On this Day in Military History July 30

July 30 1635  Eighty Year's War: The Siege of Schenkenschans begins; Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, begins the recapture of the strategically important fortress from the Spanish Army.

July 30 1656  Swedish forces under the command of King Charles X Gustav defeat the forces of the PolishLithuanian Commonwealth at the Battle of Warsaw.

 July 30 1857 William Fraser McDonell was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions this day.


Mr. William Fraser M'Donell, of the Bengal Civil Service, Magistrate of Sarun
Date of Act of Bravery, 30th July, 1857
For great coolness and bravery on the 30th of July, 1857, during the retreat of the British Troops from Arrah, in having climbed, under an incessant fire, outside the Boat in which he and several Soldiers were, up to the rudder, and with considerable difficulty cut through the lashing which secured it to the side of the boat. On the lashing being cut, the boat obeyed the helm, and thus thirty-five European Soldiers escaped certain death.

July 30 1857  Ross Lowis Mangles was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions this day.


Mr. Ross Lowis Mangles, of the Bengal Civil Service, Assistant Magistrate at Patna
Date of Act of Bravery, 30th July, 1857
Mr. Mangles volunteered and served with the Force, consisting of detachments of Her Majesty's 10th and 37th Regiments, and some Native Troops, despatched to the relief of Arrah, in July, 1857, under the Command of Captain Dunbar, of the 10th Regiment. The Force fell into an Ambuscade on the night of the 29th of July, 1857, and, during the retreat on the next morning, Mr. Mangles, with signal gallantry and generous self-devotion, and notwithstanding that he had himself been previously wounded, carried for several miles, out of action, a wounded soldier of Her Majesty's 37th Regiment, after binding up his wounds under a murderous fire, which killed or wounded almost the whole detachment and he bore him in safety to the boats

July 30 1863  American Indian Wars: Representatives of the United States and tribal leaders including Chief Pocatello (of the Shoshone) sign the Treaty of Box Elder.

July 30 1864  American Civil War: Battle of the Crater: Union forces attempt to break Confederate lines at Petersburg, Virginia by exploding a large bomb under their trenches.

July 30 1866  Armed Confederate veterans in New Orleans riot against a meeting of Radical Republicans, killing 48 people and injuring another 100.

 July 30 1915 Sidney Clayton Woodroffe for his actions this day was awarded the Victoria Cross



On 30 July 1915 at Hooge, Belgium, when the enemy had broken through the centre of our front trenches, Second Lieutenant Woodroffe's position was heavily attacked with bombs from the flank and subsequently from the rear, but he managed to defend his post until all his bombs were exhausted. He then skillfully withdrew his remaining men and immediately led them forward in a counter-attack under intense rifle and machine-gun fire, and was killed whilst in the act of cutting the wire obstacles in the open

July 30 1916 for his action this day Evans, George was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On 30th July 1916 at Guillemont, France, Company Sergeant-Major Evans volunteered to take back an important message after five runners had been killed in attempting to do so. He had to cover about 700 yards, the whole of which was under observation from the enemy. He succeeded in delivering the message in spite of being wounded and rejoined his company although advised to go to the dressing station. The return journey had again meant facing 700 yards of severe rifle and machine-gun fire, but by dodging from shell-hole to shell-hole he managed it.
 

July 30 1916  For his actions this day James Miller was awarded the Victoria Cross 

 For most conspicuous bravery. His battalion was consolidating a position after its capture by assault. Private Miller was ordered to take an important message under heavy shell and rifle fire and to bring back a reply at all costs. He was compelled to cross the open, and on leaving the trench was shot almost immediately in the back, the bullet coming out through his abdomen. In spite of this, with heroic courage and self-sacrifice, he compressed with his hand the gaping wound in his abdomen, delivered his message, staggered back with the answer, and fell at the feet of the officer to whom he delivered it. He gave his life with a supreme devotion to duty

July 30 1918 Harold Auten  was awarded the Victoria Cross  following an action when he was commanding a Q-ship, HMS Stock Force

H.M.S. "Stock Force," under the command of Lieutenant Harold Auten, D.S.C., R.N.R., was torpedoed by an enemy submarine at 5 p.m. on the 30th July, 1918. The torpedo struck the ship abreast No. 1 hatch, entirely wrecking the fore part of the ship, including the bridge, and wounding three ratings. A tremendous shower of planks, unexploded shells, hatches and other debris followed the explosion, wounding the first lieutenant (Lieutenant E.J. Grey, R.N.R.) and the navigating officer (Lieutenant L.E. Workman, R.N.R.) and adding to the injuries of the foremost gun's crew and a number of other ratings. The ship settled down forward, flooding the foremost magazine and between decks to the depth of about three feet. "Panic party," in charge of Lieutenant Workman, R.N.R., immediately abandoned ship, and the wounded were removed to the lower deck, where the surgeon (Surgeon Probationer G.E. Strahan, R.N.V.R.), working up to his waist in water, attended to their injuries. The captain, two guns' crews and the engine-room staff remained at their posts.
The submarine then came to the surface ahead of the ship half a mile distant, and remained there a quarter of an hour, apparently watching the ship for any doubtful movement.

More


July 30 1945  World War II: Japanese submarine I-58 sinks the USS Indianapolis, killing 883 seamen. Most die during the following four days, until an aircraft notices the survivors.

July 30 1969  Vietnam War: US President Richard Nixon makes an unscheduled visit to South Vietnam and meets with President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu and U.S. military commanders.
 

Today in Military History July 29

July 29  923  Battle of Firenzuola: Lombard forces under King Rudolph II and Adalbert I, margrave of Ivrea, defeat the dethroned Emperor Berengar I of Italy at Firenzuola (Tuscany).

July 29 1014  Byzantine Bulgarian wars: Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine emperor Basil II inflicts a decisive defeat on the Bulgarian army, and his subsequent treatment of 15,000 prisoners reportedly causes Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria to die of a heart attack less than three months later, on October 6.

July 29 1018  Count Dirk III defeats an army sent by Emperor Henry II in the Battle of Vlaardingen.

July 29 1030  Ladejarl-Fairhair succession wars: Battle of Stiklestad: King Olaf II fights and dies trying to regain his Norwegian throne from the Danes.

July 29 1148  The Siege of Damascus ends in a decisive crusader defeat and leads to the disintegration of the Second Crusade.

July 29 1588  Anglo-Spanish War: Battle of Gravelines: English naval forces under the command of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake defeat the Spanish Armada off the coast of Gravelines, France.

July 29 1693  War of the Grand Alliance: Battle of Landen: France wins a Pyrrhic victory over Allied forces in the Netherlands.

