battle wisconsin heights battle wisconsin heights penultimate engagement black hawk war fought united_states state militia allies fox tribes led black hawk battle took place county near present day city wisconsin despite vastly outnumbered sustaining heavy casualties black hawk warriors managed delay combined government forces long allow majority fox civilians group escape wisconsin river temporary militia finally caught fleeing band resulted bad axe massacre mouth bad axe river background consequence treaty governor indiana territory group fox leaders land settlement fox tribes vacated lands illinois moved west mississippi black hawk disputed treaty claiming tribal councils consulted representing tribes authorization lands angered loss birthplace black hawk led number incursions mississippi_river persuaded return west time april encouraged promises alliance tribes british moved called british band warriors non combatants illinois finding allies attempted return iowa events overtook led battle run number engagements followed militias michigan territory illinois mobilized hunt black hawk band inconclusive skirmish late june grove black hawk band fled approaching militia wisconsin passed followed rock river marsh headed west lakes region near modern day madison band camped night near branch prelude force militia men picked black hawk trail following battle colonel henry dodge james henry pursued band rock river engaging minor skirmishes way militia marched miles lakes day battle discovering body dead native american way found watch george force lieutenant killed attack fort blue june ahead main party militia small band allied warriors sent ahead scout area trader wisconsin rumors black hawk band lake persisted dodge men attempted intercept black hawk black hawk band moved time militia arrived lake found evidence presence picked trail continuing pursuit wisconsin river unable remain place long receive provisions black hawk group poor health death road black hawk stated account battle point war intention escaping people mississippi_river encountering large force wisconsin heights left choice fight intention allow non combatants band escape wisconsin river battle july militia caught black hawk band attempted cross wisconsin river near present day county near city wisconsin militia approached warriors appeared surrounding attempting divert attention according dodge account militia met main body black hawk band scouts crossed small band fox warriors pursued mile camp scouts killed warriors real battle began scouts pursued camp returned warriors camp pursued horseback dodge troops ordered men advance higher ground band warriors black hawk moved militia yards militia allies opened fire black hawk ordered men stand ground yield enemy black hawk resolve saved lives bulk fox present day wisconsin heights warriors fought militia majority civilians escaped wisconsin river volley battle black hawk warriors killed instantly wounded black hawk warriors returned fire withdrew straight charging militia dodge major came battlefield wisconsin heights captured elevated area later acquired militia ridge militia occupied solid position general henry arrived accompanied regiments mounted illinois militia henry formed men right angle firing line exchanged gunfire black hawk men minutes dodge led bayonet charge ended battle sending remaining warriors scattering pursued militia killed troops pursue black hawk dodge stated consulting henry agreed attack enemy morning dodge noted number dead possibly reported scouts militia men took number battle allied night following battle killed militia dodge seen wounded carried battlefield fighting dodge forces suffered dead wounded injured march wisconsin heights battle aftermath militia decided wait following day pursue black hawk surprise morning arrived enemy disappeared shortly dawn leaders accompanying black hawk named attempted band taken refuge explain militia officers group wanted end fighting mississippi_river loud voice delivered speech native language assuming band guides militia troops understand allies departed battlefield militia man killed battle thomas jefferson short later buried site battle occurred battle devastating black hawk band despite fact band escaped wisconsin river casualty estimates high dead fox including killed action drowned source called battle run black hawk major military early 20th century book wisconsin centuries calling battle massacre specifically cited incident captured warriors civilians black hawk band slaughtered group aligned white militia addition drowned trying cross wisconsin killed captured battle militia blue fort picked black hawk trail july near spring green wisconsin finally caught black hawk british band lead decisive clash war bad axe mouth bad axe river hundreds men women children killed pursuing soldiers indian allies site battle wisconsin heights preserved northwestern county miles southeast present day city state highway owned department natural resources open public intact battle site american indian wars found midwest wisconsin heights battlefield listed national_register_of_historic_places january location battle confirmed township exterior notes deputy surveyor john line section section run north right battle site october months battle coincidence happening miles contemporary sworn proof battle site location


battle battle involved attack german garrison town detachment august following world war german led axis invasion yugoslavia april kingdom yugoslavia time german occupied territory serbia included serbia proper addition northern attacked led lieutenant colonel killed assault germans surrendered captured battle closely followed joint partisan attack german garrison background april germany allies invaded occupied kingdom yugoslavia yugoslav territory annexed axis neighbours hungary bulgaria italy germans engineered supported creation puppet state independent state croatia croatian roughly comprised pre war croatia rest present day bosnia adjacent territory italians hungarians occupied parts territory germany annex yugoslav territory occupied northern parts present day stationed occupation troops northern half german occupied divided areas placed administration neighbouring remaining territory consisted serbia proper northern occupied germans placed administration german military government key rail transport routes passed valuable resources particularly non metals german troops infantry regiment infantry division stationed districts region early july shortly launching operation soviet_union armed resistance began german occupied territory serbia german_army representatives german installed puppet government known commissioner government response appeals joseph communist international communist organisations occupied europe draw german troops away eastern followed meeting central committee yugoslav communist_party belgrade july meeting resolved shift general uprising form partisan detachments fighters commence armed resistance populace rise yugoslavia coincided departure german invasion force remained oversee transition occupation appearance posters pamphlets urging population undertake sabotage rapidly turned attempted actual sabotage german propaganda facilities railway telephone lines fighting occurred village july tried disperse public meeting killed prelude region encompassing basin partisan district committee formed june oversee local uprising form partisan detachments collecting weapons ammunition detachment action attack station august capturing weapons scope local uprising august detachment renamed partisan detachment disarmed equipped platoon august carried destruction town archives telephone lines bridges district august detachment ranks fighters companies occupation forces local collaborators finding difficult use road district centre partisan railway line towns action royalist units order august late july sent regular officer lieutenant colonel district established monastery near abbot monastery captain royal yugoslav army reserves august held meeting pro people district set detachment key attendees included august strong detachment formed command regular artillery officer captain class position prepare uprising engage fighting time right left detachment joined aggressive partisans signed mutual cooperation agreement occupation forces commander partisans lack action germans puppet government detachment isolated leadership realised partisans getting stronger success position relatively weaker decision attack consequence cooperation agreement signed partisans battle time attack detachment consisted large number poorly organised peasants drawn mainly villages town germans established gymnasium cultural centre cafe attack commenced vanguard killed head troops throwing hand grenades german positions germans surrendered face assault battle suffered killed wounded germans incurred killed wounded captured remaining germans fled direction wounded germans taken hospital rest captured troops escorted monastery treated time attacking detachment attacked village accordance partisan agreement reinforced 6th company german infantry regiment artillery support second day attack garrison reinforced 7th company infantry regiment arriving additional platoon sent days fighting withdrew mountain considerable losses marched join aftermath legacy following capture established command post town populace supporters partisans formed local unit directed workers fields nearby partisans set workshop town manufacture hand grenades failed attack detachments decided attack launched september attack initially unsuccessful reinforced partisans town captured early hours september meantime elements partisan detachment expelled german garrison september october occupied german operation biographer described death great loss uprising august deputy speaker serbian national assembly serbian radical party dedicated plaque square people present man applied plaque installed youth lit year books journals websites


