Simon Dunbar

[Military History Now @MilHistNow]

On this day in 1853, 80,000 Russian troops cross into the Ottoman-controlled territories of Moldavia, Wallachia and the Danubian Principalities. The invasion triggers what will become the Crimean War.

[Commonwealth War Graves @CWGC]

On 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the British Army suffered the greatest loss of life in its history.

Communities across the UK and the Commonwealth felt the impact. From towns and villages at home, men were drawn into the Somme’s killing fields — many never to return.

Our latest blog tells the story of that first day through the lives of six Commonwealth servicemen who died during the battle.

🔗 Read more in the link below.

#Somme #WW1

[Military History Now @MilHistNow]

RIGHT NOW in 1916, British and French troops go 'over the top' at the Somme. An estimated 60,000 are wounded or killed within the first 24 hours of the four-and-a-half-month offensive.

[The Battle of Worcester Society @BoWSociety]

Hydrating 17th century style - musketeers outside King Charles House, Worcester

[Battlefields Trust @battleftrust]

1st Siege of Corfe. 23 June 1643
On this day a parliamentarian force initiated a siege of Corfe to capture the castle. The redoubtable Lady Bankes, wife of the owner, and Captain Laurence with 80 men withstood a siege until 4 August when the besiegers withdrew.

[Marcus Cribb @mcribbHistory]

Fought #OnThisDay 21 June 1813, the Battle of Vitoria.

Wellington led an offensive campaign, attacking Joseph Bonaparte & Marshal Jourdan in Spain.

Wellington's plan; split his army into 4 attacking "columns", attacking the French from 3 directions & cut across their rear.

[Marcus Cribb @mcribbHistory]

3.05pm

The first French infantry are sighted at Wavre, by Prussian troops, who were acting as the rearguard.

Gen. Thielemann’s men, who were preparing to depart & march directly for Waterloo (where they would have reinforced Wellington), turn around & prepare to fight at Wavre.

[Marcus Cribb @mcribbHistory]

10:30am* the French attack begins, at Hougoumont.

The initial attack by Maréchal de Camp Bauduin's 1st Brigade of the 6th Division pushed Allied troops out of the woods, but was then driven back by heavy British artillery fire, costing Bauduin his life.

*(Est 10 to 11:30am)

[Marcus Cribb @mcribbHistory]

Closing the gates of Hougoumont.

Lt-Colonel Macdonell gathered a small group of men, they fought their way to the gate.

Macdonell secured the gates with the crossbar.

All of the French infantry (Est 30) who had entered the courtyard were killed, including Legros.

[The English Remnant @Englishremnant]

15 June 1389 – The Battle of Kosovo

On this day in 1389, the armies of Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović met the forces of Sultan Murad I on the Kosovo Field.

The battle was one of the fiercest and bloodiest clashes of the medieval world. Thousands of warriors fought hand-to-hand across the field, with heavy losses on both sides. During the fighting, Sultan Murad I was killed, making him one of the few Ottoman sultans to die on a battlefield. Prince Lazar was captured and later executed.

Neither side achieved a clear battlefield victory. Both armies were badly mauled and the fighting ended without a decisive winner.

More than 600 years later, the Battle of Kosovo is still remembered for the courage, sacrifice and determination shown by the men who fought there. ☦

[daniel daniels @DanielDanielsPR]

A few 17th century Worcester Reenactors taking a well earned cider break at the Royal Three Counties Show, Malvern, Worcestershire

[Marcus Cribb @mcribbHistory]

Held #OnThisDay 15 June 1815, The Duchess of Richmond's Ball, in Brussels.

Napoleon had crossed the boarder, but no firm confirmation had filtered its way through Wellington's HQ.

With most senior officers attending, so did W.

It is now one of the most famous romantic moments

[Marcus Cribb @mcribbHistory]

10th June 1719, in the third Jacobite rising: Battle of Glen Shiel takes place in a steep Glen on Scotland's West coast, in the only major action of the Rising, an Army, mostly of Scottish soliders met a force of Highlanders supported by Spanish Marines.

https://t.co/peJhrd8kRj

[Battlefields Trust @battleftrust]

Battle of Stokesay. 8 June 1645
Sir Michael Woodhouse, determined to recapture Stokesay Castle, assembles a small army and advances through Corvedale. He is brought to battle and defeated by the local parliamentarians. Although he escapes Sir William Croft is killed.

[Military History Now @MilHistNow]

On this day in 1866, an army of Irish-American Civil War veterans from both North and South defeat a force of British troops and local militia at Ridgeway, Canada. The battle represents the high-water-mark of the ultimately doomed Fenian Raids. See: https://t.co/fuLENqDfgJ

[Marcus Cribb @mcribbHistory]

The Battle of Diamond Rock, 31 May-2 June 1805 in the Caribbean.

The island had been occupied in 1803-04 as a rated sloop "HMS Diamond Rock".

They had harassed French shipping.

The British repelled several attacks.

Surrendering when water & gunpowder ran vitally short.

[Battlefields Trust @battleftrust]

Godstow House. 23 May 1645
Hearing of the approach of a parliamentarian cavalry regiment, the defenders of Godstow set fire to the house before retreating to Oxford. Sheffield’s troopers arrived in time to extinguish the flames, although most of the house was later demolished.

[Military History Now @MilHistNow]

On this night in 1943, 19 Lancasters from RAF 617 Squadron (aka "the Dam Busters") carry out their legendary Ruhr Valley bombing mission, Operation Chastise.

[Battlefields Trust @battleftrust]

14 May 1264. Battle of Lewes.
Simon de Montfort's defeat of Henry III's royalists, and his capture of both the king and Prince Edward, made his effective ruler of England for over a year.