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World War I (1914-1919)
April 26, 1915: Second Battle of Ypres Intensifies
On Monday, April 26, 1915, the Second Battle of Ypres saw Canadian forces launch renewed attacks against German positions at St. Julien. The offensive was part of the broader Allied effort to counter German advances following their introduction of poison gas on the Western Front. Despite their valiant efforts, the Canadian troops were forced to withdraw after encountering fierce resistance. The day’s fighting resulted in devastating casualties, with more than 1,940 Canadian soldiers lost in the engagement. This battle marked one of the first major combat experiences for Canadian forces in World War I, contributing significantly to their growing military identity and reputation for tenacity under fire.
The 1st Canadian Division, under the command of Lieutenant-General Edwin Alderson, had been holding positions in the northern sector of the Ypres Salient since April 22, when German forces launched the first large-scale poison gas attack in military history. The April 26 offensive represented a desperate attempt to regain ground lost in previous days. The Canadian soldiers fought with remarkable determination despite being inadequately equipped to deal with the new chemical warfare threat, using water-soaked cloths as improvised gas masks.
April 26, 1917: Allied Reinforcements at Dublin During Easter Rising
Although not directly part of the main Western Front operations, April 26, 1917, saw significant military activity in Dublin, Ireland. British reinforcements arrived at Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) on the morning of Wednesday, April 26, and immediately advanced toward Dublin. Heavy fighting erupted around rebel-held positions near the Grand Canal as these troops attempted to suppress the Easter Rising.
Particularly fierce combat took place at Mount Street Bridge, where just seventeen Volunteers from the Irish Republican forces were able to inflict severe casualties on the advancing British troops. The British suffered up to 240 men killed or wounded while attempting to cross the canal at this position. Despite having alternative routes available, General Lowe ordered repeated frontal assaults against the Mount Street position, resulting in some of the heaviest British casualties of the entire rebellion.
The fighting at Mount Street Bridge would continue for nearly nine hours as the British forces struggled to advance just 300 yards, demonstrating the effectiveness of determined defenders in urban terrain. This engagement represented one of the costliest mistakes by British military leadership during the rising.
April 26, 1918: Western Front Operations During the Georgette Offensive
By April 26, 1918, the German Army was in the midst of its spring offensive operations on the Western Front. The period marked the latter stages of Operation Georgette (also known as the Battle of the Lys), the second major German offensive of their “victory gamble” for 1918. By this date, the initial momentum of the German attack had begun to slow as British, French, and Australian reinforcements arrived to stabilize the front near Ypres.
The offensive, which began on April 9, had seen the German 6th Army attack the British 2nd Army around Ypres with 46 divisions. By April 26, the Germans had pushed the British back approximately three miles to the outskirts of Ypres and had recaptured Passchendaele Ridge, which had been taken at enormous cost by the Allies the previous year.
Five days earlier, on April 21, 1918, the German air force had suffered a significant blow with the death of their top ace, Manfred von Richthofen (the “Red Baron”), who was shot down and killed by British forces after having achieved 80 confirmed aerial victories.
April 26, 1919: Post-War Europe and Military Transitions
April 26, 1919, fell during a critical transition period following the November 1918 Armistice. Though formal hostilities had ceased, military operations continued in various regions, particularly in Eastern Europe where civil war raged in Russia and various border conflicts erupted between newly formed states6.
By this date, the Paris Peace Conference was well underway, with the Allied powers negotiating the terms that would eventually form the Treaty of Versailles. Military units across Europe were engaged in occupation duties, demobilization processes, and in some cases, continued combat operations against Bolshevik forces in Russia as part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War.
World War II (1939-1945)
April 26, 1940: Preparations for the Norway Campaign
As April 26, 1940 dawned, World War II was entering a new phase of intensity with the German invasion of Norway and Denmark (Operation Weserübung) earlier that month. By April 26, British and French forces were engaged in counteroperations in central Norway, particularly around Trondheim, where Allied troops faced determined German resistance.
