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Thirty Years' War: French Victorious at Roncroi

Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:33 +0000

May 19, 1643 - French troops defeat the Spanish at the Battle of Rocroi. In early 1643, a 27,000-man Spanish-Imperial army crossed the French border from Flanders. Moving through the Ardennes, the Spanish troops, led by Francisco de Melo, laid siege to the town of Rocroi. Advancing to meet this invasion were 23,000 men led by the Duc d'Enghien (the future Prince of Conde). On May 18, 1643, d'Enghien deployed his troops on a ridge south of Rocroi with his infantry in the center and cavalry on the flanks. Moving to meet this threat, de Melo formed his men in a similar fashion. The following morning, d'Enghien advanced. As the armies met, the Spanish infantry began to get the better of the French. A similar situation developed on the French left where de Melo's German cavalry blocked a French thrust. Counterattacking, the Germans were stopped by the French infantry reserve. On the right, d'Enghien's cavalry, supported by musketeers, was able to rout its Spanish counterparts. Turning, they next attacked the flank and rear of the Spanish infantry. As the fighting raged, the Spanish army was reduced to the core of their infantry. Though fighting valiantly they were forced to surrender. The Battle of Rocroi was the first major defeat for the Spanish in nearly a century.

Civil War 150th: Siege of Vicksburg Begins

Fri, 17 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

May 18 ,1863 - Union forces begin the Siege of Vicksburg (right). Crossing the Mississippi River at Bruinsburg on April 29-30, 1863, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee embarked on a stunning campaign which saw it win several battles before driving Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton's forces back into the Vicksburg defenses. A fortress that commanded the Mississippi, holding the city was key if the Confederates wished to deny use of the river to the Union. Attacking on May 19, Grant's army was repulsed by the Vicksburg defenses. Trying again on the 22nd, the result proved no better. Unwilling to suffer more casualties, Grant elected to lay siege. Reinforced over the next month, he compelled Vicksburg to surrender on July 4, 1863. Coming a day a after the Union victory at Gettysburg, the fall of Vicksburg, and Port Hudson fours days later, opened the river to Union traffic and marked the turning point of the Civil War.

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World War II: Hawker Typhoon

Wed, 15 May 2013 01:00:34 +0000

Envisioned as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, the Hawker Typhoon (right) suffered from a series of developmental and operational issues early in its career. Though intended as a mid- to high-altitude interceptor, the Typhoon's performance dropped badly over 20,000 ft. Nearly cancelled, the aircraft was rushed into production in mid-1941 to counter the threat posed by the new Focke-Wulf FW 190. Effective as a low-altitude interceptor, the Typhoon later made its mark as the Royal Air Force's premier ground attack aircraft. Commencing these types of operations in late 1942, the Typhoon was honed over the following year and proved capable of carrying both bombs and rockets. Forming the backbone of the RAF's tactical air forces, it played a key role in supporting Allied forces in the weeks after D-Day and during the campaign in northwest Europe.

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War of Austrian Succession: Anson Triumphs at Cape Finisterre

Mon, 13 May 2013 01:00:59 +0000

May 14, 1747 - Admiral George Anson defeats the French at the Battle of Cape Finisterre. Entering the Royal Navy in 1712, George Anson rapidly moved through the ranks and was promoted to post-captain in 1724. Serving in a variety of posts, he was given command of HMS Centurion in 1737. After a cruise off Africa, Anson returned to England and was ordered to lead a squadron into the Pacific to attack the Spanish. Enduring a hellish crossing and rounding of Cape Horn, Anson's squadron was ultimately whittled down to his flagship. Crossing the Pacific, he captured the treasure galleon Nuestra Señora de Covadonga in June 1743, before completing his circumnavigation via the Cape of Good Hope. After serving in the Admiralty, he took command of the Channel Fleet and decisively defeated the French off Cape Finisterre in May 1747. Returning to an administrative post, he played a key role in re-writing the Articles of War, re-structuring the marine corps, improving ship design, and reducing corruption in the dockyards. Made First Lord of the Admiralty in 1751, he served in the post almost continuously until his death in 1762.

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War of the Austrian Succession: French Win at Fontenoy

Sat, 11 May 2013 01:00:44 +0000

May 11, 1745 - French forces win the Battle of Fontenoy. Moving to relieve the French siege of Tournai, the Duke of Cumberland (right) and the Pragmatic Army encountered enemy forces under Marshal Maurice de Saxe near Fontenoy. Unsure of his men's ability to face Allied forces in open battle, de Saxe assumed a strong, fortified defensive position on the heights around the village. Attacking with an "Infernal Column" of around 15,000 men, Cumberland succeeded breaking the French line, but was halted by determined French counterattacks. Massing his troops, de Saxe succeeded in throwing back Cumberland's men and forcing him to withdraw to Brussels. Having won a key victory, he was able to take Tournai as well as several other towns in Flanders.

