Category Historical Analysis Annual Conference

The Fifth HAAC starts in five days (20 – 22 October)

The Fifth HAAC (Historical Analysis Annual Conference) is on 20 – 22 October (T, W, Thursday). The schedule is here: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

All are welcome. We have 37 presenters, 53 presentations and 1 group discussion. We have a tour planned of the Fredericksburg battlefield on Friday, 23 October.

Cost of the conference for three days is $150. It is $60 a day. Presenters get a $60 discount. There is a student discount ($20 a day). The battlefield tour is an additional $20.

Sign-up and payment for the conference is via PayPal to SRichTDI@aol.com. We are also set up to take credit card payments by phone. Call The Dupuy Institute during working hours at (703) 289-0007. Finally, you can register and pay through Eventbrite: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite

We are in Tysons Corner, within sight of DC (when on a hill or in a tall building), and near the Silver metro line.  It is next to Route 7 near the Beltway in the same building as Rangos Tex-Mex. 

 

The Battle of Tolstoye Woods will be released 20 October 2026

The book that I call The Battle of Tolstoye Woods will be released by Stackpole book on 20 October 2026. This is the first day of the Fifth HAAC. I doubt if I will have copies of books at the conference.

The title of the book is Turing the Tide at Kursk: The Battle of Tostoye Woods and How the Red Army Thwarted German Tanks West of Prokhorovka. Turning the Tide at Kursk probably is a better title for marketing purposes. This was the Soviet attack on 12 July 1943 that succeeded, completely putting a halt to the XLVIII Panzer Corps advance. 

The Battle of Kursk, in the south, consists of two panzer corps of equal strength advancing side-by-side to the north. The SS Panzer Corps, the Battle of Prokhorovka, the Fifth Guards Tank Army and General Pavel Rotmistrov get all the press. What was going on to the west was equally important, and in the Soviet attack succeeded (unlike Prokhorovka). This was the panzer corps with the bridging assets that was move north to cross the Psel and take Oboyan. This battle was at least as important as Prokhorovka, probably more so. General Paval Rotmistrov, who failed, is famous. General Mikhail Katukov, who succeeded, not as much

Anyhow, the link to Amazon to the book is here: Turning the Tide at Kursk: The Battle of Tolstoye Woods and How the Red Army Thwarted German Tanks West of Prokhorovka: Lawrence, Christopher A.: 9780811778053: Amazon.com: Books

The link to the Fifth HAAC is here: The Fifth HAAC is 20 – 22 October – The Dupuy Institute

The Fifth HAAC is 20 – 22 October

Just a heads up, the Fifth HAAC (Historical Analysis Annual Conference) is on 20 – 22 October (T, W, Thursday). The schedule is here: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

All are welcome. We have 43 presenters, 57 presentations and 1 group discussion. We have a tour planned of the Fredericksburg battlefield on Friday, 23 October.

Cost of the conference for three days is $150. It is $60 a day. Presenters get a $60 discount. There is a student discount ($20 a day). The battlefield tour is an additional $20.

Sign-up and payment for the conference is via PayPal to SRichTDI@aol.com. We are also set up to take credit card payments by phone. Call The Dupuy Institute during working hours at (703) 289-0007. Finally, you can register and pay through Eventbrite: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite

We are in Tysons Corner, within sight of DC (on a hill or tall building), and near the Silver metro line.  It is next to Route 7 near the Beltway in the same building as Rangos Tex-Mex. 

Next Fredericksburg Presentation is on Wednesday, 23 September

The next Fredericksburg presentation is on Wednesday, 23 September at 7:00 PM (EST) via Zoom.

The current schedule is:

Fredericksburg #5 (September 23) “Assault Crossings and Urban Warfare”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81494714626?pwd=SCpHe9zeHW0c97HmdzNajFHHmmYqmh.1

Fredericksburg #6 (September 30) “Sir, a chicken could not live on that field when we open up on it”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84281356384?pwd=pBmPl1QScDJACYaEPZ85hACawagQA9.1

Fredericksburg #7 (October 7) “Ferocious Assaults and Lost Opportunities”:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86484839263?pwd=fCGBab1hbS0FcMeJmalf111CZhDoc6.1

Fredericksburg #8 (October 14) “Aftermath”:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82477606691?pwd=1jzaU6jia4zPQZdW7yazbQaVbJY5Ua.1

Tour of the Battle of Fredericksburg on Friday, October 23. Sign-up is here: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite.

