure made out of mobile phones. The detailing given to that was great. Apart from that everything else clearly lacked a sense of completion. The movement of Chitti versions and that entire stadium fight looked very half-baked and it was almost like a few more layers of rendering was actually required to make it look real. Visuals look a bit too luxurious. Sound design was impressive. The background score was good and luckily there were no irrelevant songs that disturbed the narrative.
2.0, on the whole, is much similar to its trailer. You can easily guess a basic plot. The visual effects will impress you only occasionally. And the 2.0 version has that commercial vibe.


ROCKY RIVER -- The sloppiness of the Lady Longhorns led to a shortened five-inning game against Keystone. Lutheran West had six errors and no runs leading to a score of 0-13.
The Longhorns did not make up for their errors in the field with their batting. It was hard to watch them bat. Between the two Keystone pitchers, they were able to have ten strikeouts against the Longhorns. The only Lutheran West player to get a hit was junior Ava Gripp who got to second on an over throw to first base.
Senior Emily Mystic pitched a complete game with two strikeouts and two walks. The Keystone Wildcats were able to continuously hit Mystic's pitches and had a total of 16 hits throughout the game.
This ends the Longhorns' winning streak.They are now 2-1 overall and 1-1 in conference.


text:
Boyzone Biography
Boyzone is an Irish boy band that had popular mainstream success during the 1990s. The group was most successful in Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand; it also had differing levels of success in parts of Europe. The group has released six #1 UK hit singles and four #1 albums, with sales approaching 20 million records as of 2008. They made a comeback in 2007, originally with the intention of just touring but Ronan Keating confirmed in an interview that they wanted to "outdo Take That" in terms of a successful reunion.
Boyzone was put together in 1993 by Louis Walsh who is also known for managing Johnny Logan and Westlife. Before even recording any material they made a now infamous appearance on RTÉ's The Late Late Show. Their first album Said and Done was released in 1995 and the following two studio albums in 1996 and 1998. Seven compilation albums have been released, the latest being B-Sides & Rarities in October 2008. Singer Stephen Gately died on 10 October 2009 at the age of 33.
Boyzone was formed in 1993 through an advertisement calling for auditions to form a new "boy band" vocal group, "the Irish Take That". Colin Farrell auditioned for the group, as did Richard Rock (son of Dickie Rock), who landed the gig and remained with Boyzone for a year before departing in 1993. About 300 singers tried out and initially, six were selected. They made their first appearance, only a day after being formed, on Ireland's top-rated Late Late Show dancing to a backing track before a somewhat bemused audience in a TV moment which has often been re-played to the embarrassment of the group members who later found fame.
With some of the original lineup fading away and others being brought into the group, it took some time before Boyzone settled down into its most recognisable five-member line-up of Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy. , Richard Rock one of the original members, left citing musical differences with Ronan Keating. They played through 1993 and in the early parts of 1994 all over Northern Ireland, mainly in pubs and clubs, before Polygram signed them up in 1994 and released the cover version of the Four Seasons' hit "Working My Way Back to You", featuring Graham and Gately on lead vocals. It reached No. 3 in the Irish Charts.
The release of their cover version of the classic Osmonds' hit, "Love Me for a Reason", broke the British charts. The song hit No. 2 in the UK and was included in their 1995 hit debut album Said and Done. The album reached the No. 1 spot in Ireland and the UK.
Boyzones second album - A Different Beat - was released in 1996 and contained its first UK number one single, a cover of the Bee Gees' hit "Words". The album also contained the hit singles "A Different Beat" and "Isn't It a Wonder". Ronan Keating - who by now had emerged as the lead singer and frontman - won the Ivor Novello Award for songwriting in 1997 for "Picture of You".
Their third studio album, Where We Belong, was released in 1998 and featured Boyzone's writing abilities. It contained the hit singles "All That I Need" (which stayed for six weeks in the MTV Asia charts), "Baby Can I Hold You" (Tracy Chapman cover) and "No Matter What". Originally written for the Andrew Lloyd Webber stage musical Whistle Down the Wind, "No Matter What" was the group's best ever selling single and was voted Song of the Year, 1998. Since the song was also recorded by Meat Loaf, Boyzone shared stage with him to perform the song during his 1998 live concert in Dublin.
In 1999, their greatest hits compilation, By Request, was released and was followed by another tour. At this time, Stephen Gately revealed that he was gay and was in love with the ex-Caught in the Act member Eloy de Jong. It was also during this year that Ronan Keating released his first solo single, "When You Say Nothing at All", an Alison Krauss song which he had recorded for the movie Notting Hill. By this time, after six years together and amid growing tensions behind the scenes, the group members decided to take some time off from Boyzone to pursue solo projects.
Boyzone performed together for the last time in January 2000. What initially started on that (by now infamous) appearance on The Late Late Show, they had sold more than 10 million records in total.[citation needed] All sixteen of their singles reached the UK top five and they became the first Irish act to have four number one hits in the United Kingdom charts. Their 1998 tour of Ireland broke all sales records when 35,000 tickets were sold out in four hours. At their height, Boyzone were one of the biggest-selling artists in music.