The naval engagement known as the First Battle of Narvik had taken place on April 10, followed by the Second Battle of Narvik on April 13, where British naval forces achieved significant victories against the German Kriegsmarine. However, by April 26, German air superiority was beginning to assert decisive influence over the campaign.
British forces of the Territorial Army’s 146th and 148th Infantry Brigades, along with French Foreign Legion units and Polish Independent Highland Brigade, were operating in increasingly difficult conditions. The day marked continued efforts to coordinate Allied operations amid challenging fjord terrain and deteriorating weather conditions.
April 26, 1941: Middle East Operations and Preparations in Greece
By April 26, 1941, the Greek campaign was reaching its conclusion, with British Commonwealth forces executing their evacuation from mainland Greece to Crete and Egypt. The German 12th Army had achieved remarkable success, forcing Allied units into a desperate withdrawal under constant air attack from the Luftwaffe.
The Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet, including vessels such as HMS Orion, HMS Ajax, and HMAS Perth, was heavily engaged in evacuation operations, with ships embarking troops from beaches near Athens and the Peloponnese peninsula. RAF fighter units, severely depleted by combat losses, continued to provide what cover they could for the evacuation ships.
In North Africa, Rommel’s Afrika Korps was consolidating gains from their recent offensive, having pushed British forces back to the Egyptian frontier. The 7th Armoured Division and other British units were reorganizing after their retreat from Cyrenaica, while preparations were underway for a counteroffensive to relieve the besieged garrison at Tobruk.
April 26, 1942: Pacific Theater Operations and Eastern Front
On April 26, 1942, Allied forces in the Pacific Theater were reeling from a series of Japanese victories. The Philippines campaign was nearing its tragic conclusion, with American and Filipino troops on Bataan having surrendered on April 9, and those on Corregidor fighting their final battles before their eventual surrender on May 6.
On the Eastern Front, the massive Soviet winter counteroffensive had exhausted itself, and both German and Soviet forces were preparing for the upcoming summer campaigns. The Red Army’s 33rd Army remained encircled west of Moscow, fighting desperately to break out. Meanwhile, German Army Group South was beginning to move reinforcements and supplies into position for the upcoming Case Blue offensive targeting the Caucasus oil fields.
In the Atlantic, Allied convoy operations continued under the growing threat of German U-boat wolfpacks, which were inflicting severe losses on merchant shipping. April 1942 would become one of the most successful months for German submarine operations during the Battle of the Atlantic.
April 26, 1943: Strategic Air Campaign Over Europe Intensifies
By April 26, 1943, the Allied strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany was gaining momentum. The U.S. Eighth Air Force and RAF Bomber Command were coordinating their efforts in the Combined Bomber Offensive, with American forces conducting precision daylight raids while British bombers attacked at night.
The U.S. 306th and 91st Bombardment Groups, operating B-17 Flying Fortress bombers from bases in East Anglia, conducted missions against German industrial targets, while facing fierce opposition from Luftwaffe fighter units and increasingly effective anti-aircraft defenses. Fighter escorts, primarily P-47 Thunderbolts of the 4th and 56th Fighter Groups, provided limited protection, though their range restrictions still left bombers vulnerable on deep penetration missions.
On the ground in Tunisia, the Allied forces were making significant progress in their offensive operations against Axis positions. The British First Army and U.S. II Corps were applying pressure from the west, while Montgomery’s Eighth Army pushed from the east, gradually compressing German and Italian forces into an increasingly untenable pocket.
April 26, 1944: Preparations for D-Day and Eastern Front Advances
April 26, 1944, was a period of intense preparation for the upcoming Allied invasion of Normandy. Throughout southern England, American, British, and Canadian divisions were completing their training and equipment preparations. The U.S. 1st Infantry Division (“The Big Red One”), 4th Infantry Division, and 29th Infantry Division were conducting final amphibious landing exercises, while specialized units like the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions refined their assault techniques for the upcoming operation against Pointe du Hoc.