operation operation hebrew lit operation named geographical region took place israeli military operation arab israeli war carried june area southern egyptian army aim operation capture stop egyptian advance northwards june engagements officially named operation events immediately preceding joined preceding events consisted aerial bombardment followed small scale israeli harassment egyptian lines later ground assault operation original plan attack june canceled impending attempted june brigade umbrella command attacked main forces north companies south reinforced companies little intelligence enemy forced retreat failed capture territory suffered heavy casualties following operation egypt changed strategy offensive defensive halting advance northwards unsettled debates exist revolving operation intending advance historians agree case operation turning point israeli southern traditional israeli historiography supported early arab accounts maintains turning point later arab sources new historians dispute background prior founding state israel leadership anticipated attack regular arab armies egypt strongest terms manpower arms equipment plan took stopping potential egyptian attack account dual bridge river blown operation eyes command operation marginal importance platoon 54th battalion kilograms explosives allocated fled scene explosives divided soldiers delivered bridge took attempts destroy explosives work time original bridge built river roman period built ottoman_empire end 19th century parallel railway bridge added coastal railway lebanon egypt laid numerous armed raids area arab revolt palestine british authorities set series area bridges egypt invaded newly declared state israel strength approximately division commanded major general ali advance main column moved north today strip attacked column went east attacked small force split link egyptian forces main column attacked main force set link arab legion cairo sent urgent message units palestine saying want today following israeli operation nun arab legion pressured northwards area order connect later legion divide israeli forces rest israel egyptian commander opposed leadership cairo dismissed worries ordered quarter total combat forces north wrote memoirs egyptian forces spread thin mobile reserves assault jewish force considered strange ordered major contingent fight unfamiliar area following victory battle pushed north coast bypassing relatively defended israeli village column reinforced sea near sent force road hoping able link column command lieutenant colonel south jerusalem reduced men resumed march northwards brigadier general muhammad charge column original commander vacation egypt afternoon observation post spotted egyptian column including tanks armoured fighting vehicles artillery moving north coastal road figure reported vehicles operations officer brigade familiar egyptian formations estimated brigade vehicles estimates general staff stood vehicles soldiers time israeli decision makers know headed envisioned possibilities march kilometers northwards view adopted david ben attempt connect arab legion area capture proposed brigade attempt connect remaining arab forces command forces western sufficient fully stop egyptian invasion headed ordered operation stop delay advancing column command feared arab forces try create facts ground impending imposed arab forces considered threat triangle attack harass attack prelude egyptian 2nd battalion passed 9th battalion took village progress hampered occasional machine gun fire later day 2nd battalion stopped river north began preparations cross river bailey bridge volunteers saudi_arabia joined position commander brigade responsible southern area including southern israeli villages time asked forces stop hinder egyptian advance number cannons given units brigade assist despite severe shortage manpower munitions brigade czech technicians finished assembling planes variant brought czechoslovakia meant harass egyptian air_force base forming fighter squadron despite chief operations ordered planes assist forces according american pilot flew fighters told pilots desperate egyptian army thousand men vehicles stood israeli soldiers confident victory lined bridge fighter planes left bomb egyptian lines concentrated near bridge plane kilograms bombs machine guns cannons pilots eddie order attack disorganized damage minimal came north dropped bombs middle southeast north cockpit hit decided return according cannons ceased fire rounds began smell runs large concentration vehicles south returned sea attacked south west south cannons stopped firing round egyptian army anti aircraft arsenal hit plane managed crash land unharmed performing ground loop landed eddie volunteer pilot south_africa crashed died unknown hit anti aircraft fire technical problem caused plane malfunction report dan israeli air_force operations officer time stated likely attempted land instead saw burning plane crashing distance israeli air_force buried remains found end caught complete surprise attack profound psychological effect time aircraft arab armies previously complete air superiority knowledge existence fighter aircraft israeli air_force intercepted egyptian radio message stated heavily attacked enemy aircraft official egyptian report assessed according tested attack evidence fly fire weapons pilots considered minor issue light fact making history fly israeli fighter planes combination appearance introduction israeli artillery israeli defenses threat flank convinced stop concluded forces positions needed consolidated left brigadier general muhammad command ordered dig operations june june israel defense forces constantly bombarded cannons patrols harassed egyptian lines 51st battalion tasked laying mines main road near hill 3rd company 53rd battalion commanded tasked enemy lines 1st company 54th battalion commanded ordered assault targets book fields participated battles wrote harassment operation days fearing israeli attack firing directions launching hopes discovering enemy preparations wrote night 54th battalion 1st company attacked area railway station retreat wounded according company report food given rotten deteriorated soldiers ability fight egyptian radio described attack victory claimed hundreds dead 3rd company unsuccessful intelligence precise egyptian positions sparse company gave position away quickly egyptian mortar scored direct hit company squads caused casualties panic soldiers ran cover lost direction ended walked village unnoticed found chance return provided command information operation general staff ordered creation new battalion 57th consist rifles battalion provided provided general staff brigade commander created new companies 54th battalion 55th consisting persons combined forces tasked mission capturing arab attack battalion took completely unprepared lost way returned starting position light planes set airport bomb area pilot spotted target tell bombs actually exploded general staff issued order attack egyptian positions force battalions strong brigades attack meant place night june midnight units involved took positions assault meant 51st battalion set positions area 53rd battalion area 54th entered company area minute general staff cancelled order imminent effect attack postponed night june discovered original plan prepared engage israeli forces cancelled attack june subsequent israeli general staff called scale assault egyptian positions backed minute talks general staff order sent 7th brigades estimated egyptian forces consisted troops bridges north order called force night june staging major attack supply lines later assaulting capturing command officially given forces outlined seven companies infantry companies regiment companies artillery battery pounder order said forces equipment assembled zero hour forces mustered immediately receiving order called emergency meeting officer brigade experience british_army operating combined force infantry armor artillery air wrote operational order order english fluent hebrew handed battalion commanders june battalion commanders translated document hebrew company commanders according plan companies attack south companies 52nd 51st battalions attack north companies 53rd battalion prevent retreat east company 53rd battalion block reinforcement senior officers knew plans commander forces battalion commented forces came exhausted completely unprepared assembly points given consent deployment assured serve operational reserve plan fact called forces lead southern assault zero hour set night june moment order came cancel attack significant blow troops morale especially operation culture officer speech claiming attack historic moment egyptian forces book good alex fields provided excerpts speech tonight time hear wrath thunder cannons goal capture single village territory destroy egyptian column air_force artillery infantry time act possibly prepared orders immediately issued start new preparations new ones companies 51st battalion base respectively 52nd battalion prepare camp 53rd battalion companies companies 54th placed 55th based 8th brigade based gal remaining area battalion temporarily transferred referred 56th preparing 57th battalion placed brigade companies camp camp finally artillery forces positions taking new ones day egyptian forces changed disposition forces moving 9th battalion bridge 2nd 1st iraq heavy machine gun armored units dispersed staff soldiers manned carriers took positions regular infantry soldiers israeli know development aware detected previous night preparations army attacking soon order given political attack expected tactical failure writes succeeded southern egyptian force attacked attributes lack plan inexperience command nature israeli force according pulled offensive new plans forth june operation slightly changed original included fighters opposed initial plan forces consisted following companies battalion battalion light vehicle company companies 54th battalion 51st companies reinforced company platoon 53rd battalion artillery pieces mortars light vehicle company operational reserve placed egypt 2nd brigade including 2nd 9th battalions medium gun brigade headquarters