attack camp attack camp occurred early hours february early stages vietnam war camp helicopter facility constructed united_states_army near support operations free world military forces central highlands vietnam august united_states_navy reported attacked torpedo boats north vietnamese navy known gulf incident response perceived aggression communist forces southeast_asia united_states congress passed gulf resolution enabled president johnson deploy conventional military forces region prevent attacks north vietnamese immediately gulf resolution passed johnson ordered bombing north vietnamese navy bases retaliation reported attacks navy warships august forces south vietnam threat retaliation launched attacks military facilities south vietnam johnson start north vietnam tried avoid public opinion united_states presidential election soviet_union hand experiencing political changes removed power leader soviet_union begun process vietnam reducing economic military aid north vietnam aftermath downfall soviet government role southeast_asia particularly vietnam compete growing influence people republic china february soviet premier travelled rebuild soviet ties north vietnam formation military alliance agenda coincidentally senior security adviser president report political chaos south vietnam shadow events battalion staged attack camp february time victory presidential election secured johnson decided launch operation entailed strikes north vietnamese military targets bombing soviet government decided step military aid north vietnam signalling major reversal policy vietnam background august operating north vietnamese coast gulf uss engaged north vietnamese torpedo boats ensuing battle north vietnamese torpedo boat reported heavily damaged fire remaining north vietnamese vessels chased aircraft uss august united_states_navy claimed second attack occurred north vietnamese navy vessels fired torpedoes uss uss turner joy response second attack warships august united_states congress unanimously passed gulf resolution gave president johnson authority deploy conventional military forces southeast_asia prevent aggression north vietnamese forces formal declaration war congress johnson given mandate military action north vietnam allies south vietnam steps north vietnam end johnson midst presidential election want public believe leading country war johnson decided wait election presidency assured decide military moves political situation south vietnam continued august south vietnamese general van tried overthrow general coup aborted handed power air marshal generals december formed new military civilian led high national council subsequently dissolved south vietnamese government chaos moscow november december sessions soviet communist_party central committee soviet leaders discussed topic soviet military aid north vietnam details discussions public indication soviet strategy vietnam came december soviet government invited north vietnamese backed national liberation open permanent mission moscow february national security adviser president johnson arrived meet ambassador south vietnam general taylor discuss political situation country days later february soviet premier arrived historic visit north vietnam included entourage team soviet missile experts attack early american soviet leaders strategy vietnam battalion ordered begin communist spring offensive attacking airfield camp near province south vietnamese army base province camp kilometers east opened army transportation company august camp subsequently named chief warrant officer charles killed action december end members army 52nd combat aviation battalion command lieutenant colonel john hughes deployed camp purpose supporting south vietnamese free world military forces regions corps corps tactical zones commander battalion ordered 30th company leave base area marched central highlands attack airfield camp advisory compound military assistance command vietnam corps february camp outer perimeter protected south vietnamese security contingent included ranger battalion regional force companies armored squadron reconnaissance camp found security barrier surrounded advisory compound real challenge protected layers wire fences measured meters high overcome defenses camp organized 30th company sections section direct command destroy aircraft airfield establish route retreat attack force second section led ordered attack advisory compound facilities pilots technicians housed 30th company issued mortars mortar shells attack camp reinforced combat engineer platoon special operations platoon local force company province combat engineers required break wire fences protected facility camp protect attack forces route retreat land mines local force company set ambush positions facility stop possible reinforcements february soldiers 30th company assembled positions outside camp began breaking wire fences mission nearly turned disaster combat engineers accidentally electrical wire breaking fence barrier military police patrolling area detect february attackers opened fire rifles having successfully penetrated camp shortly airfield advisory compound sections 30th company attacked respective targets small arms fire minutes later began retreating facility later morning claimed victory having caused death soldiers wounded addition aircraft destroyed damaged aftermath news attack camp reached morning february general william ambassador taylor flew survey damage called president johnson forward request air strikes north vietnam response request johnson hastily convened session national security council involved speaker house_of_representatives senate majority leader discuss need communists vietnam afternoon general arrived meet informed recommendations air strikes north vietnam president united_states hours attack johnson started operation bomb selected north vietnamese targets accordingly fighter bombers took uss coral sea uss attack north vietnamese barracks north 17th parallel informed strikes reportedly opened bottle champagne celebrate occasion served bolster morale south vietnamese military showed determined fight north vietnam air strikes launched attack installation february caused death military personnel response combined force south vietnamese fighter bombers launched larger attack north vietnamese targeting located north 17th parallel bombing north vietnam february decisive impact soviet_union strategy vietnam communist_party won control north vietnam government enjoyed relations soviet allies example soviet government proposed north south vietnam given seat united_nations undermined north claim sole legitimate government country february north vietnam joined people republic china refusing sign partial nuclear test ban treaty insult policy existence adopted soviet premier time begun process vietnam growing conflict region expensive soviet_union north vietnam relying large amounts economic military aid rift soviet government north vietnam clearly obvious august soviet_union responded relatively muted fashion conducted air strikes north vietnamese navy bases retaliation gulf incident despite soviets lack response north vietnamese leadership restrained criticizing soviet government hoping supply north vietnam anti aircraft weapons required defend air attacks event occurred moscow october worked north vietnam favor removed power keen counteract chinese influence region new soviet government led sought end defense pact north vietnam stay north vietnam subjected air strikes infuriated soviet government consequently february north vietnamese counterpart prime minister issued joint highlighted soviet resolve strengthen north vietnam defensive potential giving necessary aid support april visit moscow general secretary vietnamese communist_party signed missile agreement soviet_union gave north vietnamese military needed resist operation rolling thunder


battle battle began september battle battle formed set piece battle fought months palestine campaign world war cavalry phase battle desert mounted corps rode plain known valley plain armageddon miles line hills plain 13th cavalry brigade 5th cavalry division attempted capture town headquarters army group eventually captured following day garrison withdrawn egyptian expeditionary force attack possible british_empire infantry attack september began battle infantry attacked continuous mediterranean_sea plain hills corps british indian army infantry captured headquarters ottoman eighth army course attack infantry created gap ottoman line defences desert mounted corps rode northwards begin cavalry phase battle subsequently infantry captured tire eighth army desert mounted corps advanced capture communications september cutting main ottoman withdrawal routes lines supply communications 5th cavalry division assigned task capturing site general headquarters central powers army group september rough narrow pass mount range forced leave brigade divisional artillery instead 13th 14th cavalry brigades advancing plain capture 14th cavalry brigade went directly objective 4th cavalry division time 13th cavalry brigade attacked reduced squadrons strong capture army group headquarters secure town attack german commander army group major general von senior staff officers escaped following day ottoman garrison retreated occupied 13th cavalry brigade background following second attacks egyptian expeditionary force march april april commanded general occupied jordan valley line extended hills mediterranean british infantry cavalry regiments western counter spring offensive replaced british india army infantry cavalry reorganisation training newly arrived soldiers carried series attacks sections ottoman line summer months attacks aimed pushing line positions preparation major attack newly arrived india army infantry middle september consolidated force ready large scale operations time occupation jordan valley continued afternoon september clear breakthrough attacks battle corps commanded lieutenant general edward successful corps commanded lieutenant general philip ordered begin attack supported artillery barrage defended ottoman line attacks continued midday september successful flanking attack corps combined corps assault forced seventh eighth armies ottoman seventh army retreated area river jordan crossing bridge rearguard captured desert mounted corps commanded lieutenant general harry advanced gap provided infantry september fighting hills capturing advancing time force commanded major general edward captured retreating ottoman german column bridge cut line retreat jordan river east river fourth army began retreat force advanced capture salt september captured september second battle strong fourth army rearguard defeated september deployment desert mounted corps commanded consisted 4th 5th cavalry australian mounted divisions 5th light horse brigade temporarily attached infantry 60th division mounted division assigned force cavalry divisions concentrated near dumped surplus equipment preparation advance concentrating corps infantry divisions mediterranean coast railway line divisions brigades regiments 4th 5th cavalry divisions transferred france consisted british regiment british indian army cavalry regiments usually 15th imperial service cavalry brigade regiments indian imperial service troops cavalry regiments armed addition lee rifles swords 5th cavalry division consisted