In Soviet Russia, the Red Army was consolidating its positions following the winter offensives that had relieved the siege of Leningrad and pushed German forces back in Ukraine. The 1st Ukrainian Front under Marshal Georgy Zhukov was reorganizing for upcoming operations, while the 2nd Ukrainian Front continued pressure on retreating German formations.
The strategic bombing campaign against German industrial and transportation targets had intensified, with particular focus on rail yards, aircraft factories, and oil production facilities. The newly deployed P-51 Mustang fighters of the 352nd and 357th Fighter Groups were proving increasingly effective at providing long-range escort for bomber formations, contributing to declining Luftwaffe effectiveness.
April 26, 1945: Final Days of Nazi Germany and Arrest of Marshal Pétain
On April 26, 1945, as Allied forces closed in on the remaining Nazi strongholds, a significant political development occurred when Marshal Philippe Pétain, the former leader of Vichy France, was arrested and charged with collaborating with the Nazis. Pétain had headed the French State after the fall of France in 1940, implementing policies aligned with Nazi Germany until the liberation of France in 1944, when he fled to Germany. His arrest marked a symbolic moment in the accounting for wartime collaboration.
By this date, the military situation for Nazi Germany had become catastrophic. Berlin was fully encircled by the Soviet Red Army, with the 1st Belorussian Front under Marshal Georgy Zhukov attacking from the east and north, while the 1st Ukrainian Front under Marshal Ivan Konev advanced from the south. Inside the city, desperate street-by-street fighting continued as elements of the German 9th Army, LVI Panzer Corps, and various Volkssturm units attempted to defend against overwhelming Soviet forces.
To the west, American and Soviet forces had linked up at the Elbe River on April 25, effectively cutting Germany in two. The U.S. First Army’s 69th Infantry Division met the Soviet 58th Guards Division near Torgau, symbolically joining the Eastern and Western Fronts. General Courtney Hodges’ First Army had nearly completed the encirclement of the Ruhr industrial region, trapping approximately 430,000 German troops in what would become known as the “Ruhr Pocket.”
In Italy, Allied forces of the U.S. Fifth Army and British Eighth Army continued their advance northward. The 10th Mountain Division, 85th and 88th Infantry Divisions spearheaded the American push into the Po Valley, while New Zealand and Polish units led the British advance toward Venice and Trieste.
In recognition of the collapsing German resistance, the Allies had officially announced on April 26 that the strategic air war against Germany was over, with bombing missions now limited to tactical support for ground operations. This decision reflected the complete air superiority achieved by Allied forces and the effectively destroyed German air defense system.
India-Pakistan War (1947-48)
April 26, 1948: Operations in Kashmir Valley
On April 26, 1948, the India-Pakistan War over Kashmir saw significant activity in the northern sectors of the disputed territory. Indian forces, primarily composed of units from the 161st Infantry Brigade, conducted operations to secure positions along the Uri-Domel road, facing resistance from Pakistani irregular forces and tribal militias.
In the central sector, around Poonch, the besieged Indian garrison continued to receive supplies through the air bridge operation maintained by the Royal Indian Air Force. No. 12 Squadron, flying Dakota transport aircraft, executed dangerous missions to drop essential supplies to the surrounded Indian troops, often flying at low altitudes through valleys to avoid detection and anti-aircraft fire.
In the diplomatic sphere, the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) was actively working to broker a ceasefire between the two newly independent nations. Representatives from both countries presented their positions at the United Nations, with discussions focusing on the implementation of resolution 47, which called for a free and impartial plebiscite to determine Kashmir’s future.
The conflict at this stage remained characterized by small unit actions rather than large-scale conventional battles, with both sides attempting to secure advantageous positions before any potential ceasefire. Mountain warfare tactics dominated, with infantry units operating in small teams to control key passes and observation points in the challenging Himalayan terrain.