pieces artillery operation operation officially began lone israeli bombed egyptian positions june light planes bombing runs bombardment impression israeli soldiers light noise created egyptian anti aircraft guns considered plane lucky survived run addition troops exhausted having proper sleep days preceding operation israeli forces started moving egyptian positions soldier 54th battalion said northern effort forces attack bridge today set 3rd company 51st battalion commanded mixed company 54th 2nd 3rd companies 54th 1st company overall commander accompanied battalion staff soldiers light vehicle company 54th 3rd company according plan meant flank west achieve surprise reached egyptian position proved difficult cross caused significant delay movement discovered june force lost element surprise egyptian position engaged companies 51st 3rd company commander force reported contained platoon decided ordered 1st company stay engage spot originally discovered assault rest forces try turning movement estimated frontal assault useless dug sides complete darkness 1st company way south hoping avoid enemy fire superior positions weapons close respond israeli artillery barrage started significant damage alerted egyptian positions israeli presence israeli unit close engagement time company away egyptian defense line stepped ambush leading squad eliminated ordered machine gunners climb east bank provide cover counterattack led israeli casualties counterattack difficult destroyed small egyptian soldiers came meters killed sun began rising horizon decided retreat unable receive official permission communication problems ordered troops collect wounded weapons carry helping task dead left field including single survived injured brought fire force way storey building east bank started building mortars company began soldier witnessed events stated maneuver sent israel forces unknown territory encountered egyptian caught original plan send 3rd company company fire opened men approximately ordered execute frontal assault decided single platoon waves attack provide cover forces platoon inexperienced fought egypt army advancing encountered probably carriers commander reported tanks sent second experienced platoon men able better utilize cover fire eventually platoon fled battlefield ordered attack strong assisted egyptian positions evacuate injured troops dawn attacked failed overtake major positions decided withdraw time life ordered company casualties told company follow company men missing action picked people remained sand provide cover fire retreat rest company way road railway eastern met sent cover platoon home injured remained place wait spotted retreating company requested artillery cover working communication device missed targets stopped following extremely reluctant withdraw personal forces decided clear companies safe distance counterattack injured evacuated rest forces way squad providing cover egyptian artillery caused forces commanders difficulty general retreat path came small grove west main road discovered missing injured treated remaining approximately noon men met working communication device summon vehicles soldiers southern effort companies brigade left set position inch mortars medium machine guns midway shell southeast reinforced company left took positions hill military base near cut egyptian reinforcements coming 57th battalion consisting veterans left assault northeast 53rd battalion accompanied reinforced platoon soldiers temporary battalion new recruit unit way order replaced experienced platoon 53rd forces reached coastal road realized continue vehicles travel sand dunes west road vehicles left platoon south block possible egyptian retreat soldiers continued foot sand dunes attempt flank egyptian positions second try forces successfully captured key points village destroyed cannon brigade commander later wrote lack intelligence enemy prevented israeli force continuing assault time despite achievements given order retreat israeli command wish fight broad daylight retreating forces choice use route similar ones came slowed movement machine guns brought broken sandy environment provide cover carrying multitude wounded soldiers muhammad decided use armored vehicles operational reserve retreating forces fearing possible cut rest egyptian forces palestine according commander battalion especially wounded thought lost happened vehicles stopped eventually got sands troops sixteen israeli soldiers killed retreat 57th battalion way troops meant serve force reached egyptian position decided cross instead fired far away inflict concrete damage suffer casualties later accused force falsely reporting positions efforts brigade hill coastal road 53rd battalion intercepted engaged contingent egyptian reinforcements battles 53rd battalion reported ready ambush possible reinforcements egyptian convoy armored vehicles vehicles way hit israeli mines operated platoon battle vehicles general retreat order given reaching platoon set assist forces retreat helping carry casualties forces hill retreated noon aftermath significance killed wounded captured egypt killed wounded 54th company egyptian sources reported killed wounded include casualties suffered intercepted reinforcements final retreating troops came home command issued new operation order calling renewed artillery air bombardment small harassment operations 57th battalion gained bad reputation failures carried successful operations regaining prestige brigade suffered major tactical defeat operation generally believed israel strategic goal operation stopping egyptian advance achieved israeli command time allowed capture arab remaining residents expected egyptian army reach fled following battle united_nations partition plan palestine line ran outcome battle meant coastal strip failed cross territory assigned state israel bridge river known far book egypt destiny wrote brigade successful stand glorious victory consequences estimating israeli dead perceived attackers captured israel war revealed extremely worried future fate forces requested immediate assistance including air support determine location israeli cannons unit reinforcements munitions communication wires likely believed 53rd battalion force blocking road place thought surrounded sizable reinforcements 6th battalion came 9th battalion attack aside june egyptian army shifted entire concentration clearing flanks successfully clearing path israeli chronicler officer wrote israeli retreat hill june rest forces believed unnecessary major contributing factor subsequent egyptian victories historiography main points dispute battle planning advance northward battle turning points arab israeli war june truce war took effect said staff meeting attended minister defense time egyptian plans clear plans penetrate ben hand noted diary set taking advancing north major general addressed issue felt egyptian stop result technical difficulties following days continuous movement including battles way thought ground aerial eventually delayed drive later said tried contact forces failed movement tried cut israel according israeli historian battle suited sentimental needs israeli people believes definite answer question planning drive israeli arab historian wrote egyptian arab historians attribute importance battle israeli ones ask egyptian objective wise advance securing lines communication tell commander legion jerusalem thought consider legion needs aware weaknesses let distract reaching egyptian war log showed concern lines communication muhammad wrote publicly declared target actually meant advance farther fortifications evidence cited egyptian refusal despite villagers repeated cries help deputies commander area wrote clear plan leadership interested war efforts improvised concludes arab historiography considers battle successful realization tactical designed serve actions badly coordinated arab armies egyptian officer ash commented memoirs turning point war egyptian israeli according plan created arab countries egyptian army meant advance soon egyptian forces reached enemy concentrated large forces area began heavy assault egyptian army attack repelled enemy managed accomplish goal pinning egyptian army positions jewish attack turning point egyptian israeli war moment egyptian headquarters forced change plans egyptian command chasing gangs decided content separating parts country israeli historian david agreed view asked commented significance attack major tactical failures fact initiative passed israeli arabs conducted small assaults operations scholar noted originally assumed army advances weaker israeli resistance unlike traditional israeli historiography arab sources general turning point war agree egyptian main strategic objective operative book new historian morris traditional israeli view states portraying operation catalyst egyptian halt mistake march panel historians morris said egyptian expeditionary force israeli attack lead decision stop advancing