regiments australian mounted division consisting light horse brigades regiments consisting headquarters squadrons men horses regiment armed swords lee rifles mounted division detached force remained war armed rifles divisions supported machine guns batteries royal horse artillery honourable artillery company light armoured car units light armoured motor batteries light car patrols september desert mounted corps leading division 5th cavalry division deployed north west miles line ready follow 4th cavalry division located orange east miles australian mounted division reserve near miles line movement restricted night time culminating general forwards night september 4th 5th cavalry divisions moved position close infantry australian mounted division moved forward cavalry divisions concentrated supplies carried horse drawn transport long trains divisions carried iron days special emergency rations man pounds grain horse carried horses additional day grain horses carried line transport wagons desert mounted corps objectives cavalry divisions ride northwards coastal plain eastwards mount range plain known valley plain armageddon block line retreat ottoman seventh eighth armies fighting corps hills plain quickly captured ottoman armies continued fighting british_empire infantry lines retreat railway road cut success plan depended rapid advance simultaneously seventh eighth armies hills capture von army group general headquarters order consolidate success cavalry required hold places time operating miles base dependent rations quickly efficiently transported forward base plain lines supply ottoman armies fighting hills depended main road railway networks crossed plain falls map cavalry advances detail plain stretches west miles white houses foothills hills north centre plain eastern edge close jordan river south edge foot hills main route plain plain mount range pass enters plain near area dominated site ancient fortress tell small force prominent ground control routes north plain romans arabs army napoleon marched fought defensive works identified plain covering approaches aerial german troops army group headquarters von took steps correct failure september ordering 13th depot regiment military police total companies machine guns occupy defend plains exit pass prelude concentration surprise speed key elements warfare planned success battle depended intense british_empire artillery barrage covering successful attack line infantry required drive gap line gap required cavalry advance quickly plain miles ottoman line day battle royal_air_force raf australian flying corps required win control skies destroying dominating german aircraft activity flying arms carried constant bombing raids seventh eighth army headquarters respectively cut communications von desert mounted corps advance initial cavalry advance coastal plain desert mounted corps advance strictly enemy forces directly bar path turning north east cavalry cross mount range passes ride plain 5th cavalry division difficult northern pass miles south east 4th cavalry division follow northwards reached southern pass known pass plain objective capture reserve australian mounted division follow 4th cavalry division 5th cavalry division 5th cavalry division consisted 13th 14th 15th cavalry brigades essex batteries royal horse artillery 5th field squadron royal engineers 5th cavalry division signal squadron 12th light armoured motor battery 7th light car patrol division lead advance north riding beach cover cliffs past way plain advance guard 13th cavalry brigade 12th light armoured motor battery beach south major general divisional commander informed 60th division ottoman ceased south clearing way cavalry hour later 9th horse leading brigade reached horses somewhat blown quick journey soft sand seen speed 13th cavalry brigade set hoping slow catch rest division passed division ordered avoid conflict reached entrenched line near leading squadrons attacked ottoman infantry large orchard east hindi captured prisoners guns wagons cost man killed wounded isolated machine gun captured north near 9th horse ottoman position total prisoners artillery pieces wagons captured entrenched ottoman position garrisoned eighth army depot regiment stretched sea near mouth seeing mounted divisions approaching plain garrison withdrew prisoners later captured 4th cavalry division 5th cavalry division crossed arrive miles north west hour ahead schedule having ridden miles horses unfit service 18th 13th cavalry brigade destroyed horses forced leave 9th horse record number horses destroyed left probably divisions rested men horses ottoman prisoners fed time squadron led armoured cars went ahead track mount range pass reconnaissance group reported track pass rough bad repair informed division ready 13th 14th cavalry brigades advance wheels negotiate pass night consequence 15th imperial service cavalry brigade remained guard guns artillery 1st follow daylight september waited division transport guard arrived midnight september ordered 15th imperial service cavalry brigade 5th cavalry division guns arrived rejoin division night approach 13th 14th cavalry brigades commanded brigadier generals kelly clarke respectively successfully rode pass night september incident 18th 13th cavalry brigade taken vanguard 9th horse advancing north napoleon route miles north west followed north village turned east enter pass moving single file way rough narrow track following northern watershed september squadrons 9th horse deployed rearguard position defend pass attack long column reached remained brigades concentrated having entered plain cut yards section railway line blown destroyed desert mounted corps plans plain objectives 5th cavalry division attack capture von headquarters miles clearing plain 4th cavalry division objective arriving plan pass capture later day division advance eastwards plain capture occupy road railway bridges north jordan river particular hold destroy bridge miles north miles line reserve australian mounted division enter plain occupy 3rd light horse brigade advanced capture miles line battle daylight reconnaissance squadron aircraft reported british armoured cars halfway plain way cavalry brigade brigades entering plain advancing broad 5th cavalry division ordered 14th cavalry brigade brigade reached road attacking german ottoman force 20th horse captured railway station prisoners division artillery moved pass morning rejoin 5th cavalry division later day 5th cavalry division remaining brigade 13th cavalry brigade reached having weakened number detachments squadron 9th horse lost touch night march troops clearing village 18th surrounded captured sleeping ottoman soldiers village mistaken rest brigade collecting prisoners unit available attack gloucester ordered advanced guard attack closely followed squadron troops 18th population living homes built steep sides depression hills homes dominated buildings hills north west roads winding way steep town joined miles southern edge left main road town army group mess located hotel yards general headquarters von offices monastery cavalry rear turkish army cavalry divisions surrounded von headquarters today bolt yesterday september leading troop gloucester riding kilometres arrived swords drawn captured prisoners hotel mass documents found houses nearby bulk army group records burned monastery commander 13th cavalry brigade requested assistance 14th cavalry brigade 5th cavalry division headquarters reported 13th cavalry brigade captured prisoners material von left evening 14th cavalry brigade 5th cavalry division unable assist attack brigade captured prisoners advance southwards capture joined leading troops 10th cavalry brigade 4th cavalry division initial attack gloucester strongly opposed street fighting congestion created prisoners increased numerous german parked narrow streets continuing attack gloucester fired machine guns buildings high ground north west windows gloucester reinforced squadrons troops 18th followed squadron 9th horse subsequently counter attack german office workers despite annihilated 13th cavalry brigade machine guns held british cavalry attack divisional headquarters replied 13th brigade request assistance 14th cavalry brigade sent state horses 13th cavalry brigade ordered withdraw north taking prisoners having ridden miles hours gloucester suffered men killed horses 9th horse suffered men killed kelly commander 13th cavalry brigade failed capture failed force way town cut road failed capture von held responsible lost command result aftermath 13th cavalry brigade moved cut road north town ordered return occupy town morning german ottoman forces retired occupied opposition 4th cavalry division advanced capture afternoon september controlled area north river jordan 5th cavalry division garrisoned area motor working hills rejoined division september australian mounted division 3rd light horse brigade occupied consequence direct routes northwards controlled desert mounted corps forcing retreating ottoman seventh army remained eighth army withdraw minor roads tracks heading eastwards jordan river railway hours battle september september german ottoman line cut infantry cavalry passed gap reach objectives continuing infantry attack south forced ottoman seventh eighth armies hills withdraw northwards end september main achievements british infantry battle expulsion eighth army coastal plain capture eighth army headquarters 60th division captured hills attached 5th light horse brigade cut railway south battle 7th division captured village lid controlled crossroads time desert mounted corps blocked seventh army remained eighth army main lines retreat north hills large proportion retreating column seen withdrawing direction captured 3rd light horse brigade capture dusk prisoners captured brigade transport following cavalry divisions miles inside ottoman territory negotiating heavy sand desert mounted corps transport wagon train reached september escorted pass arrived noon september von headquarters staff escaped motor vehicle road sea drove afternoon von organised strong rearguard attacked australian light horse september battle von ordered garrison german command supported german machine guns prepare attack fight man early stages journey von communicate armies leaving fourth seventh eighth armies orders direction


