eagle day day operation eagle attack military operation nazi_germany luftwaffe german air_force destroy british royal_air_force raf june allies defeated western_europe scandinavia come terms germany britain rejected negotiated peace battle britain hitler gave german armed forces directive directive ordered provisional preparations invasion britain operation operation sea lion carried air superiority air supremacy required luftwaffe destroy raf order prevent attacking invasion fleet providing protection royal_navy home_fleet attempt prevent landing sea august hitler gave luftwaffe commander chief empire marshal der luftwaffe high command air_force directive launch air assault essential target raf fighter command service destruction deny british air superiority asset july early august germans preparations date assault postponed times bad weather eventually carried august german attacks august inflicted significant damage casualties ground marred poor intelligence communication significant impression fighter command ability defend british air space promised hitler achieve results required days worst weeks meant beginning end raf fighter command following operations failed destroy raf gain necessary local air superiority result operation sea lion postponed indefinitely background strategic overview declaration war nazi_germany britain france aftermath german invasion poland months stalemate took place western polish campaign october planners der luftwaffe luftwaffe high command der supreme command armed forces turned western_europe german offensive named operation yellow known plan began west central campaign battle france ended allied defeat destruction main french army forces british expeditionary force escaped battle captured paris june overran france french surrendered june western_europe turned attention britain home allied base operations europe hitler hoped britain negotiate armistice prepared offer generous terms tentative offers hitler rejected churchill coalition government hitler ordered luftwaffe kriegsmarine prepare amphibious assault britain operation luftwaffe eliminate enemy air power kriegsmarine ordered necessary preparations transporting army english channel luftwaffe task came raf rendered hitler hoped invasion unnecessary proved case luftwaffe support army prevent royal_navy german sea traffic named offensive raf operation eagle attack background early battles losses spring campaign weakened luftwaffe battle britain service forced wait reached acceptable levels main assault raf phase german air offensive took place english channel rarely involved attacks raf airfields inland encouraged raf units engage battle attacking british channel convoys operations august attacks shipping successful long tons sunk laying aircraft proved profitable sinking long tons impact fighter command minimal lost fighter pilots killed missing wounded july strength rose august date short pilots second phase attacks shipping coastal airfields radar stations south london attacked august luftwaffe gradually increased frequency attacks german bombers raided targets far north liverpool night hours major raid inland raf airfields came august raf radar stations dover destroyed portsmouth docks targeted results raids mixed radar station badly damaged targeted damaged destroyed working order following morning attacks harbour raf stations failed destroy fully working order end day action following morning unknown german intelligence operational station sort intelligence contributed failure germans achieved degree success belief having considerable effect fighter command prepared launch assault raf following day august german air strength reached acceptable levels bringing rates luftwaffe began percent bomber force percent units percent units operational luftwaffe preparations intelligence faulty intelligence component responsible failure gap british germans wide regard british starting gain decisive lead intelligence breaking machine poor luftwaffe signals discipline allowed british easy access german communications traffic impact ultra battle britain matter dispute official histories claiming direct impact truth ultra service particular gave british increasingly accurate picture german order battle deployments joseph commander luftwaffe military intelligence branch chief time reports series errors july strengths luftwaffe raf mistakes concerning radar airfield identification production sites asserted number operational airfields southern england severely limited estimated british produce fighters month true figure figure decrease indicating raf sustain long battle attrition claimed command levels rigid fighters tied home bases list failed mention raf maintenance organisation operations damaged aircraft rapid effect anticipated short battle failed mention radar lack sustained concentrated attacks radar left free help direct deployment raf units moments continued warnings incoming raids crucial benefit fighter command luftwaffe poor intelligence type raf airfields repeated errors airfields fighter command bases turned belong raf coastal command raf bomber command targets luftwaffe list destroyed impaired fighter command targets order battle following targets chosen attack august raf preparations detection british defence complex infrastructure detection command control ran battle system chief architect air chief marshal sir commander chief raf fighter command system created major general core system implemented use radio direction finding radar behest use supplemented information royal observer corps crucial raf ability efficiently intercept incoming enemy aircraft technology named misleading intent vague description disguise nature system enemy existence known indications incoming air raids received chain home radio direction finding facilities located coastlines britain circumstances pick formations luftwaffe aircraft organised airfields northern france belgium raiding aircraft moved inland formations plotted information observer corps sent main operations room fighter command headquarters raf plots assessed determine hostile friendly hostile information sent main operations room large underground bunker plotting raids course information raid plotted women auxiliary air_force received information telephone additional intelligence provided service radio posts monitored enemy radio communications ultra centre based park gave raf intelligence german order battle colour coded representing raid placed large table map britain squared british modified grid plots raiding aircraft moved pushed map magnetic system enabled main fighter controller formation heading height strength allowed estimate possible targets age information denoted colour counter simplicity system meant decisions quickly communication interception information simultaneously sent headquarters group cross checked filter room sent operations room housed underground bunker group tactical control battle operations room different layout main headquarters main map plotting table represented group command area associated airfields extensive radio telephone equipment transmitted received constant flow information sector airfields observer corps command navy duty fighter controller group personal representative tasked controlling raid intercepted telephone system failed engineers site minutes repair broken links battle raid morning august weather bad ordered raids informed took target meet escorts channel received cancellation order iii formed led formation taken led tried warn cancellation unable contact bombers radio tried signal flying performing ignored flew flew coast target airfield isle albert issued orders bombers abandon missions escorts want accused failing obey orders continued onward turned return leg group territory disastrous fighter escort owing observer corps direction bombers owing low lying cloud radar picking direction german bombers plotted course raid incorrectly raf failed prevent target attacked hour dawn august german tracks plot tables operations rooms central eastern channel signs concentration came earlier usual formations aircraft located area minutes remained land began moving inland observer corps radar tracked guided raf units intercept unaware german intent controllers directed squadrons detachments alerted protecting convoy thames protecting raf squadron raf covering raf parts squadron raf airborne near london german formations channel moved cover base raf squadron raf ordered patrol canterbury satisfied strength forces airborne controllers dispatched squadrons intercept began owing mistake observer corps missed approaching eastern instead central channel radar hit raf airfield claimed destroyed ground fact fighter command fighters lost time afterward wrong claim convinced german intelligence fighter station luftwaffe launch seven fruitless raids coming weeks added mistake failure pressure raids spaced giving field time recover station raf coastal command lost bristol attack coastal command severe damage infrastructure equipment ammunition destroyed command personnel killed raf operation eventually bombers intercepted lost attempt badly damaged return accurate fire gunners shot hurricanes attacking squadrons squadron led shot source suggests destruction seven damaged german manpower losses amounted killed action prisoners war coastal airfields ports units received order abandon morning operations began attacks aimed airfields ports southern britain abandoned attack struck raf airfields kent essex losses results unknown abandoned operations iii attempt bristol docks losing squadron raf attempt little damage cancellation order reached commander hugo ordered attacks commence took bomb royal aircraft establishment airfield raf took raf began heading portland harbour raids escorted destroyer wing flew ahead bomber stream clear enemy fighters target obscured cloud continued target raf fighters raf raf raf middle intercepted shot german fighters claimed raf fighters bombers reality bombers damaged destroyed damaged raf fighters damaged bombers write offs claimed fighters lost pilots wounded killed missions raf cancelled struck fleet air arm base supposed provide escort attacks breakdown communications arrived target ordered stand shot squadron raf took advance raid possibly raf fighters battle main assault raf position bomber mission cancelled order reach continued target area continued target portland ran squadron raf hurricanes lost destroyed damaged hurricane shot damaged second source states destroyed whilst gives loss destroyed damaged claimed raf fighters destroyed reality raf fighter losses aerial combat amounted entire day loss morning effort attacks showed german technical failure air air communication renewed attacks official ahead given iii escorted took bomb worthy raf bombed support strike raf flew fighter sweep ahead bombers order raf battle landfall sweep failed attract divert raf squadrons instead succeeded alert raf defences critical minutes earlier main wave arrived coast greeted raf fighters iii iii flew escort flew escort response group raf intercepted