battle battle major battle second anglo war fought empire british east india company occurred september near western india outnumbered indian british force command major general arthur later duke wellington defeated combined army battle duke wellington major victory later described finest accomplishment battlefield august army separate force command subordinate colonel james pursuing cavalry based army threatened raid south weeks pursuit reinforced combined army modernized infantry artillery british forces closed position received intelligence indicating location september devised plan armies converge position days later force encountered army command colonel anthony german british service miles farther south anticipated outnumbered resolved attack believing army soon sides suffered heavily ensuing battle artillery caused large numbers casualties troops vast numbers cavalry proved largely ineffective combination bayonet cavalry charges eventually forced army retreat loss guns army battered exhausted pursue victory preceded capture followed victories resulted defeat armies progress matched lieutenant general lake successful campaigns northern india led british dominant power india background feuding dominant powers empire led civil war turn 19th century hostilities culminated battle october defeated combined army nominal overlord empire retreated north driven territory sought refuge east india company appealed company assistance offering accept authority restored lord ambitious governor general british india seized opportunity extend company influence empire perceived final obstacle british indian treaty signed december company agreed restore return control foreign affairs garrison company troops permanently stationed restoration commanded lord younger brother major general arthur march marched company troops allies entered opposition april formally restored throne treaty gave offence leaders deemed system subsidiary alliances british interference affairs fatal independent states leaders refused submit authority tensions raised raided claiming british ally owed money consequently engaged negotiations lieutenant colonel john collins sent camp discuss objections propose defensive alliance formed military alliance view bringing leaders coalition british begun mass forces border given control company military political affairs central india june demanded declare intentions withdraw forces face prospect war protracted period negotiations collins reported august refused answer withdraw troops response declare war order secure interests british government allies prelude east india company attacked principal forces north south leaders hesitant enter war cooperation rival remained hostilities placed british protection operations north directed lieutenant general lake entered territory face main army commanded french mercenary second british force command major general confronted combined army determined gain initiative offensive action told senior subordinate colonel james long defensive war ruin answer purpose army largely composed fast moving cavalry able live land consequently planned work conjunction separate force colonel enable slower troops army force position avoid pitched battle army men deny chance raid east territory meantime moved north camp near river august troops headed nearest stronghold walled town fort bulk forces company troops infantry battalions madras native infantry squadrons madras native cavalry contingent european troops supplied british_army included cavalry 19th light battalions scottish infantry regiment foot irregular light cavalry provided company allies reached later day mile march immediately ordered assault town enter time consuming siege walled town garrisoned arab mercenaries upwards cannon infantry battalions command french officers captured minimal losses brief action adjacent fort defenders days later walls breached british artillery fortification providing logistics base point support future operations territory installed garrison headed north city way captured possessions south established series guarded bridges ferries river maintain communication supply lines reinforcements slipped past advanced receiving reports movement august east intercept marched westwards city took storm learned intentions returned position north unable clean break pursuing british abandoned plans raid instead assembled infantry artillery combined army strong core equipped regular infantry organised brigades trained commanded european mercenary officers colonel anthony east india company sergeant commanded largest brigade battalions brigade battalions provided commanded behalf colonel jean brigade battalions commanded major john james addition force included irregular infantry irregular light cavalry guns ranging size pounders weeks chasing army met september received intelligence army miles north agreed plan armies moving separately range hills east west converge september force reached afternoon september departed camp dawn noon army marched miles small town miles south intended rest joining attack army day point received intelligence army camped miles north cavalry moved infantry follow went forward cavalry escort position rest army followed closely apart battalion left guard baggage troops disposal plus horse cannon aware british nearby chiefs positioned army strong defensive position tongue land stretching east river tributary believe attack small force moved area morning command army given positioned infantry east camp plains village southern bank surprise found entire combined army resolved attack believing waited chance slip away force pursuit drag eager forge reputation despite numerical disadvantage confident irregular forces swept aside disciplined troops regular infantry expected stand fight battle initial manoeuvres struck camp deployed infantry battalions line facing southwards steep banks cannon directly great mass cavalry kept right flank irregular infantry garrisoned rear crossing point river small ford directly ahead position strategy funnel british madras troops ford mouth cannon infantry cavalry local guides assured ford existed nearby quickly discarded option frontal assault suicide noticed villages bank left assumption ford exist villages ordered area chief engineer captain john johnson reported ford spot led army east crossing attempt launch attack left flank british crossed northern bank unopposed apart distant fire cannon largely inaccurate succeeded orderly ordered infantry battalions form lines cavalry reserve allied cavalry ordered remain south check large body cavalry british rear soon recognised intentions swung infantry guns degrees establish new line spread approximately mile right flank left new position secured flanks restricted bringing superior numbers action efficient anticipated immediately reacted extending deny opportunity battalion formed right second lines ordered right allowed anchor left flank madras infantry battalions 10th 8th 4th 12th form centre british line intention force guns operating left avoid heavily defended throw complete destruction cavalry british infantry attack intensified british british artillery brought forward counter ineffective mass firepower guns quickly disabled weight shot directed british casualties mounted guns turned attention infantry subjected barrage round shot decided option artillery men killing field advance directly mouth artillery ordered cannon abandoned gave command infantry march forward fixed punched holes british line infantry maintained steady pace closing gaps ranks advanced reach enemy southern sector river yards gunners volley musket fire launching bayonet charge battalions madras infantry right accompanied madras pioneers reached line shortly attacked fashion gunners stood cannon match british madras troops swiftly pressed infantry instead meeting charge right broke fled northwards causing rest southern half line follow officers madras battalions temporarily lost control encouraged success pushed far pursuit cavalry momentarily threatened charge checked remained order formed face danger northern sector battlefield right flank turmoil commander lieutenant colonel william mistaken orders continued oblique path directly major samuel regiment ordered support followed close created large gap centre british line brought battalions barrage artillery village left battalions began fall disarray ordered remaining infantry cavalry forward attack gave quarter virtually annihilated remnants able form rough square hastily bodies dead realising destruction right leave army exposed ordered detachment british cavalry colonel patrick consisting 19th light elements 4th 5th madras native cavalry action position rear cavalry directly square crashed attackers routed pressed advantage continued charge infantry guns left driving backwards great slaughter culmination number gunners death british advanced position manned guns began pour cannon fire rear madras infantry ordered battalions form ward threat infantry cavalry sent retake gun line 7th madras native cavalry held reserve east led cavalry charge opposite direction gunners stood ground eventually driven guns time ensured remained dead preoccupied taking gun line rallied infantry backs right flank river left cannon inflicted heavy losses infantry captured lay abandoned battlefield reluctant join cavalry distance west loosely organised lightly armed horsemen traditional role cut fleeing enemy troops harass convoy lines carry raids enemy territory trained attack formed infantry heavily armed european cavalry play battle artillery turned attention reformed infantry suffered heavy losses rallied cavalry returned field battle ordered charge left flank infantry moved forward single line meet centre right cavalry spurred forward met volley shot struck killing instantly momentum lost cavalry complete charge away line moment british madras infantry marched position men morale low wait attack instead retreated northwards descriptions differ manner departure sources claim line marched away battlefield orderly manner orders british accounts claim infantry fled panic inside having witnessed fate regular infantry abandoned village marched northwards followed shortly cavalry troops exhausted condition pursue native allied cavalry remained south bank engaged refused pursue support british madras cavalry aftermath east india company british_army casualties amounted killed wounded missing total force engaged combat picket battalion strength lost officers killed seven wounded ranks killed wounded lost officers commander lieutenant colonel william men remaining officers forming general staff wounded horses killed lost horses shot underneath second led charge capture gun line number casualties difficult despatches british officers figure dead wounded modern historians estimated total dead wounded surrendered seven stands colours large amounts stores ammunition cannon later taken service east india company army finished fighting force regular infantry battalions artillery crews destroyed command structure damaged european officers including colonel major surrendered company offered amnesty europeans service armies deserted sought employment native sound guns