expedition expedition referred invisible invisible squadron french sources important french naval expedition napoleonic wars formed major diversion ongoing campaign atlantic_ocean french mediterranean_fleet sea emperor napoleon hoped unite french atlantic fleet form force powerful temporarily displace british_royal_navy channel_fleet long allow invasion force cross english channel land britain support plan french squadron based sea july initially intention join atlantic fleet brest fleet failed sea squadron admiral went extended raiding cruise atlantic intercept british trade left lightly defended concentration british forces european waters intention eventually combining french mediterranean_fleet blockaded spanish september achieved major success squadron waiting convoy leeward_islands encountered seven ship convoy island saint convoy commander captain daniel fourth rate hms calcutta sought ship french squadron convoy captured fierce battle convoy escaped deliberately drawing french away convoy direction saved islands convoy attack battle forced conduct repairs sailing october days french mediterranean_fleet destroyed battle planned invasion impossible began commerce raiding eastern atlantic capturing merchant ships cruise successfully disrupting british blockade significant effect atlantic campaign resulting eventually battle san domingo february returned december having lost single ship expedition campaign march french mediterranean_fleet sailed toulon vice admiral charles extended cruise west_indies ultimately orders link french atlantic fleet based brest fleets stage major operation english channel driving royal_navy channel_fleet allowing fleet landing barges land southern coast england invasion britain arriving martinique waited reinforcements atlantic fleet informed june failed leave port despite repeated orders issued atlantic fleet instructing sail martinique vice admiral failed effort break brest march given entire fleet ultimately remained port campaign june learned arrival caribbean british mediterranean_fleet vice admiral lord nelson hastily sailed europe eventually spanish harbour encounter july british fleet sir robert battle cape ships captured aftermath spring campaign nelson returned britain leaving relatively small squadrons french spanish coasts despite delays plan napoleon pressed ahead preparations channel campaign army men assembling invasion orders continued insist fleets sea ordered sail squadron based atlantic port led admiral squadron consisted powerful gun ship ships line frigates forming significant force right valuable addition battle fleet ordered cruise southern coast cornwall awaiting combined fleets descent channel force subsequently ordered bay join route northwards fail conduct extended commerce raiding operation atlantic advantage concentration british forces europe consequent exposure british trade bay sailed july blockade squadron rear admiral charles position rapidly escaping coast atlantic july squadron captured british brig hms ranger rated guns actually carrying ranger crew observed approaching french squadron distance commander charles ordered capture inevitable crew cause damage possible vessel deny use french successful efforts forced burn ranger crew removed prisoners war subsequently reached station day capturing ranger waited vain fleet departed brest following instructions sailed bay meet fleet ordered north join passed southwards july region cape july later records close site battle cape participated engagement aware underway news presence reached early august august frigate hms search squadron followed august main fleet including ships line associated frigates passed spanish coast village near august departing following day west northwest direction august fleet spotted frigates hms iris captain edward hms captain thomas forced flee french detachment sent pursuit losing sight enemy august main force continued northwest searching squadron passing south spanish coast search august having seen sign combined fleet left instructions squadron uncertain superior intending sail scouting frigates spoken danish ship reported fleet british ships line actively searching region combined fleet evening august scouts sighted ship line hms dragon captain edward frigate hms phoenix captured west french admiral assumed advance guard british fleet turned away south impression encouraged frantic signals raised dragon fact ships british forces region danish ship boarded dragon earlier day crew deliberately fed british strength french scouts sighted dragon presence captured captain signals sea visible horizon french ship successfully french admiral fleeing non existent fleet bypassing flight southwards southern spanish fleet base august abandoning efforts reach english channel effect abandoning entire invasion strategy news retreat reached napoleon decided formally abandon campaign marching army south austrian border instructions superior idea main french fleet spent august spanish coast deciding turn aspect orders disruption british trade calcutta convoy threat posed fleets brest stretching royal_navy convoy escorts weaker usual vessels diverted blockade fleets needed watch french spanish movements result number independently sailing merchant ships bay encountered captured journey north area later known western approaches prisoners taken ships french admiral learned large convoy west_indies protected single ship line hms rich prize major success squadron cruised western approaches anticipation arrival september september outlying frigate squadron spotted sails southeast closing investigate sails identified small british convoy expected force convoy saint consisting east small merchant ships slow merchant vessel brothers gun fourth rate ship hms calcutta convoy departed saint seven ships august fast time northwards september joined brothers blown convoy atlantic days earlier brothers heavily laden ship sailed poorly result entire saint convoy severely delayed calcutta sighted sails northwest captain daniel immediately alarmed expecting convoy direction knew number british squadrons sea afternoon following night sails closed squadron september close royal_navy secret recognition signals realised approaching ships know recognition signals enemies priority protect convoy sent urgent message largest strongest merchant ships lead main body convoy ahead eastwards speed valuable charges making distance away french persuaded captain brothers sail northwards intended engage french directly draw southwards away saint convoy away projected track convoy merchant ships gone horizon turned calcutta sailed directly nearest french ship frigate gaining vessel far calcutta rapidly passed range broadside frigate turning opening fire stern cannon mounted rear ship calcutta replied bow allowed british ship draw alongside ships opened heavy fire continued hour rigging badly damaged drew rapidly approaching french squadron leading french ship line came range bow calcutta continued sailing southwards remaining ahead squadron sufficient distance avoid fire realising took drastic measures ship caught turned calcutta hoping disable ship line frigate join battle captain prepared meet calcutta engagement rapidly furious calcutta exchanging close range minutes clear failed larger powerful inflicted severe damage british ship rigging rendering unable manoeuvre escape remainder french squadron bearing defeat inevitable spared lives men striking colours surrendering calcutta badly damaged rigging sails hull suffered little engagement lost killed wounded french casualties forced undergo extensive temporary repairs sails rigging able operate scout brothers captured corvette separated chase rapidly overhauled merchant ship surrendered fight raiding operations resistance important indirect effect cruise drawing squadron southwards pulled line travelled convoy aftermath engagement took days repair battered calcutta time convoy safely passed position sighting french force object frustrated completed repairs calcutta men drawn rest squadron adding ship force aware news presence rapidly spread subsequently turned southwards sailing north_atlantic coast north_africa avoid pursuing british forces anchored time spanish island able repair resupply squadron embarking lengthy cruise british convoys regularly crossed region campaign reached climax october fleet intercepted sea nelson fleet destroyed battle french spanish losing ships line british fleet lose single ship cost victory severe lord nelson victor major battles previous years killed height combat musket ball survivors combined fleet scattered making way ships french vanguard rapidly battle returned escaped bay admiral cruise consequences squadron british forces mustered hunt ships squadron rear admiral sir richard hms consisting ships line frigates november frigate hms phoenix ordered search signs discovered french ships near cape unaware events assuming ships force captain sought lure squadron knew area successful provoking chase frigate days later february able bring french squadron battle capturing ships battle cape events hundreds miles south successfully trade passed african coast opposition major british forces largely confined european waters particular fear britain intercept convoys vital strategic importance extremely valuable convoy india britain carried major general sir arthur passenger expeditionary force admiral sir home planned invasion south_africa event convoys managed successfully avoid force november supplies running low attacked convoy seven ships sailing britain passing close savage islands attack successful unable prevent escape convoy escort gun brig hms commander frederick making sail northwards search reinforcements encountered target november meeting hms ships squadron vice admiral sir john thomas subordinate rear admiral thomas louis ordered close blockade case remainder combined fleet sat anchor try escape work tedious immediately abandoned post news attack squadron reached cast southwards search french leaving guarded frigates aware risk involved allowing escape miles north headed southwards benefit battle british squadron delay journey home reaching incident december actions savage islands far reaching consequences continued southwards december turning north reached cape_verde islands point far far south operating accepting enemy escaped turned north soon ran frigate hms captain charles brisbane large convoy broken unidentified french battle squadron bay assuming force set course intercept based known heading good december encountered large squadron immediately gave chase later realised force chasing large fact squadron admiral jean sent brest force admiral december start atlantic campaign operation largely inspired success expedition eventually able chase continued long squadron forced fresh supplies west_indies news reached sighted santo domingo sailed investigate french squadron battle san domingo february aftermath french naval authorities considered cruise major success year cost huge numbers ships men addition ranger calcutta captured hired naval cutter dove merchant ships including brothers exception calcutta prizes burnt prisoners transferred french squadron total minimal casualties inflicted blow british atlantic trade tied substantial royal_navy resources complicated strategically vital campaign calcutta bought french_navy armed carrying designated guns served years destruction battle roads april british officers later exchanged acquitted court martial investigated loss france highly commended success operation especially met disaster campaign remained atlantic fleet years commanded second successful operation atlantic carrying reinforcements mediterranean_fleet toulon returned brest fleet commander ships trapped near subsequently commanded fleet defeat battle roads captains expedition praised later led campaigns ended defeat captain jean command frigate squadron destined west_indies destroyed bay action september captain led larger squadron west_indies early suffering defeat battle des order battle


