Of all the nations known throughout recorded history, there aren't many that hold the proud

distinction of having never been conquered or colonized by invading forces.

Afghanistan is one of these select few countries.

Alexander the Great, the Persians, the Mongols, the British Empire, and the recent

hegemon of the Soviet Union have all attempted to subdue this Middle Eastern nation.

All have failed, thus cementing Afghanistan's place in history as the graveyard of empires.

But what is the secret behind the country's enduring resistance against the invading forces

of foreign, often more powerful armies?

Many strategists will cite the Afghan terrain as being the key to its success, namely

its vast mountain ranges.

Their vast network of uncharted footpaths, valleys, overlooks, and cave systems have proven

effective in concealing even entire armies from the eyes of their enemies.

In more recent years, the British, Australian, Canadian, and American troops tasked with rooting out insurgents

from within this imposing landscape have no less faced an overwhelming task.

There are some among these men, however, who found the task all the more unnerving.

While exploring these mountains on foot, flying unmanned aerial vehicles overhead,

and interviewing local villagers, these men realized that the mountains of Afghanistan harbor

far more than rebel insurgents. They describe witnessing creatures that have long been believed to be extinct,

if not complete myths.

This is the smoke pit, and these are true stories from military servicemen of giants in Afghanistan.

I'm Luke Lamanah, and this is wartime stories.

Anybody else get that feeling?

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