heard immediately broke camp miles miles west attempt join battle guide marched reached battlefield evening september guide intentionally led later hanged remained assist wounded troops carried battlefield days engagement ordered pursuit army september remained south established hospital awaited reinforcements months later combined rout weakened army shortly stormed fortress victories coupled lieutenant general lake successful campaign north induced chiefs sue peace later told like loss sustained 23rd september attended gain later life referred numbers saw lieutenant colonel thomas company district collector critical high proportion casualties questioned decision wait wrote tempted think view sharing glory smallest numbers response rebuffed accusations defended action necessary received acted incorrect intelligence position year old major success despite heavy losses battle held highest retirement active military service duke wellington later known considered finest thing way fighting compared later military career lord council lauded battle brilliant important victory presented madras units british regiments involved engagement set honorary colours british regiments native units awarded battle honour later given permission adopt elephant insignia public monument erected east india company fort william calcutta commemorate victory regiment foot later known regiment stand battle modern day successors royal highland scots celebrate anniversary battle year native infantry battalions madras survive original form indian army longer celebrate declared battle honour government india fiction bernard triumph richard battle september isbn book includes important events battle focusing british forces indian regiments generally background building real events wellington loses horse tipped enemy ranks saved earns commission officer battle mentioned numerous times series personal achievement wellington careers progress parallel characters highland infantry units appear feels actions testament courage discipline


battle san domingo battle san domingo naval battle napoleonic wars fought february squadrons french british ships line southern coast french occupied spanish colonial general santo domingo san domingo contemporary british english caribbean french squadron vice admiral gun sailed brest december squadrons intending raid british trade routes atlantic campaign separating squadron admiral jean mid-atlantic sailed caribbean winter storms near azores damaged scattered squadron repaired ships city santo domingo british squadron vice admiral sir john thomas discovered february abandoned assigned station pursuit december traveled far atlantic pursuit forced resupply leeward_islands news reached arrival time french santo domingo spotted approaching southeast late escape sailing wind westwards coast formed line battle meet approaching british squadron split divisions divisions separated approach lead ships remained tight formation successfully engaged head french line targeting flagship pressure french squadron broke apart british capturing ships concentrating main combat french flagship severely damaged surrounded drove ashore avoid capture remaining french ship line followed crew ships ashore british boarding parties captured vessels set fire french ships escape battle smaller warships squadron ignored eventually returned france squadron remained large atlantic july hurricane scattered vessels american british patrols waiting intercept ships set december eventually returned france crews british squadron decorated success exception shared general thanks leaving post provoked anger vice admiral lord commander mediterranean victory enabled escape court martial battle san domingo fleet engagement war french british capital ships open water royal_navy dominance french port risks involved putting sea subsequent breakout attempt brest fleet ended defeat french fleet close anchorage battle roads background late lord admiralty lord withdrew royal_navy blockade french atlantic ports following campaign french_navy lost ships line believed french having suffered heavy losses unable unwilling launch major offensive atlantic winter strength fleet brest principal french atlantic brest fleet engaged campaign intact taking advantage withdrawal british blockade emperor napoleon ordered squadrons sea orders raid british trade routes crossed atlantic forces inflict economic damage britain possible engaging equivalent british naval squadron defeat capture cruise expected long months sustained captured food supplies british merchant ships sailing unopposed december squadrons separated days later pursuit british merchant convoys squadron steering south atlantic admiral jean vice admiral sailing caribbean admiralty london discover french sailed december squadrons prepared pursuit rear admiral sir richard rear admiral sir john warren sail january time french disappeared atlantic british squadron maintained contact french battle october admiralty stationed squadron vice admiral sir john thomas watch remnants combined fleet november reports reached french squadron operating british convoys savage islands islands squadron belonged admiral left france july immediately sailing investigate abandoned leaving frigates watch allied fleet anchor passing savage islands continued cape_verde islands conceding french escaped turning northwards far north eventually returned france incident december cruise return journey december encountered hms captain charles brisbane escorting small group merchant ships intercepted chased dispersed brisbane convoy bay december brisbane retaining largest merchant ships help cover flight smaller vessels escaped pursuit brisbane sailed search support continuing southwards realizing appointed station immediately setting course believed intercept turned northwest december discovered enemy squadron approximately nautical miles northwest islands ordered squadron pursue chase lasting day continuing december time clear quarry fact discovered squadron french admiral ordered ships run battle december certain british flagship hms superb french ship suddenly called pursuit later claimed concerned leading ships squadron overwhelmed concentrated french squadron nautical miles superb join battle escaped south atlantic ordered squadron sail barbados resupply making long journey arrived january ordered frigate hms arrange required water supplies moved squadron anchorage january ships leeward_islands squadron hms northumberland hms joined northumberland flagship rear admiral alexander commander station arrival raised number squadron second command rear admiral thomas louis hms route caribbean winter storms azores having delayed separated brave inflicted damage arriving french held city santo domingo island hispaniola january disembarked soldiers reinforcements garrison hasty repairs awaited arrival missing ships appeared january time harbour moved ashore gave orders ships following atlantic voyage difficult time consuming process february small sloop hms arrived information french ships line sighted santo domingo gave orders fleet sail immediately february brig hms joined thomas february frigate hms captain adam joined near passage accompanied danish schooner sailed santo domingo days crew able provide detailed account french squadron composition schooner sailed number french officers commented risk involved allowing vessel leave port admiral refused demands burn danish ship confident outnumbered night february british squadron slowly approached santo domingo scouting ahead main fleet battle attack february scouts sighted french observing frigates ships line large merchant ship anchored line entrance santo domingo reportedly issued orders squadron sail jamaica french ships ready sea frigates sail british arrived aboard number officers conducting business town forced join squadron small boats delayed squadron officers possibly including reach ships engagement begun recognising enemy vulnerable position raised sail effort close french recognised danger ships ordered raise anchor sail westwards coast direction note maintaining close formation french formed line battle captain leading brave following frigates corvette took position battle line shore concerned french forces west angled line attack pass french line signaled squadron direct fire ships ships divided divisions westerly line superb northumberland hms hms eastern line louis hms british frigates gathered formation west british lines awaiting orders assist required hours british slowly closed french squadron british divisions breaking faster ships slower louis squadron fell dropped vessels division remained tight formation slight shift wind allowed adjust direction southwest close presence land restricted french movements superb able open fire british flagship engaged leading french vessel northumberland opened fire line flagship french ship carried guns northumberland engaged closely rapidly supported opened fire simultaneously minutes british continued close squadrons sailing westwards coast wind damaged suddenly swung line attempt drive northumberland captain robert responded rapidly turning bow pulling opposite opening fire close range smoke confusion superb northumberland noticed fired shots realized mistake way able engage leading british ships threatening moved defend flagship pulling northumberland superb suffering terrible damage preserving ship intact fire heavy shot passed straight northumberland superb destruction french rear combat head line remainder squadrons strained join battle british eastern division louis reached battling ships locked south main engagement passed french ship bringing masts leaving crippled state steered directly battle turned northwest intercept brave respectively followed crew preoccupied fire broken board badly damaged unable escape continue action formally surrendered minutes later captain attacked brave directly firing starboard guns crossing brave stern inflicting severe damage broadside pulling alongside engaging close range badly damaged brave surrendered ordered captain richard possession