July 29 1775  Founding of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps: General George Washington appoints William Tudor as Judge Advocate of the Continental Army.

July 29 1857  For his actions on this day Andrew Cathcart Bogle was awarded the Victoria Cross.


78th Regiment (now of the 2nd Battalion 13th Regiment Lieutenant (now Captain) Andrew Cathcart Bogle
Date of Act of Bravery,29th July, 1857.
For conspicuous gallantry on the 29th July, 1857, in the attack at Oonao, in leading the way into a loop-holed house, strongly occupied by the enemy, from which a heavy fire harassed the advance of his regiment. Captain Bogle was severely wounded in this important service.

 July 29 1857  For his actions on this day and subsequent day's   George Lamber was awarded the Victoria Cross.

84th Regiment. Serjeant-Major George Lambert
Date of Acts of Bravery, 29th July, 16th August, and 25th September, 1857
For distinguished conduct, at Onao, on the 29th of July; at Bithoor, on the 16th of August; and at Lucknow, on the 25th of September.
(Extract from Field Force Orders of the late Major-General Havelock, dated 17th October, 1857.)

July 29 1864  American Civil War: Confederate spy Belle Boyd is arrested by Union troops and detained at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C.

July 29 1937  Tōngzhōu Incident: In Tōngzhōu, China, the East Hopei Army attacks Japanese troops and civilians.

July 29 1950  Korean War: After four days, the No Gun Ri Massacre ends when the US Army 7th Cavalry Regiment is withdrawn.

July 29 1965  Vietnam War: The first 4,000 101st Airborne Division paratroopers arrive in Vietnam, landing at Cam Ranh Bay.

July 29 1967  Vietnam War: Off the coast of North Vietnam the USS Forrestal catches on fire in the worst U.S. naval disaster since World War II, killing 134.

July 29 2021  United Kingdom space command formed.
 
  

Today in Military History July 28

July 28 388 Battle at Aquileja: Emperor Theodosius beats emperor Magnus Maximis

July 28 1148 Second Crusade: Crusaders abandon their siege of Damascus

July 28 1330 Battle of Velbuzd: Serbian forces defeats Bulgarian army


July 28 1364   Troops of the Republic of Pisa and the Republic of Florence clash in the Battle of Cascina.

July 28 1540   Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of treason. Henry marries his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, on the same day.

July 28 1571   La Laguna encomienda, known today as the Laguna province in the Philippines is founded by the Spaniards as one of the oldest encomiendas (provinces) in the country.

July 28 1635   In the Eighty Years' War the Spanish capture the strategic Dutch fortress of Schenkenschans.

July 28 1656   Second Northern War: Battle of Warsaw begins.

July 28 1809   Peninsular War: Battle of Talavera: Sir Arthur Wellesley's British, Portuguese and Spanish army defeats a French force led by Joseph Bonaparte.

July 28 1854   USS Constellation (1854), the last all-sail warship built by the United States Navy, is commissioned.

July 28 1864   American Civil War: Battle of Ezra Church: Confederate troops make a third unsuccessful attempt to drive Union forces from Atlanta, Georgia.

July 28 1880  For his actions on this day  James Collis was awarded the Victoria Cross.

For conspicuous bravery during the retreat from Maiwand to Kandahar when the officer commanding the battery was endeavouring to bring in a limber with wounded men under a cross-fire, in running forward and drawing the enemy's fire on himself, thus taking off their attention from the limber.


July 28 1915   The United States begins a 19-year occupation of Haiti.

July 28 1916  For his actions on this date Claud Charles Castleton was awarded the Victoria Cross

On the night of the 28/29 July 1916 near Pozières, France, during a night attack the infantry was temporarily driven back by the intense machine-gun fire from the enemy trenches. Many wounded were left in "No Man's Land" lying in shell holes. Sergeant Castleton went out twice in the face of this intense fire, and each time brought in a wounded man on his back. He went out a third time and was bringing in another wounded man when he was himself hit in the back and killed instantly.



July 28 1932   U.S. President Herbert Hoover orders the United States Army to forcibly evict the "Bonus Army" of World War I veterans gathered in Washington, D.C.

July 28 1935   First flight of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

July 28 1942   World War II: Soviet leader Joseph Stalin issues Order No. 227. In response to alarming German advances, all those who retreat or otherwise leave their positions without orders to do so are to be tried in a military court, with punishment ranging from duty in a shtrafbat battalion, imprisonment in a Gulag, or execution.

July 28 1943   World War II: Operation Gomorrah: The Royal Air Force bombs Hamburg, Germany causing a firestorm that kills 42,000 German civilians.

July 28 1944 US 8th Army corp occupies Coutances France

July 28 1945 Japanese premier Suzuki disregards US ultimatum to surrender

July 28 1945   A U.S. Army B-25 bomber crashes into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building killing 14 and injuring 26.

July 28 1965   Vietnam War: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson announces his order to increase the number of United States troops in South Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000.

July 28 1974   Spetsgruppa A, Russia's elite special force, was formed.

July 28 2005   The Provisional Irish Republican Army calls an end to its thirty-year-long armed campaign in Northern Ireland.

Today in Military History 27 July

July 27 1054   Siward, Earl of Northumbria, invades Scotland and defeats Macbeth, King of Scotland somewhere north of the Firth of Forth.

July 27 1189   Friedrich Barbarossa arrives at Niš, the capital of Serbian King Stefan Nemanja, during the Third Crusade.

July 27 1202   Georgian Seljuk wars: At the Battle of Basian the Kingdom of Georgia defeats the Sultanate of Rum.

July 27 1214   Battle of Bouvines: Philip II of France decisively defeats Imperial, English and Flemish armies, effectively ending John of England's Angevin Empire.

July 27 1299   According to Edward Gibbon, Osman I invades the territory of Nicomedia for the first time, usually considered to be the founding day of the Ottoman state.

July 27 1302   Battle of Bapheus: Decisive Ottoman victory over the Byzantines opening up Bithynia for Turkish conquest.

July 27 1689   Glorious Revolution: The Battle of Killiecrankie ends.

July 27 1775   Founding of the U.S. Army Medical Department: The Second Continental Congress passes legislation establishing "an hospital for an army consisting of 20,000 men."

July 27 1778   American Revolution: First Battle of Ushant: British and French fleets fight to a standoff.

July 27 1794   French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre is arrested after encouraging the execution of more than 17,000 "enemies of the Revolution".

July 27 1816   Battle of Negro Fort: The battle ends when a hot shot cannonball fired by US Navy Gunboat No. 154 explodes the Fort's Powder Magazine, killing approximately 275. It is considered the deadliest single cannon shot in US history.