battle river battle river engagement united_nations north korean forces early korean war august september vicinity river river south_korea battle perimeter large engagements fought simultaneously battle ended victory united_nations large numbers united_states republic korea troops able repel north korean attack river positioned defense battle 35th infantry regiment 25th infantry division took positions river tributaries river southern flank perimeter north korean people army 7th division effected crossing river august 35th infantry able stem north korean advance thousands north korean troops able exploit hole line surround regiment followed intense battle north korean units heavily engaged river line eventually north korean force routed defeated troops battle 35th infantry instrumental forcing north korean division preventing advancing capture delay forces counterattack effectively defeating entire north korean army perimeter 35th infantry performance battle earned regiment presidential unit citation background outbreak war following june outbreak korean war invasion republic korea south_korea northern neighbor democratic people republic korea north_korea united_nations decided commit troops conflict behalf south_korea united_states member subsequently committed ground forces korean peninsula goal fighting north korean invasion prevent south_korea collapsing forces far_east steadily decreasing end world war years earlier time closest forces 24th infantry division headquartered japan division equipment reductions military spending regardless 24th ordered south_korea 24th infantry division unit sent korea mission initial shock north korean advances delaying larger north korean units buy time allow reinforcements arrive division consequently weeks attempted delay north making time 1st cavalry 7th 25th infantry divisions eighth army supporting units position advance elements 24th infantry badly defeated battle july encounter american north korean forces month defeat task force smith 24th infantry division repeatedly defeated forced south superior north korean numbers equipment regiments 24th infantry systematically pushed south engagements 24th final stand battle completely destroyed delaying north korean forces july time eighth army force combat troops roughly equal north korean forces attacking region new units arriving day north korean advance captured north korean forces began surrounding perimeter sides attempt 4th 6th north korean infantry divisions advanced south wide flanking maneuver divisions attempted left flank extremely spread process advanced positions armor superior numbers repeatedly pushing south korean forces american forces pushed repeatedly finally halting north korean advance series engagements southern section country forces 3rd battalion 29th infantry regiment newly arrived country wiped coordinated ambush north korean forces july opening pass area soon north korean forces took west pushing 19th infantry regiment leaving routes open north korean attacks formations subsequently able defeat push north flank battle notch august suffering mounting losses korean people army force west withdrew days equip receive reinforcements granted sides prepare attack perimeter attack fighting following battle notch eighth army commander lieutenant general walker ordered 25th infantry division major general william defensive positions perimeter southern flank west august 25th infantry division moved positions rough terrain west limited choice positions mountain group west readily ground east pass feet mountain ridges san dominated area protected road means north south communication west north highway river easily positions favorable high ground near controlled important junction connecting road road river essential 25th infantry division right flank connect left flank 24th infantry division confluence rivers 25th infantry division moved protect road intersection road met highway 6th division ordered await reinforcements continuing attack north south division 13th 15th 14th regiments replacements arrived august approximately unarmed south seoul area joined division august 6th division issued grenades told recruits pick weapons killed wounded soldiers battlefield group replacements seoul area joined 6th division august bringing division strength approximately men week august week september recruits southwest korea joined division 6th division body recruits labor details later employed combat troops north korean build south 7th division arrived near men 7th division occupied key ports protect 6th division possible amphibious landings rear august 25th division held miles beginning north bridge river extending west hills south river confluence bent southwest south san mountain mass tapered northern river line turned south rising ground san crossed saddle south face passed railroad highway continued southward battle mountain line dropped spur ridge lines southern coastal road near 35th infantry regiment held northern yards division line bridge highway regiment responsible highway regiment weakest point miles gap river company west 1st platoon east platoon guarded steel bridge division extreme right boundary 2nd infantry division river south highway 24th infantry regiment held high ground west including battle mountain colonel john 5th infantry regimental combat team held southern spur san coastal road marine_corps units continued line southern coast 25th division command post 35th infantry command post east road 24th infantry command post command post august division suffering manpower shortages limited number brought ranks battle southern sector 25th infantry division held line corps planned strong attack coordinating attack 2nd infantry division north north korean 6th 7th divisions received attack orders august north korean operations order called corps assault line august 6th division south right flank attack capture west river delta miles september division zone attack south highway 7th division line north 6th division attack north highway wheel left wait 6th division right 9th division left join 7th division concentrated area west river plan pitted 6th division 24th infantry regiment 7th division 35th infantry regiment plan 6th division engaging 24th infantry battle mountain weeks prior stalemate aware pending offensive 24th infantry ability began report regiment performance determine improve capabilities north korean 6th division struck 24th infantry august pushed heavy engagements 6th division 24th infantry regiment remained locked bitter fight week north korean crossing north korean 7th division troops committed effort attacking 35th infantry line august north korean self propelled high velocity gun fired shells position company 35th infantry overlooking river minutes north korean artillery attacking line rifle companies regiment bridge west cover fire reinforced regiment 7th division crossed river attacked companies 35th infantry north korean soldiers crossed underwater bridge ground north near boundary 2nd battalion led lieutenant colonel john holding river lieutenant colonel bernard 1st battalion holding hill line stretched river san highway 35th infantry facing shortages reinforcements equipped nonetheless prepared attack river ferry crossing site low ground battalions regimental commander placed national police expecting hold long serve warning rest forces guns flanking hills cover low ground fire held 3rd battalion ready use counterattack stop enemy penetration occur unexpectedly police companies near ferry scattered north korean fire north korean troops streamed hole line turning left company flank rear turned right attack company spur ground west road elements companies formed defense line north edge tanks joined dawn north drive road fork miles south river commander lieutenant colonel henry fisher expected instead turned east hills 2nd battalion position company 35th infantry feet san flanked road miles west gave company commanding view surrounding countryside key position 25th division line aware north consider important ground target attack north korean preparatory barrage lasted midnight cover battalions 13th regiment 6th division moved yards american time north korean tanks self propelled guns guns moved road foot san american tank destroyed midnight inch team destroyed self propelled gun guns crest san minefield stopped north korean infantry assault attacks followed quick succession repulsed troops superior firepower company depleted ammunition began stripping machine gun bullets ammunition belts rifles 1st platoon company base mountain company climbed san minutes ammunition resupply company dawn north korean attack subsided daylight revealed vast abandoned north korean equipment scattered slope crest including machine guns north korean dead commanding officer 13th regiment september relief force company headquarters troops led american tanks cleared road san 2nd platoon company ammunition time repel north korean assault failed assault resulted killing capturing north 35th infantry held original positions forward platoon company north korean soldiers lines eastern penetration reached high ground south overlooking north south road meantime 6th division 24th infantry sector south overwhelming regiment forcing 2nd battalion 24th infantry ridges overlooking pushed soldiers retreated orders survivors 24th infantry 1st 2nd battalions later appeared 35th lines regimental commanders found entire regiment north korean attack ordered 1st battalion 27th infantry help restore 24th position north korean counterattack daylight company tanks partially regained control ridges overlooking completely large numbers north battle positions 35th infantry far areas miles east positions north continued cross river daylight september general area gap 1st 2nd battalions observation aircraft spotted estimated companies crossing directed fire field artillery battalion crossing force destroyed estimated fighter planes survivors later large group north spotted open river later day american aircraft directed artillery fire column estimated north korean casualties corps plan attack river 6th division push east main highway 1st battalion 35th infantry time major elements 7th division swing southeast 2nd battalion 35th infantry cut road road crossed river steel bridge 2nd infantry division zone ran south join main highway miles east near village miles northwest avenues approach highway road formed axes attack plan engineer troops secondary road september slow progress north stopped early afternoon 35th infantry surrounded forces 6th 7th divisions estimated battalions lines speaking later situation fisher said intended withdraw place planned regimental perimeter hold 27th infantry counterattack mid afternoon felt situation severe threat integrity division line ordered 2nd battalion 27th infantry regiment attack 35th infantry large division artillery direct north korean infantry attack morning hours september 7th division troops attacked american unit encountered company 35th infantry north shoulder gap north korean units attack company continued engaged company miles downstream attacked scattered units company way 1st platoon guarded bridge extreme right flank 25th division platoon drove north korean force fierce fight september company destroyed north korean battalion heavy fighting 2nd battalion units company received hardest blows dawn september north korean troops company separate hills heavy assault shortly overran 3rd platoon heavy mortar company drove position climbed hill crest joined 2nd platoon company 3rd platoon company low hill river miles river close quarters attack daylight captain company commander requested artillery concentrations air strikes slow come north reached crest hill narrow space separated forces minutes later killed second lieutenant george commanding 3rd platoon reported situation asked air strike air_force delivered strike north korean held hill checked assaults time north korean troops captured occupied platoon position threw grenades parts position grenades killed early afternoon sergeant class squad leader assumed command effective troops left platoon men living wounded ammunition gone requested received authority withdraw main company position dark men carried