battle battle korean april known battle chinese pinyin fought korean war united_nations forces primarily australian canadian chinese communist people volunteer army fighting occurred chinese spring offensive saw 27th british commonwealth brigade establish blocking positions valley key route south capital seoul forward battalions 3rd battalion royal australian regiment 2nd battalion princess canadian light infantry occupied positions valley hastily developed defences thousands south korean soldiers began withdraw valley chinese brigade position cover darkness assaulted australians hill evening following day heavily outnumbered 27th brigade held positions afternoon australians finally withdrawn positions rear brigade sides having suffered heavy casualties chinese turned attention canadians hill fierce night battle unable fighting helped blunt chinese offensive actions australians canadians important assisting prevent breakthrough united_nations command central ultimately capture seoul battalions bore assault stopped entire chinese division hard fought defensive battle day chinese withdrew valley order today battle regarded famous actions fought australian canadian armies korea background military situation united_nations counter offensive february april largely successful eighth army pushing chinese north han river operation killer seoul recaptured mid march operation forces approached 38th parallel regardless strained relationship general douglas president harry led dismissal commander chief replacement general matthew consequently april general james van fleet replaced commander eighth army united_nations forces korea flew tokyo day replace offensive continued series short operation courageous late march pushed forward line kilometres south 38th parallel operation rugged early april pushed north 38th parallel kansas line finally mid april advance moved eighth army utah line following battle san 27th british commonwealth brigade enjoyed period corps reserve forces continued push steadily northwards april brigade consisted infantry battalions australian canadian british including 3rd battalion royal australian regiment 2nd battalion princess canadian light infantry 1st battalion middlesex regiment 1st battalion brigadier departed hong_kong leave march brigade command brigadier brian arthur direct support 16th field regiment royal new_zealand artillery inch pounder field guns command lieutenant colonel bruce replaced lieutenant colonel floyd following dismissal wake battle november commanded time lieutenant colonel james riley stone deployed central sector brigade corps included 24th division south korean 2nd division 7th division south korean 6th division overall command major general william time 27th brigade attached 24th division advancing north valley late march reaching line march brigade released advancing corps deep narrow valley river kilometres east april 27th brigade moved river advancing kilometres days operation rugged valley held strength chinese defended small groups infantry dug overlooked advancing flanking hills ridges brigade captured successive positions encountering heavy resistance reaching kansas line april following brief operational pause advance kilometres utah line began april day dismissal chinese resistance strengthened noticeably brigade initial objectives captured middlesex april approach utah line dominated metres hills feature kilometre north salmon metres north middlesex repulsed repeated attempts capture april task allocated company subsequently captured crest killing chinese wounding loss australians wounded following morning salmon captured company firing shot amidst light resistance chinese capture resulted men wounded broke attempted chinese counter attack continued advance right flank capturing feature hill april facing spirited chinese delaying action successive positions canadians capture final objective trout feature hill following morning prelude opposing forces reaching utah line 27th brigade withdrawn april handing positions south korean 6th division subsequently ordered battalions reserve positions north previously destroyed village main road seoul east_coast intelligence indicated new chinese offensive imminent brigade settled rest remained hours notice support corps having operations continuously past seven months british intended relieve bulk brigade period reserve british battalions middlesex replaced fresh battalions hong_kong headquarters 27th brigade replaced brigadier george taylor headquarters 28th brigade late april canadians scheduled transfer newly raised 25th canadian brigade canada increased commitment war advance parties brigade headquarters departed seoul route hong_kong april remaining british battalions scheduled depart weeks later rotated remained brigade entire war operating individual reinforcement system instead planning began operation drive kilometres iron triangle key communist concentration area communications junction central sector south north planning included precautions chinese offensive eighth army conduct delaying defence successive positions indications imminent communist offensive including visible strengthening chinese north korean artillery systems led order van fleet exploit opportunities wyoming line confident nonetheless widened scope offensive designating secondary objective line eastern sector known alabama line fate intervene van fleet launched offensive april met stronger chinese north korean offensive following night chinese spring offensive known chinese fifth phase campaign impulse envisioned total destruction corps han river involving chinese army groups 3rd 9th 19th army groups north korean corps iii corps overall command commander chinese people volunteer army korea immediate objective capturing seoul offensive commenced april broad fronts main thrust river western sector held corps involving troops driving seoul secondary effort involving troops attacking east river central eastern sectors falling primarily corps lesser extent corps sector chinese troops supported offensive total men preparation battle hardened 39th 40th armies 13th army group transferred 9th army group overall command song commander 40th army given mission destroying south korean 6th division blocking reinforcements river facing chinese offensive troops including south americans british commonwealth troops countries eighth army strong prevent large line masses chinese infantry soon swept flanks surrounding entire formations attempt cut withdrawal standing directly path main chinese attack seoul corps sector 29th british brigade brigade stand river held chinese divisions days ultimately helped prevent capture seoul resulted heavy casualties british engagements war fighting 1st battalion gloucestershire regiment killed captured resistance battle river saw commanding officer lieutenant colonel james awarded victoria_cross battalion surrounded ultimately 29th brigade suffered casualties defence kansas line destroyed large portion chinese 63rd army inflicted nearly casualties loss caused controversy britain united_nations command east corps sector chinese division 40th army 60th division 20th army prepared attack south korean 6th division night april battle south korean collapse april south holding positions northern end valley having advanced kilometres relieving 27th brigade anticipating chinese attack divisional commander general halted advance ordered forward regiments 19th 2nd infantry regiments tie develop defensive positions 7th infantry regiment occupied reserve positions immediately forward regiments suffering reputation defence south bolstered attachment new_zealand guns battery millimetre field artillery battalion regardless left hour halt advance step defences forward south korean units able occupy series hill positions leaving valleys flanks exposed chinese divisions 60th division struck easily numerous gaps badly organised defensive positions pressure defenders gave ground immediately soon broke abandoning weapons equipment vehicles began stream south mountains valley forced admit lost communication units decision withdraw new prevent loss following reports south making stand ordered valley morning middlesex accompanying protection dusk clear south fact collapsed guns withdrawn 1st marine division holding firm chinese 39th army east withdrawal south left flank exposed chinese 39th 40th armies tasked protecting eastern flank 9th army group possible 1st marine division chinese exploit opportunity americans remained relatively forward positions corps corps sectors increasingly chinese exploited gaps formations van fleet ordered withdrawal kansas line mid morning subsequently ordered marines form new defensive position river reservoir new position occupied south korean 6th division plan relied south reforming offering resistance rearguard men established condition fight fearing breakthrough warned 27th brigade corps reserve establish defensive positions north afternoon april precaution event south unable hold blocking approaches village prevent chinese cutting route key route south seoul important main supply route brigade reduced battalions withdrawn prior battle preparation middlesex stand kept reserve width valley establishment continuous linear defensive forced place available battalions high points occupying hill east river occupying hill west san hill north west massive hill nearly metres high left necessity hills formed naturally strong defensive position suited blocking major advance regardless brigade position suffered number deficiencies exposed flank protection central sector occupied middlesex away north guns likewise return new brigade little artillery support large chinese forces arrived units returned forward companies support accept probability cut line communications ran kilometres exposed central sector valley particularly exposed battalions deployed slopes separate company sized defensive positions creating series strong points kilometre large ground defended companies spread widely unable offer mutual support instead platoon support company adopting round defence brigade headquarters remained valley kilometres south new_zealand gunners forward supporting south corps placed battery millimetre field artillery battalion inch mortars company 2nd chemical mortar battalion command 27th brigade tanks company heavy tank battalion support canadians subsequently occupied hill began digging deploying vickers medium machine guns sections add depth defensive fire tasks cover gaps positions australians occupied hill company holding summit company spur line ran north west company small hill river company reserve rear spur response corps requirements directed site headquarters low ground valley vicinity hamlet control withdrawing south limit awareness ability control battle leaving exposed afternoon spent lightly covered slopes digging building rocky ground proved hard hours australians managed prepare hasty defensive positions defensive fire tasks unable registered artillery forward observers unable reach company positions dark american tank company commander lieutenant kenneth deployed support australians road eastern flank hill offered best area employment armour platoon tanks occupied northern outpost position forward company prevent chinese road platoon occupied high ground west company final platoon command tank deployed near battalion headquarters covering ford road crossed river approximately metres south company tanks deployed infantry support command relationship australians armoured support complicated americans command normally free conduct battle regardless armed millimetre cannon calibre calibre machine guns tanks formidable assets bolstered defence considerably contrast chinese tanks infantry inch anti tank rockets counter evening large number south retreating disarray gap line held brigade majority moving australians south korean 6th division later positions 27th brigade reduced half original strength 20th army west chinese main effort seoul chinese division continued secondary advance valley closely pursuing retreating south racing northeast running valley regiment reached australian positions intent capturing important crossroads route south likely unaware location australian blocking position chinese vanguard remained low ground splitting approached long low north south running ridge rose like island mouth valley night battle april having successfully prevented 1st marine division