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8 December

1914: Following the disaster at Coronel on 1 November, a powerful taskforce under Vice Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee, includ...]]>
8 December

1914: Following the disaster at Coronel on 1 November, a powerful taskforce under Vice Admiral Sir Doveton Sturdee, including the battlecruisers HMS Invincible and HMS Inflexible, was dispatched to hunt down the Graf von Spee's Asiatic Squadron. Sturdee's ships were re-coaling at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands when von Spee's squadron came into sight, planning a raid on the British facilities there. However, von Spee hesitated, probably upon seeing the distinctive tripod masts of the battlecruisers in the harbour. Furthermore, the elderly battleship HMS Canopus, which had been deliberately run aground by her captain to act as a harbour defence ship, opened fire, scoring a direct hit on Gneisenau with her first salvo. The hit did little damage since the shell was an inert practice round - Canopus had been about to start a gunnery training drill. But the hit may have contributed to von Spee's fatal decision to turn away and run. Sturdee's ships gave chase, and the advantages in speed and firepower enjoyed by his battlecruisers soon told: this was precisely the type of action for which the much maligned battlecruisers were designed - the destruction of enemy raiders. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were destroyed by Invincible and Inflexible, von Spee going down with his flagship, whilst Sturdee's armoured and light cruisers dispatched the rest of the German squadron, only the light cruiser Dresden escaping. She was eventually tracked down at Juan Fernandez on 14 March 1915, whereupon she scuttled herself.

1917: During the advance on Jerusalem, a company of the London Scottish became pinned down by a pair of Turkish machine-guns. Corporal Train pressed ahead and managed to wipe out one of the machine-gun teams. He then succeeded in killing a soldier attempting to withdraw with the second weapon. He received the Victoria Cross (VC).

1941: The UK declared war on Japan following the invasion of Malaya the previous day - the last occasion on which the UK has formally declared war.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/8th-december/ Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:09 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/usa-military-32/the-pearl-harbor-attack-7-december-1941/ http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq66-1.htm]]> http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq66-1.htm]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/usa-military-32/the-pearl-harbor-attack-7-december-1941/ Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:34:56 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/7th-december/
7 December

1315: Edward Bruce's Scots army, triumphant in its sweep across Ireland, faced at Kells the last significant English field...]]>
7 December

1315: Edward Bruce's Scots army, triumphant in its sweep across Ireland, faced at Kells the last significant English field force, commanded by Sir Roger Mortimer, Lord of Wigmore. Mortimer appears to have been betrayed during the battle by two of his vassals, Hugh and Walter de Lacey, and the result was the destruction of his force and the burning of the town. Mortimer broke out with a small force and escaped to England; he was to return the following year at the head of a royal army, destroy the Scots' hold on Ireland, and seek personal vengeance on the de Lacey brothers.

1842: Boats from HMS Persian, on anti-slavery patrol, captured the slaver Maria Segunda.

1941: Japanese troops landed at Kota Bharu in Malaya, the first attack in their "drive south". Two hours later, they mounted the attack on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor.

1942: Ten men from the Royal Marines Boom Patrol Detachment set out in five canoes from the submarine HMS Tuna off the Gironde, planning to paddle 80 miles (128.7km) up the river to attack German shipping in Bordeaux; Operation Frankton. Heavy seas claimed two canoes and their occupants, and a third was swept off course. Five nights later, the two surviving canoes reached their target on 12 December.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/7th-december/ Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:14:26 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/6th-december/
6 December


1642: Colonel Ruthven, the energetic Parliamentarian commander of a mercenary Scots garrison in Plymouth, launched a dari...]]>
6 December


1642: Colonel Ruthven, the energetic Parliamentarian commander of a mercenary Scots garrison in Plymouth, launched a daring pre-emptive raid on Royalist forces gathering at Modbury. He scattered the new recruits and captured the High Sheriff of Devon, before getting away safely back to his base.

Further north in Yorkshire, the Royalist Earl of Newcastle attacked Lord Ferdinando Fairfax and his son Sir Thomas at Tadcaster. Newcastle conducted a series of probing attacks to try to pin the Parliamentarians in place whilst a detachment under the Earl of Newport sought to take them from the rear, marching via Wetherby. However, Newport was unable to arrive before dark, and during the night, the Fairfaxes pulled their men out of Tadcaster and retreated to Selby.

