Engineers from the 173rd Air Cavalry make their way through forest on Chu Phong mountain, in the Ida Drang Valley. Vietnam, 1965. | Location: Chu Phong mountain, Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam. (Photo by © Tim Page/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Photo Courtesy: historynet.com
1918: The German Spring Offensive was underway.
1944: The war was turning in favor of the Allies.
1966: 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) was conducting operations in the Ia Drang Valley.
1967: 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” was conducting operations in the Iron Triangle.
1968: 1st Marine Division was conducting operations in the Hue-Phu Bai area.
1969: 101st Airborne Division, known as the “Screaming Eagles,” was conducting operations in the A Shau Valley.
1970: 25th Infantry Division was conducting operations in the Parrot’s Beak area.
World War I: April 12
1914
On April 12, 1914, the world was still in the pre-war phase, with tensions escalating but no major conflicts directly related to World War I had yet begun. However, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was just over two months away, which would trigger the start of the war. On this day, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was conducting military exercises, which were part of their regular training but also served to demonstrate their military readiness amidst rising tensions with Serbia.
1915
By April 12, 1915, the war was well underway. On the Western Front, the Second Battle of Ypres was about to begin, but on this specific day, there were no major engagements. However, the German Army was preparing for the use of chlorine gas, which they would deploy on April 22, marking the first large-scale use of chemical weapons in warfare. On the Eastern Front, the Russian Army was engaged in the Carpathian Winter Campaign, but no significant actions were reported on April 12.
1916
April 12, 1916, saw the ongoing Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and most devastating battles of the war. On this day, French forces were holding their ground against German assaults. The 30th Division of the French Army, under the command of General Émile Fayolle, was particularly noted for its resilience. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the overall bravery of the French troops at Verdun was later recognized with numerous awards.
1917
On April 12, 1917, the United States had just entered the war, but American troops had not yet arrived in Europe in significant numbers. On the Western Front, the Battle of Arras was ongoing, but no major actions were reported on this specific day. On the Eastern Front, the Russian Army was in retreat following the failure of the Kerensky Offensive, but again, no significant engagements were noted on April 12.
1918
By April 12, 1918, the German Spring Offensive was underway. On this day, the German Army launched Operation Georgette, part of the broader offensive, aimed at capturing the vital rail hub of Hazebrouck. The British 2nd Army, under General Herbert Plumer, was heavily engaged in defending against the German advance. The 55th (West Lancashire) Division played a crucial role in holding the line. Private Thomas Alfred Jones of the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on April 21 during this operation, but his bravery in the days leading up to it, including April 12, was noted.
1919
On April 12, 1919, the war had officially ended, but the Treaty of Versailles was still being negotiated. No significant military actions were reported on this day, as the focus had shifted to the peace process. However, tensions were rising in various parts of the world, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as the aftermath of the war began to unfold.
World War II: April 12
1939
On April 12, 1939, the world was on the brink of war, but no major conflicts directly related to World War II had yet begun. However, Adolf Hitler was making speeches about the need for Lebensraum (living space) for the German people, which was part of the Nazi ideology that would lead to the invasion of Poland in September. On this day, the German military was conducting exercises, which were part of their preparations for the upcoming war.
1940
By April 12, 1940, World War II was well underway. On this day, the German invasion of Norway and Denmark, known as Operation Weserübung, was in its early stages. The German 3rd Mountain Division, under the command of General Eduard Dietl, was advancing towards Narvik, a key port in northern Norway. The Norwegian 6th Division, under Colonel Konrad Sundlo, was attempting to defend the area. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the Norwegian troops in the face of overwhelming odds was later recognized.
1941
On April 12, 1941, the Battle of Greece was ongoing. On this day, the German 12th Army, under Field Marshal Wilhelm List, was advancing towards Athens. The Greek Army, along with British and Commonwealth forces, was in retreat. The 2nd New Zealand Division, under General Bernard Freyberg, was particularly noted for its rearguard actions. Private Alfred Hulme of the 23rd Battalion, 2nd New Zealand Division, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during this campaign, though not specifically on April 12.
1942
By April 12, 1942, the war had spread to the Pacific. On this day, the Battle of Bataan was nearing its end. The American and Filipino forces, under General Douglas MacArthur, were holding out against the Japanese advance. The 31st Infantry Regiment, known as the “Polar Bears,” was particularly noted for its bravery. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the overall heroism of the troops at Bataan was later recognized with numerous awards.
1943
On April 12, 1943, the Battle of Tunisia was ongoing. On this day, the British 8th Army, under General Bernard Montgomery, was advancing towards Tunis. The German and Italian forces, under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, were in retreat. The 78th Infantry Division, known as the “Battleaxe Division,” played a crucial role in the advance. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in Tunisia was later recognized.