July 27 1857   Siege of Arrah begins: Sixty-eight men hold out for eight days against a force of 2,500 to 3,000 mutinying sepoys and 8,000 irregular forces.

July 27 1880   Second Anglo-Afghan War: Battle of Maiwand: Afghan forces led by Mohammad Ayub Khan defeat the British Army in battle near Maiwand, Afghanistan.

July 27 1916 For his actions On This day Albert Gill was Awarded the Victoria Cross

[London Gazette, 26 October 1916] - On 27th July 1916 at Delville Wood, France, the enemy made a very strong counter-attack on the right flank of the battalion, and rushed the bombing post after killing all the company bombers. Sergeant Gill at once rallied the remnants of his platoon, none of whom were skilled bombers, and reorganised his defences, a most difficult and dangerous task, the trench being very shallow and much damaged. Soon afterwards the enemy nearly surrounded his men by creeping up through the thick undergrowth, and commenced sniping at about twenty yards range. Although it was almost certain death, Serjeant Gill stood boldly up in order to direct the fire of his men. He was killed almost at once, but not before he had shown his men where the enemy were, and thus enabled them to hold up their advance. By his supreme devotion to duty and self-sacrifice he saved a very dangerous situation.

July 27 1917 For his actions this day  Thomas Barratt was awarded the Victoria Cross

For most conspicuous bravery when as Scout to a patrol he worked his way towards the enemy line with the greatest gallantry and determination, in spite of continuous fire from hostile snipers at close range. These snipers he stalked and killed. Later his patrol was similarly held up, and again he disposed of the snipers. When during the subsequent withdrawal of the patrol it was observed that a party of the enemy were endeavouring to outflank them, Pte. Barratt at once volunteered to cover the retirement, and this he succeeded in accomplishing. His accurate shooting caused many casualties to the enemy, and prevented their advance. Throughout the enterprise he was under heavy machine gun and rifle fire, and his splendid example of coolness and daring was beyond all praise. After safely regaining our lines, this very gallant soldier was killed by a shell.

— The London Gazette, No. 30272, 4 September 1917

July 27 1917   World War I: The Allies reach the Yser Canal at the Battle of Passchendaele.

July 27 1942   World War II: Allied forces successfully halt the final Axis advance into Egypt.

July 27 1953   Cessation of hostilities is achieved in the Korean War when the United States, China, and North Korea sign an armistice agreement. Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea, refuses to sign but pledges to observe the armistice.

July 27 1964   Vietnam War: Five thousand more American military advisers are sent to South Vietnam bringing the total number of United States forces in Vietnam to 21,000.

July 27 1995   The Korean War Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C..

July 27 2006  For his actions on and around this day Corporal Bryan Budd was awarded the Victoria Cross

During July and August 2006, 'A' Company, 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment were deployed in the District Centre at Sangin. They were constantly under sustained attack from a combination of Taliban small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, mortar and rocket fire.

On 27 July 2006, whilst on a routine patrol, Corporal Bryan Budd's section identified and engaged two enemy gunmen on the roof of a building in the centre of Sangin. During the ensuing fierce fire-fight, two of Corporal Budd's section were hit. One was seriously injured and collapsed in the open ground, where he remained exposed to enemy fire, with rounds striking the ground around him. Corporal Budd realised that he needed to regain the initiative and that the enemy needed to be driven back so that the casualty could be evacuated.

Under fire, he personally led the attack on the building where the enemy fire was heaviest, forcing the remaining fighters to flee across an open field where they were successfully engaged. This courageous and prompt action proved decisive in breaking the enemy and was undertaken at great personal risk. Corporal Budd's decisive leadership and conspicuous gallantry allowed his wounded colleague to be evacuated to safety where he subsequently received life-saving treatment.

A month later, on 20 August 2006, Corporal Budd was leading his section on the right forward flank of a platoon clearance patrol near Sangin District Centre. Another section was advancing with a Land Rover fitted with a .50 calibre heavy machine gun on the patrol's left flank. Pushing through thick vegetation, Corporal Budd identified a number of enemy fighters 30 metres ahead. Undetected, and in an attempt to surprise and destroy the enemy, Corporal Budd, initiated a flanking manoeuvre. However, the enemy spotted the Land Rover on the left flank and the element of surprise was lost for the whole platoon.

In order to regain the initiative, Corporal Budd decided to assault the enemy and ordered his men to follow him. As they moved forward the section came under a withering fire that incapacitated three of his men. The continued enemy fire and these losses forced the section to take cover. But, Corporal Budd continued to assault on his own, knowing full well the likely consequences of doing so without the close support of his remaining men. He was wounded but continued to move forward, attacking and killing the enemy as he rushed their position.

Inspired by Corporal Budd's example, the rest of the platoon reorganised and pushed forward their attack, eliminating more of the enemy and eventually forcing their withdrawal. Corporal Budd susequently [sic] died of his wounds, and when his body was later recovered it was found surrounded by three dead Taliban.

Corporal Budd's conspicuous gallantry during these two engagements saved the lives of many of his colleagues. He acted in the full knowledge that the rest of his men had either been struck down or had been forced to go to ground. His determination to press home a single-handed assault against a superior enemy force despite his wounds stands out as a premeditated act of inspirational leadership and supreme valour. In recognition of this, Corporal Budd is awarded the Victoria Cross.

July 27 2021  Today a UK strike group replenished 25 tonne of store including F-35B spares and mail via helicopter from a fleet Aux vessel, to multiple Royal Navy and partner ships.

Today in Military History July 26

July 26  657  First Fitna: In the Battle of Siffin, troops led by Ali ibn Abu Talib clash with those led by Muawiyah I.

July 26  811  Battle of Pliska: Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I is killed and his heir Staurakios is seriously wounded.

July 26  920  Rout of an alliance of Christian troops from Navarre and Léon against the Muslims at the Battle of Valdejunquera.

July 26 1469  The Battle of Edgecote Moor,(Wars of the Roses) pitting the forces of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick against those of Edward IV of England, takes place.

July 26 1758  French and Indian War: The Siege of Louisbourg ends with British forces defeating the French and taking control of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

July 26 1814  The SwedishNorwegian War begins.

July 26 1822  First day of the three-day Battle of Dervenakia, between the Ottoman Empire force led by Mahmud Dramali Pasha and the Greek Revolutionary force led by Theodoros Kolokotronis.

July 26 1861  American Civil War: George B. McClellan assumes command of the Army of the Potomac following a disastrous Union defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run.