1760: British troops under Sir Eyre Coote managed to complete the investment of the principal French base in India, Pondicherry. The siege lasted until 15 January 1761, when the town fell.

1917: Second Lieutenant Emerson of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was at the forefront of an attack on the Hindenburg Line, and with his platoon took some 400 yards (365.7m) of German trench. Then, with only eight men, he defended his position against repeated German counter-attacks. Although himself wounded, he refused to be evacuated since all the other officers in his company had already fallen casualty. Eventually, repelling another German attack, he fell mortally wounded. His leadership, however, inspired his men to hold out until reinforcements were finally able to relieve them. Emerson was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).

1941: HMS Perseus, a submarine based in Alexandria, hit an Italian mine off Cephalonia whilst returning from patrol, and sank, coming to rest on the bottom at a depth of 170 feet (52m). Five men survived in an aft compartment. Faced with the daunting prospect of escape, they consumed a bottle of rum. Leading Stoker Capes and another man then attempted to escape, but sadly only Capes made it to the surface, with a broken pelvis. Despite his injuries, he managed to swim seven miles (11.2km) to Cephalonia, where he was found and sheltered by the Greek Resistance. After eighteen months, they succeeded in smuggling him to safety in neutral Turkey.

1942: 2 Group of Bomber Command mounted a large-scale low-level raid on the Philips electronics factories in Eindhoven. The factories were a key supplier of components for the Germans, and thus judged worth the high risks that the bomber crews would face - Eindhoven's distance from the Dutch coast meant that they would have to attack without fighter escort. 47 Ventura, 36 Boston and 10 Mosquito aircraft took part. Most of the bombing proved very accurate, and production was disrupted for six months. Sadly, some bombs did fall astray, causing 148 Dutch fatalities. The price for the attackers also proved high - 15% were shot down (9 Venturas, 4 Bostons and 1 Mosquito) with another three damaged aircraft crashing in the UK on their return.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/6th-december/ Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:25:53 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/5th-december/
5 December

1578: Francis Drake plundered Valparaiso in Chile during his round-the-world expedition in Golden Hind.

1642: A Royalist ...]]>
5 December

1578: Francis Drake plundered Valparaiso in Chile during his round-the-world expedition in Golden Hind.

1642: A Royalist force under Lord Wilmot successfully stormed Marlborough.

1944: The capabilities of Bomber Command's ever improving electronic navigation and bombing aids were demonstrated when 94 Lancasters of 5 Group conducted a devastating blind attack on Hamm, bombing through thick cloud. All of the Lancasters returned safely. During the night, a further 497 Bomber Command aircraft attacked Soest, successfully targeting the area of the railway yards. Two Halifax aircraft failed to return.

1950: Commonwealth naval forces took the lead in the evacuation of US and South Korean troops from Chinnampo. The cruiser HMS Ceylon, with three Canadian and two Australian destroyers escorted to safety transports carrying nearly 8,000 troops, with air cover provided by the carrier HMS Theseus.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/5th-december/ Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:55:56 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/4th-december/
4 December

1941: The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, announced the call-up of unmarried women aged 20-30 to serve in the women's b...]]>
4 December

1941: The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, announced the call-up of unmarried women aged 20-30 to serve in the women's branches of the Armed Forces, or the police and fire services. Exemptions were made for single mothers, full-time carers, and conscientious objectors.

1942: Wing Commander Malcolm led the Bristol Bisley aircraft of 18 Squadron RAF in a low-level bombing raid on a fighter base at Chougui, Tunisia. Unescorted, the formation was intercepted by a large number of fighters, but Malcolm pressed his attack home. He was shot down and killed. He received a posthumous Victoria Cross (VC).

1944: Canadian forces captured the city of Ravenna in north-east Italy.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/4th-december/ Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:29:36 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/3rd-december/
3 December

1810: Troops under Major General Abercromby captured the Ile de France - modern-day Mauritius - having been landed by a po...]]>
3 December

1810: Troops under Major General Abercromby captured the Ile de France - modern-day Mauritius - having been landed by a powerful Royal Navy force.