Boyzone opened the door for fellow Irish group, Westlife. Since Boyzone split in 2000, Ronan Keating has made a career from going solo and has released five albums, also achieving countless hit singles such as "When You Say Nothing at All"; Stephen Gately released a modestly successful solo album and pursued a career in stage acting and particularly West End musicals, starring in the Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Mikey Graham has also pursued solo projects and now works as a music producer; Keith Duffy has appeared in the British soap opera Coronation Street and a number of theatre productions in Ireland and Wales; Shane Lynch recently appeared on the reality TV shows, Celebrity Love Island, Dream Team and The Games. Lynch and Duffy also collaborated in 2000 releasing a version of Milli Vanilli's 1988 hit "Girl You Know It's True".
For seven years after their split in 2000 the members of Boyzone had mixed success in their individual careers. Keating in particular remained a force in the music industry as he continued writing and managing other bands. Gately also continued his career as a solo artist, appearing in a number of West End stage musicals, and Duffy had some success as an actor (including a role in the TV soap Coronation Street).
In 2003 rumours of a Boyzone reunion began to circulate. Following the success of fellow Universal artists Take That's reunion and subsequent sell-out tour in 2006, these rumours came to a head and in early 2007 there were news reports that all five members and their manager, The X Factor judge Louis Walsh, had met in Dublin to discuss and organise a comeback tour.
In February 2007 more details of the reunion were announced. On 8 March 2007, former Boyzone manager Louis Walsh was sacked from the ITV show The X Factor (UK) (he was eventually reinstated), saying by way of explanation that "I will be having the busiest year of my career with Westlife, Shayne Ward and the re-launch of Boyzone."
On 8 April 2007, several UK newspapers widely reported that the rumored reunion was cancelled due to the lack of financial investment. The papers stated that no recording company or investors were willing to back the act to guarantee a comeback success experienced by Take That.
On 11 October 2007, Louis Walsh was interviewed on The Graham Norton Show; when asked by Graham Norton whether there was going to be a re-launch of Boyzone he replied "I think so".
On 5 November 2007, Ronan Keating confirmed that Boyzone would reunite for a special appearance on the BBC's annual fundraiser, Children in Need, performing a medley of hits, although had not yet commented on the possibility of a new tour or album.
On 14 November 2007, it was reported that all five members of Boyzone were to begin a UK tour in May, which would be their first in seven years. Ronan Keating, who left the Irish boy band to pursue a solo career, joined the group for the series of concerts.
On 16 November, Boyzone made a comeback appearance as part of Children In Need on BBC1 in the UK, with an Irish and UK tour announced for June 2008. The group sold 200,000 tickets for the tour within three hours and sold 20,000 tickets on the first day of them going on sale for their concert in the RDS Dublin. Ronan Keating told the Daily Star: "We've been taking it easy on the Guinness and been out for dinners and just a couple of drinks. We're taking the tour plans very seriously. We're all on diets and we've been training in the gym every day. I'm probably the fittest now that I've ever been. I think we all look better now than before. We each went to see Take That on tour at different times and started talking to each other again, but Take That were the icing on the cake that made us decide now was the time to reform. We're very aware of how good Take That are, and know we have to be on a par with them. There won't be a flat, boring stage. We're all dancing again and learning different things we've never done before to rival their pole dancing and stuff. We've been talking about getting back together for some time now. I can't wait to be back on the road and all the guys feel the same."
The 29-date tour, taking in cities such as Cardiff, Newcastle, Liverpool, London at the O2 Arena and Wembley, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham, Edinburgh Castle and the RDS in Dublin. The tour began on 25 May 2008 at Belfast's Odyssey arena and finished at Carlisle Bitts Park on 23 August 2008.
On 29 August 2008 Boyzone played alongside other acts such as Sandi Thom and Scouting For Girls at an event in Blackpool to switch on the Blackpool Illuminations, an annual event in the town. The event received coverage on BBC Radio 2.
On 3 September, the video for "Love You Anyway" debuted on the digital music channel The Box. It features all 5 of the original members of Boyzone with Ronan Keating taking most of the lead vocals. The single received its first play on 20 August 2008, live on Terry Wogan's Radio 2 Breakfast show. On 6 October, "Love You Anyway" entered the UK charts at number 5, making it their seventeenth consecutive top five single.
In 2009 the group joined Yvette Fielding in Edinburgh for a Ghost Hunting With... show for ITV.
Boyzone have recorded a new album to be released in spring 2010.
Despite a bitter feud, Louis Walsh had an emotional public reconcilliation with Boyzone, including Ronan Keating, on the ITV2 programme Ghosthunting with Louis Walsh and Boyzone in which they explored a network of subterranean streets beneath Edinburgh. The programme was broadcast on 29 August 2009.
On 10 October 2009, Stephen Gately died at the age of 33, while on holiday in Majorca with his civil partner Andrew Cowles. Currently waiting on post mortem to reveal cause of death.


The client was undertaking a momentous ERP (enterprise resource planning) solution implementation and business process re-design, including pricing, purchase order management, sales order management, inventory management, supply/demand matching, and master data governance. The implementation affected virtually all home office and global corporate associates, distribution centers, vendors, and stores.
Parker Avery was tasked with leading and supplementing the internal organizational change management (OCM) team, as well as navigating the company's leadership, core project team, and impacted areas through the change curve.
To transition from the implementation project to adoption of normal business operations and long-term support, The Parker Avery Group developed a change management program focused on four components: communication; organization assessment and alignment; skills development and learning; and sustainability.