withdrew covered arrival tanks group reached company position hill stalemate company held positions hill september north korean attack 2nd battalion 27th infantry started attack northwest area battalion slow progress formidable north korean forces night extremely dark terrain ferry road mountainous fighting night battalion reached position south original defensive positions company 35th infantry day coordinated attack armor artillery air infantry got way battalion established battle line attack 2nd battalion 27th infantry killed north recovered large equipment company lost earlier 2nd battalion 27th infantry remained regained positions night september morning company 35th infantry relieved regained positions started attack supply road progress word came north driven company newly position 27th infantry turned attacked restored company positions september 27th infantry turned positions company resumed attack rear road gap 1st 2nd battalions 35th infantry immediately contact north korean forces soon north korean machine guns firing troops directions torrential rains fell observation poor time 27th infantry running short ammunition commander ordered battalion withdraw yards favorable terrain resupply resupply proved difficult task battalion cleared supply route days previously attack company position closed battalion commander requested air supply morning september transport planes accomplished resupply 2nd battalion 27th infantry ready resume attack rear evening cleared supply road adjacent terrain north korean penetration distance yards rear company line positions 27th infantry received orders halt prepare attack northeast link 1st battalion 27th infantry 27th infantry moves 27th infantry left area september attack company north attacked 24th infantry command post artillery positions meet new situation general ordered remaining battalion 27th infantry commanded lieutenant colonel george attack destroy north operating early morning struggle september north vicinity artillery positions battalion launched attack high rugged terrain west deep curve road called miles east mission seize secure high ground dominating relieve pressure 24th infantry rear initially artillery piece position support attack battalion advanced distance north korean force estimated number men inflicted heavy casualties included officers additional tanks moved help secure exposed right flank rear air strikes helped contain north korean force battalion finally succeeded taking high ground morning september instead continuing attack 24th infantry command post 3rd battalion 27th infantry ordered attack area north korean troops fighting artillery positions attack got way face heavy small arms fire afternoon heavy rains slowed attack day battle companies help numerous air strikes captured high ground dominating crossroads numerous casualties battalion led attach company engineer combat battalion day september 3rd battalion 27th infantry turned attack rugged terrain drove vicinity 24th infantry command post attack 3rd battalion counted north korean dead area traversed artillery attacked series events caused change direction attack began september 1st battalion 35th infantry farther westward time unit forces korea positions san main supply route rear areas north korean hands daylight escort vehicles travel road san battalion held original positions heavy fighting september completely surrounded barbed wire traps supporting weapons inside tight battalion advantage calling protective artillery fire covering approaches hour midnight north korean assault struck battalion fight continued dawn september 1st battalion 35th infantry counted north korean dead positions basis estimated total north korean casualties men 35th units advantage constructed strong points battle north penetrate night battle field artillery battalion supporting 1st battalion directly involved fighting north dawn battery position assaulted north employing guns overran artillery machine gun perimeter positions penetrating artillery pieces captain andrew anderson men fought hand hand combat north guns fell temporarily north korean hands repulsed attack aided concentrations fire battery field artillery battalion nearby cut north reinforcements defending guns night battle battery lost seven men killed wounded fighting support river northern 25th division sector batteries field artillery battalions firing battery field artillery battalion fired total guns fired area north route 6th division supplies forward artillery piece kept bridge fire 25th division artillery estimated killed approximately north korean soldiers days september critical time fifth air_force added firepower division artillery support ground force walker attributed victory sector directly extensive air support division received battle north repulsed bitter confused fighting continued 35th infantry line week battalions companies cut isolated fought independently higher control help supplied supplied relief forces trying reach line units tanks armored cars drove isolated units supplies food ammunition carried critically wounded return trips general 35th infantry fought original battle line positions battalion later battalions 27th infantry fought estimated north operating rear 25th division generally pressure north korean units september severe local attacks september 1st battalion 27th infantry moved north area join 2nd battalion cleanup north korean troops 35th infantry river caught 35th infantry hill positions river attacking 27th infantry units large numbers north killed sixteen different groups reportedly dispersed heavy casualties day morning september clear evidence survivors 7th division trying escape river north launched attack 35th infantry quickly repulsed 25th infantry division buried north korean dead killed september lines number include killed positions heavy rains caused rivers rise september reducing danger new crossings september 35th infantry guarding week american twin mistakenly bombed bridge pound bomb destroyed feet center span bridges north junction supposed aerial attack time local commanders thought north bypassed bridge crossed farther east north korean attacks 2nd battalion 35th infantry occurred nightly approaches bridge north mined time north korean dead lying area september limited attacks 35th infantry north momentum broken muster strong attacks regiment north korean withdrawal counterattack collapsed north korean line forced fronts september 25th infantry division fighting north korean forces lines north korean strong points existed heights battle mountain san felt division advance roads mountainous center division clear believed key advance 25th division lay center north held heights kept 24th infantry regiment daily attack 27th infantry left 35th infantry right roads held positions advance situation 24th infantry improved september discovered north abandoned battle mountain night 1st battalion 24th infantry moved occupied right 35th infantry began moving forward light resistance reached high ground hidden north korean soldiers spider holes shot 1st battalion soldiers rear day 1st battalion captured 2nd battalion captured long ridge line running northwest river north held strongly division left 27th infantry heavy fighting trying forward north withdrew area night september 7th division withdrew south river 6th division elements cover entire covered 6th division 7th crossed north river morning september 6th division withdrawn positions san units rapidly pursued north passing battle mountain positions longer strategic importance aftermath 35th infantry suffered killed wounded missing battle 27th infantry lost total killed wounded captured battle perimeter included killed wounded battle bowling alley casualties battle support river operations field artillery battalion suffered killed wounded captured missing field artillery battalion lost killed wounded field artillery battalion killed wounded missing regiment performed north nominated presidential unit citation north korean troops suffered heavily fight casualties attack mid september 7th division reduced men loss committed perimeter 6th division returned north_korea loss percent strength large groups troops divisions captured attempted return north_korea including troops attacking force reduced end fights fight remained bitter stalemate entire weeks battle perimeter attempted attempt force withdrawal north unable pierce perimeter troops unable north point forced withdraw battle tactical tie decisively defeat units achieved strategic goal preventing north advancing east threatening instead able hold line repeated attacks attack successful defeating north korean army subsequent engagements


battle battle fought night november british ottoman forces palestine campaign world war came egyptian expeditionary force victory battle ended stalemate southern palestine fighting occurred beginning southern palestine offensive attacks november continuing battle launched general november eventually broke line defended army group despite having held line march ottoman army forced evacuate night november held november captured following british defeats second battles march april lieutenant general philip commanding eastern force von ottoman_empire force adopted defensive posture stalemate developed southern palestine entrenched defences approximately lines held end second battle strengthened sides undertook regular mounted open eastern flank late june replaced general murray commander quickly reorganised time ottoman fourth army stalemate continued terrible conditions summer reinforcements began arrive replace large number casualties suffered previous fighting additional divisions arrived ottoman defenders reinforced time sides carried training manning lines monitoring open eastern flank mid october battle continued western british reinforcements arrived preparations commence campaign manoeuvre neared completion prior second battle town developed strong modern fortress wire south south eastern edges series field works mutually supported artillery machine guns rifles extended eastwards miles beginning october began heavy continuous bombardment time corps holding section line passive night november series determined night time assaults mounted defences attacks partially successful strength garrison bombardment intensified november night november successful attacks launched trench systems morning november found evacuated night line subsequently collapsed ottoman seventh eighth armies forced retreat following battles pursuit captured jerusalem december background strong modern fortress entrenched wired good observation southern south eastern face defences strong daytime attack extended eastwards series field works miles fortifications yards apart mutually supported fire artillery machine guns rifles troops egyptian expeditionary force began concentrate preparation attacks left camps standing german ottoman aerial assumed opponents thought infantry divisions area eastern sector according falls evidence army group fairly accurately informed british october knew camps khan accurately placed infantry divisions east fourth 10th irish division approaching estimated cavalry actually loss october stunned army group commander staff garrison withdrew ottoman defences northwards defend road considerable force including available reserve units deployed area stop threatened advance road jerusalem miles north according turkish line thrown left broken remainder ottoman line stretching westward mediterranean coast continued strongly defended particularly loss placed mounted units jerusalem road eighth army infantry battalions sent german general friedrich von reinforce ottoman troops fighting protect road established new defensive line north 19th division sent corps defending reinforce new line objective advance north separate ottoman forces supplied roads railways maritime plain supplied motor road jerusalem north advance place infantry corps position begin roll ottoman flank prelude controlled coastal sea lanes intelligence service spread rumours possible sea landings rear ships seen taking coast fleet small boats located near late afternoon november