1917: Captain Lascelles of the Durham Light Infantry conducted a determined defence against German attacks, despite being wounded. His company drove off an initial attack, but a subsequent assault captured one of their trenches. Lascelles immediately led a counter-attack with the last twelve men under his command in the face of heavy machine-gun fire, driving out over five times their number. He suffered a further two wounds. A third German attack finally proved successful, and Lascelles was captured, but despite his injuries he later succeeded in escaping, and was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for his gallantry. Further north, in Belgium, Private Nicholas of the New Zealand Canterbury Regiment stormed a German strongpoint manned by 17 Germans armed with machine-guns. He was also awarded the Victoria Cross.

1942: At Tebourba in Tunisia, a determined German defence was proving difficult for the Allies to breach. Major Le Patourel of the Hampshire Regiment took four volunteers forward and silenced several machine-gun nests. Even when his four companions fell casualty, he pressed on alone, armed only with a revolver and grenades. Eventually he was wounded and taken prisoner. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

One of the most remarkable RAF sorties of the war was flown by a Wellington Mk Ic of 1474 Flight - the RAF's specialist radar counter-measures unit.

1945: A jet aircraft landed aboard an aircraft carrier for the first time. Lieutenant Commander Brown landed a Sea Vampire aboard HMS Ocean in the English Channel.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/3rd-december/ Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:36:06 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/2nd-december/
2 December

1825: During the First Burmese War, Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Campbell attacked a large concentration of Burmese for...]]>
2 December

1825: During the First Burmese War, Brigadier-General Sir Archibald Campbell attacked a large concentration of Burmese forces under Maha Nemyo at Pagoda Point near Prome on the Irrawaddy. Maha Nemyo was killed, and some 300 warboats captured. The Burmese retreated to their fortifications at Malun.

1878: British troops, advancing into Afghanistan during the Second Afghan War, encountered stiff resistance at Peiwar Kotal. During the action, Captain Cook, 5th Gurkha Rifles, won the Victoria Cross (VC) during fierce hand-to-hand fighting. The Afghan defenders were outflanked, and the pass forced.

1891: During the Hunza-Nagar Expedition on the North-West Frontier, intended to eliminate raids and banditry by the tribesmen, Colonel Durand led Kashmiri troops against the fort at Nilt. Captain Aylmer of the Royal Engineers went forward to blow up the fort's gates, armed only with a revolver. He succeeded in his task, but was severely wounded in the process. Lieutenant Boisragen, serving with the 5th Gurkha Rifles, led the assault, and the fort was duly captured. Both officers were awarded the Victoria Cross.

1942: A Royal Navy force of three cruisers and two destroyers caught an Axis convoy laden with reinforcements including tanks headed for North Africa at night. RAF aircraft dropped illumination flares, and radar-controlled gunnery proved devastating, sinking the four ships in the convoy plus its escort.

1943: Ernest Bevin announced that 10% of conscripts aged under 25 would be diverted to serve not in the Armed Forces, but in the mining industry, following a serious loss in coal production; the so-called "Bevin Boys".]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/2nd-december/ Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:16:56 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/1st-december/
1 December

1588: The first attempt to organise welfare provision for Royal Navy seamen was established - the Chatham Chest. Contribu...]]>
1 December

1588: The first attempt to organise welfare provision for Royal Navy seamen was established - the Chatham Chest. Contributions were deducted from sailors' pay and placed in the chest, which had five different locks, the keys being held by five officers in a (not very successful) attempt to avoid corruption, with sums disbursed to seamen in distressed circumstances.

1917: In France, Lance-Dafadar Gobind Singh of the 28th Indian Light Cavalry three times ran the gauntlet of heavy enemy fire for 1.5 miles (2.4km), carrying messages between headquarters over open ground. Each time, his horse was killed under him, but he successfully completed each trip on foot. At Gonnelieu, Captain Paton, Grenadier Guards, held the village despite being almost completely surrounded. He ignored enemy fire from only fifty yards (45.7m) away, walking up and down his troops checking their positions, and carrying away several who fell wounded. During each of four German attacks, he deliberately leapt onto the parapet of a trench to encourage his men to hold their ground. He eventually fell, mortally wounded. And in Palestine, Second Lieutenant Boughey of the Royal Scots Fusiliers launched a lone counter-attack with grenades, forcing the surrender of thirty heavily armed Turkish soldiers. As they surrendered, he was hit by fire from another position and killed. Gobind Singh, Paton and Boughey were all awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).

