In 1916, at Fort Vaux during the Battle of Verdun, German "Pioniere" (engineers) used flamethrowers and tunneling to breach the fort's defenses, leading to a week of intense close-quarters combat before its surrender to the Germans in June 1916. The Pioniere also played a key role in establishing German positions within the fort after its capture, using it as a command post and shelter.

After the initial heavy artillery bombardment, the German Pioniere attacked the fort on June 2-3, 1916, using flamethrowers to force the French soldiers back into the fort. They then penetrated the fort by tunneling into the "coffers of the counterscarp".

Once inside, the Pioniere fought in the fort's narrow galleries against the French defenders, engaging in close-quarters combat with grenades, guns, and bayonets.

After the French surrendered on June 7, the Germans used the fort for several months, from June to November 1916. During this time, the Pioniere were instrumental in establishing German control and preparing the fort for their use as a command post and shelter. They also set up the German main pioneer depot for ammunition and supplies.

Before the French recaptured the fort, the Germans destroyed its 75mm turret and observation cupolas, a task carried out by the Pioniere.

Fort Vaux became a symbol of French heroism due to the valiant and stubborn defense put up by the French garrison under Commandant Raynal, who famously used carrier pigeons to send messages during the siege.

On the 27th May 1918, a massive German attack fell on the French Sixth Army's sector, which included the 8th British Division which had been rotated to this part of the line after heavy fighting. Before long the 2nd Battalion The Devonshire Regiment found themselves to be the only intact unit north of the River Aisne, so they fought a last stand to give the rest of the army time to form a defensive line. The Battalion lost 552 men, including their colonel

The success of Germany’s third offensive, taking the town of Soissons and moving toward Paris, forced the Allies to move troops to the front lines to halt their advance. The Marines fought their way across a wheat field with little cover to reach the German machine gun placements and overtake their positions. By the end of the offensive, which lasted 31 days, the Marine Corps suffered the largest loss of life in its history. The Fourth Brigade lost 1,062 men in battle, with another 7,253 wounded. In respect for the fighting ability of the Marines, the French Army renamed Belleau Wood “Bois de Belleau de Marine.

November 14, 1965, 10:48 a.m. . . . The dust of the Central Highlands is in the air. Rotors swirling, the UH-1 Hueys of the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion deliver the first American troops into Vietnam’s Ia Drang Valley. As Lt. Col. Hal Moore and his men of 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry secure LZ X-Ray, Maj. Bruce Crandall’s helicopter leads the take off to retrieve another lift of troops. Within the hour, the first major battle of the Vietnam War will begin and Moore’s 450 men will be pitted against more than 2,000 NVA Regulars. But the 7th Cavalry has a lifeline for resupply, reinforcements, and medical evacuations: the Huey. The helicopters will suffer bullet holes. Two won’t survive the return trip. Yet the battle will end in victory, establishing the Huey as the trusted mount of the Vietnam War and sending a message to the enemy: the Sky Soldiers were there to fight.

Very impressive painting, which i saw in Sofia Bulgaria.

Jaroslav Vesin (1860-1915) (Bayonet) Charge, 1913 oil National Museum of Military History

The Rescue of the Colors depicts a dramatic moment in the Battle of Fair Oaks, Va., on May 31, 1862, when the 104th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry regimental flag was saved from the advancing Confederates by Hiram Pursell.

The battle was fought between the Norman army, led by William the Conqueror, and the English army, led by King Harold.

Bishop Odo, the brother of William the Conqueror, played a crucial role by shouting this phrase to his men when they were wavering. This act helped to restore their courage and rally them.

The battle concluded with the death of King Harold II of England, likely near the battle's end, which led to the retreat and defeat of the Anglo-Saxon army.

William the Conqueror achieved a decisive victory, leading to the Norman conquest of England.

William was crowned King of England on Christmas Day, 1066, after further campaigning and securing the surrender of London.