 

The Fifth HAAC is a three-day conference on historical analysis running Tuesday through Thursday 20-22 October. After the conference, on Friday, Dr. James Slaughter will lead a tour of The Battle of Fredericksburg, meeting up in the morning in Tysons Corner (near Rangos) and driving down south the battlefield.

The schedule for the Fifth HAAC is rapidly filling in. Now is a good time to commit: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

Just email me at LawrenceTDI@aol.com if you want to sign up for a presentation.

The sign-up for Fifth HAAC is here: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite

Battle for Taiwan #4

Latest article on Taiwan published by TDI associates William A. Sayers and Julian Spencer-Churchill. This is worth a read. It addresses some of the claims made by people who tend to overrate China’s amphibious capability by the use of civilian craft. The article is: “China Cannot Yet a Beach on Taiwan.” It is on real clear defense here: https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2026/08/25/china_cannot_yet_hold_a_beach_on_taiwan_1202270.html?utm_source=nl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=rcd-amrecon-2026-08-25&mc_cid=e51569dd59&mc_eid=8154149f25

As Dr. Spencer-Churchill notes: “China’s military is not yet strong enough to take a port on Taiwan’s coast, which we demonstrate through accessible $10 wargaming – transparent and reproducible. China still lacks sealift and cannot move inland faster than Taiwan can counter-concentrate. In an upcoming article, we show China has a better chance of landing on beaches between Tainan and Taizhong.”

Their work will be presented at the upcoming Fifth HAAC. Both “Chip” Sayers and Dr. Julian Spencer-Churchill will be presenting at the conference. See: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

The Fifth HAAC is from 20 – 22 October in Tysons Corner Virginia (near DC). Tickets are available from Event Brite: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite.

Fredericksburg #4 Presentation this Wednesday (26 August) at 7:00 PM (EST) via Zoom

Fredericksburg #4 presentation “The Problem with Pontoons” will be this Wednesday (26 August) at 7:00 PM (EST) vias Zoom. The Zoom link is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86530379724?pwd=AyAoubLCT4aaVQGIsb2JGMUs6yg5ru.1

 

The rest of the schedule is:

Fredericksburg #5 (September 2) “Assault Crossings and Urban Warfare”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81494714626?pwd=SCpHe9zeHW0c97HmdzNajFHHmmYqmh.1

Fredericksburg #6 (September 23) “Sir, a chicken could not live on that field when we open up on it”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84281356384?pwd=pBmPl1QScDJACYaEPZ85hACawagQA9.1

Fredericksburg #7 (September 30) “Ferocious Assaults and Lost Opportunities”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86484839263?pwd=fCGBab1hbS0FcMeJmalf111CZhDoc6.1

Fredericksburg #8 (October 14) “Aftermath”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82477606691?pwd=1jzaU6jia4zPQZdW7yazbQaVbJY5Ua.1

Tour of the Battle of Fredericksburg on Friday, October 23. Sign-up is here: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite.

 

The Fifth HAAC is a three-day conference on historical analysis running Tuesday through Thursday 20-22 October. After the conference, on Friday, Dr. James Slaughter will lead a tour of The Battle of Fredericksburg, meeting up in the morning in Tysons Corner (near Rangos) and driving down south the battlefield.

The schedule for the Fifth HAAC is rapidly filling in. Now is a good time to commit: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

Just email me at LawrenceTDI@aol.com if you want to sign up for a presentation.

The sign-up for Fifth HAAC is here: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite

Fredericksburg #3 Presentation this Wednesday (12 August) at 7:00 PM (EST) via Zoom

The Fredericksburg #3 presentation “Burnside’s Plan” will be this Wednesday (12 August) at 7:00 PM (EST) via Zoom. The Zoom link is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85934798214?pwd=uTamfoqA1Nr9E5qYkj0baA9gXozbnT.1

The rest of the schedule is:

Fredericksburg #4 (August 26) “The Problem with Pontoons”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86530379724?pwd=AyAoubLCT4aaVQGIsb2JGMUs6yg5ru.1

Fredericksburg #5 (September 2) “Assault Crossings and Urban Warfare”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81494714626?pwd=SCpHe9zeHW0c97HmdzNajFHHmmYqmh.1

Fredericksburg #6 (September 23) “Sir, a chicken could not live on that field when we open up on it”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84281356384?pwd=pBmPl1QScDJACYaEPZ85hACawagQA9.1

Fredericksburg #7 (September 30) “Ferocious Assaults and Lost Opportunities”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86484839263?pwd=fCGBab1hbS0FcMeJmalf111CZhDoc6.1

Fredericksburg #8 (October 14) “Aftermath”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82477606691?pwd=1jzaU6jia4zPQZdW7yazbQaVbJY5Ua.1

Tour of the Battle of Fredericksburg on Friday, October 23. Sign-up is here: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite.

