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World War II: Battle of Peleliu

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:00:19 +0000

Part of the Allied march across the Pacific, the Battle of Peleliu was fought in the fall of 1944. Going ashore on September 15, the 1st Marine Division met fierce Japanese resistance and quickly began taking heavy losses. Though the island's airfield was secured early in the battle, American forces struggled to expel the Japanese from an immense system of caves and bunkers on Peleliu's Umurbrogol Mountain. Though leaders originally believed that the island would fall in a matter of days, it was not until November 27 that the island was declared secure. The battle quickly proved controversial as nearly 10,000 casualties had been sustained for an island that possessed little long-term strategic value.

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Napoleonic Wars: Jervis Wins at St. Vincent

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:00:52 +0000

February 14, 1797 - Admiral Sir John Jervis (right) wins the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. Entering the Royal Navy in 1749, Jervis first came to prominence during the French & Indian War when he aided in guiding British troops up the St. Lawrence River prior to the 1759 Battle of Quebec. Seeing service during the American Revolution, he was knighted for his capture of the French ship of the line Pégase in 1782. Promoted to rear admiral in 1787, Jervis was given command of an expedition to the Caribbean six years later at the start of the Wars of the French Revolution. After a successful campaign, he assumed command of the Mediterranean Fleet and won a stunning victory off Cape St. Vincent in 1797, aided by his protégé, Horatio Nelson. Elevated to the peerage as Earl St. Vincent, he later commanded the Channel Fleet before becoming First Lord of the Admiralty in 1801. A zealous reformer, St. Vincent worked to eliminate corruption, introduce new technology, and reduce political influence in the promotion system. Leaving office in 1804, he briefly commanded the Channel Fleet again before retiring in 1807. Made acting Admiral of the Fleet in 1814, he was confirmed in the rank by King George IV six years later. One of the Royal Navy's great leaders, St. Vincent died in 1823.

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Naval Aviation: USS Macon Lost

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:00:38 +0000

February 12, 1935 - USS Macon (right) is lost in a storm off the coast of California. The sister ship of USS Akron, Macon entered service in June 1933. The last rigid airship built for the US Navy, Macon was able to carry up to five Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk fighters. These were launched and recovered using a hook and bar system which extended from the airship's belly. Intended as a scout for the US Navy's surface forces, Macon largely operated from Naval Air Station Sunnyvale (Moffett Field) in California. Taking part in numerous fleet exercises, the airship and its fighters proved effective in this role. On February 12, 1935, while returning from an exercise offshore, Macon was forced to make a water landing off Point Sur due to damage sustained in severe weather. Though the airship quickly sank, all but two of its 76-man crew was rescued. In the wake of Macon's loss, the US Navy abandoned its rigid airship program in favor of blimps.

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Seven Years' War: Battle of Minden

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:00:30 +0000

Working to defend Hanover in 1759, Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick (right) advanced and attacked Frankfurt and Wesel. Defeated by the French at Bergen, he was forced to fall back allowing the enemy to occupy Minden. Seeking to recover lost territory, he lured the French army, led by Marshal Louis Contades, into battle on August 1. Advancing from a strong position, Contades hoped to destroy Ferdinand's army which he believed to be overextended. At the resulting Battle of Minden, Ferdinand won a key victory which saw a division of largely British troops misinterpret orders and advance on their own against the entire French cavalry. Repelling three cavalry charges, this force effectively broke the French army's spirit and after applying additional pressure Ferdinand was able to drive the enemy from the field. The victory at Minden secured Hanover for the remainder of 1759 and was part of Britain's Annus Mirabilis of 1759 which also saw victories at Quebec and Quiberon Bay.

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World War I: Battle of Dogger Bank

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:00:01 +0000

Having successfully bombarded the British coast in December 1914, RAdm. Franz Hipper began planning for a raid on the enemy's fishing fleet at Dogger Bank the following month. Sailing with a force centered on three battlecruisers and an armored cruiser, he encountered a larger British force under VAdm. Sir David Beatty on January 24, 1915. Outnumbered and out-gunned, the Germans turned to escape back to Wilhelmshaven. Engaging the enemy, Beatty inflicted severe damage on Hipper's flagship, SMS Seydlitz, and sunk the armored cruiser Blücher (right). In return, his own flagship, HMS Lion, was disabled. An opportunity for a greater victory was missed when Beatty's subordinates misinterpreted a key signal after Lion was damaged. Following the battle, Kaiser Wilhelm II further limited the High Seas Fleet's operations for fear of losing additional warships.