July 26 1863  American Civil War: Morgan's Raid ends; At Salineville, Ohio, Confederate cavalry leader John Hunt Morgan and 360 of his volunteers are captured by Union forces.

July 26 1882  Premiere of Richard Wagner's opera Parsifal at Bayreuth.

July 26 1877 For his actions this day Captain  Andrew Scott was awarded the Victoria Cross
 On 26 July 1877 at Quetta, British India, Captain Scott was on duty at the regimental parade ground in the evening when he heard that British officers were being killed and immediately rushed to the rescue. He found one lieutenant cut down and another hard pressed and wounded but being protected by a sepoy. Captain Scott bayoneted two of the assailants and closed with a third, who fell with him to the ground and was killed by the sepoys of the regiment. This action saved the life of the wounded lieutenant.


July 26 1891  France annexes Tahiti.

July 26 1891 For his action this day  Lieutenant Edmund William Costello was awarded the Victoria Cross

On 26 July 1897 at Malakand on the Indian Frontier, Lieutenant Costello went out from the hospital enclosure and with the assistance of two sepoys, brought in a wounded lance-havildar who was lying 60 yards away, in the open, on the football ground. This ground was at the time over-run with swordsmen and swept by a heavy fire from both the enemy and our own men who were holding the sapper lines



July 26 1897  Anglo-Afghan War: The Pashtun fakir Saidullah leads an army of more than 10,000 to begin a siege of the British garrison in the Malakand Agency of the North West Frontier Province of India.

 July 26 1918 Captain (acting Major) Edward Mannock,was killed in action and was awared the Victoria cross for his action that day and the previous few days.





His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the late Captain (acting Major) Edward Mannock, D.S.O., M.C., 85th Squadron Royal Air Force, in recognition of bravery of the first order in Aerial Combat:—
On the 17th June, 1918, he attacked a Halberstadt machine near Armentieres and destroyed it from a height of 8,000 feet.
On the 7th July, 1918, near Doulieu, he attacked and destroyed one Fokker (red-bodied) machine, which went vertically into the ground from a height of 1,500 feet. Shortly afterwards he ascended 1,000 feet and attacked another Fokker biplane, firing 60 rounds into it, which produced an immediate spin, resulting, it is believed, in a crash.
On the 14th July, 1918, near Merville, he attacked and crashed a Fokker from 7,000 feet, and brought a two-seater down damaged.
On the 19th July, 1918, near Merville, he fired 80 rounds into an Albatross two-seater, which went to the ground in flames.
On the 20th July, 1918, East of La Bassee, he attacked and crashed an enemy two-seater from a height of 10,000 feet.
About an hour afterwards he attacked at 8,000 feet a Fokker biplane near Steenwercke and drove it down out of control, emitting smoke.
On the 22nd July, 1918, near Armentieres, he destroyed an enemy triplane from a height of 10,000 feet.
Major Mannock was awarded the undermentioned distinctions for his previous combats in the air in France and Flanders: —
Military Cross. Gazetted 17th September, 1917.
Bar to Military Cross. Gazetted 18th October, 1917.
Distinguished Service Order. Gazetted 16^th September, 1918.
Bar to Distinguished Service Order (1st).  Gazetted 16th September, 1918.
Bar to Distinguished Service Order (2nd). Gazetted 3rd August, 1918.
This highly distinguished officer, during the whole of his career in the Royal Air Force, was an outstanding example of fearless courage, remarkable skill, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice, which has never been surpassed.
The total number of machines definitely accounted for by Major Mannock up to the date of his death in France (26th July, 1918) is fifty – the total specified in the Gazette of 3rd August, 1918, was incorrectly given as 48, instead of 41.




July 26 1936  Spanish Civil War: Germany and Italy decide to intervene in the war in support for Francisco Franco and the Nationalist faction.

July 26 1937  Spanish Civil War: End of the Battle of Brunete with the Nationalist victory.

July 26 1941  World War II: In response to the Japanese occupation of French Indochina, the United States, Britain and the Netherlands freeze all Japanese assets and cut off oil shipments.

July 26 1944  World War II: The Red Army enters Lviv, a major city in western Ukraine, capturing it from the Nazis. Only 300 Jews survive out of 160,000 living in Lviv prior to occupation.

July 26 1945  World War II: The Potsdam Declaration is signed in Potsdam, Germany.

July 26 1945  World War II: HMS Vestal is the last British Royal Navy ship to be sunk in the war.

July 26 1945  World War II: The USS Indianapolis arrives at Tinian with components and enriched uranium for the Little Boy nuclear bomb.

July 26 1953  Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment repel a number of Chinese assaults against a key position known as The Hook during the Battle of the Samichon River, just hours before the Armistice Agreement is signed, ending the Korean War.

July 26 1968  Vietnam War: South Vietnamese opposition leader Trương Đình Dzu is sentenced to five years hard labor for advocating the formation of a coalition government as a way to move toward an end to the war.

July 26 1994  Turkish air force bombs Kurds, struggle in Iraq, 70 killed

July 26 1999  USSR performs underground nuclear Test

July 26 1999  Fighting ceases between India and Pakistan in the Kargil War, Kashmir, after two months of fighting
   

Today in Military History July 25

July 25 306  Constantine I is proclaimed Roman emperor by his troops.

July 25 677  Climax of the Siege of Thessalonica by the Slavs in a three-day assault on the city walls.

July 25 864  The Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald orders defensive measures against the Vikings.

July 25 1139  Battle of Ourique: The Almoravids, led by Ali ibn Yusuf, are defeated by Prince Afonso Henriques who is proclaimed King of Portugal.

July 25 1261  The city of Constantinople is recaptured by Nicaean forces under the command of Alexios Strategopoulos, re-establishing the Byzantine Empire.

July 25 278  The naval Battle of Algeciras takes place in the context of the Spanish Reconquista resulting in a victory for the Emirate of Granada and the Maranid Dynasty over the Kingdom of Castile.

July 25 1467  The Battle of Molinella: The first battle in Italy in which firearms are used extensively.

July 25 1722  Dummer's War begins along the Maine-Massachusetts border.

July 25 1759  French and Indian War: In Western New York, British forces capture Fort Niagara from the French, who subsequently abandon Fort Rouillé.

July 25 1783  American Revolutionary War: The war's last action, the Siege of Cuddalore, is ended by a preliminary peace agreement.

July 25 1797  Horatio Nelson loses more than 300 men and his right arm during the failed conquest attempt of Tenerife (Spain).

July 25 1799  At Abu Qir in Egypt, Napoleon I of France defeats 10,000 Ottomans under Mustafa Pasha.