reinforcing river chinese 40th army turned attention 27th brigade april battle started night april continued late following day entire chinese division division totalling men command engaged forward battalions 27th brigade initial chinese attack engaged hill early battle middlesex new_zealand gunners cut resistance australians ultimately allowed safely withdraw middlesex moved reserve position western bank river order provide depth brigade defence battalions chinese regiment launched repeated attacks forward australian companies northwest spur hill assault assault chinese troops kept attack night strong defence australians brigade right flank held turned attention canadians following day retreating south korean troops cover movements chinese brigade position initial stages battle penetrating companies road largely surrounding moving rear positions australians struggled distinguish chinese south dark korean service corps attached battalion able provide valuable assistance defenders distinguishing chinese sounds voices chinese launched attack forward platoon american tanks posted road infantry support initial moves easily repelled stronger attack hour later forced tanks withdraw tank commanders killed including platoon commander chinese proceeded assault australians different axes forward companies hill valley road battalion headquarters finally new_zealand artillery returned brigade provided limited support rest night began company positions number assaults occurred night indirect fires chinese charged forward waves beaten australians light machine guns owen guns rifle fire grenades attacking company command captain supported tanks drove assault inflicting heavy casualties emerging unscathed command post fired number chinese company position swiftly driven outpost northern reported chinese flanks heavy artillery directed attackers section forced break contact withdraw main defensive position main chinese assault began falling platoon broken hour heavy fighting second assault mounted platoon following platoon determination chinese swept forward penetrating australian perimeter ejected equally determined counter attack platoon tanks support small outpost rear company position attacked chinese held men command lance corporal ray australians fought separate attacks killing wounding space minutes later awarded military medal actions final assault company dawn chinese repulsed ridge company major ben faced tougher task came heavy attack began targeting platoon lowest west flank initial moves followed major chinese assaults sides hours despite suffering casualties chinese continued attack closing attacking australians hand grenades australians suffered numerous casualties half platoon killed wounded including gunners fighting small arms fire held repeated assaults increased frequency strength chinese assaulted dead wounded ordered survivors platoon withdraw company headquarters new position leadership lieutenant frederick later mentioned despatches chinese attacks continued platoon lasting weight previous assaults dawn clear succeeded penetrating perimeter gap australian began engage machine guns position covered fire steep dip concealed thick growing light platoon soon pinned suffered number casualties attempted gain better fire positions engage attackers fighting patrol dispatched contact company headquarters section passed false crest way spur line encountered chinese positions chance attacking immediately chinese killed loss australian threat company eliminated launched counter attack platoon assaulting chinese occupying original platoon position regained feature chinese forced withdraw heavy fire australians high ground heavy toll night fighting cost company dead new_zealand forward observers total suffered casualties half original strength right flank company captain norm held summit hill heavily engaged night company commanded captain attacked located metres rear battalion headquarters found heavily pressed protected section vickers medium machine guns pounder anti tank guns assault pioneer platoon regimental police headquarters company commander captain jack fighting chinese position retreating south bypassed headquarters american tanks nearby surrounding defenders establishing blocking positions road south night chinese attempted mount tanks destroy grenades charges driven fire later tanks received direct hit inch rocket forward perimeter struck heavily attacking waves chinese forced heavy casualties receiving fire chinese soldiers occupying houses village engaged road block houses killing chinese house company middlesex battalion dispatched help restore situation dawn chinese intensified attack headquarters perimeter killing wounding bulk medium machine gun section assault pioneer platoon driving high ground occupying chinese heights able fire directly battalion headquarters decision withdraw kilometres new position inside middlesex perimeter ordered men withdraw gradually moving vehicle time road remained provided covering fire withdrawal successfully completed headquarters company finally assembled inside middlesex perimeter ordered secure key ford river kilometres east possible withdrawal route battalion later retire hill withdrawal australians left subsequently captured chinese private robert parker battalion rider private conduct captivity posthumously awarded george cross following death ill treatment converted half trunk withdrawal destroyed new_zealand early morning forced american mortar company simply fled abandoning weapons vehicles communications brigade headquarters failed early forward companies poor large number south retreating position tearing line command post effect heavy vehicle traffic gunfire exposed line likewise direct radio communication forward companies battalion command net new type radios rugged terrain sitting battalion headquarters low ground relative forward companies requirement line sight forward companies able maintain communications battalion headquarters company level nets functioned ultimately contact maintained radio set middlesex battalion headquarters messages forward companies relied line slow relay company issues complicated conduct defence night forward battle falling morning finally managed radio phone general 1st marine division officer thinking chinese agent speaking told unit longer existed wiped night replied got news staying chinese attacks launched quickly aggressively placing light machine guns flank support attempting close attack australian perimeter grenades contrary contemporary western accounts chinese use human wave tactics tactic known point sides forces achieve local numerical superiority penetrate gaps forward companies attempting australians drawing fire away threatened flanks normally attempt close defensive positions darkness poor visibility cover movement counter american air superiority attacking force close fire support normally planned closely supported machine gun mortar artillery fire chinese attacks korea execution launched lack radio communications battalion level chinese instead relying whistle calls runners command control millimetre millimetre mortars provided particularly effective indirect fire support problems evident fighting later estimated chinese killed australians american tanks supported hill canadians spent night april pits listening sounds fighting australian early morning chinese activity increased situation deteriorating right flank stone withdrew company position forward feature summit order strengthen flank event australians forced withdraw command major company subsequently moved occupy positions east battalion headquarters high ground overlooking valley road day battle april daylight broke chinese found highly exposed open ground australians company supported artillery mortars tanks poured heavy fire chinese forcing withdraw leaving hundreds casualties slopes australians remaining possession original defensive locations immediate situation effectively cut kilometres ammunition food medical supplies extremely low forward area casualty evacuation increasingly difficult battalion risk overrun concentrated supported order avoid company isolated overwhelmed series chinese attacks company ordered leave position join companies high ground form battalion position australians subsequently withdrew instructed taking dozen chinese prisoners captured earlier standing patrol new_zealand gunners covered movement open valley laying smoke screen conceal withdrawal american tanks provided support moved valley australians exchanged number shots small groups chinese hiding dead ground numerous dead fighting previous night chinese dead counted company perimeter australians departed company successfully occupying new positions moved forward forward companies aboard tank group chinese launched attack spur held company attack repulsed assaults company day endured sniper fire mortar bombardment hours realising importance company previous position planned counter offensive hours withdrawal order occupy position vacated 27th brigade reinforced american troops forward facilitated chinese cleared small hill commanded road valley likewise defence position previous evening prevented chinese assault western flank hill order withdraw rescinded company tasked occupy position preparation company assault summit tasked platoon assault small halfway company old company position frontal assault launched sections attacking fire support strongly held chinese platoon dug defenders allowed australians approach metres opening fire machine guns rifles grenades platoon suffered seven casualties including platoon commander forced withdraw cover machine gun mortar fire platoon lieutenant took attack number american tanks moved provide support conducting right flanking attack australians suffered number casualties moved open ground advancing metres forward trenches chinese fire increased launched desperate bayonet charge section corporal broke right amid fierce hand hand fighting australians cleared chinese trenches losing men section heavily engaged machine guns rear trenches moved quickly assault remaining men reorganised platoon fought trench trench grenades australians began taking fire leaving rear sections clear position led section second aggression chinese unable hold majority fought death fled open ground captured australians chinese dead counted position second large chinese force detected occupying old company position australians effectively halted halfway objective prepare ordered withdraw attempt chinese subsequently abandoned fighting tanks provided support moving ammunition forward company helping evacuate wounded entire operation cost australians killed wounded actions awarded military cross received military medal chinese shifted attention company launching series relentless assaults summit company position vital defence hill commanding high ground protecting australian right flank commencing chinese assaulted forward platoon platoon launching attacks thirty minute intervals mortars cover movement attacked narrow steep slope grenades australians beat chinese killing loss seven wounded attacks new_zealand artillery played key role defeating chinese attempts bring accurate fire metres australian positions fighting supply ammunition guns caused severe problems chinese offensive depleted stock pounder rounds available forward seoul despite improvements problems system