May 19, 1643 - French troops defeat the Spanish at the Battle of Rocroi. In early 1643, a 27,000-man Spanish-Imperial army crossed the French border from Flanders. Moving through the Ardennes, the Spanish troops, led by Francisco de Melo, laid siege to the town of Rocroi. Advancing to meet this invasion were 23,000 men led by the Duc d'Enghien (the future Prince of Conde). On May 18, 1643, d'Enghien deployed his troops on a ridge south of Rocroi with his infantry in the center and cavalry on the flanks. Moving to meet this threat, de Melo formed his men in a similar fashion. The following morning, d'Enghien advanced. As the armies met, the Spanish infantry began to get the better of the French. A similar situation developed on the French left where de Melo's German cavalry blocked a French thrust. Counterattacking, the Germans were stopped by the French infantry reserve. On the right, d'Enghien's cavalry, supported by musketeers, was able to rout its Spanish counterparts. Turning, they next attacked the flank and rear of the Spanish infantry. As the fighting raged, the Spanish army was reduced to the core of their infantry. Though fighting valiantly they were forced to surrender. The Battle of Rocroi was the first major defeat for the Spanish in nearly a century.

May 18 ,1863 - Union forces begin the Siege of Vicksburg (right).  Crossing the Mississippi River at Bruinsburg on April 29-30, 1863, Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Army of the Tennessee embarked on a stunning campaign which saw it win several battles before driving Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton's forces back into the Vicksburg defenses.  A fortress that commanded the Mississippi, holding the city was key if the  Confederates wished to deny use of the river to the Union.  Attacking on May 19, Grant's army was repulsed by the Vicksburg defenses.  Trying again on the 22nd, the result proved no better.  Unwilling to suffer more casualties, Grant elected to lay siege.  Reinforced over the next month, he compelled Vicksburg to surrender on July 4, 1863.  Coming a day a after the Union victory at Gettysburg, the fall of Vicksburg, and Port Hudson fours days later, opened the river to Union traffic and marked the turning point of the Civil War.

Civil War Battles - 1863 in the West

• Battle of Arkansas Post
• Battle of Raymond
• Siege of Port Hudson
• Battle of Chickamauga
• Battle of Chattanooga

Photograph Source: Public Domain

Envisioned as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, the Hawker Typhoon (right) suffered from a series of developmental and operational issues early in its career.  Though intended as a mid- to high-altitude interceptor, the Typhoon's performance dropped badly over 20,000 ft.  Nearly cancelled, the aircraft was rushed into production in mid-1941 to counter the threat posed by the new Focke-Wulf FW 190.  Effective as a low-altitude interceptor, the Typhoon later made its mark as the Royal Air Force's premier ground attack aircraft.  Commencing these types of operations in late 1942, the Typhoon was honed over the following year and proved capable of carrying both bombs and rockets.  Forming the backbone of the RAF's tactical air forces, it played a key role in supporting Allied forces in the weeks after D-Day and during the campaign in northwest Europe.   

World War II - British Aircraft:

• Supermarine Spitfire
• Avro Lancaster
• De Havilland Mosquito
• Bristol Blenheim
• Gloster Meteor

Photograph Source: Public Domain

May 14, 1747 - Admiral George Anson defeats the French at the Battle of Cape Finisterre. Entering the Royal Navy in 1712, George Anson rapidly moved through the ranks and was promoted to post-captain in 1724. Serving in a variety of posts, he was given command of HMS Centurion in 1737. After a cruise off Africa, Anson returned to England and was ordered to lead a squadron into the Pacific to attack the Spanish. Enduring a hellish crossing and rounding of Cape Horn, Anson's squadron was ultimately whittled down to his flagship. Crossing the Pacific, he captured the treasure galleon Nuestra Señora de Covadonga in June 1743, before completing his circumnavigation via the Cape of Good Hope. After serving in the Admiralty, he took command of the Channel Fleet and decisively defeated the French off Cape Finisterre in May 1747. Returning to an administrative post, he played a key role in re-writing the Articles of War, re-structuring the marine corps, improving ship design, and reducing corruption in the dockyards. Made First Lord of the Admiralty in 1751, he served in the post almost continuously until his death in 1762.

War of the Austrian Succession:

• Battle of Mollwitz
• Battle of Dettingen
• Siege of Louisbourg
• Battle of Fontenoy