July 25 1814  War of 1812: An American attack on Canada is repulsed.

July 25 1824  Costa Rica annexes Guanacaste from Nicaragua.

July 25 1861  American Civil War: The United States Congress passes the CrittendenJohnson Resolution, stating that the war is being fought to preserve the Union and not to end slavery.

July 25 1894  The First Sino-Japanese War begins when the Japanese fire upon a Chinese warship.

July 25 1898  In the Puerto Rican Campaign, the United States seizes Puerto Rico from Spain.
  

July 25 1915  RFC Captain Lanoe Hawker becomes the first British pursuit aviator to earn the Victoria Cross for his actions this day.  Wikipedia

July 25 1916  For his actions this day  Thomas Cooke was awarded the Victoria Cross

For most conspicuous bravery. After a Lewis gun had been disabled, he was ordered to take his gun and gun-team to a dangerous part of the line. Here he did fine work, but came under very heavy fire, with the result that finally he was the only man left. He still stuck to his post, and continued to fire his gun. When assistance was sent he was found dead beside his gun. He set a splendid example of determination and devotion to duty
(Wikipedia)


   
July 25 1940  General Henri Guisan orders the Swiss Army to resist German invasion and makes surrender illegal.

July 25 1943  World War II: Benito Mussolini is forced out of office by the Grand Council of Fascism and is replaced by Pietro Badoglio.

July 25 1944  World War II: Operation Spring is one of the bloodiest days for the First Canadian Army during the war.

July 25 1946  Nuclear weapons testing: Operation Crossroads: An atomic bomb is detonated underwater in the lagoon of Bikini Atoll.

July 25 1969  Vietnam War: U.S. President Richard Nixon declares the Nixon Doctrine, stating that the United States now expects its Asian allies to take care of their own military defense. This is the start of the "Vietnamization" of the war.

July 25 1993  Israel launches a massive attack against Lebanon in what the Israelis call Operation Accountability, and the Lebanese call the Seven-Day War.

July 25 1996  In a military coup in Burundi, Pierre Buyoya deposes Sylvestre Ntibantunganya.
   

Today in Military History July 24th

July 24 1132 Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily.

July 24 1148 Louis VII of France lays siege to Damascus during the Second Crusade.

July 24 1304 Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle: King Edward I of England takes
the stronghold using the War Wolf.
 
July 24 1411 Battle of Harlaw, one of the bloodiest battles in Scotland, takes place.

July 24 1814 War of 1812: General Phineas Riall advances toward the Niagara River to halt Jacob Brown's American invaders.

July 24 1823 In Maracaibo, Venezuela, the naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo takes place, where Admiral José Prudencio Padilla defeats the Spanish Navy, thus culminating the independence for the Gran Colombia.

July 24 1864 American Civil War: Battle of Kernstown: Confederate General Jubal Early defeats Union troops led by General George Crook in an effort to keep them out of the Shenandoah Valley.

July 24 1900 HOWSE Neville Reginald was awarded the Victoria cross for his actions this day. 

During the action at Vredefort, South Africa, Howse saw a trumpeter fall, and went through very heavy cross-fire to rescue the man. His horse was soon shot from under him, but he continued on foot, reached the casualty, dressed his wound, and then carried him to safety. For this action, Howse was awarded the Victoria Cross
(Wikipedia)

July 24 1918  On this day     Richard Charles Travis   was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross


For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During 'surprise' operations it was necessary to destroy an impassable wire block. Serjt. Travis, regardless of personal danger, volunteered for this duty. Before zero hour, in broad daylight and in close proximity to enemy posts he crawled out and successfully destroyed the block with bombs, thus enabling the attacking parties to pass through. A few minutes later a bombing party on the right of the attack was held up by two enemy machine guns, and the success of the whole operation was in danger. Perceiving this Serjt. Travis with great gallantry and utter disregard of danger, rushed the position, killed the crews and captured the guns. An enemy officer and three men immediately rushed at him from a bend in the trench and attempted to retake the guns. These four he killed single handed, thus allowing the bombing party on which much depended to advance. The success of the operation was almost entirely due to the heroic work of this gallant N.C.O. and the vigour with which he made and used opportunities for inflicting casualties on the enemy. He was killed 24 hours later when, in a most intense bombardment prior to an enemy counter-attack, he was going from post to post encouraging the men.
— The London Gazette, No. 30922, 24 September 1918

(Wikipedia) 

July 24 1920 For his actions this day Captain George Stuart Henderson was awarded the Victoria Cross

The late Captain George Stuart Henderson, D.S.O., M.C:, 2nd Bn., Manchester Regt. For most conspicuous bravery and self sacrifice. On the evening of the 24th July, 1920, when about fifteen miles from Hillah (Mesopotamia), the Company under his command was ordered to retire. After proceeding about 500 yards a large party of Arabs suddenly opened fire from the flank, causing the Company to split up and waver. Regardless of all danger, Capt. Henderson at once reorganised the Company, led them gallantly to the attack and drove off the enemy. On two further occasions this officer led his men to charge the Arabs with the bayonet and forced them to retire. At one time, wnen the situation was extremely critical and tihe troops and transport were getting out of hand, Capt. Henderson, by sheer pluck and coolness,, steadied his command prevented the Company from being cut up and saved the situation. During the second charge he fell wounded, but refused to leave his command, and just as the Company reached the trench they were making for he was again wounded. Realising that he could do no more, he asked one of his N.C.O.'s to hold him up on the embankment, saying, "I'm, done now, don't let them beat you." He died fighting
(Wikipedia) 

July 24 1910 The Ottoman Empire captures the city of Shkodër, putting down the Albanian Revolt of
1910.

July 24 1943 World War II: Operation Gomorrah begins: British and Canadian aeroplanes bomb Hamburg by night, and American planes bomb the city by day. By the end of the operation in November, 9,000 tons of explosives will have killed more than 30,000 people and destroyed 280,000 buildings.

July 24 1945  For his actions this day Frank John Partridge was awarded the Victoria Cross

On 24 July, in one of the last actions of the campaign on Bougainville, two platoons of the 8th Battalion attacked a Japanese post, Base 5, near Ratsua. Partridge's section came under heavy machine-gun fire and suffered severe casualties, including a Bren gunner who was killed. Although wounded in the arm and leg, Partridge retrieved the Bren gun and began shooting at the nearest bunker while under fire himself. He then rushed forward armed with a grenade and a knife, silenced the Japanese machine-gun with his grenade, and killed the only living occupant of the bunker with his knife. Partridge attacked the second until loss of blood compelled him to halt. Later he re-joined the fight and remained in action while the platoon withdrew.