remained round effectively response directions artillery forward observers controlled fire badly wounded corporal william later awarded distinguished conduct medal leadership private smith awarded military medal lance corporal henry posthumously mentioned despatches fatally wounded attempting evacuate australian casualties despite previous failures chinese launched series attacks attacks continued hours targeting platoon command lieutenant john ward failing break chinese suffered heavy casualties assault ended fighting hour half company continued endure chinese mortar machine gun rifle fire believing battle continue night decision pull platoon order adopt company perimeter forward platoon overrun destroyed movement completed incident shortly newly vacated position assaulted large chinese force failed detect withdrawal chinese moved quickly attempted establish position northern end ridge heavily engaged australian machine gun rifle fire artillery canadian company completed hours battalion occupied northward facing arc curving summit hill west high ground closest river company held summit battalion left company central forward slope company held right flank high grass severe terrain hill limited ability company provide mutual support time afforded attacking force limited avenues approach cover assault april passed little activity chinese continuing focus australians river canadians continued strengthen defences reports growing chinese concentrations came forward companies company allocated section vickers medium machine guns millimetre mortars defensive fire tasks registered additional ammunition pushed forward companies afternoon evening april originally intending holding australians relieved 5th cavalry regiment decided morning withdraw prompted cancellation company assault australians facing fate ordered fighting withdrawal middlesex area new defensive positions rear brigade despite holding chinese bay morning afternoon increasing difficulty resupply casualty evacuation clear australians unable hold hill night exposed isolated positions planning withdrawal begun chinese renewed assault company discussed withdrawal radio chinese dominating road south ordered companies withdraw ridge running kilometres south west hill east river middlesex position lay kilometre south west foot ridge reached ford secured earlier act battalion check point withdrawal senior company commander subsequently appointed plan command withdrawal saw role ensuring received support needed achieve clean break decided forward lead withdrawal command company temporarily handed second command captain bob present november understood hand dangers withdrawing contact challenge protect forward withdrew followed chinese occupying old company positions company position broke contact australians clear withdrawal route blocking forces time evacuation large number wounded chinese prisoners movement timing withdrawal critical success consequently lead company mid afternoon rearguard able use protection darkness break contact time offering good observation fields fire daylight support initial moves orders delivered company lead withdrawal ridge line carrying wounded required evacuation clearing route securing ford near middlesex position company wait artillery chinese old company position moving establish blocking position company company withdraw blocking position company order allow establish clean break finally company withdraw company set blocking position delay follow allow companies withdraw called surviving chinese company attack marine_corps mistakenly directed australians positions marked plane men killed badly burnt attack broken company second command captain michael ryan ran chinese fire waving marker panel company medical orderly private subsequently awarded military medal efforts assisting wounded despite injuries chinese quickly attempted exploit chaos moving company long exposed eastern flank platoon main ridge forward summit subjected frontal assault unaffected broke chinese attack inflicted heavy casualties regardless chinese attempts infiltrate australian positions continued afternoon withdrawal scheduled begin shortly following preceded artillery bombardment high explosive smoke american tanks subsequently moved forward provide cover new_zealand artillery failed fire appointed hour provided direct fire support contact australians began pull fighting number disciplined rearguard actions companies new_zealand artillery kept chinese bay finally commenced firing company taken chinese prisoners earlier fighting unable leave carry australian wounded equipment fear chinese blocked withdrawal route realised company moved ridge ford incident reaching middlesex area dark company withdraw departing suffering casualty sniper fire led company spur south main ridge incident followed company hour chinese close pursuit concerned men engaged reached river exhausted condition little ammunition luck australians difficulties communication navigation ridge line dark elements company separated descended river early strike ford reaching deserted bank realised mistake immediately turned west following river bank ford chinese follow sudden final turn river giving company unexpected opportunity break free chinese subsequently detected canadians hill fired fortunately canadian fire hit australians possibility earlier problems radio relay canadians australians meant guarantee withdrawing force mistaken chinese crossed river company holding summit withdrawn heavily engaged unable scheduled time chinese launched determined assault preceding heavy machine gun mortar fire attempting overrun forward pits australians repelled chinese assault decided begin thin position situation deteriorated platoon covering movement company subsequently withdrew closely pursued chinese rapid withdrawal final chinese attack private keith accidentally left knocked unconscious buried forward pit mortar round regained consciousness hours later subsequently captured chinese occupied hill digging finally australians succeeded achieving clean break dark company able safely withdraw battalion clear completing withdrawal good order intact suffering minimal casualties regardless previous hours fighting costly australians resulting killed wounded captured bulk company battalion headquarters stout defence halted assault brigade right flank inflicted far heavier casualties chinese withdrawn significantly australians april day following successful withdrawal chinese turned attention canadians left flank defence hill april despite withdrawal hill evening 27th brigade reinforced afternoon april arrival 5th cavalry regiment americans dispatched earlier day ensure remained hands battalions subsequently deployed southwest company summit hill order cover left flank second american battalion occupied position river southeast middlesex likewise despite heavy casualties australian companies battalion headquarters emerged intense battle largely intact successfully withdrawn orderly fashion replacement british battalions 1st battalion king scottish arrived 24th took positions australians brigade headquarters battalions holding valley chinese faced difficult task continuing advance having defenders hill regiment chinese division attempt capture dominating heights hill held canadians unaware arrival american reinforcements chinese detected company evening commenced assault canadian right flank initial moves easily beaten automatic fire mortars second chinese assault hour later succeeded right forward platoon canadians successfully withdrew small groups company main defensive position eventually halted chinese advance fighting canadians millimetre mortars proven vital stability allowing rapid fire metres ability accurately hit narrow maximum range morning chinese dead counted company perimeter shortly following second assault company repelled large chinese assault force detected river bright laying heavy accurate artillery fire new_zealand gunners forced chinese withdraw killing large chinese force company strength detected south company moving battalion headquarters warned stone impending assault half tracks mortar platoon positioned battle armed calibre calibre machine gun stone held fire chinese broke tree line metres opening fire machine guns mortar fire minimum engagement distance chinese suffered severe casualties assault easily beaten chinese intentions prior assault fire direction troops forming positions allowed canadians indirect fires took heavy toll attackers forming positions chinese unable successfully pin point canadian defensive positions having failed carry thorough reconnaissance prior attack severe terrain prevented assaulting troops adopting low profile final assault darkness canadian rifle fire ineffective forcing resort grenades rocket launchers chinese mortars artillery particularly ineffective rounds fell canadian positions evening follow collapse south korean 6th division chinese division left bulk artillery supplies north scene fighting mortar ammunition largely australians previous evening contrast new_zealand gunners provided effective fire support able break number chinese assaults reached chinese turned attention company holding summit hill battalion left flank large chinese force detected forming spur west hill engaged light machines guns defensive fires assaulting platoon cover machine gun mortar fire chinese soon effectively engaged vickers machine guns platoon firing mutual support switching axis assault platoon chinese succeeded canadian sections medium machine gun killing crew remained post firing moment canadians fought engaging chinese attempted turn vickers rendering calling pre arranged defensive fires newly lost position supporting artillery firing slow rate conserve ammunition weight chinese assaults soon prompted canadians request increased slow rate rounds gun minute rounds fell seconds target area metres chinese canadian perimeter gaps company close surrounded company commander captain mills subsequently forced artillery fire position occasions early morning april avoid overrun tactic succeeded exposed chinese soon swept position dug canadians escaped unharmed chinese persisted launching number smaller attacks rest night repulsed artillery small arms fire dawn attacks canadian positions company remaining control summit able recover previously abandoned machine gun light right flank company able occupy platoon position forced relinquish earlier previous evening chinese suffered heavily night killed fighting concludes april chinese continued mount small attacks forces control battle regardless chinese succeeded establishing blocking positions roads south canadians temporarily cutting resupply anticipating battle continue evening stone requested food ammunition water directly hill required supplies including millimetre mortar ammunition dropped american flying flying japan anticipating renewed chinese effort canadians continued improve defensive position middlesex sent patrols morning order clear chinese hill evening chinese blocking positions relatively weak patrols company reported road clear stone subsequently requested supplies reinforcements sent forward vehicle rapidly feasible remainder day relatively quiet canadians subjected periodic fire chinese company received heavy machine gun fire hill west particular regardless chinese attempt attack confined limited patrolling activities