members egyptian labour corps motor launches staged giving appearance continuing night morning appeared mouth north add confusion battle october main attacks battle beginning november ottoman left flank north fiercely contested battle control road jerusalem according assault portion defences corps date attack primarily scheduled hours attack preparations main attacks line began november 53rd welsh division imperial brigade right advanced northwards occupy line miles west opposition placed infantry position cover right flank proposed attack corps defenders second battle april von commander victorious 3rd 16th 53rd divisions reinforced 7th 54th divisions 7th infantry division later eighth army experienced months strategic movement similar 54th division having arrived jerusalem early 20th infantry regiment began company level training moving remained reserve participated theatre specific training late june went line training fortification reconnaissance counter reconnaissance continued 21st infantry regiment received similar training august regimental colours 20th 21st infantry regiments awarded military medals service gallipoli campaign june 7th infantry division fourth company infantry battalion machine gun company armed light machine guns infantry battalion august ottoman infantry division palestine repeated reorganisation quarter rifle strength replaced light machine guns considerably increasing fire power strengthening offensive defensive capabilities following orders von commanding line defences assault detachments equivalent german formed 7th division activated assault detachment men july army group command field marshal von responsible defence palestine western flank ottoman eighth army composed corps 3rd 53rd divisions defending corps 26th 54th divisions defending line stretching east command von defence responsibility corps divisions line 53rd 3rd west east reserve 7th 19th corps regiments rifles reinforced divisions bring total defenders deployed 53rd division holding mediterranean shore eastern veteran second battle 3rd division left veteran second battles 7th division reserve close divisions supported guns ottoman corps artillery large naval guns batteries left corps ottoman seventh army defended command attackers comprised men including arab workers horses hundreds artillery pieces fighting strength desert mounted corps commanded lieutenant general harry officers ranks australian mounted divisions corps commanded lieutenant general philip officers ranks 10th 53rd 60th divisions corps commanded lieutenant general edward officers ranks infantry divisions october rifles corps deployed attack 52nd lowland division veteran second battles 54th east division veteran second battles 75th division composite force division consisting 25th indian infantry brigade west indian battalion french palestine italian camped east 75th division imperial service cavalry brigade corps cavalry regiment known composite regiment consisted squadron royal glasgow duke lancaster 1st majority general infantry territorial divisions outbreak war fought ottoman army gallipoli campaign 52nd lowland division fought cape 53rd welsh division 54th east division fought bay 60th london division served western recently formed division raised eighteen strength regiments fought gallipoli 10th irish division new army division fought bay brigades mounted division light horse brigades australian mounted division fought gallipoli army wing aircraft assigned carry strategic report ottoman reserves lines carry daily photography conduct air raids fighter bombing squadrons established purposes corps squadrons attached infantry corps carried artillery contact patrols tactical reconnaissance forces july hopeful lawrence arab force support september attack recognising collected time end september normally moved grazing lands syrian desert wrote naturally won use destroying turks communications immediate advantage destruction bring fight progress expose retaliation tribes damascus mean encouraged defect arab rebellion spreading turkish communications difficult guard raids enclosed photograph proclamation means inducing arabs desert turks drop papers cigarettes turkish lines proclamation appeal arabs leave turks join war freedom independence good come result propaganda battle infantry brigades rifles attacked ottoman regiments rifles reinforced divisions sides suffered heavy losses attacks carried prepared troops overwhelming artillery support mark tanks attacks designed garrison supported guns place capture preparations main attacks preliminary raids outpost hill october units 75th division raided outpost hill hours capture november second raid officers 3rd rifles brigade 75th division carried outpost hill cover intense bombardment entered ottoman defences hill killed wounded fighting killed ottoman soldiers captured sixteen returning lines division attack night november road bombardment october corps artillery began bombardment gradually grew intense support british french_navy guns october included fourteen inches guns hms monitors inches guns inches guns cruiser destroyers staunch french vessels included river seaplane bombers flotilla action altogether allow return port said attack launched flotilla targeted hostile aircraft shell ottoman shore battery hit mess deck causing casualties land based artillery corps heavy artillery consisted medium heavy guns directed ottoman batteries battle addition inch guns surprise attack ottoman range miles supported balloon observation october attack rounds fired heavy artillery rounds allocated destruction ottoman battery located anti battery october fired gas shells apparently little effect corps divisional guns produced heaviest bombardment world war outside european theatres sixth night bombardment onshore offshore guns produced heavier concentration fire small area day battle day bombardment program arranged group day day november night attacks corps attacks focused thousand yards stretch stretching umbrella hill thousand yards south west mediterranean_sea timed night strength ottoman machine guns defensive positions day time attacks impossible right flank final objective attack yards ottoman line left yards away phase attack umbrella hill 7th battalion scottish rifles company 8th battalion scottish rifles brigade 52nd division second phase capture broad sea post shore 4th battalion royal scots company 8th battalion scottish rifles brigade phase conducted brigade battalion brigade 54th division south western defences fourth phase brigade capture gun hill yards line november ottoman 7th 53rd divisions continued defend line carrying locally successful phase umbrella hill november assault umbrella hill sand thousand yards south west west road overlooking main objectives begin defending garrison assumed strong preliminary man land observed ottoman soldiers fisher orchard gave alarm began firing machine guns rifles ottoman trenches umbrella hill intense bombardment began enabling tape laid attacking troops formed launch attack minutes later cover intense minute bombardment 7th battalion scottish rifles company 8th battalion scottish rifles brigade 52nd lowland division attacked umbrella hill killing defenders quickly captured hill officers ottoman soldiers lewis guns numerous bombs attackers suffered light casualties sand difficult defend ottoman trenches virtually disappeared previous following ottoman bombardment umbrella hill caused casualties 7th battalion scottish rifles hours hill captured 52nd lowland division main attack begin phase second phase began november brigade 52nd lowland division launched attack attack aimed breaking line defensive fortifications consisting groups trench complexes cricket connected series trench lines layers thick backed trenches strong points stretching miles defences west umbrella hill attack supported available tanks palestine tank detachment tanks 4th battalion royal scots brigade assault carried waves ottoman trenches ottoman mines exploded causing casualties ottoman artillery active result attack stopped shortly second attack began intense minute bombardment heavy ottoman counterattack drove leading company royal scots causing number casualties platoon company helped rally remnants leading company reinforced 4th battalion royal scots 8th battalion scottish rifles position consolidated tanks passed shortly abandoned hit tank moved line rolling wire sea post coast beach post man obviously able started singing loudly removed set long line passed line trenches man land saw man breaking ranks lines obviously nerves having given way got hold took away headquarters signals fourth wave parallel lines white tape laid spaced fourth tape lay facing enemy lines await signal advance tanks came jump way let pass increased volume 4th royal scots advanced lines yards turkish contact mines exploded wave approached blowing men pieces course aware time got near turkish trenches enemy shell machine gun fire intense shells decided stop large shell crater minutes till eased somewhat barrage moved forward resumed advance phase coastal defences royal scots entered eastern section second phase attack western half held ottoman defenders defences objectives attacks brigades 54th east division supported tanks including passed right brigade advance 5th battalion suffolk regiment moved ottoman trenches following barrage attack run western trenches hand hand fighting 5th battalion suffolk regiment suffered light casualties captured line captured territory abandoned exposed hostile fire consolidated position second line half 8th battalion hampshire regiment attacked trench half attacked triangle trench objective caused confusion 4th 5th battalions norfolk regiment lost direction dust smoke cloudy night result small numbers reached gibraltar rock quickly forced withdraw left attacks brigade similarly weakened loss direction 5th battalion essex regiment attacked instead trench 6th battalion essex regiment attacked captured beach sea posts attacking trench systems suffering light casualties support tank rolled wire drove line sea post beach post cricket captured help tank beach post tank temporarily disabled process repaired tank transporting engineers stores hit disabled reserve tanks ordered forward carrying engineers stores including set fire hostile fire morning 2nd attack 54th 52nd division got objectives exception yards trench navy given great help making splendid practice defences railway bridge junction result careful preliminary work close collaboration land sea phase november right 10th battalion london regiment brigade finished capturing consolidating partly captured 6th battalion essex regiment assistance tanks action battalion lost contact barrage suffered heavy losses captured gun hill november preparing attack captured minutes later prisoners lion trench miles north east attacked 4th battalion regiment brigade objective clearing gap imperial service cavalry brigade advance minutes successful attack artillery support surrounded forced retreat coast strong counterattack threatened regiments reinforcements ottoman 7th division advancing north north east falls map coastal sector ottoman reinforcements stopped accurate corps heavy artillery fired thousand yards line previously registered monitors coast planned repeat lion trench attack postponed 4th battalion regiment attacked trench instead captured trench driven counterattack remainder day ottoman heavy batteries shelled batteries withdrawn night north east night november ottoman troops strengthened defences turtle hill facing battle intended capture town garrison place capture line ottoman trenches objectives corps new infantry tactics tanks artillery organised accordance western standards objectives won operations forced regiments ottoman 7th division reserve away forward strengthen ottoman defences sea according british official historian attack western defences fulfilled commander chief object inflicted severe losses ottoman defenders thousand buried captured trenches captured officers soldiers machine guns seven trench mortars fighting corps infantry advanced miles thousand yards held gains repeated ottoman attempt