   

Today in Military History July 23

July 23 1319  A Knights Hospitaller fleet scores a crushing victory over an Aydinid fleet off Chios.

July 23 1677  Scanian War: Denmark–Norway captures the harbor town of Marstrand from Sweden.

July 23 1793  Kingdom of Prussia re-conquers Mainz from France.

July 23 1862  American Civil War: Henry Halleck takes command of the Union Army.

July 23 1916 For his actions this day the then second lieutenant  Arthur Blackburn received the Victoria Cross

For most conspicuous bravery. He was directed with fifty men to drive the enemy from a strong point. By dogged determination he eventually captured their trench after personally leading four separate parties of bombers against it, many of whom became casualties. In the face of fierce opposition he captured 250 yards of trench. Then, after crawling forward with a Serjeant to reconnoitre, he returned, attacked and seized another 120 yards of trench, establishing communication with the battalion on his left.

— The London Gazette, 8 September 1916

July 23 1916  For his actions this day Private John Leak received the Victoria Cross

For most conspicuous bravery. He was one of a party which finally captured an enemy strong point. At one assault, when the enemy's bombs were outranging ours, Private Leak jumped out of the trench, ran forward under heavy machine-gun fire, and threw three bombs into the enemy's bombing post. He then jumped into the post and bayoneted three unwounded enemy bombers. Later, when the enemy in overwhelming numbers was driving his party back, he was always the last to withdraw at each stage, and kept on throwing bombs. His courage and energy had such an effect on the enemy that, on the arrival of reinforcements, the whole trench was recaptured.

— The London Gazette, September 1916

July 23 1942  World War II: The German offensives Operation Edelweiss and Operation Braunschweig begin.

July 23 1943  World War II: The British destroyers HMS Eclipse and HMS Laforey sink the Italian submarine Ascianghi in the Mediterranean after she torpedoes the cruiser HMS Newfoundland.

July 23 1962 The Geneva Conference on Laos forbids the United States to invade eastern Laos

More from Wikipedia

July 23 1974  The Greek military junta collapses, and former Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis is invited to lead the new government, beginning Greece's metapolitefsi era.
   

Russian Frigate Destroys Incoming anti ship Missiles

Watch as Russian Frigate destroys incoming anti ship Missiles in a drill, Footage released by the Defense Ministry.





Full story can be read at RT

Today In Military History July 22

July 22 838  Battle of Anzen: The Byzantine emperor Theophilos suffers a heavy defeat by the Abbasids.

July 22 1099  First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Jerusalem.

July 22 1209  Massacre at Béziers: The first major military action of the Albigensian Crusade.

July 22 1298  Wars of Scottish Independence: Battle of Falkirk: King Edward I of England and his longbowmen defeat William Wallace and his Scottish schiltrons outside the town of Falkirk.

July 22 1443  Battle of St. Jakob an der Sihl in the Old Zürich War.

July 22 1456  Ottoman wars in Europe: Siege of Belgrade: John Hunyadi, Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary, defeats Mehmet II of the Ottoman Empire

July 22 1484  Battle of Lochmaben Fair: A 500-man raiding party led by Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany and James Douglas, 9th Earl of Douglas are defeated by Scots forces loyal to Albany's brother James III of Scotland; Douglas is captured.

July 22 1499  Battle of Dornach: The Swiss decisively defeat the army of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor.

July 22 1797  Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Battle between Spanish and British naval forces during the French Revolutionary Wars. During the Battle, Rear-Admiral Nelson is wounded in the arm and the arm had to be partially amputated.

July 22 1805  Napoleonic Wars: War of the Third Coalition: Battle of Cape Finisterre: An inconclusive naval action is fought between a combined French and Spanish fleet under Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve of Spain and a British fleet under Admiral Robert Calder.

July 22 1812  Napoleonic Wars: Peninsular War: Battle of Salamanca: British forces led by Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) defeat French troops near Salamanca, Spain.


July 22 1864  American Civil War: Battle of Atlanta: Outside Atlanta, Confederate General John Bell Hood leads an unsuccessful attack on Union troops under General William T. Sherman on Bald Hill.

July 22 1942 For his action this day Private Arthur Stanley Gurney received the Victoria Cross

No.WX.9858 Private Arthur Stanley Gurney, Australian Military Forces. For gallant and unselfish bravery in silencing enemy machine-gun posts by bayonet assault at Tell El Eisa on 22 July 1942, thus allowing his Company to continue the advance.
During an attack on strong German positions in the early morning of 22 July 1942, the Company to which Private Gurney belonged was held up by intense machine-gun fire from posts less than 100 yards ahead, heavy casualties being inflicted on our troops, all the officers being killed or wounded.
Grasping the seriousness of the situation and without hesitation, Private Gurney charged the nearest enemy machine-gun post, bayoneted three men and silenced the post. He then continued on to a second post, bayoneted two men and sent out a third as a prisoner. At this stage a stick grenade was thrown at Private Gurney which knocked him to the ground. He rose again, picked up his rifle and charged a third post using the bayonet with great vigor. He then disappeared from view, and later his body was found in an enemy post.
By this single-handed act of gallantry in the face of a determined enemy, Private Gurney enabled his Company to press forward to its objective, inflicting heavy losses upon the enemy. The successful outcome of this engagement was almost entirely due to Private Gurney's heroism at the moment when it was needed.

His VC citation appears in the London Gazette of Tuesday 8 September 1942. 

Wikipedia

July 22 1942  The Holocaust in Poland: The systematic deportation of Jews from the Warsaw ghetto begins.

July 22 1943  World War II: Allied forces capture Palermo during the Allied invasion of Sicily.

July 22 1943  World War II: Axis occupation forces violently disperse a massive protest in Athens, killing 22.

July 22 2003  Members of 101st Airborne of the United States, aided by Special Forces, attack a compound in Iraq, killing Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay, along with Mustapha Hussein, Qusay's 14-year-old son, and a bodyguard.
   

Today in Military History July 21

July 21 1242   Battle of Taillebourg: Louis IX of France puts an end to the revolt of his vassals Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan.

July 21 1403  Battle of Shrewsbury: King Henry IV of England defeats rebels to the north of the county town of Shropshire, England.

July 21 1545  The first landing of French troops on the coast of the Isle of Wight during the French invasion of the Isle of Wight.

July 21 1568  Eighty Years' War: Battle of Jemmingen: Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva defeats Louis of Nassau.

July 21 1656  The Raid on Málaga takes place during the Anglo-Spanish War.

July 21 1774  Russo-Turkish War (1768–74): Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca ending the war.