later american tanks support cleared remaining chinese northern slopes hill concentrations chinese broken heavy artillery fire american battalion south west flank canadians subsequently relieved middlesex following 5th cavalry regiment launched assault recover hill chinese resisted division suddenly withdrew american patrols north feature met resistance americans able patrol east route contact light situation valley having left supplies food ammunition far advance days earlier chinese forced withdraw valley late afternoon april order following heavy casualties incurred fighting aftermath casualties vastly superior numbers chinese attacked broad initially overrun number forward positions regardless 27th brigade ultimately prevailed despite outnumbered factor despite numerical advantage chinese badly overcome trained armed australians canadians battlefield corpses chinese soldiers testament discipline firepower defenders despite ultimate defeat battle demonstrated chinese tough soldiers capable inflicting heavy casualties australians forcing eventual withdrawal albeit intact orderly result fighting australian losses killed wounded captured canadian casualties included killed wounded american casualties included men killed wounded tanks destroyed company heavy tank battalion new lost killed wounded contrast chinese losses far heavier included killed wounded canadians finally relieved hill battalion 5th cavalry regiment evening april company heavy tank battalion subsequently awarded presidential unit citation actions battle new_zealand gunners australians canadians suffered similar fate awarded south korean presidential unit citation canadians australians borne fighting middlesex despite replacement shown evidence lack aggression recalled fighting early battle leadership stone awarded distinguished service order awarded american distinguished service cross british military cross vital tanks played fighting royal australian regiment princess canadian light infantry middlesex regiment subsequently granted battle honour today battle regarded famous actions fought australian canadian armies korea subsequent operations april chinese spring offensive halted forces defensive line north seoul known line total withdrawal kilometres corps sectors kilometres corps south korean iii corps sectors main chinese blow fallen corps resistance british commonwealth forces battles river helped blunt impetus defence mounted 27th brigade stopping chinese corps corps helping halt chinese advance seoul preventing capture chinese nearly exhausted resources men material approaching limit supply lines chinese soldiers tired hungry short equipment fighting demonstrated greater willingness surrender previous encounters taking prisoners wounded contingent rapid objectives attempted chinese coup main ultimately failed amid heavy casualties little abandon attacks corps chinese suffered casualties period april contrast casualties period numbered killed wounded commonwealth south korean contingents brought total killed wounded captured highlighting devastating effect enormous firepower infantry setbacks second chinese spring offensive began east suffer worst defeat battle river 27th brigade replaced 28th british commonwealth brigade brigadier george taylor took command new formation april chinese offensive losing momentum new commonwealth formation subsequently pulled corps reserve southwest near junction rivers transferred 28th brigade 1st battalion king scottish 1st battalion king light infantry replaced middlesex regiments later transferred newly arrived 25th canadian brigade protracted negotiations governments australia britain canada india new_zealand south_africa agreement reached establish integrated formation aim increasing political significance contribution solution operational problems faced commonwealth contingents 1st commonwealth division formed july division including 25th canadian 28th british commonwealth 29th british infantry brigades command major general james corps australians major battle completing period duty replaced having endured hard fighting weather chaos confusion campaign ranged length korean peninsula served second australian imperial force 2nd second world war combat experience proven vital regardless casualties heavy battalion arrival japan september australians lost killed wounded captured


march march organised protest salt tax imposed british india march took place april second kind following march organised framework civil movement march led group volunteers indian national congress inc leadership referred began ended small coastal town district collecting salt directly sea broke salt law spoke people march route importance issues social disabilities cast discrimination civil campaign ended april participants arrested following imprisoned months background response nationwide protest british salt tax initiated salt march april small village bombay presidency western coast india close associate participated march organised march india east_coast salt district madras presidency chose instead larger salt making centre convenient salt marshes local resident salt merchant inc activist philanthropist able supply moral support started march miles west unanimously elected president tamil congress committee days prior march insisted people willing risk death long prison terms participate nearly members inc including joined rally addition social activists joined group march march coinciding tamil new year commenced april house march proceeded district energetic district collector tried stop newspapers tamil town informed hosts offering food shelter liable months imprisonment fine informed threat understand mindset people better british officer added stem tide freedom ignoring order resident resident provided accommodation days arranged grand dinner group house arrested arrest inspired people ways help getting caught food found tied branches trees group rested found huge food containers buried contrast british police suffered starvation local residents refused food water indian staff employed british stopped carrying day day activities refused service government employees despite obstacles group reached april days setting informed wrote good hands feet tied sing joy god help helpless speeches march highlighted importance issues social disabilities discrimination significance civil movement police spite previous failures heightened security prevent making illegal salt soon reached declared salt laws broken april called days trial came join march gave support offered accommodation group constructing camp shore day moved place called salt swamp miles camp police force led district superintendent arrived group asked surrender refused arrested produced district magistrate sentenced months imprisonment immediately sent participants arrested tortured policemen imprisoned year woman serve jail term participating salt movement aftermath following day shops state closed people continued salt despite repeated arrests use brutal force police apart people district arrested protests british collector confident ability prevent march forced report superiors existed sense devotion british government defunct midnight arrested sent bombay state son broke salt works volunteers attacked arrested police resulting death people injured fortnight later transferred prison madras central jail


german occupation belgium world war german occupation belgium french occupation dutch world war began belgian army surrendered german forces lasted belgium liberation western allies september february second time germany occupied belgium thirty years success invasion military administration established belgium bringing territory direct rule thousands belgian soldiers taken prisoners war released german administration competing objectives maintaining order material territory war effort assisted belgian civil service believed limited operation result damage belgian interests belgian fascist parties flanders wallonia established war collaborated actively helped recruit german_army given power end occupation food fuel tightly official news closely censored belgian civilians living near possible targets railway junctions danger allied aerial bombing occupation jews suffered systematic persecution concentration camps measures taken potential political opposition despite vigorous protest germans deported belgian civilians work factories germany belgian resistance formed late expanded vastly nazi party gained greater control belgium particularly military government replaced july nazi civil administration september allied forces arrived belgium quickly moved country december territory incorporated greater german leaders exile germany german control region virtually non existent belgium declared fully liberated february total half jews killed occupation country pre war gross domestic product reduced percent background belgium pursued policy neutrality independence successfully avoiding franco prussian war world war german empire invaded belgium ensuing occupation allies encouraged belgian workers resist non compliance leading large scale belgian civilians german_army political tensions escalated years leading world war belgian government announced intention remain neutral event war europe military reorganised defensive force country left international military treaties joined aftermath world war construction began defences east country france britain declared war germany september belgium remained strictly neutral reserves warning germans invaded belgium following days campaign belgian army pushed pocket north west belgium surrendered government fled france later united_kingdom establishing official government exile pre war prime minister responsible forming small military force belgian colonial troops known free belgian forces fought allied forces administration governance shortly surrender belgian army und military administration covering belgium french departments created germans brussels administrative centre germany annexed german speaking region given belgium treaty versailles military government placed control general alexander von career soldier von command german administration military units disposal field secret state police section military government dealt civil matters commanded responsible economic social political matters territory leaving country belgian government installed panel senior civil servants called committee general administer territory absence elected ministers germans retained committee occupation responsible implementing demands committee hoped stop germans involved day day administration territory allowing nation maintain degree autonomy committee hoped able prevent implementation radical german policies forced labour practice committee merely enabled germans implement policies efficiently military government force july military administration replaced civilian government led territory divided considerably increasing power nazi party territory germans increasingly forced share power day day administration increasingly delegated belgian civil authorities organisations iii iii king following death father accident key belgian political military neutrality war belgian constitution king played important political role served commander chief military personally commanded belgian army days campaign king surrendered germans alongside soldiers violated constitution