 

The Fifth HAAC is a three-day conference on historical analysis running Tuesday through Thursday 20-22 October. After the conference, on Friday, Dr. James Slaughter will lead a tour of The Battle of Fredericksburg, meeting up in the morning in Tysons Corner (near Rangos) and driving down south the battlefield.

The schedule for the Fifth HAAC is rapidly filling in. Now is a good time to commit: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

Just email me at LawrenceTDI@aol.com if you want to sign up for a presentation.

The sign-up for Fifth HAAC is here: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite

 

There is no Fredericksburg presentation this week

Sorry, but there is no Fredericksburg presentation this week (Wed., August 5). The revised schedule is:

Fredericksburg #3 (August 12) “Burnside’s Plan”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85934798214?pwd=uTamfoqA1Nr9E5qYkj0baA9gXozbnT.1

Fredericksburg #4 (August 26) “The Problem with Pontoons”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86530379724?pwd=AyAoubLCT4aaVQGIsb2JGMUs6yg5ru.1

Fredericksburg #5 (September 2) “Assault Crossings and Urban Warfare”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81494714626?pwd=SCpHe9zeHW0c97HmdzNajFHHmmYqmh.1

Fredericksburg #6 (September 23) “Sir, a chicken could not live on that field when we open up on it”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84281356384?pwd=pBmPl1QScDJACYaEPZ85hACawagQA9.1

Fredericksburg #7 (September 30) “Ferocious Assaults and Lost Opportunities”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86484839263?pwd=fCGBab1hbS0FcMeJmalf111CZhDoc6.1

Fredericksburg #8 (October 14) “Aftermath”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82477606691?pwd=1jzaU6jia4zPQZdW7yazbQaVbJY5Ua.1

Tour of the Battle of Fredericksburg on Friday, October 23. Sign-up is here: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite.

 

The Fifth HAAC is a three-day conference on historical analysis running Tuesday through Thursday 20-22 October. After the conference Dr. James Slaughter will lead a tour of The Battle of Fredericksburg, meeting up in the morning in Tysons Corner (near Rangos) and driving down south the battlefield.

The schedule for the Fifth HAAC is rapidly filling in. Now is a good time to commit: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

Just email me at LawrenceTDI@aol.com if you want to sign up for a presentation.

The sign-up for Fifth HAAC is here: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite

The Battle for Taiwan #3

Also among the people working on our study of the invasion of Taiwan and related issues is Walker Gargagliano. He has written two articles addressing these related issues. First is on survivability of carriers and the other is on stealth threat of Russia and China. 

Floating Fortresses – American Carriers’ Extraordinary Resilience to Battle Damage: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol78/iss2/5/
The myth of Russia and China’s peer stealth threat: https://asiatimes.com/2025/06/the-myth-of-russia-and-chinas-peer-stealth-threat/

Taiwan scenarios was a day long discussion at the Fourth HAAC and is also the case for the upcoming Fifth HAAC. Walker Gargagliano gave three presentations at the Fourth HAAC and will be attending the Fifth HAAC.

Fourth HAAC schedule: HAAC 2025: Fourth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

Fifth HAAC schedule: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

 

Second of Eight Presentations on the Battle of Fredericksburg this Wednesday at 7:00 PM

This Wednesday at 7:00 PM via Zoom we are going to start the second of eight presentations on the Battle of Fredericksburg (December 1862). They will be given by Dr. James Slaughter.

Fredericksburg #2 (22 July) “Change of Command”: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85602177583?pwd=HwQ5Lo2acJ2OGqxgOewUUMI9rkA2tj.1

The schedule and links for all the presentations are listed here: First of Eight Presentations on the Battle of Fredericksburg this Wednesday at 7:00 PM – The Dupuy Institute. They are all on alternating Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The schedule for the Fifth HAAC is rapidly filling in. Now is a good time to commit: HAAC 2026: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) – The Dupuy Institute

Just email me at LawrenceTDI@aol.com if you want to sign up for a presentation.

 

The sign-up for Fifth HAAC is here: Fifth Historical Analysis Annual Conference (HAAC) Tickets, Tuesday, October 20  •  8 AM – 6 PM | Eventbrite