moved forward engage alongside captain samuel abandoned brief engagement french ship steered melee surrounding increasingly isolated taking advantage ship superior speed pulled ahead rammed bow securing ships prevent french vessel escaping recognising resistance hopeless captain surrendered immediately sent men board prize crew attached french ship trailing finally reached battle drives ashore heavy smoke confused positions identities ships head line hazardous fired arrived french flagship jammed smoke receiving heavy broadside french ship subsequently collided appeared immediately ahead tearing collision turning battle engaged close range rest british squadron concentrated fire exception damaged northumberland drifting line main masts collapsed escape impossible turned ship shore fire drifting northumberland leaving superb reluctant risk ship shallow coastal maintained pressure pursuing french flagship clear hard aground coral reef mile beach attack recently returned followed ashore struck reef french ships lost remaining masts suffered severe damage hulls crews gathered deck preparations abandon ship british squadron pulled range fire shore engagement french frigates corvette slipped battling squadrons shoreline escaped westwards british frigates preoccupied boarding prizes initiate chase destruction gathered squadron northumberland mainmast collapsed deck causing severe damage ship fittings flagship severely damaged squadron suffered degree superb men counted shot holes control lost casualties distributed fleet northumberland suffering worst barely engaged total losses killed wounded ships damaged rapidly able effect repairs ships remained station observe situation ashore run aground point hulls broadside beach bottoms reefs lay offshore remaining ship boats assistance shore wounded survivors ferried beach operations continued february sent boats boarding unopposed boat parties removed remaining french crewmen prisoners set ships fire deny potential use french fact issued orders burnt men evacuated captain jean henry prisoners british took contrast british found men aboard officers french casualties engagement heavy men estimated killed wounded additional casualties shared rest fleet severely damaged engagement brave damaged hull sailing condition ships surrendered early engagement losing captains killed wounded initial exchanges contrast shattered wreck british prize crew prevented holes smashed hull sinking remained anchor santo domingo days entire squadron prizes ready voyage jamaica sending commander day britain official despatches admiral separated fleet day departure northumberland sailed barbados case french forces appear leeward_islands main fleet repairing jamaica received jamaica prizes refitted journey britain event brave azores loss men badly damaged service broken arrival renamed hms recent french defeat battle italy continued career royal_navy surviving french ships frigates corvette returned france incident following months aftermath victory months success celebrated britain empire particularly caribbean mere rumours presence trade caused panic merchant houses west_indies victory helped restore confidence commercial ocean travel britain house_of_commons house_of_lords voted thanks entire squadron account action read motions led lord charles grey expansive speeches praise head money bounty enemy servicemen killed wounded captured paid men records showed french fleet carried significantly fewer men additional prize money paid captured awards money ceremonial plate ornate swords patriotic societies lloyd london admiral louis knight companion order bath number promotions distributed received share general rewards vice admiral lord commander chief mediterranean furious deserted post failed bring battle december sailed west_indies resupply returning spanish coast historians william james william considered defeated probably faced court martial absence forced divert ships blockade force provided proved inadequate february french frigate squadron broke port escaped influence block additional rewards subsequently returned mediterranean commanded fleet dardanelles operation decades later battle actions recognised attached naval general service medal awarded application british participants living france government press battle published report written captain corvette report began claiming british squadron consisted ships line report concluded information british ships destroyed san domingo coast alongside french badly damaged official french report written published france contradicted version events stated smaller warships sail westwards start engagement time flagship drove ashore sight remained santo domingo time returned europe time colony fell joint english spanish force july later received regional command sea took adriatic campaign atlantic campaign continued spring summer able avoid british squadrons searching remaining deep south atlantic march british warren intercepted defeated unrelated french squadron admiral charles returning indian_ocean eventually forced north search additional food supplies entered caribbean hoped intercept jamaica convoy britain captains plan ordered squadron final cruising ground newfoundland august deep central atlantic ferocious hurricane caught squadron scattered eventually found shelter havana number ships reached ports united_states badly damaged sail ships line left brest december returned france san domingo fleet battle wars fought open water subsequent engagement fleets battle roads fought narrow shallow waters mouth river


southern military involvement emergency southern self governing colony united_kingdom sent military units fight commonwealth armed forces emergency pitted commonwealth national liberation army military arm communist_party years starting march white southern volunteers squadron special air service african rifles black rank warrant officers led white officers served malaya hundreds southern served malaya killed squadron formed especially serve malaya unit british colony dominion veterans conflict peter walls ron subsequently held key positions security forces bush war 1970s background outbreak war emergency guerrilla war federation malaya britain august commonwealth nations national liberation army armed wing communist_party sought government force british commonwealth worked prevent conflict roots second world war groups local ethnic chinese fought alongside britain limited forces country occupying imperial japanese chinese communist political thinking called peoples anti japanese army soon japan defeated communist fighters renamed national liberation army began british rule arms britain given subsequently retrieved formed regiments began campaign style rural intent villagers gain popular support use control cities march called people rise british months later june killed british rubber plantation managers province british high commissioner malaya sir edward declared state emergency days marking beginning emergency addition british units personnel commonwealth forces malaya included australians new northern southern southern self governing ran affairs matters including defence bound foreign affairs concerned southern government able exercise large degree independence militarily came british flag squadron special air service special air service commando unit formed british_army north african campaign second world war including southern ranks served rest conflict operating italy european western disbanded british government october serve korean war situation korea changed end month training period sent malaya instead placed command british officer major mike early following year travelled southern recruitment visit roughly white southern veterans volunteered malaya chosen form southern unit squadron british colony dominion led year old temporary captain peter walls volunteers arrived malaya march walls promoted major soon men disembarked singapore squadrons southern squadron known informally engaged largely counter warfare southern relevant principles doctrines noticeably bolstered hitherto spread ranks malaya performed strongly eyes superiors british major dare believed attitude colder british soldiers barbara cole wrote history says contrast close friends served alongside spent far time black mixed race soldiers duty british counterparts march serving required years malaya men squadron returned home replaced squadron new_zealand members squadron sergeant davies killed malaya services emergency walls awarded african rifles arrival malaya following departure squadron southern malaya early 1st battalion african rifles tasked relieve northern regiment province originally formed native regiment southern standards old tried unit fought britain east africa world war contributed burma campaign second regiment black soldiers warrant officers led white officers came majority royal australian regiment present malaya prevent confusion african rifles acronym temporarily changed regiment advance party officers non commissioned officers warrant officers left southern capital salisbury air february route took raf ceylon touching singapore advance party travelled spent weeks jungle training camped fiji infantry regiment spirit quickly developed southern soldiers officers continued local environment following weeks assisted rest battalion travelled sea aboard empire clyde reached singapore april soon set headquarters kilometres north west port city tactics stage largely split small groups existed basing chosen rural area local villagers accumulating manpower supplies lot security forces posted nearby play constant game hide seek communists army indefinitely search destroy base camps food set commonwealth leaders possibly resist campaign forever time simply attempting malaya comprised companies split man white lieutenant commanding platoon carried weapon choice usually shotgun battle rifle acted assistance black platoon sergeant black warrant officer lieutenant black led rifle section consisted section leader generally armed shotgun scout gunner sterling machine gunner seven marching thick jungle patrol