create gap imperial service cavalry brigade ride successful line defensive system south west captured infantry occupied position threaten ali rest defences town corps suffered killed missing thousand wounded fighting casualties blamed loss direction captured trenches shallow morning clock attacked defences took yards depth yards left sea coast town navy fire sea shot taken prisoners machine guns far air raids air raids carried night november bombs dropped november air raids hills north aftermath november november bombardment resumed 4th battalion essex regiment brigade 54th division corps attacked captured trench heavily forced withdraw following night strong ottoman 75th division position eastern stopped machine gun rifle fire newly won position ottoman right flank consolidated november ottoman corps commander charge defence colonel continuing maintain integrity fortress despite garrison artillery batteries having shells left batteries suffering effective counter battery fire heavy artillery groups warned day evacuation necessary loss plans prepared complete withdrawal town night november new defensive line commanding army group realised ottoman forces hold longer ordered eighth seventh armies withdraw kilometres indications withdrawal seen aerial reconnaissance reported ottoman hospitals moved midnight november corps infantry patrols found evacuated ottoman defenders november german aircraft rarely seen lines afternoon squadron patrolling taking photographs attacked badly damaged aircraft heavy bombardment ottoman line corps area resumed november grew intensity naval guns joining november reached maximum intensity november night november corps launch attack outpost hill trench systems main attack began attack carried favourable circumstances ottoman regiments holding mile line launching successful attack november trenches attacked late day attacks supported renewed attacks area eastern ottoman line attacks trenches system protected captured ottoman defenders forced withdraw late day large defences captured bypassed blocked british advance ordered day attacks continue renewed attacks took place november aircraft bombed main ottoman positions defences near positions west air fought hostile aircraft day bombed aircraft wrote successful day attacked left turkish positions rolled far turks fought badly defeated sending orders press pursuit tomorrow attacked surprised affected seriously defenders putting lot shell navy pounding effectively november occupation occupation strongly resisted general advance morning november found town abandoned orders attack 75th division outpost hill eastern issued expanded include middlesex hill 54th east division attack trenches turtle hill coastal sector battalions brigades 54th division supported artillery advanced occupy lion tiger trenches coastal sector north north west advance brigade took gardens fields main road northwards patrols sent city found deserted british artillery destroyed homes people lived war 54th east division subsequently took line stretching road north mediterranean_sea ottoman withdrawal apparent november royal flying corps mainly involved strategic reconnaissance 40th army wing artillery registration tactical photography 5th corps wing began bombing machine gun air raids seven days numerous air attacks ottoman infrastructure including transport artillery retreating columns mounted breakthrough 75th division corps imperial service cavalry brigade attached ordered attack outpost hill eastern exploit potential breakthrough november brigade 75th division occupied outpost hill brigade moved forward occupy green hill labyrinth opposed individual brigade patrols ali ridge right brigade found beer trenches road defending road held strength machine guns day ottoman tank continued fire artillery increasing numbers troops advancing ottoman rearguard flanks nightfall beer trenches road tank captured imperial service cavalry brigade carrying patrolling duties based ready exploit breakthrough australian mounted divisions prepared pursuit breach line imperial service cavalry brigade rode ruins reach encountered garrison defending strong rearguard position ridge miles south east advanced link glasgow lancashire squadrons corps cavalry regiment holding high ground miles north threatened ottoman flank corps cavalry regiment captured advanced capture ridge west village strongly defended numerous ottoman machine gun detachments early afternoon regiment 4th light horse brigade rode north west link imperial service cavalry brigade contact corps desert mounted corps 12th light horse regiment 4th light horse brigade met imperial service cavalry brigade mile east delivered orders imperial service cavalry brigade attack ottoman rearguard near north sketch map showing advance imperial service cavalry brigade 52nd lowland division november rearguard reported holding concentrations ottoman forces known advanced east ridge overlooking despite meeting considerable resistance captured position process secured prisoners artillery pieces large quantity ammunition captured town water pumping machinery intact forced withdraw water equipment ran gas converted infantry pursuit 52nd lowland division ordered corps line road north sea northern outskirts brigade 52nd division began infantry pursuit advancing shore reaching troops seen marching coast mouth nearest likely defensive line north dusk brigade reached crossed near mouth seven miles north remainder corps occupied rations ammunition engineer stores formed concealed positions corps area battle corps position distance transport ammunition transferred corps desert mounted corps attack battle november evening november ottoman positions line captured eighth army retreat conjunction captures centre line occupation enabled swift direct advance northwards preventing strong consolidation rearguard position ottoman corps defeated conducted tactical retreat town demonstrating operational tactical mobility late afternoon november british australian aircraft flew headquarters ottoman force targeting german ottoman railway junctions troops close formation bombs machine guns raided twice day bombs dropped hit hostile aircraft ground day bombed hostile aircraft damaged virtually continual aerial attacks railway stations troops march transport german aircraft shot flames near


rescue bat rescue bat sign gene north vietnamese lines largest longest complex search rescue operation vietnam war april easter offensive largest combined arms operation entire vietnam war day early morning flight united_states_air_force aircraft led bat piloted col robert navigator aboard bat aircraft escorting cell bat gather signals intelligence including identifying north vietnamese anti aircraft radar installations enable bat destroyed surface air missile survivor lines battlefield filled thousands north vietnamese army soldiers secret access strategic air command operations expert surface air missile north vietnamese army possessed information presence vietnam capture meant huge intelligence soviet_union 1st mark clark shot rescue operations finally recovered lines different nights daring covert night time rescues carried navy seal thomas commando van actions awarded medal honor recognized navy cross south vietnamese naval officer given award war air_force limits took rescue downed direct indirect cost rescuing enormous watershed event air_force search rescue prevent friendly fire incidents americans imposed standard fire zone kilometres radius diverted aircraft aid rescue likely south vietnamese soldiers indirectly died result inability obtain fire support additional aircraft shot rescue attempts directly resulting deaths airmen capture trying evade capture added deaths loss aircraft length rescue operation led change way planned conducted search rescue missions result developed new techniques equipment improve ability rescue downed airmen operational background time bat mission american combat forces vastly reduced south vietnam president richard_nixon policy north vietnamese army launched offensive south vietnamese army military friday march largest attack war timed advantage bad weather typical monsoon season offering low clouds poor visibility heavily equipped troops divisions separate infantry regiments crossed corps zone northernmost provinces south vietnam kilometres area bridge bridge supported tank regiments soviet tanks tracked anti aircraft vehicles artillery regiment towed guns largest concentration anti aircraft weaponry entire war including advanced surface air missile main line advance axis north south national highway general headquarters learned large movement south number sent arc light missions escort experiencing significantly increased sam activity 42nd tactical electronic warfare squadron tapped assistance draw troops left unit senior officer group senior assigned navigator older gather signals intelligence newer tasked surface air missile sam radar guidance systems missiles accurately target aircraft mission missiles let lock aircraft execute sam break violent turn dive designed throw pursuing missile size telephone pole carried proximity fused lethal feet guidance systems failed achieve avoidance maneuver crew successfully pulled sam break times presence north vietnamese surface air missiles south tracked agreed present far south aircraft shot easter sunday april signs bat bat flying escort cell given assignments bomb ban pass primary access routes trail aboard bat serial number province vietnam south zone north south vietnam airmen surprised intensity anti aircraft fire sam activity air defense division fired surface air missile planes successfully thwarted volley pointed fan song radar targeting unsuccessfully radar guided anti aircraft fire missed fired bat turning guidance radar system missiles launched delayed targeted aircraft ability detect avoid aircraft crew spotted missiles pilot assumed usual fired north began sam break south away direction assumed missiles fired called negative negative pilot flipped plane wing time pilot unable evade missiles missile exploded immediately beneath aircraft striking feet sign bat positioned immediately pilot gave signal pulled seat handles moment eye contact pilot seat dying plane moment later aircraft struck second exploded remainder aircraft man crew wayne pilot 1st robin pilot col anthony col charles henry unable listed missing action remains found wife gwen planning meet thailand week received airplane tickets trip day husband shot instead going airport collapsed seeing air_force officer chaplain walk surrounded north vietnamese jimmy tactical fighter squadron leading flight bombing mission got sam warnings saw missiles emerge clouds miles ahead saw strike bat lower altitude 1st bill wilson forward air controller aircraft saw bat explode middle troops pouring border south vietnam rescue radio responded surprised learn descending parachute followed concealed low fog bank landed dry rice unseen troops observed land aircraft came heavy fire huge number troops equipment heavy weapons area found refuge group bushes middle rice troops metres away fixed location kilometres north bridge north major east west secondary road relayed coordinates king search rescue aircraft operating south recovering quickly essential odds recovering downed airmen dropped percent member ground hours efforts severely hampered huge number troops large quantity anti aircraft fire area supporting efforts capture protect bridge near position time shot john adviser 3rd vietnamese marine battalion blew key highway bridge cue river east position routed thousands troops dozens tanks equipment west immediately position river bridge kilometres west intelligence value col years military service served army air_force radio operator world war combat world war recalled active service early 1950s korean war flew combat missions navigator bomber worked 1960s missile projects including deputy chief operations strategic air command strategic missile wing vietnam war april reassigned sac 42nd tactical electronic warfare squadron tactical fighter wing thailand familiar targeting sac missiles sac missile electronic counter