Daily military history tweets.
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Military History Now retweeted
#OnThisDay 90 yrs ago in 1936 @RoyalNavy
removed the Cutlass from sailors landed for service. It would still be retained for ceremonial duties and is still held by some ships and establishments for this purpose. It would however not be it's last operational use.
Today in 1978, jets from the carrier USS Ranger accidentally drop 32 bombs on the desert town of Wonder Valley, California. No one is hurt although one local, James Wheeler, and his son are nearly struck. "We saw those planes coming closer so we got out of there." Via @SquidInTheBrig
Today in 1962, President Kennedy announces a “quarantine” of Cuba following the discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles on the island. By not calling it a "blockade," which would have implied a state of war, the language gives both sides space to seek a diplomatic resolution.
“Don’t disturb my circles!” Archimedes supposedly says this to a Roman soldier just seconds before being slain during the fall of Syracuse. It reportedly happened on this day — Oct. 22 — in the year 212 BC.
On this day in 1904, warships from Russia's Baltic Fleet en route to the Far East mistake British fishing trawlers in the North Sea for Japanese torpedo boats and open fire. Britain comes close to declaring war over what becomes known as the Dogger Bank Incident.
A Ukrainian soldier serving in Iraq in 2003. Ukraine deployed more than 6,000 troops to the U.S.-led Operation Iraqi Freedom; 18 were killed and 40 were wounded.
The 8th New York State Militia in camp at Arlington, Virginia. Photograph by Matthew Brady, June 1861.
RIGHT NOW in 1805, British warships led by HMS Victory are in action against a combined French & Spanish fleet off Cape Trafalgar. The cannonade is so furious it can be heard 50 miles away on the steps of Cadiz cathedral.
On this day in 1944, American troops capture Aachen after 39 days of street fighting. The ancient Frankish capital, which has been called the "cradle of Europe," is the first city inside the borders of Germany to fall to the Allies.
RIGHT NOW in 1805, Horatio Nelson signals the British fleet sailing into battle at Trafalgar: "England expects every man to do his duty."
Today in 1805, the Royal Navy defeats a combined French-Spanish fleet off Cape Trafalgar. The triumph is decisive yet costly; during the fighting, Britain's best admiral, Horatio Nelson, is fatally wounded on the quarterdeck of his flagship, HMS Victory.
On this day in 1944, Douglas MacArthur lands at Leyte after being driven out of the Philippines two-and-a-half years earlier. "I have returned!" he declares.
On this day in 1827, a combined French, British and Russian fleet defeats the Ottoman navy at Navarino. It's the last major sea battle in history fought entirely by sail-powered warships.
Military History Now retweeted
Over 5,000 Ukrainians fought in Iraq, helping us to fight our war there. army.mil/article/15056/ukrai…
.@POTUS: "We've given a lot to Ukraine. They've given nothing to us. Remember that."
BTW - If you're interested in Napoleon's Russia campaign and the typhus epidemic that spread through the Grande Armée in the summer and fall of 1812, check out the book 'The Illustrious Dead — The Terrifying Story of How Typhus Killed Napoleon's Greatest Army'
by Stephan Talty
Today in 1864, Confederate raiders riding out of Canada rob a bank in St. Albans, Vermont. The northernmost land action of the U.S. Civil War, it's a futile attempt by the collapsing rebellion to divert Union forces from the frontlines.
On this day in 1781, the British surrender at Yorktown. Cornwallis requests that his 8,000 redcoats be granted the honour of marching out from their defences with flags unfurled. Washington says no. Citing illness, the British general refuses to attend the surrender ceremony.
Today in 1914, British, French & Belgian troops engage the German army at the First Battle of Ypres. It marks the first major clash following the stabilization of the front lines and the beginning of the trench warfare phase of the conflict. Each side loses roughly 130,000 men.
Today in 1812, Napoleon's Grande Armée abandons Moscow and begins what will become a hellish two-month retreat from Russia. More than 650,000 troops invaded the country in June; by December, fewer than 100,000 remain. Combat, disease, famine and bitter cold claim the most lives.