moved single file metres man warrant officer followed close lieutenant ready command necessary radio operator platoon sergeant rear according second lieutenant john essex clark australian born officer led platoon malaya southern units moved faster jungle conditions british men black southern soldiers reportedly came tracking came rural backgrounds acquired relevant instincts skills growing operations malaya patrolled september major incident rain monsoon season endless battalion men actual sightings communists rare extreme spotted invariably fled shots hope chance seeing communist terrorist change reported officer august keen come blows determined officers men come face face enemy ambushed railway line seven nights row starting october patrols led different officer night contacts time british royal lincolnshire regiment operating area kilometres north west reported encountered communist independent platoon led lung heading south east river intercept lung men november half section southern led corporal sighted pack laden marching east initiative attacked catching communists surprise insurgents split fled running directions fighter attempted hide tree killed rifle fire november withdrawn period rest battalion transport platoon ambushed communist returning base shot trucks nearly hit driver convoy able escape ambush anybody injured november king scottish assisted local police action called rock security forces moved village arrested communist ethnic chinese students university malaya singapore days later regular duty starting february took operations shoe food denial operations efforts deny supplies communists patrols rubber plantations edges jungle intensified prevent guerrilla supplies north river reaching food denial areas south covered operation platoon lieutenant david posted area directly south river midway month action lasted february april contacts communist killed men great deal intelligence secured guerrilla organisation supply routes months patrols areas stepped days contacts communist forces remained rare constant patrols gradually began toll insurgents began increasingly frequently contributing factor britain granting independence malaya commonwealth august motivation fighters starting october tasked work alongside personnel remaining communist forces region insurgents supposed lead security forces camps resting places strategy successful soon developed low opinion men approached end year commitment malaya continued patrolling province major incident february returned regiment number killed previous years corporal joseph influence bush war veterans malaya proceeded hold key positions security forces bush war 1970s prominently walls member squadron ron walls reformed white light infantry commando battalion similar mid-1960s serving regimental sergeant major leaving walls head army retained role rest bush war formed commanded scouts pseudo guerrilla regiment scouts concept influenced similar operations conducted special branch malaya african rifles endured following malaya served bush war south african historian writing bush war comments gulf calls malaya lower ranking soldiers field threat posed nationalist campaigns having previously encountered situation mid-1970s officers walls attempted impress contemporaries similarity situation experienced malaya operations malaya coordinated nationally army air_force police odds resolve created supreme body called combined operations influenced similar posts malaya walls head

Southern Rhodesian military involvement in the Malayan Emergency


april yugoslav border ambush morning april band liberation army fighters ambushed smaller group yugoslav army border guards near outpost west fighters trying weapons supplies northern albania nineteen killed ensuing attack captured sustain casualties retreated albania managed break ambush past yugoslav border following clash confiscated large quantity arms transporting villagers northern albania western reported hearing explosions vicinity ambush seeing helicopters flying overhead following day officials later alleged helicopters violated country albania moved elite army units yugoslav border response yugoslav authorities accused albania backing response ambush officials indicated push sanctions implemented yugoslavia said look freeze country assets overseas sources alleged men ambushed abducted killed yugoslav security forces claims verified western journalists later year amnesty international affirmed men killed ambush smuggling weapons border background following world war given status autonomous province socialist republic serbia constitutional socialist federal republic yugoslavia death yugoslavia long time leader yugoslavia political system began belgrade revoked autonomy province inhabited predominantly ethnic great historical cultural significance serbs formed majority mid-19th century represented percent population alarmed numbers province serbs began fear ethnic tensions worsened soon autonomy abolished minority government run serbs appointed serbian president oversee province enforced thousands heavily armed serbia proper culture systematically hundreds thousands working state owned companies lost jobs group nationalists calling liberation army began attacking yugoslav army croatian serbian ministry internal affairs croatian goal separate province rest yugoslavia following croatia macedonia bosnia federation consisting serbia montenegro carried hit run attacks january february quickly gained popularity young rejected non violent resistance yugoslav authorities advocated politician favoured aggressive approach organization received significant boost armed uprising neighbouring albania led thousands weapons army depots looted weapons ended hands substantial resources involvement trafficking drugs weapons people donations cross border arms smuggling flourished unit charged securing yugoslav border brigade command general popularity attacked compound leader march killing closest associates family attack motivated thousands young join ranks uprising eventually erupted spring timeline clash according morning april soldiers 53rd border battalion brigade encountered group near outpost attempting illegally enter northern albania west rebels yugoslav border time anticipation renewed offensive yugoslav authorities stated armed undergoing training military camps albania attempting weapons according border patrol greatly outnumbered armed rocket launchers patrol ambushed armed group sparking intense exchange fire clashes reportedly lasted night residents border village reported artillery fire helicopters flying overhead following day reported suffering casualties clash nineteen killed wounded captured single deadliest war related incident attack compound previous month initial reports suggested killed fallen village near kilometres border identified captured english professor agricultural technician remaining managed break ambush reach fled albania according footage taken military later broadcast yugoslav television showed field guns ammunition bodies reported seizing tonnes long tons short tons weapons ammunition including cases aftermath trial international criminal tribunal yugoslavia testified investigative judge visited outpost shortly fighting ceased conducted site investigation journalists allowed visit site security concerns april western reporters saw personnel digging mortar positions south kilometres border troops said exchanging gunfire rebels previous days state department acknowledged received reports deaths border state department spokesman james called situation extremely dangerous officials said push freeze yugoslavia overseas assets international ban foreign trade country response violence turn yugoslav military issued statement requesting west pressure leaders terrorism truly wanted peaceful political solution problems statement accused albania training illegally terrorists demanded west pressure country activities albania denied supporting alleged yugoslav helicopters violated yugoslavia denied violations consequently army police placed high alert country stationed elite troops border april fallen buried ethnic attended dead ranged age seventeen years old villagers claimed dead arrested days deaths ambushed yugoslav authorities claimed claims independently verified western reporters report amnesty international affirmed men killed ambush trying weapons

April 23, 1998 Albanian–Yugoslav border ambush


battle battle second stage empire japan plan invasion singapore second world war february imperial japanese army assaulted north western british colony singapore primary objective secure second successful assault beach february order breach defence line southward thrust heart singapore city defending shoreline river singapore causeway australian 27th brigade led brigadier duncan irregular company february japanese forces suffered heaviest losses moving river caused panic nearly aborted operation series allied forces ensuing battles allowed japanese swiftly gain strategic eventually led fall singapore february background terrain primarily swamps tropical forest streams shoreline river singapore causeway nearly kilometers long defended australian 27th brigade led australian brigadier duncan 27th infantry brigade consisted battalions 30th 29th 26th supported 10th field artillery regiment platoon 4th machine gun battalion supported company named commander lieutenant colonel john police special branch local chinese militia consisting communists nationalist supporters volunteers war intensified volunteers given days training sent war elementary weapons lacking uniforms volunteers improvised wearing red triangle blue shirts avoid mistaken japanese australians allied forces assaulted imperial guards division led major general imperial guards landed taken island north east singapore attack february encountered minimal resistance battle february japanese landings february divisions japanese fifth army led lieutenant general landed northwestern coast singapore area headquarters sultan palace offered officers bird eye view virtually key target northern sector