1951: Twelve Meteors of 77 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, successfully engaged 40-50 Chinese MiG-15 fighters in Korea, over Sunchon; a rare air-to-air combat, and the largest, for 77 Squadron, which was normally employed on ground support operations.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/1st-december/ Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:15:14 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/30th-november/
30 November

1335: In Culblean Forest, by the River Dee, Scots troops under Sir Andrew Murray and Sir William Douglas, loyal to the Br...]]>
30 November

1335: In Culblean Forest, by the River Dee, Scots troops under Sir Andrew Murray and Sir William Douglas, loyal to the Bruce heir David II, fell upon a raiding party under David of Strathbogie. Strathbogie, one of Balliol's few remaining Scots supporters, had mounted a murderous raid along the eastern coast. He was cut down, fighting alone after most of his men fled. His death robbed the English/Balliol camp of one of its key figures and boosted Scots morale.

1917: Six Victoria Crosses (VC) were won on the Western Front:
Liuetenant Colonel Elliot-Cooper organised a counter-attack after German troops broke through the British lines, leading from the front despite being himself unarmed. His attack forced the Germans to retreat some 600 yards (548.6m), but he then fell wounded. Realising that his force was too weak, he ordered them to retire, leaving him behind. Captured, he died of his wounds three months later.
Captain Gee was among those captured when German troops took a Brigade HQ, but shortly managed to escape. He then organised an ad hoc force which mounted a successful counter-attack that retook the position. The one remaining threat was a German machine-gun position: Gee attacked it armed only with a revolver, and killed its eight-man crew. Although wounded, he refused treatment until he was sure that the position had been made safe.
Lance Corporal Thomas spotted preparations for a German attack, and went forward on his own initiative with another soldier to gather information. His colleague was hit almost immediately, but Thomas managed to get into a position where he was able to see the German dispositions in detail. Over the course of an hour he gathered valuable intelligence, as well as regularly sniping at the enemy. He then returned safely - his reconnaissance allowed a successful defence to be prepared.
Over a 48 hour period, Captain McReady-Diarmid distinguished himself repeatedly leading his company in successful counter-attacks, advancing through heavy barrages to drive the enemy back. He was particularly noted for his personal skill using hand grenades. During his final attack, he was killed.
Sergeant Gourley of the Royal Artillery mounted a valiant defence throughout the day with his pair of howitzers although outflanked, ignoring snipers and machine-guns and firing the guns over open sights at point blank range to hold his position.
Captain Stone commanded an infantry company positioned 1,000 yards (914.4km) in front of the British lines. Seeing the German attack developing, he passed a timely warning to the main positions, then ordered the majority of his men to withdraw, covering their retreat with a handful of men. During the enemy barrage he stood on the parapet of the trench, telephone in hand, passing back details of the attack. Finally, the position was overwhelmed by German infantry, and Captain Stone, massively outnumbered, was seen to fall.

1944: HMS Vanguard, the Royal Navy's last battleship, was launched.

1950: 41 Commando Royal Marines, fighting alongside 1st US Marine Division, distinguished itself at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea. It was awarded a US Presidential Unit Citation.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/30th-november/ Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:50:49 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/fallen-heroes-38/soldier-from-5th-battalion-the-rifles-5-rifles-killed-in-afghanistan/ http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RiflemanSheldonLeeJordanSteelKilledInAfghanistan.htm]]> http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RiflemanSheldonLeeJordanSteelKilledInAfghanistan.htm]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/fallen-heroes-38/soldier-from-5th-battalion-the-rifles-5-rifles-killed-in-afghanistan/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:55:20 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/29th-november/
29 November

1940: Lieutenant Newgass, RNVR, was called to defuse a large parachute mine, dropped during a devastating Luftwaffe raid ...]]>
29 November

1940: Lieutenant Newgass, RNVR, was called to defuse a large parachute mine, dropped during a devastating Luftwaffe raid on Liverpool, which had penetrated the roof of a gasometer at Garston Gasworks. If the weapon had exploded, it would have destroyed the entire gasworks and caused immense devastation in the surrounding area. Newgass was lowered into the gasometer wearing breathing apparatus six times, and despite working under the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances - in the dark, in a couple of feet (0.6m) of water, and surrounded by explosive gas - eventually managed to make the weapon safe. He was awarded the George Cross (GC) for his extraordinary heroism.