squadron badly hit squadron raf shot gave original targets owing cloud headed portland abandoned bombed southampton instead squadron detailed intercept fighter escort strong bombers diverted course warehouses destroyed cold storage plant knocked fires control dusk iii dropped bombs raf middle sector station mistake airfield hit bomber operations fighters iii lost groups lost destroyed damaged escaped lightly bombing succeeded destroying bicycle factory furniture warehouse meat depot luftwaffe intelligence identified southampton factory water near docks important target poor intelligence suggested bomber factory later september attacked severely damaged germans unaware damage inflicted production factory later broken production dispersed operations action escorted joined formations heading group raf airfields targeting raf failed find target dropping bombs random units attracted attention escaped unnoticed sent east operation attack targets near took escorted unfortunately found cloud essex squadron raf intercepted dropped bombs canterbury sent bomb airfields near rochester failed find target returned incident sent raf went fighter sweep clear skies advance attack lost unknown cause bombed station killing commander operations block hit causing high casualties losses disastrous squadron raf lost number ground commander killed group captain davis squadron leader killed wounded wounded men world war ace robert station casualties amounted killed wounded raf fighter command station attack affect group raf way south east raids iii action iii bombed airport results unknown losses unclear suffered heavy losses previous day operations limited august lost crews day august lose wing commander afternoon force escorted aircraft headed airfield short brothers factory rochester iii broke away main formation attacked headed rochester significant damage factory producing short heavy bomber raf squadrons intercepted according account british fighters little impression bombers shot skirmishes raf fighters raf bomber command took day fighting charles portal air officer commanding protested attacking airfields scandinavia air ministry insisted raids squadron raf sent bristol bomb airfields denmark pilot turned complaining fuel problems court bomber return rest fell aaa fire fighters airmen killed captured night raids darkness fell close sent bombing group conduct strategic bombing raid factory castle birmingham despite group specialist night strike unit high expertise night navigation crews found targets bombs dropped sufficient disrupt fighter production fell inside compound casualties small workers gone shelter damage offices tool room gas main fractured group led captain friedrich dispatched bases brittany irish sea strike short brothers factory queen island belfast northern_ireland short aircraft destroyed took missions bombed glasgow night specific target unclear bombers commencing night stage flew length breadth great_britain bombing bristol cardiff liverpool sheffield edinburgh little damage rail tracks cut temporarily casualties suffered unknown german aircraft lost german found wandering countryside somerset traces aircraft crew members found aftermath effect raids germans maintained attacks airfields south western england started previous day august airfields attacked august germans concentrated second line airfields south london concentration failure coastal command stations bore relation fighter command germans reasoned bases attacks august fighter command airfields fact bombing august failed knock strips failed destroy render owing poor intelligence weather conditions raf resistance attacks targets failed unsuccessful aerial warfare uncommon battle britain rest second world war sides claimed shot destroyed enemy aircraft ground air reality raf fighter command claimed german aircraft shot august source states official raf claims amounted actual german losses amounted aircraft destroyed severely damaged conversely luftwaffe claimed destroyed hurricanes air bombers air percent raf fighters claimed ground actual raf losses air amounted fighters bombers aircraft kinds ground battle britain failure deter luftwaffe continuing campaign assault raf airfields continued august september battles involved large numbers aircraft heavy losses sides luftwaffe failed develop focused strategy defeating raf fighter command attempted destroy raf bases switched strategic bombing day night tried achieve destruction british industries time switching bombing aircraft factories attacking supporting industries import distribution networks coastal ports attempt unrelated targets destroying morale british population failure luftwaffe identify radar chain distinguish raf fighter bases raf commands undermined ability destroy british fighter defences luftwaffe british radar realised importance british operational system contrary believed radar stations benefit german effort sending raf forces large scale air battles luftwaffe raf aircraft industry supported losses pilots replaced sufficiently limit raf decline strength deny germans victory conversely raf able ensure rates numbers luftwaffe declined august september having failed defeat raf luftwaffe adopted different strategy strategic bombing known blitz campaign raf types targets differed radically sustained pressure type british target disputes staff revolved tactics strategy method condemned offensive britain failure begun end result air campaign britain decisive failure end war hitler committed germany increasing military adventures increasingly unable cope multi war allies ready launch operation overlord invasion western_europe battle britain ensured western allies base launch campaign western allied presence battlefield meet soviet red army central europe end war


battle battle known fought france confederation november took place small settlement near french morocco battle war confederation tribes sought oppose continued french expansion interior morocco having captured strategic town earlier year french general entered negotiations led thought peace achieved ordered lieutenant colonel commanded garrison launch frustrated lack action november led entire garrison attack attack initially went artillery cavalry clearing camp looting tents capturing wives french encountered significant force withdrawal force engaged french fire forcing cover artillery ordered wounded guard company infantry joined large numbers troops broke ranks join column whilst making river crossing rear guard artillery overrun annihilated remaining troops formed square fought desperate stand thousand overrun killed french losses significant men including killed wounded lost men killed column wounded reached ahead pursuing forces town came siege dismayed actions briefly opinion cost war relief force reached days situation war lasted negotiations secured submission confederation french rule military offensive pushed remainder high mountains background france morocco established french intervention crisis resident general louis served head government main aims secure corridor middle mountains linking atlantic coast opposed tribes area confederation led opposed french intervention led tents tribal unit measurement people french attempts persuade submit failed authorised general paul command french troops area launch attack vital parts corridor despite fierce engagements area secured towns middle june inflicted substantial losses tribes defence area established mobile mobile columns troops react quickly threats mobile established lieutenant colonel west lieutenant colonel east colonel july saw increasing attacks command outbreak world war significantly reduced number french forces based morocco determined hold use expansion french territory referred hostile masses maintenance occupation depended successfully additional attacks thought upper hand having proven reduced french forces resist contained triangle formed river mountains dispute neighbouring tribes best land battle attack months set camp small village kilometres away winter promised peace talks lost control tribes began negotiations submission french rule believed resistance near end war soon wished situation calm twice refused permission attack camp fear affect peace talks insufficient forces available assault instead ordered french bank permission send troops convoy protection wood gathering road building decided orders remain marched entire garrison said frustrated lack action persuaded soldier eager avenge personal received column consisted infantry companies party irregular batteries famous cannon squadron cavalry numbering officers men total amounted half troops september denied permission launch attack marched morning november informing superiors leaving note saying going camp column reached dawn found tents men camp time leaving non combatants achieved complete surprise knew attack artillery shells began exploding tents followed cavalry charge cleared camp halted group rallied south inflicted numerous losses horsemen send infantry remove looting escaped time wives captured french headed leaving looting allies assumed beaten counterattack return initially hampered attacks small groups successfully beaten discovered relatively small number troops french column word passed area soon force estimated strong french assembled men consisted entire tribe elements seeing french falling changed allegiance tactics harass flanks rear column occupy high ground available attacks french found safety heavy covering fire artillery reduced effectiveness dispersal use cover nephew led force thousand french cut route point ordered company infantry leave column convoy wounded soldiers sent troops seeing leaving broke ranks followed panic attempted continue withdrawal having crossed river rearguard surrounded attacked repeatedly sides quickly overrun gun batteries soon suffered fate crews killed assembled ridges surrounding remaining french troops formed defensive square launching final attack thousand men attack lasted minutes desperate struggle square broken remainder column wiped chased killed survivors attempted hide wounded escort struggled noon narrowly stopped bodies french dead men numbering men officers wounded men officers able bodied french survivors battle total died french losses amounted french soldiers french officers killed french officers suffered highest casualty rate group killed wounded including died final attack officers belonged cavalry entire force killed wounded french forced abandon machine guns small arms horses artillery camping equipment personal belongings battlefield took escaped mountains middle aftermath disaster left captain senior officer remnants garrison companies hoc unit partially equipped shaken survivors battle having secured defences immediately inform events heard foray briefly opinion event cause loss morocco morning horsemen appeared south east city soon came constant siege tribes left promising strike hard fast disaster threaten french position morocco said aware fact forces numerous strong columns way repression swift dispatched mobile ordered lieutenant colonel