On This Day in Military History 7 February

 457 Leo I becomes the Eastern Roman emperor  W

1783 The Siege of Gibraltar was  lifted W

1842 Battle of Debre Tabor: Ras Ali Alula, Regent of the Emperor of Ethiopia defeats warlord Wube Haile Maryam of Semien. W

1863 HMS Orpheus sinks off the coast of Auckland. W

1900 Second Boer War: British troops fail in their third attempt to lift the Siege of Ladysmith. W

1941

On 7 February 1941 at Keren, Eritrea, Subadar Richhpal Ram led a successful attack on the enemy and subsequently repelled six counter-attacks and then, without a shot left, brought the few survivors of his company back. Five days later, when leading another attack, his right foot was blown off, but he continued to encourage his men until he died.

The official citation for the award, published in The London Gazette on 4 July 1941 reads:

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned: —
Subadar Richpal Ram, 6th Rajputana Rifles, Indian Army.
During the assault on enemy positions in front of Keren, Eritrea, on the night of 7-8th February, 1941, Subadar Richpal Ram, who was second-in-command of a leading company, insisted on accompanying the forward platoon and led its attack on the first objective with great dash and gallantry. His company commander being then wounded, he assumed command of the company, and led the attack of the remaining two platoons to the final objective. In face of heavy fire, some thirty men with this officer at their head rushed the objective with the bayonet and captured it. The party was completely isolated, but under the inspiring leadership of Subadar Richpal Ram, it beat back six enemy counter-attacks between midnight and 0430 hours. By now, ammunition had run out, and this officer extricated his command and fought his way back to his battalion with a handful of survivors through the surrounding enemy.
Again, in the attack on the same position on 12th February, this officer led the attack of his company. He pressed on fearlessly and determinedly in the face of heavy and accurate fire, and by his personal example inspired his company with his resolute spirit until his right foot was blown off. He then suffered further wounds from which he died. While lying wounded he continued to wave his men on, and his final words were " We'll capture the objective ".
The heroism, determination and devotion to duty shown by this officer were beyond praise, and provided an inspiration to all who saw him.  

W

 1943 Imperial Japanese Navy forces complete the evacuation of Imperial Japanese Army troops from Guadalcanal during Operation Ke W

1944 In Anzio, Italy, German forces launch a counteroffensive during the Allied Operation Shingle. W

1951 Korean War: More than 700 suspected communist sympathizers are massacred by South Korean forces. W

1963 A Hawker P1127 made the first touch and go  VTOL ever on HMS Ark Royal.