contradicted orders ministers wanted follow example dutch queen flee france england rally resistance refusal leave belgium undermined political legitimacy eyes viewed sign support new order denounced belgian prime minister declared incompetent reign government exile keen find accommodation germany hoping belgium remain unified semi autonomous state german dominated europe plan november visited adolf_hitler germany ask belgian prisoners war freed agreement reached returned belgium fueled belief expressed anti semitic views war collaborating nazis defending country interests rest war held house arrest palace incarcerated married mary popularity belgian public disliked considered marriage discredit claim martyr status despite position remained prominent occupied territory coins stamps continued carry portrait imprisoned sent letter hitler credited saving estimated belgian women children forced munitions factories germany january moved germany remained rest war despite position remained right wing resistance movements allied propaganda portrayed martyr sharing country fate attempts government exile pursue defect allied unsuccessful consistently refused publicly support allies german actions belgian workers war allegations surrender act collaboration provoked political crisis return throne known royal question crisis ended life occupied belgium living standards occupied belgium decreased significantly pre war levels wages occupying authorities money circulation leading rampant inflation occupying authorities tightly controlled newspapers published news print newspapers pro nazi political parties continued printed called stolen newspapers published pro german groups owners permission despite tight censorship content circulation newspapers remained high sales party newspapers pays civilians listened regular broadcasts britain called radio despite officially prohibited december continued pre war occupation belgian cartoonist work contributed comics europe completed volumes adventures occupation pro german newspaper war belgian government planned emergency system implemented day german invasion german occupying authority belgium reliance food imports tool food permitted belgian citizens roughly thirds allowed comparable german citizens lowest occupied europe average food led loss seven kilograms weight belgian belgian citizen entitled grams bread day grams butter kilogram sugar kilogram meat kilograms potatoes month later war available civilians survived fishing growing vegetables tight black market food consumer goods emerged food black market extremely expensive prices percent higher legal shops rose constantly war profits black market spawned large organised networks numerous members german administration involved black market stealing military official supplies allied bombing factories ports strategic sites german war effort frequent targets allied bombers british royal_air_force raf american united_states_army air forces located towns cities bombing resulted substantial civilian casualties early years occupation allied bombing took form small scale attacks specific targets ports luftwaffe airfields germans encouraged building air raid shelters cost million allies began targeting sites urban areas raid motor works town near antwerp april bombs dropped flying fortresses 8th air_force fell intended target remaining tonnes bombs fell civilian areas killing injuring preparation day spring allies launched transport plan carrying intensive bombing railway junctions transport networks northern france belgium targets towns near densely populated civilian areas belgium bombed march phase bombing lead day resulted civilian casualties bombing targets belgium steadily increased allies advanced westward france allied bombing liberation september killed injured allied policy condemned leading figures belgium including cardinal van appealed allied commanders spare private possessions citizens world day account responsible terrible treatment dealt innocent loyal country economic situation german government levied costs military occupation taxes demanding external occupation costs anti charges support operations total belgium forced pay nearly thirds national income charges billion course occupation value belgian artificially suppressed increasing size anti charge german companies occupied country considerable belgian gold reserves secured transported britain canada united_states german invasion tonnes entrusted france war shipped french west_africa pro german gold seized germans buy munitions neutral switzerland sweden doctrine fleeing belgian government established body important economic figures leadership known committee director company dominated belgian economy controlled percent country industrial production committee able negotiate german authorities contact government exile pioneered controversial policy known doctrine doctrine decreed belgian companies continue producing goods necessary belgian population food consumer goods etc german refused produce war german war effort policy hoped prevent repeat world war allies encouraged belgian workers resist germans refusing work germans instead deported belgian workers industrial machinery german factories economy policy hoped avoid industrial decline negative effects country recovery war viewed policy collaboration german authorities began force belgian businessmen explicit choice doctrine refusing produce war materials risk death doctrine collaborators forced labour belgian workers volunteer work germany nearly signed hoping better pay living conditions joined organisation joined paramilitary german supply corps numbers proved insufficient despite general compulsory belgian workers germany began october beginning scheme belgian firms obliged select percent work force workers age class sent germany work manual jobs industry agriculture german war effort working conditions forced workers germany poor workers paid little worked long hours german towns particularly vulnerable allied aerial bombing following introduction compulsory belgian workers dubbed went hiding fear aided resistance organisations organisation run provided food false papers went enlist resistance groups swelling numbers enormously late belgian prisoners war belgian defeat belgian soldiers percent total force prisoners war sent prisoner war camps germany majority captivity flemish professional soldiers outbreak war detention created large labour shortage civilian germans began flemish prisoners war august february flemish soldiers repatriated gradually prisoners released belgian soldiers captivity prisoners war forced work agriculture died captivity repression year occupation german administration pursued policy belgian people order gain support operation policy little resistance activity demands germans needed place belgian civilians businesses relatively small account military success fighting belgium incidents belgian civilians german forces notably massacre civilians killed regime significantly partly result increasing demands german economy created invasion soviet_union decision implement nazi racial policies august military government announced german murdered resistance belgian civilian hostages executed german military command der advised ratio civilians german soldier killed von policy decreed hostages selected political prisoners criminals civilians picked random systematic persecution minorities jews began coupled repression belgian political dissent persecution jews holocaust start war population belgium overwhelmingly catholic jews largest non christian population country numbering population million lived large towns cities belgium antwerp brussels vast majority recent immigrants belgium fleeing persecution germany eastern_europe result small minority actually possessed belgian citizenship shortly invasion belgium military government passed series anti jewish laws similar laws status jews october committee general refused start operate passing anti jewish measures military government unwilling pass legislation german government began seize jewish owned business forced jews positions civil service april orders german authorities members flemish antwerp burned house chief town called antwerp germans created country association des association jews belgium jews required final solution persecution belgian jews escalated jews forced wear yellow star david mark public registers compiled germans began jews concentration camps built germans occupied poland jews chosen lists required turn newly established transit camp deported train concentration camps bergen august july jews deported belgium killed camps liberated allies celebrated artist introduction star david opposition treatment jews general population belgium grew end occupation percent jews belgium hiding hid particular catholic priests helped organised resistance des provided food safe housing jews hiding went join armed resistance treatment jews denounced senior catholic priest belgium cardinal van described treatment partisans notably large jewish section brussels april members attacked twentieth rail convoy succeeded rescuing passengers political dissent nazi soviet pact signed communist_party briefly tolerated early stages occupation coinciding invasion soviet_union june germans rounded large number communists identified police compiled war operation summer september germans arrested workers feared plotting large scale strike action important politicians opposed nazis war arrested deported concentration camps germany german occupied poland und literally night fog decree year old paul served prime minister arrested home belgium deported concentration camp died captured members resistance sent concentration camps albert leading members pat escape line imprisoned briefly served president camp international prisoners committee liberation united_states_army german_army belgian army fort transformed prison camp initially prison camp jews detained political prisoners captured members resistance reasonably small camp infamous poor conditions high death rate summary executions hostages resistance actions occurred unusually mainly guarded flemish collaborators german soldiers prisoners tortured camp commander dog forced tonnes earth fort hand executed died result conditions camp people incarcerated november april people killed camp dying result torture inmates remained long sent larger concentration camps germany collaboration flanders wallonia right wing fascist parties established 1930s newspapers paramilitary organisations supported belgian policy neutrality war start occupation began collaborate actively germans different ideological backgrounds differed nazis variety ideological issues role catholicism status flanders allowed freedom political groups germans fully trust organisations end identified potential threat state security war belgian citizens percent population found guilty collaboration providing estimate number involved period served separate divisions divided linguistic lines particular persuaded work result long running hostility communism particularly invasion soviet_union belgian groups began feel increasingly abandoned german government situation deteriorated resistance attacks escalated parties violent launched civilians including massacre august flanders war fascist movements existed flanders major pre war flemish movement parties called creation