joseph form mobile support forced fight way groups reach town november joined entered town days later encountering resistance way relief force 6th battalion 2nd french foreign legion marched saw action end month french garrison troops time high promoted shortly battle recognition actions prevent loss force led november observed groups moved main camps away area kept distance observed field battle ordered burial french dead finding stripped clothing mutilated post dagger wounds body officers missing having removed use trophies later exchanged captured wives leader displayed trophies captured weapons nearby tribes encourage support tactic proved particularly successful tribes north french forces subsequently fought successful actions recovered captured weapons showed beaten battle siding ottoman_empire central powers world war slow french progress western led increasing numbers recruits war continued years changing tactics negotiation submit subsequent victories middle restored french image superiority force led increasing submissions withdrawal deeper mountains french managed establish military road straight middle limiting free movement end war came political military means sons submitting advice french june submission persuaded tents follow weeks tents remained opposed french rule killed spring war party led soon combined french attack defeated remaining force ending seven year long war war french expansion area continued brought entire middle control june reasons french defeat held high regard blamed defeat describing lieutenant colonel march poorly prepared poorly executed act thought ability operate mountainous terrain column motive orders thought personal glory bring war early conclusion survivors battle jean said haunted obsessive defeating stated letter minister war died field deserved severe punishment hands military tribunal thought actions influenced school thought advocated general charles bold movements north african tribes submission school thought critical campaign negotiation backed threat military power arguing cost casualties commander appointed instead opinions advocates french officers colonial forces morocco keen end war quickly transfer western praised newspapers books journal articles france support chamber deputies believed constantly battle school thought hope defeat men followed self satisfied convinced submit legacy battle shock french expected tribes better armed column said entire colonial history case destruction important force loss officers disappearance booty war battle described variously worst defeat french forces morocco worst north_africa worst french colonies heavy losses suffered overshadowed planning french military policy morocco world war today battle celebrated press historic event history alongside instances resistance french spanish occupation erected near battlefield unveiled ministers muhammad listing names dead recorded proud champion national resistance monument arabic text contains mistakes recording french dead number recorded giving year battle


battle battle fought july near kilometres southeast soviet_union second world war taking place eastern fighting wider battle occurred 5th guards tank army soviet red army attacked corps german largest tank battles military history april german high command began preparing operation citadel aim destroying soviet forces soviet high command learned german intentions prepared series defensive lines routes planned german offensive soviets armies deep defences reserve group launch german strength dissipated 5th guards tank army primary offensive formation july germans launched offensive southern german 4th army army detachment eastern flank attacked soviet defences week german offensive soviets southern near 5th guards tank army engaged corps 4th army resulting large clash armour 5th guards tank army attack succeeded preventing germans capturing breaking defensive belt achieve operational freedom german offensive later cancelled forces withdrawn red army went general offensive seized strategic initiative eastern hold rest war background spring mud season came end german soviet commands considered plans future operations soviet premier joseph senior soviet officers wanted seize initiative attack german forces inside soviet_union convinced number key commanders including deputy supreme commander assume defensive posture instead allow germans weaken attacking prepared positions soviet forces able offensive similar strategy discussion occurred german field marshal von arguing mobile defence terrain allow soviets advance germans launched series sharp flanks inflict heavy attrition political reasons adolf_hitler insisted german forces offensive choosing attack april authorised preparations operation citadel german offensive plan envisioned assault base north south intent destroying soviet forces meet near south corps general paul corps forming left right wings 4th army commanded colonel general drive northward iii corps army detachment protect right flank counterattack soviet strategic reserves known located east 4th army army detachment army group south commanded air support southern portion offensive provided colonel general major air formation viii commanded general multiple delays germans allowed soviets great deal time prepare defences employing defence depth constructed series defensive lines wear attacking formations belts extensive minefields anti tank ditches anti tank gun created additional belts fortified backing commanded general defended southern face commanded colonel general formed strategic reserve held time right soviet formation included lieutenant general 5th guards army lieutenant general 5th guards tank army german advance leading germans launched attack morning july met heavy resistance far soviet anti tank guns minefields anti tank ditches anticipated making breakthrough difficult achieve furthermore outset subjected frequent soviet tank units despite end july corps advanced defensive belt reached second plan breach belts reach day nonetheless corps penetration caused great concern soviet commanders compelling commit operational reserves end day southeast iii corps met stiff resistance great difficulty creating maintaining northern river eventually succeeded morning july delay advance kept protecting east flank corps late july 5th guards tank 5th guards armies began moving reserve position travelling night avoid detection 5th guards tank army covered kilometres nights arrived area night july 5th guards army 33rd guards rifle corps arrived settlement night july slow progress corps caused shift elements corps july aid drive day soviets corps tank corps attacks destroy corps hoped slowed progress end july corps advanced kilometres broken second defensive belts following day july meeting german commanders forces northern concluded breakthrough northern unlikely decided continue offensive maintain pressure inflict casualties tying soviet forces success operation citadel depended breakthrough achieved 4th army army detachment evening july corps ordered shift forward progress north northeast settlement formulated discussed early expected large soviet armoured reserve forces arrive east want corps caught crossing arrived plan originally envisioned elements corps iii corps joining attack realised soviet command interpreted change direction response heavy resistance germans faced driving believed change indicated german forces weakening soviet intelligence reports issued july reported defensive works constructed german infantry flanks 4th army german armoured formations present locations despite fact soviet armoured formations situated opposite flanks headquarters supposed germans reaching limit july decided set coincide soviet northern starting morning july corps began attack 3rd division attacked river secured 1st division adolf_hitler captured state farm hill 2nd division das defended corps flank soviet armoured corps continued attack july advance checked 2nd tank corps reinforced 9th guards airborne division anti tank artillery regiment 33rd guards rifle corps resisted 31st tank corps 33rd guards rifle corps guards rifle division 11th rifle brigade 10th tank corps south 2nd guards tank corps 48th rifle corps rifle division opposed advance das day end july advanced deep soviet defensive belt moved corridor cleared soviet resistance october state farm russian crossed foot ditch base hill seized hill brief bloody battle leaving kilometres south north achieved tanks brought hill kilometre gap south das met stiff resistance kilometres south advance flanks exposed north south placing sporadic guards rifle division remnants 2nd tank corps late july 5th guards tank army prepared forthcoming counterattack advance disrupted preparations assembly areas intended use tank army 18th 29th tank corps german hands end day forcing hastily revise plans select new positions late arrival 5th guard tank army major ways tank unit commanders opportunity terrain traveling equally importantly supporting artillery unable site spot fire artillery fire depended sweep path advance suppress german anti tank gunners adequately present planning german plans july late evening july general paul commander corps issued orders classic battle manoeuvre following day advance known soviets dug anti tank guns west slopes making direct attack difficult plan capture hill advance northeast river road strike southeast flank rear soviet forces ordered forward secure outside das wait attack disrupted soviet positions attack main soviet defences west slope right elements das advance eastward high ground south turn south away roll soviet defences opposing iii corps advance force gap viii main effort support advance corps corps west assigned limited air resources unbeknownst night july moved 5th guards tank army assembly area south preparation massive armoured attack following day night german troops hear soviet tank engines 18th 29th tank corps moved assembly areas battalion 2nd regiment situated reverse slope hill listening engines soviet tanks uneasy impending attack implied soviet plans july 5th guards army 5th guards tank army brought reserve reassigned july respectively july ordered armies offensive following day counterattack planned coincide soviet offensive northern operation ordered destroy german forces near 5th guards tank army allowing germans withdraw southward battle ordered tanks forward high speed engage german armour order advantages tiger tanks range firepower guns believed able quickly close obtain effective flanking shots german heavy tanks fact soviet intelligence greatly numbers tigers possessed corps 4th army army group south deployed northern 9th army soviet tank crews frequently versions tanks armed anti tank gun extra armour added turret tigers soviet reports tended number tigers employed germans battle soviet air support southern provided 2nd air army 17th air army commanded lieutenant general lieutenant general respectively bulk air support committed support soviet units attacking corps west iii corps southeast limited numbers aircraft available support 5th