July 21 1798  French campaign in Egypt and Syria: Napoleon's forces defeat an Ottoman-Mamluk army near Cairo in the Battle of the Pyramids.

July 21 1861  American Civil War: First Battle of Bull Run: At Manassas Junction, Virginia, the first major battle of the war begins and ends in a victory for the Confederate army.

July 21  1944  World War II: Battle of Guam: American troops land on Guam, starting a battle that will end on August 10.

July 21 1944  World War II: Claus von Stauffenberg and fellow conspirators are tortured and executed in Berlin, Germany, for the July 20 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

July 21 1954  First Indochina War: The Geneva Conference partitions Vietnam into North Vietnam and South Vietnam.

July 21 1977  The start of the four-day-long Libyan–Egyptian War.

July 21 1979  Jay Silverheels, a Mohawk actor, becomes the first Native American to have a star commemorated in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[3]

July 21 1990  Taiwan's military police forces mainland Chinese illegal immigrants into sealed holds of a fishing boat Min Ping Yu No. 5540 for repatriation to Fujian, causing 25 people to die from suffocation.[4]

July 21 1995  Third Taiwan Strait Crisis: The People's Liberation Army begins firing missiles into the waters north of Taiwan.

Drone with fireworks strapped to it is found on DTLA buildin

Drone with fireworks strapped to it is found on Building

A drone with fireworks attached was found on a roof in Los AngelesPolice and the bomb squad where called.

Full story https://abc7.com/drone-with-fireworks-strapped-to-it-is-found-on-dtla-building/5401910/

Today in Military History July 19

July 19 711  Umayyad conquest of Hispania: Battle of Guadalete: Umayyad forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by King Roderic.

July 19 939  Battle of Simancas: King Ramiro II of León defeats the Moorish army under Caliph Abd-al-Rahman III near the city of Simancas.

July 19 998  ArabByzantine wars: Battle of Apamea: Fatimids defeat a Byzantine army near Apamea.

July 19 1333  Wars of Scottish Independence: Battle of Halidon Hill: The English win a decisive victory over the Scots.

July 19 1544  Italian War of 154246: The first Siege of Boulogne begins.

July 19 1545  The Tudor warship Mary Rose sinks off Portsmouth; in 1982 the wreck is salvaged in one of the most complex and expensive projects in the history of maritime archaeology.

July 19 1588  Anglo-Spanish War: Battle of Gravelines: The Spanish Armada is sighted in the English Channel.

July 19 1702  Great Northern War: A numerically superior Polish-Saxon army of Augustus II the Strong, operating from an advantageous defensive position, is defeated by a Swedish army half its size under the command of King Charles XII in the Battle of Klissow.

July 19 1863  American Civil War: Morgan's Raid: At Buffington Island in Ohio, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's raid into the north is mostly thwarted when a large group of his men are captured while trying to escape across the Ohio River.

July 19 1864  Taiping Rebellion: Third Battle of Nanking: The Qing dynasty finally defeats the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

July 19 1870  Franco-Prussian War: France declares war on Prussia.

July 19 1916  World War I: Battle of Fromelles: British and Australian troops attack German trenches as part of the Battle of the Somme.

July 19 1940  World War II: Battle of Cape Spada: The Royal Navy and the Regia Marina clash; the Italian light cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni sinks, with 121 casualties.

July 19 1940  Field Marshal Ceremony: First occasion in World War II, that Hitler appointed field marshals due to military achievements.

July 19 1940  World War II: Army order 112 forms the Intelligence Corps of the British Army.

July 19 1942  World War II: The Second Happy Time of Hitler's submarines comes to an end, as the increasingly effective American convoy system compels them to return to the central Atlantic.

July 19 1943  World War II: Rome is heavily bombed by more than 500 Allied aircraft, inflicting thousands of casualties.
 
July 19 1961  Tunisia imposes a blockade on the French naval base at Bizerte; the French would capture the entire town four days later.

July 19 1972  Dhofar Rebellion: British SAS units help the Omani government against Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman rebels in the Battle of Mirbat.

July 19 1997  The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army resumes a ceasefire to end their 25-year paramilitary campaign to end British rule in Northern Ireland.

Today in Military History July 18

 July 18 477 BC Battle of the Cremera as part of the Roman Etruscan Wars. Veii ambushes and defeats the Roman army.

 July 18 390 BC Roman-Gaulish Wars: Battle of the Allia: A Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, leading to the subsequent sacking of Rome.

 July 18 362 Roman Persian Wars: Emperor Julian arrives at Antioch with a Roman expeditionary force (60,000 men) and stays there for nine months to launch a campaign against the Persian Empire.

 July 18 452 Sack of Aquileia: After an earlier defeat on the Catalaunian Plains, Attila lays siege to the metropolis of Aquileia and eventually destroys it.

 July 18 645 Chinese forces under general Li Shiji besiege the strategic fortress city of Anshi (Liaoning) during the Goguryeo Tang War.

 July 18 1195 Battle of Alarcos: Almohad forces defeat the Castilian army of Alfonso VIII and force its retreat to Toledo.

 July 18 1389 France and England agree to the Truce of Leulinghem, inaugurating a 13-year peace, the longest period of sustained peace during the Hundred Years' War.

 July 18 1391 Tokhtamysh Timur war: Battle of the Kondurcha River: Timur defeats Tokhtamysh of the Golden Horde in present-day southeast Russia.

 July 18 1630 Spanish troops occupy Mantua

 July 18 1656 Battle at Warsaw: Swedish King Charles X Gustav beats John II Casimir and occupies Warsaw

 July 18 1737 Battle at Banja Luka: Turkish army beats Austrians

 July 18 1806 A gunpowder magazine explosion in Birgu, Malta, kills around 200 people.

 July 18 1812 The Treaties of Orebro end both the Anglo-Russian and Anglo-Swedish Wars.

 July 18 1857 Louis Faidherbe, French governor of Senegal, arrives to relieve French forces at Kayes, effectively ending El Hajj Umar Tall's war against the French.

18th of July, 1857   Richard Wadeson  For conspicuous bravery at Delhi on the 18th of July, 1857, when the Regiment was engaged in the Subjee Mundee, in having saved the life of Private Michael Farrell, when attached by a Sowar of the enemy's Cavalry, and killing the Sowar. Also, on the same day, for rescuing Private John Barry, of the same Regiment, when, wounded and helpless, he was attacked by a Cavalry Sowar, whom Lieutenant Wadeson killed.