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World War II: USS Bunker Hill Hit

Sat, 11 May 2013 01:00:30 +0000

May 11, 1945 - USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) (right) is hit by two Japanese kamikazes while operating off Okinawa. An Essex-class aircraft carrier, Bunker Hill was launched in 1942 and commissioned the following year. Reporting to the US Pacific Fleet in late 1943, the carrier first saw action when it launched raids against the Japanese base at Rabaul. After supporting the landings on Tarawa, Bunker Hill took part in RAdm. Marc Mitscher's attack on Truk. Raiding through the Pacific for most of the spring, the carrier was engaged during the Battle of the Philippine Sea that June. Hit once in the fighting, its air group helped deliver a devastating blow to the Japanese. Overhauled in November-December 1944, Bunker Hill returned to the fleet in early 1945 and helped cover the invasion of Iwo Jima. After raiding the Japanese home islands, it shifted south to provide assistance to Allied forces during the Battle of Okinawa. While operating off the island on May 11, Bunker Hill was hit by two A6M Zero kamikazes. Killing over 340 sailors, the attack crippled the ship and caused explosions and gasoline fires. Valiant efforts by Bunker Hill's damage control parties saved the ship and it limped back to Bremerton Naval Shipyard. The carrier was still undergoing repairs when the war ended. Though repaired, Bunker Hill remained in reserve until being sold for scrap in 1973.

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Civil War 150th: Jackson Dies

Thu, 09 May 2013 01:00:47 +0000

May 10, 1863 - Lt. Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (right) dies of pneumonia after being hit by friendly fire during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Born in 1824, Thomas Jackson was largely self-educated before attending West Point. Graduating in 1846, he saw service with Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott's army during the Mexican-American War. Later serving as an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute, he was known for his religious nature and eccentricities. Commissioned a colonel in the Virginia forces at the outbreak of the Civil War, he quickly rose through the ranks and earned the sobriquet "Stonewall" during the First Battle of Bull Run. Promoted to major general he conducted a brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley in early 1862, before join Gen. Robert E. Lee's army. While with Lee, he led the Left Wing of the army and took part in the Seven Days Battles, Second Manassas, Antietam, and Fredericksburg. His finest hour came on May 2, 1863, when he led a daring flank attack on the Union army during the Battle of Chancellorsville. In the wake of the assault his was wounded by friendly fire and soon died from pneumonia. One of the finest leaders of the Civil War, Jackson excelled in independent commands and his loss was mourned by the Confederacy. Where does Jackson rank your pantheon of Civil War leaders?

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War of 1812: William Bainbridge Born

Tue, 07 May 2013 01:00:16 +0000

May 7, 1774 - Commodore William Bainbridge (right) is born. The son a British Loyalist during the American Revolution, Bainbridge was raised by his grandfather in New Jersey. Taking to ...

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World War II: The Jug

Sun, 05 May 2013 01:00:20 +0000

May 6, 1941 - The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (right) first flies. One of the more distinctive aircraft of World War II, the Thunderbolt was the largest and heaviest fighter built that was powered by a single engine. The result of several years of work by Republic's dynamic duo of Alexander de Seversky and Alexander Kartveli, the aircraft entered service in late 1942. Initially derided for its size, the P-47 proved a rugged and effective fighter in the skies over Europe. Dubbed the "Jug" by its pilots, the P-47 is perhaps best remembered as a ground-attack aircraft which shredded German forces in the months after D-Day. Remaining in the US inventory into the early 1950s, it was used by some air forces into the 1960s. Share your thoughts on the Jug or your favorite World War II aircraft.

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World War II: Japanese Carrier Akagi

Fri, 03 May 2013 01:00:37 +0000

Launched in 1925, the aircraft carrier Akagi (right) began its life as an Amagi-class battlecruiser. Laid down in 1920, construction of the hull was in advanced stages when Japan signed the Washington Naval Treaty two years later. This treaty imposed limits on the number and size of capital ships permitted to the Imperial Japanese Navy. As a result, it was decided to convert the vessel into an aircraft carrier. This work moved forward and the new Akagi entered service in 1927. After helping to pioneer Japanese naval aviation doctrine, the carrier underwent a massive overhaul in the late 1930s before supporting forces in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Part of the Combined Fleet's First Air Fleet, Akagi participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, before shifting south to aid in the campaign against the Dutch East Indies. In March-April 1942, the carrier took part in the Indian Ocean Raid before returning to Japan. Sailing in late May with three other carriers, Akagi moved against the Allied base on Midway. During the Battle of Midway on June 4, Akagi was critically damaged by American dive bombers. Burning through the day and night, it was finally scuttled in the early hours of June 5. The carrier was one of four lost by the Japanese during the battle.

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