guards tank army attack plans counterattack threatened events south iii corps managed cross northern night july kilometres southeast advancing northwards threat entire plan threatening rear 5th guards tank army early july ordered send reinforcements soviet 7th guards armies facing iii corps organised task force command deputy major general consisted 26th guards tank brigade 2nd guards tank corps 11th 12th guards brigades 5th guards corps 53rd guards tank regiment 5th guards tank army units joined group way south committed half army reserves battle begun opposing forces disposition german forces german forces involved battle divisions corps das evening july armour strength corps tanks assault guns included tigers armoured strength das tanks assault guns respectively tigers north river das advanced deeply situated centre german position railway line feet high divided area division north south bulk division positioned north rail line including division 1st regiment 2nd regiment reconnaissance artillery command units south rail line 1st regiment division 1st battalion das positioned southeast protected southern flank corps positioned northwest division 3rd regiment largely crossed preparation assault placed lightly armed 1st reconnaissance battalion kilometre gap provide flank protection unit later division remaining tigers commanded second lieutenant michael disposition soviet forces main soviet armoured formation involved battle 5th guards tank army controlled corps july 2nd guards 2nd 5th guards 18th 29th tank corps fielded tanks self propelled guns total approximately armoured fighting vehicles thirds tanks remainder light tanks churchill heavy tanks 5th guards tank army present area battle formation sent south check advance iii corps soviet armour 5th guards tank army including newly attached 2nd guards tank corps 2nd tank corps 5th guards corps held reserve faced corps july tanks self propelled guns addition artillery regiments artillery brigade anti aircraft artillery division attached 5th guards tank army assault main attack 5th guards tank army conducted fresh 29th 18th tank corps brought soviet strategic reserve soviet tank formations provided greatest number tanks attack 18th tank corps fielding tanks self propelled guns 29th tank corps fielding tanks self propelled guns infantry support 18th 29th tank corps provided 9th guards airborne division portion 18th tank corps directed eastern flank 6th regiment southeastern wing 5th guards tank army deployed surviving tanks 2nd guards tank corps later july battle tank 26th guards tank brigade estimated tanks sent south face iii corps 2nd guards tank corps supported remnants 2nd tank corps attack das infantry support provided rifle division western flank 5th guards tank army faced defended 33rd guards rifle corps 42nd guards rifle divisions supported remnants 31st tank corps heavily depleted 23rd guards rifle corps 52nd guards rifle division forces 5th guards corps sent south held reserve northwest numbered tanks self propelled guns directed soviet air assets primary effort attempting check iii corps drive northward supporting attack corps missions flown support attack 5th guards tank army limited extent 2nd air army aircraft operational july 17th air army operational aircraft battle july headquarters started receiving reports sound tank engines soviet tanks moved assembly areas attack elements 1st regiment forward drove soviet infantry elements division 2nd regiment october state farm soviets began preparatory artillery barrage shells fell code words steel steel steel order commence attack soviet armour 5th guards tank army began advance ground engagement total tanks self propelled guns 5th guards tank army attacked positions corps july massive waves tanks second slopes soviet armour charged tank brigades 18th 29th tank corps firing came positions soviet tanks rolled slopes carried men 9th guards airborne division hulls troops slated action later day exhausted previous week fighting starting day outset attack largely taken surprise soviet armour appeared german outposts frontage began firing purple warning signaling tank attack von commander company 1st regiment stated knew major attack underway ordered company seven follow bridge anti tank ditch crossing bridge lower slope hill crest hill 3rd battalion 2nd regiment overrun tanks spread 1st regiment suddenly confronted soviet tanks 29th tank 31st 32nd tank brigades meters appeared thirty tanks finally count soviet armour firing charged western slopes hill company contested tank battle ensued destroyed time position overrun surviving tanks rode advancing soviet armour unnoticed reported destroyed soviet tanks close range tactic close high speed disrupted control soviet tank formations greatly reduced accuracy hour battle 1st regiment engaged attacking soviet tanks repulsed reporting destroyed soviet tanks later afternoon tanks 31st tank brigade 53rd brigade overran elements 1st reconnaissance battalion reached state farm threatening lines communication division command post located hill soviet tanks attacked division 1st artillery regiment killing number crews destroyed direct fire anti tank teams group tigers supported reconnaissance group effort protect left flank faced 18th tank corps advancing tank brigade hour battle tigers engaged soviet tanks ranges meters point blank inflicting heavy losses soviet successfully attack later elements tank brigade engaged 1st regiment fighting 31st 32nd tank brigades despite losing commander tanks fight early afternoon tank brigade forced 1st regiment october state farm reached position 1st reconnaissance battalion tank brigades penetrated german line connecting assault guns supporting regiment repelled soviet attack established line forcing soviet tanks withdraw village advance soviet armour hill disrupted abruptly reached anti tank ditch base hill number tanks crashed foot deep ditch moved edge looking way cross heavy fire exchanged soviet tanks companies battalion opposite ditch surviving engaged soviet infantry attacked soviet tanks magnetic anti tank grenades battalion half tracks lost fighting destroyed heavier soviet tanks effort stop eventually heavy soviet pressure dangerously exposed flanks withdrew october state farm established defensive lines kilometre south air combat 2nd 17th air armies flew sorties compared viii sorties southern note soviet sorties flown day flown corps west iii corps south low clouds morning thunderstorms afternoon air operations sides battlefield luftwaffe gained control air formations including small number equipped cannon commanded attacked soviet formations fighter bombers ground attack aircraft equipped anti tank cannon 31st tank brigade reported suffered heavy losses tanks enemy artillery aircraft tanks reached state farm continuous air attacks unable advance shifted defence tank brigade reported air cover fully absent 5th guards tank army reported enemy aircraft literally hung combat formations entire battle aircraft particularly fighter aviation totally insufficient result engagement end day held hill exhausted effort turning tank brigades left succeeded capturing hill advanced northern bank river reach road kilometres northwest position soviet forces pressure soviet attacks hold forward ground das unable push forward forced defensive attacks 2nd guards 2nd tank corps das unable conduct planned offensive maneuvers soviet tank units 5th guards tank army involved battle july suffered heavy losses later wrote 29th tank corps lost percent armour 18th tank corps lost percent july soviet general staff report recorded july 5th guards tank army failed accomplish assigned mission result frontal attack army corps fought heavy battles large enemy tank forces forced assume defence forced shift 18th 29th tank corps defence reinforce infantry dug trenches dug tanks laid new minefields prepared anti tank strong points 10th guards 24th guards tank brigades 5th guards corps preparations push morning evening july dispatched headquarters representative order coordinate fronts operations following main engagement night july ordered soviet forces prevent german advance destroy german forces advanced northern bank river stop iii corps making progress orders issued germans july instructed consolidate gains previous day attack flank rear soviet forces strengthen line attack south attack northwest das consolidate strengthen line prepare offensive operation link iii corps fighting morning july 10th guards 24th guards tank brigades cooperation 52nd guards rifle corps launched attacks soviet attacks preoccupied prevented attacking south noon 1st reconnaissance battalion ordered attack northward river consolidate line division units attack soviet positions northeast october state farm 1st reconnaissance battalion attacked defensive positions held 42nd guards rifle division remaining armour 18th tank corps units attacked defences 9th guards airborne division 29th tank corps german attacks repelled massive anti tank artillery fire 29th tank corps followed counterattack penetrated german lines reaching state farm beaten direct fire german artillery afternoon ordered abandon positions northwest return positions hill soviet attempts narrow unsuccessful completed withdrawal nightfall german decision july hitler summoned commander army group center field marshal von headquarters east prussia allied invasion sicily night july combined soviet operation flank rear general walter model 9th army northern july violent attacks strong soviet forces day caused hitler stop offensive shift forces mediterranean theatre ordered generals terminate operation citadel welcomed decision process withdrawing units 9th army northern deal soviet attacks flank greatly disappointed argued forces verge achieving major breakthrough southern saw iii corps link corps corps available operational reserve halting offensive moment victory hand eye west hitler unwilling continue offensive persisted proposing forces destroy soviet reserves southern citadel finally terminated soviet fighting capacity sector depleted rest summer hitler agreed continue offensive operations southern goal achieved operation hastily plans operation realizing days conduct operation lost corps plan called das attack east south link iii corps attack northwest anchor western northern flanks das respectively link achieved soviet forces encircled soviet defence crippled likely fall shortly combined forces corps goal operation destroy soviet armoured reserves southern sector check soviet offensive capacity rest summer orders operation issued closing hours july hitler meeting hitler corps deployment sending july support 1st army south assault began july following brief artillery barrage 4th regiment der das struck high ground south west remnants 2nd guards tank corps village following violent house house hand hand fighting das 2nd regiment fought series forced soviets withdraw eastward new line ordered 10th guards brigade 5th guards corps reinforce line 7th division iii corps contact das commanding soviet forces gap aware threat conducted fighting