 July 18 1861 Battle of Blackburn's Ford, Virginia

 July 18 1862 Battle of Newburgh, Indiana - captured by Union forces

 July 18 1863 American Civil War: Second Battle of Fort Wagner: One of the first formal African American military units, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, supported by several white regiments, attempts an unsuccessful assault on Confederate-held Battery Wagner.

 July 18 1863 Battle of Fort Wagner, South Carolina - Second assault

 July 18 1907 French troops occupy Casablanca

 July 18 1914 US army air service 1st comes into being, in Signal Corps

 July 18 1915 Second Battle of Isonzo begins and ends with over 80,000 casualties

July 18 1916   William Frederick Faulds VC for his actions on 18 July 1916 at Delville Wood, France.

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. A bombing party under Lieut. Craig attempted to rush across 40 yards of ground which lay between the British and enemy trenches. Coming under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire the officer and the majority of the party were killed or wounded.

Unable to move, Lieut. Craig lay midway between the two lines of trench, the ground being quite open.

"In full daylight Pte. Faulds, accompanied by two other men, climbed over the parapet, ran out, picked up the officer, and carried him back, one man being severely wounded in so doing.

Two days later Private Faulds again showed most conspicuous bravery in going out alone to bring in a wounded man, and carrying him nearly half a mile to a dressing-station, subsequently rejoining his platoon. The artillery fire was at the time so intense that stretcher-bearers and others considered that any attempt to bring in the wounded men meant certain death. This risk Private Faulds faced unflinchingly, and his bravery was crowned with success

July 18 1942 World War II: During the Beisfjord massacre in Norway, 15 Norwegian paramilitary guards help members of the SS to kill 288 political prisoners from Yugoslavia.

 July 18 1942 The Germans test fly the Messerschmitt Me 262 using its jet engines for the first time.

 July 18 1944 World War II: Hideki Tōjō resigns as Prime Minister of Japan because of numerous setbacks in the war effort.

 July 18 1944 Operation Goodwood: British assault east of Caen

 July 18 1944 Allies air raid railways at Vaires, Paris

 July 18 1944 RAF Mosquitos attack Cologne and Berlin

 July 18 1944 British air raid on German convoy SW of Heligoland

 July 18 1944 British troops occupy Bourquebus hill range, Normandy

 July 18 1944 Polish troops under General Anders occupy Ancona Italy

 July 18 1944 US troop march into St Lo

 July 18 1947 British seize "Exodus 1947" ship of Jewish immigrants to Palestine

 July 18 1960 1st UN troops reach Congo

 July 18 1972 The 100th British soldier to die in the Northern Ireland "troubles" is shot by a sniper in Belfast

 July 18 1996 Battle of Mullaitivu: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam capture the Sri Lanka Army's base, killing over 1200 soldiers.

Today in Military History July 17

July 17  1203  The Fourth Crusade captures Constantinople by assault. The Byzantine emperor Alexios III Angelos flees from his capital into exile.

July 17 1429  Hundred Years' War: Charles VII of France is crowned the King of France in the Reims Cathedral after a successful campaign by Joan of Arc

 July 17 1453  Battle of Castillon: The last battle of Hundred Years' War, the French under Jean Bureau defeat the English under the Earl of Shrewsbury, who is killed in the battle in Gascony.

 July 17 1791  Members of the French National Guard under the command of General Lafayette open fire on a crowd of radical Jacobins at the Champ de Mars, Paris, during the French Revolution, killing scores of people.

July 17 1936  Spanish Civil War: An Armed Forces rebellion against the recently elected leftist Popular Front government of Spain starts the civil war.

July 17 1944  World War II: At Sainte-Foy-de-Montgommery.[1] in Normandy Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was strafed by allied aircraft while returning to his headquarters.

 17 July 1944 Aberdonian John Alexander Cruickshank was awarded the VC. 

The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery: —

Flying Officer John Alexander CRUICKSHANK (126700), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. No. 210 Squadron.

This officer was the captain and pilot of a Catalina flying boat which was recently engaged on an anti-submarine patrol over northern waters. When a U-boat was sighted on the surface, Flying Officer Cruickshank at once turned to the attack. In the face of fierce anti-aircraft fire he manoeuvred into position and ran in to release his depth charges. Unfortunately they failed to drop.

Flying Officer Cruickshank knew that the failure of this attack had deprived him of the advantage of surprise and that his aircraft offered a good target to the enemy's determined and now heartened gunners.

Without hesitation, he climbed and turned to come in again. The Catalina was met by intense and accurate fire and was repeatedly hit. The navigator/bomb aimer, was killed. The second pilot and two other members of the crew were injured. Flying Officer Cruickshank was struck in seventy-two places, receiving two serious wounds in the lungs and ten – penetrating wounds in the lower limbs. His aircraft was badly damaged and filled with the fumes of exploding shells. But he did not falter. He pressed home his attack, and released the depth charges himself, straddling the submarine perfectly. The U-boat was sunk.

He then collapsed and the second pilot took over the controls. He recovered shortly afterwards and, though bleeding profusely, insisted on resuming command and retaining it until he was satisfied that the damaged aircraft was under control, that a course had been set for base and that all the necessary signals had been sent. Only then would he consent to receive medical aid and have his wounds attended to. He refused morphia in case it might prevent him from carrying on.

During the next five and a half hours of the return flight he several times lapsed into unconsciousness owing to loss of blood. When he came to his first thought on each occasion was for the safety of his aircraft and crew. The damaged aircraft eventually reached base but it was clear that an immediate landing would be a hazardous task for the wounded and less experienced second pilot. Although able to breathe only with the greatest difficulty, Flying Officer Cruickshank insisted on being carried forward and propped up in the second pilot's seat. For a full hour, in spite of his agony and ever-increasing weakness, he gave orders as necessary, refusing to allow the aircraft to be brought down until the conditions of light and sea made this possible without undue risk.

With his assistance the aircraft was safely landed on the water. He then directed the taxying and beaching of the aircraft so that it could easily be salvaged. When the medical officer went on board, Flying Officer Cruickshank collapsed and he had to be given a blood transfusion before he could be removed to hospital.

By pressing home the second attack in his gravely wounded condition and continuing his exertions on the return journey with his strength failing all the time, he seriously prejudiced his chance of survival even if the aircraft safely reached its base. Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Service.

 "No. 36682". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 August 1944. p. 4073

 
July 17 1945  World War II: The main three leaders of the Allied nations, Winston Churchill, Harry S. Truman and Joseph Stalin, meet in the German city of Potsdam to decide the future of a defeated Germany.

July 17 1962  Nuclear weapons testing: The "Small Boy" test shot Little Feller I becomes the last atmospheric test detonation at the Nevada National Security Site.
    1989  First flight of the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.