singapore island kilometres mile straits sultan palace fired british damage caused extensive repercussions british ties primary objective japanese capture village let repair demolished causeway order facilitate easy flow reinforcements supplies roads woodlands rest island vanguard force leading wave japanese safely ashore japanese artillery switched fire defensive positions telegraph telephone communications destroyed bombardment communications line command broken night men imperial guards division began crossing special armoured landing crafts boats swimming february heavy losses early hours february japanese forces suffered heaviest losses battle singapore moving river advance landing parties 4th regiment imperial guard division found heavy fire australian machine gunners mortar teams found surrounded oil created allied personnel nearby woodlands oil depot prevent capture scenario feared came pass accident oil set allied small arms fire causing japanese soldiers burnt alive sustaining heavy losses requested permission abandon operation denied request limited communications division headquarters concerned force cut fierce chaotic fighting south west involving australian 22nd brigade force consequently withdrew allowed japanese land increasing strength control village captured woodlands began repairing causeway encountering allied attacks japanese light tanks good towed straits road joined battle dusk reinforced troops tanks advancing road australian troops match tanks fled hills 5th division imperial japanese army captured village evening february defence line lieutenant general arthur general officer commanding malaya command drew defence perimeter covering airfield supply depot area ensure integrity city defence line north western defence perimeter defence line narrow ridge connecting sources river forming natural defence line protecting north west approach singapore town counterpart line sited airfield village eastern singapore troops defend line strongly invading japanese force line defended 44th indian infantry brigade covered milestone road 12th indian infantry brigade reinforced 22nd australian brigade guarded northern line maintained contact 44th indian brigade 15th indian infantry brigade positioned near road guard island vital food petrol supplies secret instruction protect area issued generals secret orders withdraw defence line city necessary misunderstood took order immediate withdrawal line result 44th indian infantry brigade 12th indian infantry brigade 22nd australian brigade reinforced withdrawal beach north west abandoned line february fearing large supplies depot fall japanese hands rush soon general allied commander chief far_east sent urgent message certain troops singapore island heavily japanese crossed straits destroy fighting reputation stake honour british_empire americans held peninsula far heavier odds russians turning picked strength germans chinese lack modern equipment held japanese half years yield boasted fortress singapore inferior enemy forces aftermath february defence line left allowed japanese forces sweep line attack day finally moved combined operations headquarters road underground bunker battle box fort canning despite fighting spirit fighters suffered poor training lack equipment blow delivered 27th australian brigade withdrew southwards result japanese established stronghold northern woodlands area secured relatively easy passage island general left singapore java early february sent cable british prime minister winston_churchill london assessment war singapore battle singapore going ordered stage counter attack troops possible morale troops good high like chief troubles lack sufficient training reinforcing troops inferior complex bold japanese tactics command air caused possible produce offensive spirit optimistic outlook pretend efforts entirely successful date given orders thought surrender troops continue fighting end february imperial guards captured soon village defending troops time badly shaken thousands exhausted frightened left fighting seek shelter large buildings night british forces east island begun withdraw city february japanese 5th division continued advance reached adam roads capture road camp moved forward bomb damaged ford factory heading southwards japanese 18th division advanced major battle singapore fought regiments commemoration battle sites defence line national heritage board world war sites singapore


operation operation failed raid british coast occupied france second world war raid undertaken september later beach commando known small scale raiding force prior operation raid french coastal town placed german occupying forces high state alert ultimately contributed failure unable identify correct landing place darkness minutes landing raiding party ambushed german patrol forced try reach motor torpedo boat transport located engaged german shore batteries damaged engines forced withdraw leaving end raid killed prisoners war raiding force survive war killed captivity fate uncertain background following request chief combined operations admiral louis german coastal defences commando known small scale raiding force mounted number operations missions complete successes operation august operation september operation pound september planned night mid september reconnaissance mission near des small coastal town near port normandy mission collect information surrounding area german guard prisoner aerial reconnaissance identified small group houses thought occupied germans size landing party limited carried aboard motor torpedo boat comprised officers warrant officer senior non commissioned officer ranks member free french forces commander major march lead raid second command captain remain board injury acquired previous mission men raid captain graham captain john burton captain lord francis howard lieutenant anthony hall company sergeant major thomas winter sergeant allen michael williams private jan jan netherlands private adam poland private richard richard jewish german czechoslovakia free french forces raid august changed german fortification plans success german defences raid reinforced importance atlantic wall organization started reinforce gun infantry strong points french coastline older gun based world war designs replaced stronger designs overhead cover offer protection air attack area normandy targeted operation receive concrete gun network coastal artillery batteries able provide arcs fire german infantry carried foot patrols areas batteries battle mission previously attempted night september cancelled arrived coast france raiding party unable locate target dark conditions september left portsmouth reached coast moving reduced speed avoid detection avoid offshore fields reached intended position offshore midnight september observing coastline dark incorrectly identified valley believed actually saint sur mile right intended target hours landing party headed beach small flat boat known boat reaching shore realised close houses leave boat dragged boat yards east away houses high water mark captain lord howard guarded boat rest checked area ensure safe observed landing way beach sighted german patrol seven men coming direction houses took cover discovered patrol guard dog patrol opened fire machine guns hand grenades managed disperse german patrol return fire reach boat captain lord howard left guard boat wounded trying float boat managed aboard fight lasted minutes german patrol moved forward beach lieutenant hall tried capture germans hit head captured left dead men boat managed yards sea located engaged machine gun posts beach gun west starting firing heavier calibre guns combined fire positions damaged boat began sink attempted swim discovered fire unable locate darkness forced swim beach winter fired reached beach captured taken german headquarters room captain lord howard captured withdrawn range suffered engine damage bullet disabled starboard engine minutes moved hoping pick survivors located germans forced withdraw increasingly heavy mortar machine gun fire unable locate survivors german minefield arrived portsmouth aftermath later morning september winter ordered collect bodies men killed beach men went ashore killed major march phillips sergeant williams private captured seriously wounded pair captain lord howard lieutenant hall winter escaped later september captain lord howard lieutenant hall hospitalised injuries winter taken interrogation time germans unaware captain burton captain managed evade capture beach september germans issued second september read bodies dead buried sur cemetery september funeral attended local german french commanders prevent attending germans machine gun set covering cemetery days questioning winter taken joined days later captain burton managed stay boat sunk captured german parachute unit carrying manoeuvres burton sent prisoner war camp germany winter taken frankfurt handed questioning winter sent prisoner war camp fate established winter special air service officer escaped camp april disguised french soldiers able escape captivity travelling spain britain joined special operations executive captain unable reach started swimming away shooting came ashore managed evade capture contact local french family provided civilian clothing contacted french resistance taken train weeks reached paris moved escape line spanish border arriving october crossing spain stopped spanish border guards handed germans returned paris imprisoned prison kept solitary confinement months executed firing squad july landed uniform considered prisoner war executed following issue commando order called execution capture discovered war betrayed germans aware movements normandy spanish border persons believed responsible betrayal punished convinced authorities acting double agents despite results operation combined operations headquarters believed use ensured dissolved command unit given newly promoted major end moved algeria absorbed 2nd special air service regiment survive war returning special air service mission plane reported missing day captain executed paris