withdrawal link failed trap soviet forces abandoned substantial number anti tank guns operation failed produce decisive result germans began withdrawing positions north following orders issued late july corps assumed defensive stance entire july soviet southwestern southern fronts launched major offensive rivers southern wing army group south pressing 6th 1st armies early afternoon july operation terminated order corps begin withdrawing sector 4th army army detachment anticipated order began executing early evening july tanks distributed das division hastily italy das dispatched south meet new soviet casualties losses losses difficult establish tank losses attributed germans vary counting reporting equipment losses equipment repaired abandoned counted losses damaged equipment recovered repaired simply listed likewise reliable figures tank personnel casualties soviets battle difficult establish german corps reported men killed wounded missing july germans controlled battlefield july able recover disabled armoured vehicles german historian attributed permanent tank losses corps july study army center strategy force evaluation attributed permanent tank losses counting light tanks german assault guns archival data corps shows corps tanks assault guns evening july evening july allowing possibility repaired tanks returned service july numbers indicate tanks assault guns battle includes tigers belonging belonging tiger tanks write offs estimated total tanks assault guns corps damaged destroyed combat july end july corps tanks assault guns number beginning battle july july viii attached squadron reported aircraft damaged total write offs soviet anti aircraft artillery soviet document prepared july 5th guards tank army headquarters summarised combat losses incurred formation july inclusive corps smaller units directly army headquarters document reported following losses churchill tanks support vehicles document reported damaged vehicles repair churchill tanks figures support vehicles document reported personnel casualties killed action wounded action missing action totals losses tanks self propelled guns tanks self propelled guns repair casualties soviet personnel losses july estimated historian high men equipment damaged destroyed david house estimate 5th guards tank army lost tanks attacks july soviet historians estimate tanks self propelled guns 5th guards tank army damaged destroyed july study army center strategy force evaluation reports 2nd guards 18th 29th tanks corps altogether permanently lost tanks july including self propelled guns george estimates tanks 5th guards tank army damaged destroyed fighting corps july outcome debate exists significance outcome battle germans destroyed soviet tanks temporarily degraded striking power 5th guards tank army unable break open ground soviets massive armoured attack july failed destroy corps throw defensive succeeded exhausting germans eventually contributed checking advance 5th guards tank army corps accomplished objectives day battle generally considered tactical success germans high numbers soviet tanks destroyed ultimately german breakthrough end operation citadel strategic initiative permanently swung red army


battle battle naval battle coast italo turkish war italian fears ottoman naval forces threaten approach suez_canal led italian military order destruction ottoman naval presence area february italian armoured cruisers attacked sank ottoman corvette retired returned sank ottoman torpedo boat result battle ottoman naval forces region annihilated ensuring approaches suez_canal open italians naval losses city suffered significant damage italian warships background italo turkish war italian military feared ottoman naval forces mediterranean stage raid italian supply headed italian east africa order prevent raid rear admiral ordered clear harbor ottoman naval vessels find force consisted armoured cruisers cruisers class armed inch guns turrets inch guns inch guns pounders pounders maxim machine guns torpedo tubes contrast ottoman forces consisted corvette torpedo boat relatively new vessel completed armed cannons inch torpedo tubes pair torpedoes tube contrast ironclad corvette built reconstruction completed armed inch guns pounders addition cannon armed single inch torpedo tube ottoman force entirely italians giving severe disadvantage battle battle italian cruisers approached harbor fired blank shot ottoman vessels lying sighting italian ships ottoman commander sent launch flag truce communicate enemy negotiating ottoman commander ordered position near harbor mole admiral ordered ottoman launch return ultimatum addressed informing surrender warships message received process issuing order surrender received italians deadline accordingly italians began attack ottoman ships harbor distance metres yards italians opened fire ottoman corvette ottomans returned fire italian gunfire set receiving heavy damage corvette struck colours crew abandoned ship point sailed close engaged metres yards gunfire failed damage attempted finish firing torpedo torpedo trajectory hit moored nearby sinking italian cruiser fired second torpedo struck ottoman corvette amidships corvette sunk shallow water pair cruisers withdrew north action italian cruisers returned engaged ottoman forces warship left harbor torpedo boat moved close engaged gunfire minutes joined harbor fighting ended italian cruisers sailed westward direction aftermath ottoman naval presence completely annihilated removing turkish naval threat italian transports area giving italians complete naval dominance southern mediterranean_sea rest war casualties ottoman heavy ottoman warships sunk taking killed wounded contrast italian ships took casualties direct hits ottoman warships damage restricted ottoman naval vessels present city took heavy damage stray shots cruisers city fires broke direct result stray gunfire destroying banks city customs house buildings combined fires civilians killed city hundreds wounded retribution italian actions days battle central ottoman government ordered damascus expel italian citizens jurisdictions resulting italians region despite expulsion italian citizens area battle gave italian forces complete naval superiority approaches suez_canal italian forces reinforced eliminating ottoman threat region battle strategic tactical italian victory


battle gang battle gang november fought vietnam war australian troops battle engagements forces war occurred company 1st battalion royal australian regiment struck bunker system defended company gang hills northern province occurred major joint australian operation operation involving airborne brigade attached operation australian rifle company clashed entrenched company sized force prepared defensive positions american battalion heavily engaged fighting song australians unable concentrate sufficient combat power launch assault position consequently forced withdraw fierce engagement sides suffered number casualties reluctantly leaving men shot recovered heavy machine gun rifle fire likely dead battalion attack recover missing soldiers planned australians day cancelled american brigade commander rising casualties need available helicopters casualty evacuation bodies missing australian soldiers subsequently recovered years later finally returned australia burial background military situation initial american commitment war vietnam limited advice support advisors south vietnam army republic vietnam weakened successive defeats hands communists south vietnamese government threatened major offensive situation led significant war large scale commitment ground troops command general william americans adopted cautious strategy applied strictly limited role base defence marine units abandoned april replaced new strategy defending key coastal population centres installations strategy required introduction additional battalions troops bring total vietnam allied nations free world military forces expected contribute battalions planned develop series defensive positions expanding operations south vietnamese countryside result number sites close dominated areas subsequently chosen developed semi permanent divisional level bases areas included intended headquarters 1st infantry division 25th infantry division based vicinity large scale military operations clear intended base areas wait dry season allied strategy proved setbacks led additional troop increases halt losing trend situation reaching crisis point wet season offensive june requested reinforcement allied forces increased battalions directly bolster australia growing involvement vietnam reflected american build australian government committed small advisory team known australian_army training team vietnam help train south vietnamese forces june decision commit ground troops 1st battalion royal australian regiment originally commanded lieutenant colonel dispatched supporting troop squadron 4th 19th prince wales light horse equipped armored personnel carriers artillery field battery royal australian artillery battery royal new_zealand artillery reconnaissance flight operating bell light observation helicopters total personnel australian units new_zealand artillery attached airborne brigade command brigadier general operated iii corps tactical zone iii help establish logistics resupply primarily provided americans small unit 1st australian logistics company situated unlike later australian units served vietnam included manned regular personnel attached forces primarily employed search destroy operations newly developed doctrine operations helicopters insert light infantry artillery area operations support aerial mobility fire support casualty evacuation resupply battalion commenced operations late june initially defeating wet season offensive time brigade including conducted number operations war zone major communist base area junction long long provinces iron triangle november prelude opposing forces junction song song rivers major communist staging area men equipment supplies units based delta communist communications resupply routes war zone met trail area planned use airborne brigade balance target base areas consequently search destroy operation operation planned operation marked half way point month tour duty airborne brigade named accordingly concept operations envisioned 1st battalion infantry regiment inserted helicopter operation war zone area kilometres north east australian american area operations separated song deploy landing zone south battalion conduct helicopter assault northwest song song airborne brigade second battalion 2nd battalion infantry regiment left defend area thought stronghold american intelligence initially identified main force regiment main force battalion nearby unknown allied force 9th division likely received operation deployed experienced regiments supported number local force battalions determined test allied strength main force regiment known main force regiment subsequently took defensive positions area communist headquarters protected company situated plateau atop gang hills area formed objective responsible