measures experts vietnam likely situation quickly reported intelligence services americans remained ground vietnam point track particularly valuable personnel thailand north vietnamese probably supported russians american message traffic likely knew exactly midst ability likely enabled unknown american spy john anthony walker given soviets radio card high value intelligence capture terrific blow american world huge prize north vietnamese indirectly soviets said war felt sure captured taken air rescue attempts received water survival training turkey run florida escape training survival basics pacific air command jungle survival school philippines wounds aircraft exploding ripped finger compressed force hidden trees hole surrounded north vietnamese metres away decided months retirement going survive return home 1st richard abbot flying shot offshore shortly abbot picked uss air_force search rescue douglas don sandy sandy 1st special operations squadron remained vicinity immediately cover position sandy got thought aircraft gone south vietnam effort accomplished fairly quickly got position shocked ground fire received intense seen war pilots reported intensity fire equal forces know offensive largest combined arms attack conducted north vietnamese war called coordinates north vietnamese watched ordnance explode called relayed information fast phantom fighter bombers pilots event universally amazed ability remain calm accurate fire position called emergency support picked slick near piloted 1st troop 8th cavalry brigade normally based marble mountain air facility near area showing photographer developing battle board thomas white troop operations officer photographer white airfield near white directed proceed north contact information arrival white sent cobra added second proceeded song feet ground position armed cobra following feet feet waited south song catch soon crossed song aircraft met immediate curtain north vietnamese fire direction intensity defied belief cobra responded rockets fire helicopters struck multiple times flying tried turn south managed crash land stricken aircraft kilometres east miles north river area helicopter smashed ground mobile crew member door gunner wounded tried unable extract hurt crew members pinned wreckage seriously wounded urged away aircraft moments later advancing north vietnamese soldiers fired wreckage automatic weapons aircraft fuel cell exploded remainder crew inside captured pilots 1st john killed flying cobra called able safely exit area landed severely damaged helicopter aircraft totaled gunner warrant officer charles picked helicopter green incident warned aircraft crossing river sandy learned quick failed sandy broke engaging north vietnamese returned found damaged days repair nail piloted flying new version aircraft equipped nail radar took duties efforts suspended night forces remained unaware true strength offensive advised remain place moved safer spot jungle dug hole hide morning night nail king commanded dennis constant stayed suddenly found painted fan song radar narrowly missed getting shot years old prime candidate survive cold wet weather conditions fire zone joint search rescue command direction director rescue col cecil restrict activity use search rescue forces commanded dedicated assets needed assist ordered hour forward air control coverage position watch north vietnamese positions protect downed airmen search rescue forces ordered 7th air_force establish standard kilometres fire zone prohibited friendly artillery naval gunfire aircraft engaging target zone approval north vietnamese divisions attacking 3rd reply hours artillery request tactical air strikes area aircraft lost april air search rescue forces attempted light rescue successfully achieve surprise minimal force search rescue crew took 37th based thailand consisted rescue helicopters green sandy sandy joined scene area covered solid overcast preventing visual control air strikes scene nail rocky smith coordinated work directed drop anti personnel cluster bombs help protect position nail ran low fuel replaced nail 23rd flown william henderson nail alpha 1st mark clark nail grandson world war general mark clark listening post area american radio traffic familiar american tactics second day began use downed bait positioned number anti aircraft surface air missiles area near pilot reported sam calls driving small arms threat ground fire accurate disciplined definitely monitoring communications henderson obtained position coast guard commander jay exchange pilot assignment 37th green helicopter broke clouds rapidly dropped area hidden aircraft immediately struck wall north vietnamese gunfire rounds tore aircraft destroying instrument panel struggled aircraft fire zone instruments shot rely external visual cues fly aircraft helicopter south able airfield green flown colonel bill harris followed break low ceiling face north vietnamese tanks onslaught ground fire fought controls bring rescue helicopter yards gunners firing engaging north vietnamese pilot flying support looking targets engage asked enemy fire coming harris replied harris managed badly damaged aircraft gain altitude safety forced fly cloud cover low altitudes nail piloted henderson hit north vietnamese fire shot henderson landed north song metres hid bamboo patch local villagers came looking cut taken north clark ground safely south river capture later day slick unrelated rescue operation shot area carrying crew location air_force bombarded area days april flight douglas half total available south vietnam attempted way team badly shot aircraft damaged severely damage significantly affected availability dusk major jimmy flying entered coast descending foot ceiling dropped blu ordnance sides location ordnance april log book citation distinguished flying cross april bad weather prevented activity april attempt pick clark douglas prepared area survivors extensive bombing assisted helicopters green green 37th air rescue squadron day american fighters flew sorties bombers bombed area april launched area estimated clark midst battalions air defense seriously challenged american air superiority success close air support area peter volunteered pilot green despite fact short return home soon sandy decided pick bat nail clark immediately sandy joined group load white lay smoke screen sandy called additional strikes targets position checked area north vietnamese response limited aware trap nonetheless gave ahead green crossed song green high guarding approach green began taking fire sides approached position called pop smoke reveal position aircraft automatic weapons anti aircraft fire quarters green tried pull away despite best efforts remaining aircraft green critically damaged green flew east territory held north vietnamese turned southeast kilometers fire broke left engine pieces tail struck main aircraft rolled crashed left burning rescue heard entire crew listed presumed killed peter pilot john henry iii pilot william roy pearson allen roy crew chief sgt james alley combat photographer fire consuming helicopter hot melted parts aircraft continued burn days clark spirits sank realized men died attempting rescue stern sermon new scene commander nail john van decided hell going regardless hole hiding seven nights days left hole twice food caught second time spotted boy dog soldiers searching passed feet hole twice task force mission leader fred sandy called rescue time dangerous remaining aircraft exited south song area hot clark spend night lines north vietnamese alerted american intense efforts find navigator increased efforts find strength prevents air rescue teams experienced conducting rescues described hot airmen shocked quantity intensity ground anti aircraft fire faced rescue attempt began included small arms fire previously towed guns towed guns self propelled radar guided aaa gun surprising americans large presence time use soviet shoulder fired heat seeking sam helicopter squadron commander col bill harris upset concluded air rescue attempted time heavy concentration north vietnamese forces immediate area clark called col told find way told sit tight worked alternative plan survival radios aid kit kinds knife caliber revolver compass map water bottle food morning april 1st bruce walker accompanied naval artillery marine larry flying 20th tactical air support squadron directing naval gunfire destroyer uss soviet supplied north vietnamese tanks protect bird dog pilot observed sam launch shot miles west highway miles north highway radio contact established walker reported man close north vietnamese forces attempt rescue clark hid south song walker kilometres north north river kilometres town clark evaded capture number days contact personnel warned away proximity forces january members joint task force accounting examined war artifacts military museum found bruce walker card disposition location walker unknown 25th birthday wounded captured alive later died prison ground rescue days multiple attempts rescue aircraft shot seriously damaged service members killed missing action lines waiting rescued april high losses failed attempts rescue clark ordered air attempted given secret clearance knowledge missiles counter measure technology effort bring col gray suggested covert land based rescue operation col andy anderson commander joint personnel recovery center ordered ground rescue navy seal thomas seal officers enlisted men remaining vietnam completed assignment delta waiting orders came commando operation immediately dispatched lead operation rescue recruited vietnamese sea commando naval advisory detachment brigadier general van gave anderson ranger platoon men tanks set forward operating base highway observation range strategic bridge thought mission insane refused responsibility mission crossed song anderson spoke vietnamese obtained additional intelligence headquarters 1st armor brigade near hoc code knew north vietnamese monitoring radio communications understood english clark miles apart forward air controller told clark idaho snake like williams float boston words river swim east difficult task bypass north vietnamese occupied villages gun learned best air_force retained detailed memory golf courses played code series specific golf course holes guide fields protect song going play holes going like williams charlie round starts national initially replied smoking broke code took half hour figure giving distance direction explained national yards running southeast wanted southeast yards course lead water golf course code directed song save time passed abandoned village concealed guns shot village bombed confronted north vietnamese soldier killed knife hand hand combat point given directions stand tap physically exhausted hungry found banana plantation tap tree drinking water got lost briefly fell cliff breaking arm command ordered special high altitude bombing raids nearby targets divert vietnamese searching men miles apart cross lines anderson planned rescue clark anderson called air strikes attempt weaken resistance answered mortar rounds rockets struck team position col anderson senior american commander senior vietnamese commando vietnamese officers hurt evacuated commando killed left vietnamese spoke little english april eighth day forces kept constant contact directed sandy drop survival pack containing food water ammunition extra radios fell metres away slightly weak climb pilots shocked come hiding place stand open river waving white flag knew mental physical health unknown considerably weakened having lost pounds days jet shot pilot clark nail closest team position rescued clark relayed instructions water float downstream team intercept initial plan swim meet clark tested current decided strong insert hazardous route anderson vietnamese set position near river ran near positions downed airmen anderson ordered team kilometre forward wait survivors come departing ignored order turned radio traveling twice distance avoided frequent north vietnamese patrols truck columns tanks clark seriously weakened days hiding forces little eat following instructions controller overhead floated cold river leave cover