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TIL that the Chinese warlord Zhang Zongchang, who ruled Shandong during a turbulent period of civil war and was known for his exceptional brutality and sexual exploits, kept his elderly mother near him at all times. Even on campaign, he gave her a personal railcar to accompany his army in.

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NxXM TIL of Oskar Dirlewanger, commander of the “Dirlewanger” unit, the most infamous SS unit in the German military during WWII. A child molester, violent alcoholic, and sadist, the war crimes committed under Dirlewanger’s command remain unparalleled in their monstrosity.
wodb8 TIL that the creator of Kwanzaa kidnapped and tortured 2 black women by whipping them with an electrical cord, placing a hot soldering iron in their mouths, and putting one of their toes in a vise.
xRe5 TIL that the Emperors of Japan are considered to be direct descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu
E9Zo TIL that if the United States cut its military budget by 85% it would still have the largest military budget in the world.
Zb84 TIL that R. Lee Ermey, the actor who played Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket, is the only retired US Marine to ever be promoted. He was personally promoted by the Commandant to Gunnery Sergeant, to match his rank in the movie.