regional defence air base developing anti government resistance tasked rebuilding covert organisation city surrounding villages establishing link city war zone planning executing attacks air base having relocated months earlier presence unknown australians americans regardless company scheduled conduct search plateau fourth day operation battle patrolling november november began routine search destroy operation helicopter south song battalion inserted king north west song song rivers operation started badly australians americans fly delayed despite lengthy preparation fire large force observed vicinity queen prior lead australian rifle company company command captain peter escorting helicopter began taking small arms fire attempted provide suppressing fire decision activate alternate landing zone north east princess company subsequently inserted safely swept queen securing remainder battalion mid morning occupied queen pack field battery flying provide direct support australian gunners artillery battalion battery royal new_zealand artillery occupied ace metres south scheme manoeuvre adopted dictated company undertake dispersed patrol program tactical area responsibility fact allow search ground limit ability concentrate combat power event contact company major john patrolled east company moved north song company patrolled south company remained queen protect field battery established fire support base days australians patrolled infested swamps dense jungle midday november company received mortar rounds failed damage marked start series minor clashes company number contacts time australians killing scout loss wounded skirmish contact soon resulted killed wounded intelligence gained incidents indicated presence main force regiment area documents recovered contained plans attacks outposts near nightfall november despite earlier contacts major actions occurred australian rifle companies kilometres apart company patrolled network roads tracks formed branch trail men spent night tracks resume patrolling following day track led hill unknown time battalion song patrolled metres major bunker system sited spur lines vicinity hill hill november arrived helicopter morning november company preparing depart night location contact unlikely australians instructed rendezvous battalion extracted following day company subsequently set compass bearing northern edge gang plateau australians moved single file gone far lone scout observed subsequently shot killed rear section crossing creek line australians uncovered company sized camp trenches fired single soldier fled company halted briefly time approached position killed platoon australians continued single file plateau platoon sergeant gordon leading followed platoon going slow dense jungle visibility limited lead section nearing hill having gone metres platoon platoon leaving harbour suddenly platoon hit heavy small arms fire machine guns sited supported rifles grenades fire lead section platoon headquarters causing casualties opening minute pinned australians went ground began returning fire allowing wounded crawl safety private richard parker fallen directly bunker system unable recovered failing respond shouts comrades parker exposed hits probably dead support platoon subsequently ordered support section company headquarters forward provide covering fire platoon moved left flank dispersed patrolling plan adopted remaining companies unable provide assistance hill platoon second lieutenant williams shot killed moving creek line reaching hill left company headquarters williams turned right positions moving extended line metres australians advanced metres left flank engaged number machine guns sector position danger platoon continued advance regardless fire movement metres private peter machine gunner forward section shot tried twisted roots tall tree fell rushed forward machine gun conscious killed point blank range collapsed williams increasing danger platoon sergeant sergeant forward heavy fire body large tree unable find pulse attempted extract unable heavy fire attempts recover body beaten unsuccessful later awarded military medal actions taking heavy fire flanks williams little choice withdraw moving rapidly unable forward australians fight small arms fire grenades extract company headquarters casualties time artillery beginning impact company forward observer captain bruce murphy new directed fires australians placed worst possible position supporting artillery battery firing line directly gun line kilometres gang plateau consequently murphy unable observe fall shot walk rounds target sound slight sent round hill australian positions regardless despite persistent rifle machine gun fire murphy directed artillery battle skill bravery later awarded military cross hours fighting began darkness approaching battalion unable concentrate position following day subsequently decision withdraw artillery falling close possible weight indirect fires provided australians degree protection opportunity lieutenant guild platoon subsequently moved position cover withdrawal carrying wounded australians successfully broke contact suffering losses company initially moved landing zone metres cleared allow casualties evacuated helicopters available result australians look casualties following morning proceeded north night harbour area artillery aerial bombing helicopter assessed company encountered force company size later apparent contacted company tasked protecting headquarters carry operations region day reconnaissance parties including contacted intermittently observed approaching australian force line leading directly headquarters fighting company commander van split force platoon fight advancing australians protect headquarters following australian withdrawal van withdrawn pre ensuing barrage base remained communist hands fighting song river american battalion uncovered large bunker system involved fierce fighting included desperate hand hand combat sides morning australians heard increasing firing battle battalion called reinforce battalion pressed american contacted equipped main force regiment complete uniforms steel helmets soviet automatic weaponry small arms fighting song continued afternoon sporadic sniper small arms fire later afternoon early evening fighting specialist lawrence distinguished tending wounded comrades heavy fire subsequently awarded medal honor demanded right return hill order destroy bunker system recover bodies parker major john essex clark operations officer began planning battalion attack american casualties rising available helicopters required casualty evacuation planned operation cancelled thick jungle canopy compounded issue decided stage casualties area secured australians princess operation concluded november battalion extracted helicopter returning late afternoon following return continued petition permission conduct operation battalion attack subsequently planned november later deferred dependent availability air helicopter support start date upcoming operation new life ultimately conducted aftermath casualties battle gang set piece action australian forces vietnam war australian casualties included missing presumed killed wounded despite efforts comrades bodies australian dead unable recovered losses suffered killed wounded captured confronted equal sized force dug prepared defences australians performed forced withdraw leaving battlefield despite inflicting heavier casualties communists suffered australians depressed having left soldiers opportunity return gang years fighting australian vietnam veteran jim team volunteers successfully located remains parker hastily buried weapon pit day battle soldiers assistance australian vietnamese governments subsequently returned australia burial assessment company experience australians gang relatively minor compared americans fierce fighting battalion suffered nearly casualties including killed wounded believed killed american claims later raised killed captured documents revealed losses caused artillery air strikes questionable battles attrition viable equally american battalion taken casualties far politically acceptable losses significant claimed victory americans failed secure area temporarily surrendered control battlefield ultimately communists continued use area major supply route rest war considered operation successful operation australian battalion participated criticised badly conceived start mounted little intelligence prior reconnaissance initial landing zone occupied failures passage information heavy losses suffered battalion subsequent difficulties casualty evacuation operation run smoothly australians losses wanted return collect dead absorbed operations planned battalion attack hill occurred regardless operations followed months subsequently employed operation new life november december later operation woods january operation old football injury forcing evacuation australia mid november subsequently replaced lieutenant colonel alex subsequent operations strategic level south vietnamese government rallied appearing verge collapse communist threat subsided additional troop increases required adopt offensive strategy troop levels planned rise january december australian government increased commitment ground war march announcing deployment battalion brigade 1st australian task force armour aviation engineer artillery support total men additional royal_australian_air_force raaf royal australian navy ran force elements deployed services total australian strength vietnam planned increase personnel subsequently replaced allocated area operations province allowing australians pursue operations independently counter tactics techniques task force arrived april june constructing base arrangements provided 1st australian support group established port