pull clark shore man patrol walked opening fire recognizing compromise covert mission patrol gone clark clark instructed river south bank initiative left team searched river clark hours finally finding clark hiding able link rest team safely deliver clark anderson forward operating base clark transported outpost river armored personnel carrier flown april bat weak farther aware overwhelming north vietnamese presence decided proceed follow parts weak knew north vietnamese tanks spotted bridge air strikes carried destroy team launched second rescue mission fixed location outpost poured mortar artillery fire forward outpost killing remaining seals wounded evacuated morning left vietnamese spoke little english search night april headed kilometres slipping forward massive force night seeing massive number north vietnamese forces declined press mission saying refused follow american rescue american convinced stay way safety stay team searched river shore hours success reluctantly returned forward operating base rest hope successful night fixed position day find night night april didn dare soldiers night prepared petty officer class van volunteered worked way slowly came abandoned destroyed village found clothing abandoned disguise fishermen rowed quietly river pitch dark dense fog large numbers north vietnamese soldiers tanks shoreline stopping check map point suddenly realized soldiers sitting metres away fortunately asleep traveling broke heavy fog found bridge passed position minutes ago turning worked way south putting ashore began search finally found sitting bushes alive partly extremely weakened having eaten small ears corn days having lost pounds plane shot weighed pounds sunrise coming thought best wait dark return needed evacuated immediately despite risk hid covered bamboo started daylight evacuation soon spotted north vietnamese troops fired afford return fire current dense foliage far river advantage trying distance soldiers rounded bend river fired heavy caliber machine gun pulled bank turned provide cover overhead called air support navy led carrier killed number north vietnamese troops provided cover final escape assisted dropping explosives smoke bombs providing returning river men soon able receive support south vietnamese forces landing river bank met soldiers unable walk carried bunker armored personnel carrier carried brigade headquarters news reporters aware intense rescue efforts bring home rescue team arrived reporter commented tough bet wouldn replied american enemy territory course transported army helicopter warner aircraft commander evacuation hospital shortly afterward evacuated hospital clark air_force base philippines month began plan rescue walker kilometer lines walker managed evade capture days night april coverage moved accord ran local alerted north vietnamese began tracking morning saw near walker position walker rescue attempted forces closing fire flown 1st reported walker surrounded soldiers shortly afterward saw body lying grass walker body recovered rescue cost rules apply determine search rescue longer cost effective priority air_force remained fully committed finding bringing downed air man regardless cost air crew morale depended search rescue based premise necessary secure safety pilots valuable military assets enhance effectiveness morale june general john commander 7th air_force sent huge task force aircraft rescue roger weapons officer operation linebacker shot kilometres picked 40th rescue recovery squadron miles heavily defended air base capture covering kilometres north vietnamese territory days decide risk loss maybe dozen crews man finally said thing keeps boys motivated certain belief absolutely doubt morale major consideration took didn ask anybody permission said political overtones rescue personnel held prisoners war constituted political liability government sorties day called suppress north vietnamese forces contrast prior easter offensive number daily sorties action peaked multi day effort rescue men americans hit north vietnamese air strikes direct support rescue search rescue took priority strike targets fire zone enforced protect downed airmen search rescue forces col cecil ordered 7th air_force establish standard kilometres fire zone shortly went remained effect force prohibited friendly artillery naval gunfire aircraft engaging target approval fire zone encompassed nearly entire combat zone 3rd division including crucial bridge result south vietnamese army area severely hampered efforts stem offensive tri city hour period thousands troops pushed region designated military region seen forces pouring gap fire zone reduced night action generated considerable debate ranking adviser commented viewed relation events day worse decision 3rd lost artillery days offensive fact surrendered batteries intact commented war neighbors knew cost pull probably shoot david air_force liaison 3rd division reported operation cost 3rd concluded restriction gave north vietnamese opportunity unprecedented annals warfare advance stated logical assume south vietnamese troops died air artillery support available warned superiors 3rd division officers resented fact 7th air_force thousands south vietnamese soldiers lives risk rescue american response operation virtually ground halt air resources diverted support recovery days defense northern border area second priority rescuing casualties direct result rescue operation aircraft lost people killed captured additional aircraft seriously damaged wrote air_force hospital rescued stand watch young men die trying save life hell price pay life sorry rescue according stars stripes biggest air rescue effort war entire vietnam war search rescue forces saved lives cost aircraft aftermath rescue bat watershed event military led find new approach high threat search rescue recognized mission fail attempted options special operations tactics creative approaches tailored situation considered recognizing need aircraft deliver better close air support air_force accepted navy military improved night capability helicopters area denial munitions awards recognition john van received distinguished flying cross rescue received silver star distinguished flying cross air medal service medal united_states purple heart actions mission heroic actions rescuing lines thomas recommended received medal honor initially declined submit readily supported nomination petty officer class van navy cross highest award navy foreign national south vietnamese naval member awarded navy cross vietnam war south vietnamese receive award navy investigators reviewed action interviewed participants recommended medal honor received president ford white_house ceremony march attended michael navy seal saved life october hundreds individuals dozens units air_force army navy marines coast guard assisted rescue participants operation received total individual medals clark rescue release recovery dead henderson released march war ended remains rest crew bat destroyer recovered date left week old son seen robin iii remains recovered returned united_states buried arlington national cemetery bodies walker recovered date remains crew members roger pearson alley returned united_states october honored november military funeral arlington national cemetery commemorating airmen placed site unable attend poor health letter read wrote deserve accolades living thank honor hold great faith heart clark present told families downed played distinct role forming character men willingly paid dear price help vietnam deepest sympathy brave men remains buried military honors june family alley weeks remaining tour duty returning home buried military honors florida remains buried military honors april dna testing allowed department defense missing personnel office officially identify remains release family service final resting place popular culture years rescue held invited directly involved john van sign nail met gene person stepped stage hand gene said hello gene john van gene replied nail recognize voice books written search rescue operation bring alive william anderson second published considerable classified information released rescue bat thomas building naval special warfare group little creek virginia named film bat starring gene depiction rescue based actual events anderson assisted film rescue featured vietnam episode television series navy seals stories


battle elephant point battle elephant point airborne operation conducted composite airborne battalion took place march plans assault capital burma stepping stone way malaya singapore initial plans assault city called purely land based approach british fourteenth army concerns heavy japanese resistance led modified addition joint amphibious airborne assault assault led 26th indian division sail river river cleared japanese british mines order achieve coastal defences river including battery elephant point task given 44th indian airborne division division middle reorganization composite battalion formed parachute battalions battalion assembled trained april early morning dropped near elephant point advanced battery battalion companies attacked american bombers causing number casualties despite torrential rain battalion successfully assaulted elephant point battery fierce remained elephant point 26th indian division conducted amphibious assault secured background march joint battles drawing close conference held burma attended senior allied military figures including admiral lord commander chief allied south east asia command general william slim commander fourteenth army object conference discuss future allied strategy south east asia aftermath including burma malaya singapore order secure objectives capital burma captured onset monsoon rains allied advance land allied chiefs staff worked assumption occur june fallen force divisions landed western malaya operation code named followed capture singapore accommodate goals insisted taken slim initially planned city movement corps advancing city east bank river corps taking shorter route river valley east slim believed japanese insufficient forces block corps able capture unsure purely overland advance successful joint airborne amphibious assault better option slim slim superior general oliver commander allied land forces south east asia initially opposed operation fearing divert vital resources fourteenth army time meeting slim come way thinking fearing purely overland advance meet fierce japanese resistance delayed end supply line combined airborne amphibious assault ideal fourteenth army neared slim arguing door burst april orders issued operation ahead allied hands latest planning joint operation christened schedule decided royal_navy command admiral arthur power responsible amphibious portion assault problems overcome planning operation likely amphibious assault intercepted elements imperial_japanese_navy neared ensure amphibious elements remain carrier squadron commanded commodore oliver attached provide fight cover landings squadron consisted escort carriers cruisers destroyers operating 3rd battle squadron commanded vice admiral walker formed battleships hms queen elizabeth free french battleship escort carriers cruisers destroyers days prior taking place massive naval screen bombed ports airfields engaged japanese troop convoy transporting thousand japanese troops nearby sinking vessels royal_air_force provide support form raf long range fighter wings united_states_army air forces mitchell bomber squadrons concern planners land based threats landing craft carrying assault troops 26th indian division air support deemed vital operation success number japanese airfields captured days leading problem defences river landing craft sail river heavily mined result japanese defensive measures raf offensive operations earlier conflict swept cleared mines amphibious assault place occur coastal defences banks river particular worry presence artillery battery elephant point west bank river geography area ensured battery destroyed artillery bombardment weather conditions early amphibious assault decided day began parachute battalion dropped near elephant point task assaulting