1942: In Tunisia, British paratroopers took the airfield at Oudna and put it out of action before retiring on Tunis.

1943: Australian forces captured the Japanese supply depot at Bonga in New Guinea.

1945: The Royal Navy conducted its first helicopter air-sea rescue operation, using an early Sikorsky R-5.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/29th-november/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:52:04 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/27th-november/
27 November

1806: A squadron under Rear Admiral Sir Edward Pellew destroyed a Dutch squadron and a large number of merchant ships at ...]]>
27 November

1806: A squadron under Rear Admiral Sir Edward Pellew destroyed a Dutch squadron and a large number of merchant ships at Batavia in the East Indies.

1916: Zeppelin LZ78 was shot down off Hartlepool.

1917: At Fontaine Notre Dame, a company of Scots Guards successfully captured their objective, but lost all their officers in so doing. Sergeant McAulay took charge of the company, and despite incessant bombardment organised a skilful defence of the position against heavy counter-attacks, as well as carrying his wounded company commander to safety, although the officer sadly died later. McAulay was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).

1940: Force H, commanded by Vice Admiral Sir James Somerville, was providing cover for a convoy sailing from Gibraltar to Alexandria when the Italian Navy dispatched a powerful force (including 2 battleships and seven heavy cruisers). Although outnumbered, Somerville intercepted the Italians off Cape Spartivento, Sardinia, with the battlecruiser Renown, the carrier Ark Royal, and five cruisers. One cruiser, HMS Berwick, suffered damage in the ensuing action, but the Italians abandoned the operation and the convoy got through safely.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/27th-november/ Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:37:19 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/26th-november/
26 November

1914: The battleship HMS was destroyed by an internal explosion whilst moored at Sheerness, with the loss of 730 crew, fa...]]>
26 November

1914: The battleship HMS was destroyed by an internal explosion whilst moored at Sheerness, with the loss of 730 crew, faulty ammunition was probably to blame. The Protection of Military Remains Act was passed in 1986, but its application to wrecks and sea graves has not previously been enforced. Following extensive consultation with both veterans' associations and the diving community, it was announced in the House of Commons on 9 November 2001 that some wrecks were to be designated Controlled Sites, with all diving prohibited without a specific licence, or Protected Places, where diving will be permitted but on a strict "Do Not Touch" basis. HMS Bulwark was included in the list of sixteen wrecks to be designated as Controlled Sites.

1943: Australian troops repulsed a strong Japanese counter-attack at Pabu in New Guinea.]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/26th-november/ Sat, 26 Nov 2011 11:49:52 +0000 Lettie http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/25th-november/
25 November

1899: Boer forces fought a delaying action at Graspan as Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen advanced to relieve Kimberley.

...]]>
25 November

1899: Boer forces fought a delaying action at Graspan as Lieutenant-General Lord Methuen advanced to relieve Kimberley.

1940: The De Havilland DH98 Mosquito prototype made its first flight at Hatfield. Constructed of wood, and relying entirely on high speed and altitude to protect it rather than armament, it was a radical departure from conventional design wisdom. The "Wooden Wonder" proved one of the most successful aircraft of the war, excelling in bomber, night-fighter, intruder, fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles.

1941: The battleship HMS Barham, veteran of Jutland, was sunk off the North African coast by U-331.

Ashore, Captain Jackman of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers distinguished himself in an attack near Tobruk. Commanding a motorised machine-gun company, he ignored heavy fire to manoeuvre his troops into position to suppress anti-tank guns which were holding up the advance, standing up unprotected in his vehicle to direct operations. He was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).]]> http://www.milplace.com/forum/on-this-day-in-military-history-61/25th-november/ Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:46:48 +0000 Lettie