independent authoritarian flanders encompassing flanders netherlands shortly occupation decided collaborate germans soon biggest group flanders gaining members disbanded flemish wing nationwide fascist party organisation german flemish work community known acronym advocated nazi style anti inclusion flanders germany occupation world war germans favoured flemish area country called supporting flemish cultural political movements policy continued world war military government encouraged flemish movement parties especially promoted flemish nationalists like victor important administrative positions occupied territory turn important recruiting men new flemish legion infantry unit formed july invasion russia legion annexed 27th division despite party unit fought eastern suffered percent casualties germans encouraged formation independent flemish paramilitary organisations flemish guard founded hoped eventually able act garrison region freeing german troops dominance increasingly challenged radical support nazi party closely affiliated paramilitary general flanders stationed belgium involved called antwerp wallonia fascist anti semitic ideology closely aligned nazi party war newspaper pays frequently attacked perceived nazi anti banned circulation germany 1930s german invasion rapidly accepted occupation major force collaboration wallonia result given favoured status accorded flemish permitted newspaper establish expand paramilitary wing formations combat banned war april declared formations combat responsible numerous attacks jews participated arbitrary civilians attacks resistance civilians village retaliation assassination politician members resistance founder leader offered form legion request denied germans questioned feasibility finally accepted july invasion russia enlisted germans refused demands belgian legion preferring support creation separate linguistic units brief period fighting clear legion suffered lack training political reformed sent eastern 28th division fighting pocket unit nearly annihilated popular commander killed order numbers lack belgian volunteers unit allocated french spanish volunteers resistance resistance german began belgium winter german defeat battle britain clear war lost allies involvement illegal resistance activity decision minority approximately percent population involved passive resistance captured resistance members torture execution killed occupation striking notable form passive resistance took place symbolic dates anniversary german invasion july national day november anniversary german surrender world war largest strike broke steel works news strike spread rapidly soon workers strike province germans increased workers salaries percent strike finished rapidly germans later large scale strikes important strikes occurred november february passive resistance form minor actions offering seat jews explicitly illegal subtly german imposed order active resistance belgium took form railways lines communication hiding jews allied airmen resistance produced large numbers illegal newspapers french dutch distributed public provide news war available officially approved censored newspapers publications achieved considerable success reached circulation attacks german soldiers comparatively rare german administration practice executing belgian hostages german soldier killed great personal risk belgian civilians hid large numbers jews political hunted germans resistance single group numerous groups evolved divided political affiliation geography danger posed german meant groups extremely small nationwide groups exist split political ideological lines ranged far left communist partisans socialist far right national created members pre war fascist movement obvious political affiliation specialised particular types resistance activity recruited specific demographics liberation june western allies landed normandy northern france kilometres west belgian border fierce fighting areas landing sites allies broke german lines began advances paris belgian border august main body german_army northern france exception garrisons fortified towns openly retreating eastward allies neared border coded messages broadcast radio encouraged resistance rise german civil administrator joseph ordered general retreat country august september allied units free belgian crossed belgian frontier september brussels allied hands belgian government exile returned country september began rebuilding belgian state army iii brother charles appointed prince regent decision king return functions german_army allies supply lines stretched line belgium eastern border areas south east country remained german hands briefly recaptured german offensive winter delayed total liberation country february capture village entire country allied hands course occupation total killed half jews percent country pre war destroyed removed germany

German occupation of Belgium during World War II


operation windsor operation windsor july canadian attack battle normandy second world war attack undertaken 3rd canadian infantry division adjacent airfield troops 12th division hitler west attack originally intended place later stages operation protect eastern flank main assault postponed week july 8th canadian infantry brigade attached battalion 3rd canadian infantry division attacked supported flanks 2nd canadian armoured brigade village captured mid afternoon german resistance south defeated attacks airfield despite significant allied tank air support day canadians repulsed german counter attacks held village served base operation second army attack involving rest 3rd canadian infantry division july airfield captured canadians july background operation overlord goal corps anglo canadian second army landed forces norman beaches june capture city area german resistance prevented town captured day result considered possible lieutenant general miles second army commander weeks warfare took place sides attacked counter attacked minor tactical advantage anglo canadian strategic intent force germans powerful armoured units away army captured pushed southwards june second army conducted operation viii corps recently arrived britain west seize high ground near sur south viii corps advanced miles extensive field fortifications germans able contain offensive committing reserves depending success viii corps 3rd canadian infantry division 2nd canadian armoured brigade capture village airfield operation ottawa postponed allied advance west corps held positions north west city field defences river vicinity north west town centre advance north village objective 3rd canadian infantry division command major general allied need additional airfields norman mainland ensured capture area priority allies equally important defensive position germans prelude german defences airfield level ground offered killing ground defenders airfield fortified minefields field gun machine gun manned battalion regiment anti aircraft battery tanks allied forces selected 8th canadian infantry brigade comprising queen rifles canada north shore new_brunswick regiment royal rifles attached 7th canadian infantry brigade lead assault tank machine gun support provided canadian 10th armoured regiment fort horse cameron support battalion squadrons typhoon fighter bombers squadrons specialized tanks british armoured division added later evening july battleship hms bombarded buildings bay yards range shells inch guns operation windsor planned commence july following bombardment artillery regiments north shore regiment attacking squadron protected northern flank attack south advance seize airfield time canadian attack 43rd division attack south north capture regiments captured push control airfield control buildings capture airfield enable anglo canadian attacks battle july dawn broke july artillery regiments opened fire german positions firing barrage wide deep canadian infantry battalions advanced squadron staged diversion north broke german minefields attacked withdrawing defensive positions regiment remained intact continued fire north shores centre avoided fire directed north shores advanced battalions reached outskirts village met tanks 12th division village house house fight began tanks 10th canadian armoured regiment assisted infantry german positions south advanced slowly airfield german mortar fire inflicting casualties infantry tanks squadron fort horse available indirect fire took ninety minutes advance airfield fire south bank tanks knocked mid day forced withdraw halfway original positions unaware failed gain control airfield sent begin second phase assault battalion moved forward village occupied north shore attacked german strong points bypassed initial assault infantry attacks flame throwers tanks churchill tanks mounted mortar strong point forced surviving defenders surrender remaining garrison surrendered determined resistance reached edge withdrew ordered hold positions reorganized second attack second attack airfield obtained support squadrons typhoon fighter bombers survivors ordered execute sweeping attack lower ground enemy left flank tank artillery support impression 43rd division reached position prevent counter attack south east late afternoon resumed attack airfield reached unable german defenders fort tanks encountered tanks overwhelmed ordered withdraw start line cover darkness 8th canadian infantry brigade rapidly consolidated positions closest allied unit canadians control northern southern control buildings remained german hands july mile outskirts 8th canadian infantry brigade posed threat german positions town defence concentrated north river feared anglo canadian forces attack bypass majority defences despite growing effectiveness immediate counter attacks kurt ordered retake units 1st division prepared counter attack tanks artillery mortars infantry shortly midnight counter attacks began thirteen tanks lost previous day 10th canadian armoured regiment mortars cameron defeated attack inflicted casualties dawn ground gained attackers noon 8th canadian infantry brigade 10th canadian armoured regiment defeated counter attacks assistance artillery typhoon fighter bombers village remained firmly canadian occupation subject frequent mortar bombardment aftermath analysis windsor set piece attack 3rd canadian division left germans control airport obliged 43rd division retire wrote attack brigades extra battalion attached battalion managed reach fight way ordered withdraw twice success germans defenders maintaining hold airfield north end village left canadians counter attacked times failure brigade reach objectives led doubts fitness command preparations operation reason planning operation windsor 8th canadian infantry brigade commander brigadier days operation windsor 3rd canadian infantry division took operation july 8th canadian infantry brigade captured airfield nightfall northern half captured july british canadian forces launched operation atlantic operation canadians captured districts south bank british captured ground east south city canadian forces attacked german positions ridge operation spring casualties canadian casualties operation totalled men killed july north shores lost casualties 10th canadian armoured regiment lost tanks unknown number tanks lost battalion regiment infantry casualties 1st division adolf_hitler counter attacked july lost tanks battalion regiment casualties