military history islands military history islands began immediately following purchase alaska united_states prior early 20th century islands essentially ignored military united_states islands played small role sea arbitration number british american vessels stationed enforce decision early 20th century number war strategies examined possibility conflict breaking empire japan united_states islands seen potential staging point invasions possibility dismissed owing islands dismal climate washington naval treaty signed united_states_navy began interest islands significance world war june imperial_japanese_navy attacked captured island americans wanted recapture islands january following year began advance capturing opposition march battle islands ensued united_states_navy imposed naval blockade islands reduce opportunities japanese bases supplied island recaptured total deaths sides combined americans prepared attack august find entire island evacuated japanese late july recapture united_states men died result friendly fire despite japanese soldiers present island 1960s early 1970s united_states atomic energy commission executed number nuclear tests island face opposition environmental local indigenous groups test conducted caused significant damage surrounding area details damage released public executed shot determine suitable future tests announced plans detonate bomb named set release blast times released dropping atomic bomb hiroshima united_states supreme_court challenge testing failed vote testing proceeded scheduled november early history prior purchase alaska united_states united_states_navy sent uss cooper islands aim locating potential find coal deposits coal deposits found united_states purchased alaska russian_empire number military posts established government united_states islands receive post nearest post located island united_states_army decision leave exploration united_states_navy showed little interest islands played small role ongoing sealing dispute united_kingdom united_states later culminated sea arbitration following united_states government saw infringement nation sovereignty canadian japanese united_states_navy sent number ships police foreign accord reached united_kingdom united_states time number british american vessels remained enforce deal october government including secretary state root worried war break pacific united_states japan islands believed little strategic importance united_states ignored number pre war strategies formulated armed forces including naval war board plan brought scout ships islands naval war board considered options japan mount invasion united_states involved attack islands option discarded board owing cold climate islands islands played little proceedings world war events war concentrated europe washington naval treaty signed united_states british_empire empire japan french republic kingdom italy article treaty required japan britain united_states maintain status quo terms military fortifications respective pacific rim territories japan britain gained number terms article example australia new_zealand prevented building fortifications result treaty japan requirement agreement treaty islands interwar period united_states_navy prevented developing fortifications islands terms washington naval treaty navy believed point united_states treaty obligations longer apply began scout possible naval bases scouting ships investigated possibility establishing islands attempted claim united_states_army bases purposes national security little attention paid islands potential strategic area united_states president concentrate government resources developing nation military economic challenge posed great depression aides claimed north_america coastal islands play little potential war united_states japan navy rendered ineffective canada turned southern neighbor june japanese ship visited island times ship carrying farming forestry specialists john governor alaska believed islands possible target enemy navies lobbied federal government military support major general benjamin willing commit deploying military resources resource rich strip land stretching anchorage willing devote military resources according southeastern alaska islands worth making effort defend following reports japanese spy operating dutch harbor united_states_navy dispatched investigate allegations result investigation arrest japanese man region town prostitute woman accused japanese man 1930s number united_states governmental committees boards reports concluded air bases impractical region weather world war preparing battle december imperial_japanese_navy executed surprise attack pearl harbor bringing united_states war japan nazi_germany fascist italy pacific theater divided sectors north central south falling inside north sector american theater located miles east islands served ideal physical bridge nations japan united_states dismal climate conditions approach japan unlikely countries afford cover bases respect islands april sixteen aircraft bombed tokyo known raid imperial high command unsure aircraft originated speculated hidden air base existed western tip islands sparking interest high command capturing island chain early strategic plan involved occupation western midway island lure united_states_navy pacific fleet away pearl harbor effect complete destruction hawaiian base reconstruction efforts hold campaign meant fewer ships devoted battle midway turning point world war united_states armed forces broken japanese communications code able learn japanese plan attack imperial_japanese_navy plan attack hold future use inflicting damage dutch harbor united_states_navy learned plan admiral chester sent pacific fleet islands orders hold dutch harbor costs initial attacks june american military contingent numbered june patrol plane spotted japanese miles southwest dutch harbor june imperial_japanese_navy admiral ordered aircraft attack dutch harbor despite rough conditions air ground half managed attack town aircraft arriving dutch harbor finding confronted forces aircraft hastily dropped bombs quickly returned carriers june aircraft returned attacked town oil storage tanks barracks ship military base hospital day americans died wounded japanese aircraft lost american planes june imperial_japanese_navy returned occupying day island despite posting forces oppose occupation islands japanese public informed great triumph forces islands desire joint chiefs staff recapture islands quickly possible august army troops secured island staging post recapture weeks army engineers constructed airfield island september number consolidated took attack repeated bombings fall season convinced japanese americans desire recapture november japanese bolstered troop numbers ground islands winter months short daily sunshine period weather protected japanese attack moving january forces captured island miles challenges faced americans stationed outset night americans spent ground harsh winds destroyed americans boats second night reduced base line sight mid february army engineers completed airfield island attacks island japanese frequent americans moving closer japanese finding increasingly difficult resupply bases march admiral thomas established naval blockade islands refusing let japanese ships march admiral attempted break blockade battle ships transports resulting battle islands battle fought surface ships pacific war following american victory battle japanese forced resupply occupied possessions chain submarine following battle islands admiral requested larger force troops support assault ships transport large division suggested americans objective change defended men home japanese april received approval joint chiefs staff execute operation terrain island operation island covered snowy peaks covered soil type impossible cross foot addition island subject frequent storms recapture island 7th infantry division selected undertake task island division arrived cold bay april despite cold weather prevailing region american troops wearing regular field clothing division previously stationed california poor weather americans assault delayed twice operation commenced heavy fog force japanese hampered attempts defending island weather hampered americans advance forces unsure japanese held position retreated fog lifted day clear japanese retreated west american forces gave chase immediately slowed accidental air strike american aircraft japanese forces numbered troops attempted run advancing american forces defiance forces americans recaptured small pockets japanese troops remained island battle essentially concluded american assault island japanese troops killed captured americans losses significantly lower dead wounded bodies killed japanese troops buried mass graves island cent japanese troops fighting island wore dog making identification difficult addition fallen japanese buried fellow soldiers island peaks bodies remain american undertaken massacre bay bay case bodies soldiers buried group graves large holes seven feet depth dug small foot deep graves dug holes serve american soldiers final resting places recapture island secure americans diverted attention forcing japanese intelligence estimated point number japanese troops likely deployed men composed americans canadians work operation scheduled begin august eleventh air_force dropped tons bombs month july addition navy fired tons shells island period late july pilots charged scouting enemy forces reported sharp decline fire received planes japanese forces ground americans believed events occurred evacuated japanese retreated hills august total troops ground west canadian contingent came ashore north island day invasion embarrassment allied forces island fact entire japanese force men left island july americans noticing americans suffered significant casualties invasion men died result accidents dying accidental fire total dead died destroyer uss read struck died friendly fire japanese completely deserted buildings island leaving messages walls allied troops read attacked president united_states franklin roosevelt prime minister united_kingdom winston_churchill example messages read mixture english german dancing order sic august declared secure american forces islands campaign officially commanding officers stationed islands islands campaign attacking islands logical continuation officers faced resistance superiors washington troops ground troop morale sharply declined result island dismal conditions creating condition troops called island months american assault nuclear testing 1960s united_states atomic energy commission conducted nuclear tests despite designated national wildlife refuge president william chosen nuclear testing site reasons decision firstly close soviet_union making ideal location nuclear test public reason given island forceful objections raised testing number organisations groups notably people vacated island 19th century russian fur traders reduced sea numbers area resident nearby islands concerned radiation leaks potential physical damage resulting nuclear tests long shot nuclear test executed department defense immediately fallout nuclear test began leak adjacent freshwater lakes details contamination public october executed shot underground determine island safe place future tests test set number reactions surrounding area test triggered earthquakes landslides sent water lakes flying feet air announced plans test named environmental movement infancy opposed testing filed suit united_states supreme_court stop testing motion denied vote november bomb detonated creating feet deep crater island killing sea thousands birds blast times created hiroshima bombing largest underground test nuclear weapon history

Military history of the Aleutian Islands