destroying battery task given 44th indian airborne division presented problems division middle reorganization officers leave airborne battalions 3rd parachute battalion transfer indian parachute brigade unit available composite force operation headquarters company formed men 2nd 3rd parachute battalions battalion provided companies 2nd parachute battalion 3rd parachute battalion mortar platoon machine gun platoon augmented hoc formation battalion formed early april came command major jack initial formation transferred strength augmented field ambulance indian engineers sections undertook training operation completed transported days assembled equipment conducted rehearsal exercise finally april flown coast approximately miles north soon joined strong reserve force formed men battalions indian parachute battalion battalion transported transport aircraft belonging 1st 2nd united_states air commando group battle tactical control squadron departed carrying man team followed plane carrying pair mark defend landing zone rest composite battalion boarded thirty took thirty minutes later jumped drop zone casualties medical officer attached battalion encountered japanese opposition rallied advanced elephant point artillery battery halted yards battery allow carry preliminary bombing attack battery unfortunately despite officers ranks wearing yellow recognition panels carrying orange identify company bombed bombers causing number casualties result forward air controller attached battalion ordered halt bombing runs battery moving torrential rain battalion reached elephant point close quarters fighting took place flame throwers japanese guarding battery japanese soldiers gunners killed assault battalion sustained casualties battery secured battalion dug elephant point awaited arrival relief force landed supply drop following minutes later neared position battalion surgical team accompanying relief force accidentally fired causing members team wounded battalion remained night high tides submerged number trenches forced battalion higher ground dawn cleared number nearby battalion able watch cleared river columns landing craft following aftermath operation complete success japanese forces actually vacated days prior amphibious landing 36th indian infantry brigade able occupy city encountering japanese opposition shortly occupation japanese forces called cease fire plans amphibious landing western malaya advance singapore cancelled instead british commonwealth forces landed unopposed liberated areas temporarily occupied thailand composite battalion moved days later leaving company transferred conducted anti looting operations searched japanese remaining city left city travelled india ship rejoined 44th indian airborne division division major airborne operation 2nd air commando group transported parachute battalion returned moved tactical control squadron spent weeks supplying corps engaged japanese forces northeast returned group fighter squadrons provided air cover returned home station


operation operation officially operation croatian army croatian defence council offensive western bosnia september war objective create security croatia positions held army largest held city jeopardy capturing towns combined forces overall command major general operation commenced north_atlantic treaty organisation nato air campaign operation deliberate force targeting air defences artillery positions storage facilities largely area country days commencement offensive positions right left advance attacked army republic bosnia operation offensive achieved objectives set stage advances contributing resolution war offensive operation caused controversy military analysts issue nato ground contributed resolution war extent advances helped conversely hampered nato bombing croatian military personnel convicted war crimes summary execution soldiers unknown civilian offensive background yugoslav people army withdrew croatia following acceptance start implementation plan officers soldiers born bosnia transferred new army later renamed army organisation followed declaration serbian republic bosnia january ahead referendum independence bosnia took place february march declaration later cited serbs pretext war serbs began capital areas march following day fatalities war recorded final days march forces bombarded artillery resulting cross border operation croatian army brigade april artillery began examples directly supported capture early april provided artillery support serbia firing river time attempted situation arrange negotiations country bosnia faced army republic bosnia croatian defence council reporting dominated central government leadership respectively occasionally supported operations late april able deploy troops hundreds tanks armoured personnel carriers artillery pieces croatian defence forces field approximately soldiers handful heavy weapons largely unprepared nearly troops small arms half number virtually heavy weapons forces hampered united_nations arms introduced september mid units transferred withdrew bosnia newly declared federal republic yugoslavia controlled approximately percent bosnia extent control extended percent country end prelude developed better organised forces employing large numbers artillery pieces good defensive fortifications capable penetrating defences forces employed sound military tactics instance battle june recapture bulk republic croatian controlled areas croatia operation storm august shifted focus western bosnia shift motivated desire create security zone croatian border establish croatia regional power gain west forcing end war government bosnia welcomed contributed goal gaining control western bosnia city largest city held territory final days august nato launched operation deliberate force air campaign targeting campaign launched response second massacre august came heels massacre began august initially targeting air defences striking targets near campaign briefly suspended september scope expanded target artillery storage facilities city bombing resumed september scope extended air defences near september nato nearly exhausted list targets near september serbs accepted nato demand establishment exclusion zone campaign ceased order battle nato bombing generally targeted western bosnia remained relatively calm following operation storm attacks launched near time planning joint offensive region main portion offensive operation croatian wind accurately operation month planned operation capture towns position forces threaten major general placed command combined forces offensive forces deployed groups operational group north tasked capturing consisted troops included best units available 4th guards 7th guards brigades 1st croatian guards brigade 1st guards brigades rest force organised west south consisted home guard regiments reserve infantry brigades groups pin troops 2nd corps vicinity attempt advance town north completed tasks turn capture forces deployed 5th corps left 7th corps right forces advance flanks separate coordinated offensive operation area combined offensive 2nd corps commanded major general 30th infantry division 1st corps commanded major general set headquarters overall command western bosnia commanded combined force approximately troops considered greater threat area deployed troops directly consisting infantry light infantry brigades fielded brigade reserve timeline stage september stage offensive planned overcome defences extending mountains north guarding southern approaches attack launched morning september 7th 4th guards brigades spearheaded attack striking pass hill respectively line defences breached allowed 1st push 4th guards brigade mount particularly strong defences 1st quickly reinforced 60th guards battalion special police attacks positions advance achieved initial day offensive achieved 4th guards brigade advanced kilometres miles 7th guards brigade 1st advanced considerably distance supporting efforts south west launched day little progress september defeated bulk main defences 3rd serbian 7th brigades achieving key breakthrough 1st pushed 7th guards brigade advanced kilometres miles capturing pass 4th guards brigade secured hill day able advance kilometres miles deployed battalion tanks detached 1st armoured brigade point achieved objectives stage offensive day 7th corps launched attack right flank assault engaged elements defending september north offensive operations 4th 7th guards brigades moved reserve replaced 1st 2nd guards brigades north attack 2nd guards brigade achieved gains rim plateau south west effort capture beaten infantry supported artillery rockets second stage september second stage offensive commenced september objective capture north successfully breached defences north 7th brigade forced withdrawn positions near order defend rapid advance meant consolidate defensive line day deployed helicopter sorties armour artillery 1st guards brigade able reach capture town advance supported 1st advanced near assault supported 60th guards battalion general staff reconnaissance sabotage company heavy artillery multiple rocket launchers positions began way 2nd guards brigade advanced reaching point kilometres miles south town end day advance supported 22nd sabotage detachment special police september 2nd guards brigade approaching withdrew avoid surrounded captured town 5th corps left flank offensive began assault 2nd corps moving south guards battalion inserted operation support exploitation forces approached clashed 7th brigade defending town end day 2nd guards brigade reached civilian population evacuated capture appeared imminent 2nd guards brigade entered deserted town lost operation nearly years capture prevented 7th corps advancing facing disappeared 7th corps detached substantial force sent reinforcements 5th corps stage september stage operation centred capture secondary objective overall offensive defences town held september detached reinforced battalion 7th guards brigade held reserve north deployed renewed push west south combined rapid advance 5th corps threatened withdrew town 5th corps captured september day linked forces pass kilometres miles southeast town road link smooth friendly fire incident occurred resulting casualties aftermath combined force penetrated defences kilometres miles capturing square kilometres square miles demonstrating improved skill planners significantly operation operation string launched shortly end war crucial applying pressure serbs set stage advances operation southern central intelligence agency analysed effects operation deliberate force operations noted nato air campaign combat capability expected primarily directed field deployed units command control infrastructure analysis noted nato air campaign capabilities final damage analysis concluded ground nato bombardment responsible bringing serbs negotiation table war end author robert owen argues advanced rapidly nato intervened hampered defence denying long range communications operation near concurrent operation created large number refugees areas previously controlled number variously reported estimates range killed civilians refugees reported radio television approximately refugees reported sources figure reported encompass entire contemporary populations towns fleeing evacuated time spokesman estimated number refugees refugees fled controlled areas adding refugees operation storm trial international criminal tribunal yugoslavia compared operations storm capacity expert witness prosecution pointed civilian property infrastructure risk aftermath operation issued strict orders respect establishing companies specifically tasked security imposing sustained losses killed wounded operation croatian authorities received information commanding officer 7th guards brigade brigadier ordered killing prisoners war offensive charges war crimes brought seven soldiers brigade executed orders kill prisoner unknown man village near prisoners village defendants convicted remaining acquitted october sentenced years prison years remaining years imprisonment tried committed suicide following police officers sought relation quadruple murder committed late march