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American Revolution: Charles Lee Born

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:00:43 +0000

February 6, 1732 - Maj. Gen. Charles Lee (right) is born in Cheshire, England. Entering the British Army in 1746, Lee distinguished himself during the French & Indian War and saw service at Monongahela, Carillon, Fort Niagara, and Montreal. Unable to find a post after the conflict, he served as an aide-de-camp to King Stanislaus (II) Poniatowski and achieved the rank of major general. Though promoted to lieutenant colonel in the British Army in 1772, Lee was still without assignment and elected to move to Virginia. Quickly impressing the colony's leadership, Lee offered his services to the Continental Congress at the beginning of the American Revolution. Angered that Gen. George Washington was made commander-in-chief instead of him, Lee began a lasting campaign to unseat his superior. After aiding in the Siege of Boston, Lee was sent south and was present for the defense of Charleston in 1776. Returning north in the fall, Lee took part in the latter stages of the New York Campaign before being captured in December. Exchanged in May 1778, he returned to Washington's army in time for the Battle of Monmouth Court House. Failing badly in the early stages of the engagement, he verbally attacked Washington and was promptly relieved. Court-martialed later that summer, he was removed from command for one year. Attacking Congress, Lee was dismissed from the Continental Army in January 1780. He died in Philadelphia, PA two years later.

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World War II: Yalta Conference Begins

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:00:21 +0000

February 4, 1945 - The Yalta Conference (right) begins in the waning days of World War II. Meeting at the Black Sea resort of Yalta, the "Big Three" of Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin gathered to discuss issues regarding postwar Europe and the war in the Pacific. During the meeting Stalin was able to secure Allied permission for his desired territorial changes in Poland while agreeing to hold free elections in that country. He also agreed to enter the war against Japan in exchange for US recognition of Mongolian independence from Nationalist China. Before departing the three leaders decided on an occupation plan for Germany and Stalin agreed to Soviet participation in the new United Nations. While initial feelings about the meeting were good, it soon became clear that Stalin had taken advantage of Roosevelt's failing health to secure permission for his activities in Eastern Europe. As a result, it is generally felt that Yalta resulted in Roosevelt and Churchill "selling out" and giving the Soviets a free hand in Eastern Europe and northeastern Asia.

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Seven Years' War: Battle of Quiberon Bay

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:00:01 +0000

Seeking to overturn their flagging military fortunes, the French began planning to invade Britain in 1759. Gathering invasion barges, their efforts were crippled by a British attack on Le Havre in July and a naval defeat at Lagos in August. Reassessing, it was determined that an expedition to Scotland could still be launched. As such, the Comte de Conflans was directed to bring his fleet from Brest to Quiberon Bay to meet the invasion transports. Slipping out of port during a storm on November 14, Conflans was soon pursued by Adm. Sir Edward Hawke's Western Squadron. An audacious commander, Hawke caught up to the French fleet, and despite severe weather, followed it into the shoal-filled waters of Quiberon Bay. Ordering his ships to attack at will, Hawke's captains succeeded in capturing or destroying seven French ships of the line. A stunning victory, the Battle of Quiberon Bay ended the invasion threat and firmly established the supremacy of the Royal Navy for the remainder of the conflict.

Battles of the Seven Years' War:

Photograph Source: Public Domain

American Revolution: Battle of Oriskany

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:00:10 +0000

Advancing in the summer of 1777, British forces under the leadership of Maj. Gen. John Burgoyne moved south into New York. In conjunction with this thrust was an advance up the Oswego River by a mixed British-Native American column led by Col. Barry St. Leger. Reaching Fort Stanwix on August 2, St. Leger immediately laid siege to the American post. Learning of this, Brig. Gen. Nicholas Herkimer called out the local militia and had them gather at Fort Dayton. Advancing to the fort's aid, Herkimer was ambushed by the British and Native Americans on August 6. In the resulting Battle of Oriskany, Herkimer was wounded and his command took heavy losses. Rallying, the militia mounted a stiff defense and held until the Native Americans left the field after learning that Fort Stanwix's garrison was looting their camp. Outnumbered by Herkimer's men, the remaining British troops also withdrew. Though the Americans held the field, Herkimer's command suffered over 50% casualties and was forced to withdraw. Though a victory, the fighting badly damaged St. Leger's relationship with the Native Americans. Fort Stanwix was relieved later in the month after Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold arrived in the area with reinforcements.

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World War II: USS Chicago Lost at Rennell Island

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

January 29-30, 1943 - Japanese aircraft score a victory at the Battle of Rennell Island. In January 1943, RAdm. Robert Giffen's Task Force 18, consisting of three heavy cruisers, three light cruisers, two escort carriers, and eight destroyers, was operating between Rennell Island and Guadalcanal. Tasked with screening a convoy of reinforcements, TF 18 was attacked by Japanese bombers on January 29. In the course of the fighting, USS Chicago (right) was hit by two torpedoes. Severely damaged, it was taken under tow by the fleet tug USS Navajo the next morning. Later in the day, TF 18 was ordered to Efate and Giffen left six destroyers to escort Chicago to port. On the afternoon of January 30, Japanese bombers returned, and despite a strong American combat air patrol, succeeded in hitting Chicago with four more torpedoes. The destroyer USS La Vallette was also damaged in the attack. With his ship mortally wounded, Capt. Ralph Davis ordered abandon ship and the crew was removed. The loss of Chicago and withdrawal of TF 18 left the waters around Guadalcanal relatively free of Allied warships which allowed the Japanese to evacuate their troops from the island in early February.

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