1944
By April 12, 1944, the war was turning in favor of the Allies. On this day, the Battle of Monte Cassino was ongoing. The Polish II Corps, under General Władysław Anders, was heavily engaged in the fighting. The 3rd Carpathian Rifle Brigade was particularly noted for its bravery. Corporal Emil Czech of the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Brigade was awarded the Virtuti Militari, Poland’s highest military decoration, for his actions during this battle, though not specifically on April 12.
1945
On April 12, 1945, the war in Europe was nearing its end. On this day, the Battle of the Seelow Heights was ongoing. The Soviet 1st Belorussian Front, under Marshal Georgy Zhukov, was advancing towards Berlin. The German 9th Army, under General Theodor Busse, was defending the area. The 8th Guards Army, under General Vasily Chuikov, played a crucial role in the advance. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the Soviet troops in the final stages of the war was later recognized with numerous awards.
India-Pakistan War of 1947-48: April 12
On April 12, 1948, the India-Pakistan War, also known as the First Kashmir War, was ongoing. On this day, Indian forces were engaged in operations to secure the Kashmir Valley. The 1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Ranjit Singh, was particularly noted for its actions in the Uri sector. The regiment successfully repelled a Pakistani attack, securing the area. Major Somnath Sharma, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration, for his actions during this war, was not specifically involved on April 12, but his overall bravery was recognized.
US-Vietnam War: April 12
1965
On April 12, 1965, the US had begun to escalate its involvement in the war. On this day, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, known as the “Sky Soldiers,” was conducting operations in the Central Highlands. The brigade was engaged in Operation Silver Bayonet, aimed at securing the area from Viet Cong forces. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in the Central Highlands was later recognized.
1966
By April 12, 1966, the US was heavily involved in the war. On this day, the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) was conducting operations in the Ia Drang Valley. The division was engaged in Operation Lincoln, aimed at rooting out Viet Cong forces. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in the Ia Drang Valley was later recognized.
1967
On April 12, 1967, the US was continuing its operations in Vietnam. On this day, the 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” was conducting operations in the Iron Triangle. The division was engaged in Operation Junction City, aimed at destroying Viet Cong bases. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in the Iron Triangle was later recognized.
1968
By April 12, 1968, the US was heavily engaged in the war. On this day, the 1st Marine Division was conducting operations in the Hue-Phu Bai area. The division was engaged in Operation Hue City, aimed at recapturing the city from Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in Hue was later recognized.
1969
On April 12, 1969, the US was continuing its operations in Vietnam. On this day, the 101st Airborne Division, known as the “Screaming Eagles,” was conducting operations in the A Shau Valley. The division was engaged in Operation Apache Snow, aimed at destroying North Vietnamese bases. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in the A Shau Valley was later recognized.
1970
By April 12, 1970, the US was beginning to withdraw its troops from Vietnam. On this day, the 25th Infantry Division was conducting operations in the Parrot’s Beak area. The division was engaged in Operation Toan Thang 43, aimed at securing the area from Viet Cong forces. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in the Parrot’s Beak was later recognized.
1971
On April 12, 1971, the US was continuing its withdrawal from Vietnam. On this day, the 1st Cavalry Division was conducting operations in the Central Highlands. The division was engaged in Operation Lam Son 719, aimed at cutting off North Vietnamese supply lines. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in the Central Highlands was later recognized.
1972
By April 12, 1972, the US was heavily engaged in the war, despite the ongoing withdrawal. On this day, the 1st Marine Division was conducting operations in the Quang Tri area. The division was engaged in Operation Song Than 6-72, aimed at defending the area from North Vietnamese forces. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in Quang Tri was later recognized.
1973
On April 12, 1973, the US had officially withdrawn its combat troops from Vietnam. On this day, the remaining US military personnel were focused on advisory and support roles. No major engagements were reported, as the focus had shifted to the peace process.
1974
By April 12, 1974, the US had completely withdrawn from Vietnam. On this day, no major military actions were reported, as the focus had shifted to the aftermath of the war and the ongoing peace process.
1975
On April 12, 1975, the Vietnam War was nearing its end. On this day, the North Vietnamese Army was advancing towards Saigon. No US military actions were reported, as the US had completely withdrawn from the conflict. The fall of Saigon occurred on April 30, marking the end of the war.
Gulf War 1990 and US-Iraq War 2003: April 12
Gulf War 1990
On April 12, 1990, the Gulf War had not yet begun. However, tensions were rising between Iraq and Kuwait, which would lead to the invasion of Kuwait in August. On this day, the US was increasing its military presence in the region, conducting exercises and preparing for potential conflict.
US-Iraq War 2003
By April 12, 2003, the US-Iraq War, also known as the Iraq War, was well underway. On this day, US forces were advancing towards Baghdad. The 3rd Infantry Division, under Major General Buford Blount, was heavily engaged in the fighting. The division was part of the broader Operation Iraqi Freedom, aimed at toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein. On this day, the 3rd Infantry Division successfully captured the Baghdad International Airport, a key strategic objective. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this day, but the bravery of the troops in the advance on Baghdad was later recognized.
