Friday May 17, 2013
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
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Wednesday May 15, 2013
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:
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Monday May 13, 2013
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:
Saturday May 11, 2013
May 11, 1745 - French forces win the Battle of Fontenoy. Moving to relieve the French siege of Tournai, the Duke of Cumberland (right) and the Pragmatic Army encountered enemy forces under Marshal Maurice de Saxe near Fontenoy. Unsure of his men's ability to face Allied forces in open battle, de Saxe assumed a strong, fortified defensive position on the heights around the village. Attacking with an "Infernal Column" of around 15,000 men, Cumberland succeeded breaking the French line, but was halted by determined French counterattacks. Massing his troops, de Saxe succeeded in throwing back Cumberland's men and forcing him to withdraw to Brussels. Having won a key victory, he was able to take Tournai as well as several other towns in Flanders.
Photograph Source: Public Domain