massacre massacre precisely identified massacre occurred early hours march united_states_army staff sergeant robert murdered sixteen civilians wounded district province afghanistan victims children dead family corpses partially burned taken custody later morning told authorities august jury joint base lewis fort lewis washington sentenced life prison parole american international security assistance force authorities apologized deaths authorities condemned act describing intentional murder national assembly afghanistan passed resolution demanding public trial afghanistan secretary defense said soldier tried military law pleaded guilty june counts murder exchange prosecution seeking death penalty time plea stated know committed murders united_states authorities concluded killings act single individual march parliamentary probe team members national assembly afghanistan speculated american soldiers involved killings team later said confirm claims multiple soldiers took killings background surge southern afghanistan birthplace movement traditionally stronghold area heavy fighting focus military surge brought fold increase night raids homes casualties fold increase special forces operations afghanistan fighting adjacent districts particularly intense conflict civilian population forces exacerbated wholesale destruction villages american forces mass arrests murder civilians rogue units high casualties improvised explosive devices families targeted returned area previously displaced surge fearing encouraged government army government settled near american military base thought safe place live approximately weeks incidents relations strained incident copies burnt air base couple months marines dead fighters allegations issues fort lewis shooter robert based joint base lewis primary medical treatment facility base army medical center come investigation soldiers lesser military support groups base alleged base commanders returning troops sufficient time recover sending deployments base medical unit overwhelmed numbers returning veterans deployment related medical psychological trauma soldiers base linked atrocities crimes district murders involved based soldiers recently discharged soldier shot police officer salt_lake_city april soldier killed wife year old son killing january soldier murdered mount national park ranger separate incidents unrelated soldiers charged children executive director veterans resource center near fort lewis said killings offer proof base dysfunctional rogue soldier rogue base severe leadership problem said statement base officials responded saying crimes committed soldiers isolated events reflect work dedication service members robert scales retired army major general commandant army war college suggested major factor infantry personnel years close combat iraq afghanistan march bombing residents village metres east camp stated bomb exploded vicinity march destroying armored vehicle wounding soldiers recounted soldiers lined male villagers wall threatening revenge incident killing people threatening children pay resident told associated_press looked like going shoot afraid american officials pentagon declared evidence villagers lined wall threatened officials refused confirm deny american soldiers wounded outside village march lawyer john henry later stated client upset fellow soldier lost leg explosion march unclear bombing cited described villagers incident killings according official reports left combat outpost camp local time wearing night vision wearing traditional clothing according government officials knowledge investigation killings carried phases returning base guard reported soldier returning base guard reported soldier leaving believed gone mile north camp called earlier reports located miles south base people killed wounded people killed american base heard action attempting view post inside base march authorities recognized people killed including children men women march number revised later reduced initially reported injured number eventually increased members family killed according year old boy shot leg family members shooting witness said saw man drag woman house repeatedly hit head wall victim appears according brother shot head spared wife children wife members family killed house village including wife girls ages boys relatives according witness dragged boys hair shot mouth child victims killed single shot head bodies set fire civilian age killed house village witnesses reported wearing spotlight attached weapon burned victims bodies act considered islamic law witnesses said corpses family shot head stabbed gathered room set fire pile ashes found floor victims house child body found partially reporter new_york_times inspected children bodies taken nearby american military base reported seeing burns legs heads surrender confession following events handed custody forces spotted leaving outpost killings commanders base assembled troops head count discovered soldier missing patrol dispatched find missing soldier find returned base killings reportedly taken custody incident military operations conducted area time surveillance video base reportedly shows soldier walking base covered traditional soldier removes lays weapon ground raises arms surrender video released public american investigators suspect departed base midnight committed murders returned base departed base committed murders apparently second departure caused alert commencement patrol locate missing soldier according defense officials return base said words told individuals happened later retained lawyer refused speak investigators united_states flew afghanistan kuwait march united_states disciplinary barracks fort kansas march pentagon spokesman said legal recommendation number according authorities single soldier staff sergeant robert conducted attack military showed authorities footage surveillance video base proof according neighbors relatives dead saw group soldiers arrive village enter homes open fire drunk shooting place said neighbor according new_york_times attack survivors villagers described seeing number soldiers residents described seeing mother husband killed incident reported involvement large number people shot dead husband tried drag house saw people looked house americans pointed guns threatened telling leave house kill year old girl named father killed reported man entered room standing yard holding lights brother victim claimed seen numerous soldiers guns elected officials said believed attack planned claiming soldier carried act help response president appointed general investigate claims march parliamentary probe team members national assembly afghanistan announced american soldiers involved killings support helicopters spent days province site interviewing survivors collecting evidence members probe team said closely examined site incident talked families lost beloved ones injured people tribal elders villages half kilometre american military base convinced soldier kill people villages hour victims killed groups asked government united_nations international community ensure perpetrators punished afghanistan visiting affected villages pointed villagers said family rooms people killed children women killed brought room set fire man team later said confirm multiple soldiers took killings financial payments victims families march office governor province united_states gave equivalent victims families allocated person killed person injured official payments families said money compensation government offering help victims families member provincial council described payments assistance kind legal compensation accused robert army concluded robert year old army staff sergeant stationed camp person responsible according defense secretary immediately captured acknowledged killings told individuals happened asked attorney refused speak investigators motivations according officials having marital problems investigation looking possibility mail marriage problems provoked wife wrote blog disappointment passed promotion sergeant class family struggling finances days wife home sale fallen mortgage payments march government charged counts murder counts attempted murder counts assault march american investigators said believe split killings villages attacks returning camp attack slipping hour later military personnel disciplined having role incident august pleaded guilty general court martial apologized killing described massacre act plea spared death penalty august sentenced life prison parole court demoted private lowest possible rank discharged ordered pay commanding general overseeing court martial option reducing sentence life possibility parole villagers families victims upset decision saying deserved death reactions reaction family members society woman lost family members incident said don know foreign soldier came killed innocent family members drunk enjoyed killing civilians year old farmer lost family members children spoke incident don know killed government told come village let americans kill mother holding dead baby arms said killed child child believe haven seen year old member don want compensation don want money don want trip don want house want absolutely want punishment americans demand demand demand demand said brother killed locals gathered military base protest killings brought burned blankets represent killed house elderly woman god kill son feels feel march hundreds university students protested afghanistan eastern city shouting death america death obama burning president christian cross march people took protest southern province reaction authorities president afghanistan called incident intentional murder stated assassination intentional killing innocent civilians said united_states pull troops village areas allow security forces lead effort reduce civilian deaths march said fully operating probe killings said problem civilian casualties hands nato forces going long means end rope spokesperson interior ministry condemned act strongest possible terms politicians wanted face court national assembly afghanistan insisted soldier public trial afghanistan seriously demand expect government united_states punish try public trial people afghanistan condemned killings brutal declared people running patience ignorance foreign forces member parliament said shooting gives message american soldiers control generals member said act single man public reaction blame government america soldier reaction nato american forces apologized promised investigation secretary defense stating soldier brought justice held death penalty consideration president barack_obama called incident absolutely tragic heartbreaking noted proud generally troops accomplished afghanistan obama said incident represent exceptional character american military respect united_states people afghanistan march said united_states takes seriously citizens children murdered loss innocent life killing innocent civilians outrageous unacceptable response reporter asking killings likened massacre civilians forces south vietnam obama replied comparable appeared lone acted general john allen commander issued apology adrian deputy commander nato forces afghanistan apologized wish convey profound regrets dismay explain motivation acts way authorised military activity rapid thorough inquiry promised officials said killings affect strategies area response said statement website sick minded american committed blood soaked crime militant group promised families victims revenge single martyr accused security officials attack militant group called peace talks wake deadly march launched attack government delegation visiting site killings killing government soldier injuring