US-Vietnam War (1965-1975)
April 26, 1966: Operation Birmingham and Air Campaign Intensification
On April 26, 1966, Operation Birmingham entered its tenth day as elements of the 1st Infantry Division (“The Big Red One”) conducted search-and-destroy operations in War Zone C near the Cambodian border. The 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment encountered significant resistance from Viet Cong forces in the dense jungle terrain northwest of Tay Ninh.
Aerial support for ground operations included strikes by F-4 Phantoms of the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing and A-1 Skyraiders of the 1st Air Commando Squadron. These aircraft delivered napalm and high explosive ordnance against suspected enemy positions identified by forward air controllers operating O-1 Bird Dog observation aircraft.
The day also saw B-52 Stratofortress bombers of the Strategic Air Command conduct Arc Light missions against suspected North Vietnamese Army infiltration routes along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Each bomber carried approximately 60,000 pounds of conventional ordnance, creating massive destruction in their target areas.
In the political sphere, the Buddhist crisis in South Vietnam continued to present challenges to the stability of the military government. Anti-government protests in major cities, particularly Hue and Da Nang, complicated U.S. efforts to maintain political support for the war effort.
April 26, 1968: Post-Tet Operations and Search-and-Destroy Missions
By April 26, 1968, American and South Vietnamese forces were continuing operations to counter Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army units following the massive Tet Offensive earlier that year. The 25th Infantry Division was conducting Operation Complete Victory in areas northwest of Saigon, while the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) operated near Hue as part of Operation Pegasus.
The 3rd Marine Division continued operations along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), with particular focus on the area around Con Thien and Gio Linh. Marine infantry companies conducted patrols to interdict North Vietnamese units attempting to infiltrate south, while artillery from firing bases provided supporting fire.
Naval operations in the Gulf of Tonkin included carrier-based aircraft from USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) conducting strikes against North Vietnamese logistics targets. Task Force 77 aircraft flew multiple missions, focusing on transportation infrastructure and supply caches.
In the air war, Rolling Thunder operations continued against targets in North Vietnam, though political restrictions still limited the most sensitive target areas around Hanoi and Haiphong. F-105 Thunderchief aircraft from the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing conducted missions against bridges and railway facilities.
April 26, 1970: Cambodian Incursion Preparations and Vietnamization
April 26, 1970, marked a critical juncture in the Vietnam War, as final preparations were underway for the Cambodian Incursion that would begin on April 29. Units of the 1st Cavalry Division and 25th Infantry Division were positioning along the Cambodian border in III Corps Tactical Zone, preparing to strike against North Vietnamese Army sanctuaries.
Elements of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (“Blackhorse”) conducted reconnaissance operations along Highway 1 near the border, while artillery units established fire support bases to provide coverage for the upcoming operation. The 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment conducted air assault operations to secure landing zones that would serve as staging areas for the incursion.
In the air, AC-130 Spectre gunships of the 16th Special Operations Squadron conducted night interdiction missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, using sophisticated sensors to detect truck movements and other enemy activity. These aircraft, with their formidable array of miniguns and cannon, proved highly effective at disrupting North Vietnamese supply efforts.
The ongoing implementation of the Vietnamization policy was evident as the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 5th Infantry Division conducted independent operations in Binh Long Province, supported by U.S. advisors and air assets. These operations represented increasing efforts to transfer combat responsibilities to South Vietnamese forces.
April 26, 1972: Easter Offensive and Linebacker Operations
By April 26, 1972, the massive North Vietnamese Easter Offensive was in its fourth week. The situational dynamics had shifted significantly as U.S. airpower was brought to bear against the conventional NVA assault. Around Quang Tri, elements of the ARVN 3rd Division continued their defensive efforts against the NVA 304th and 308th Divisions, which were equipped with Soviet-supplied T-54 tanks and artillery.
U.S. tactical aircraft, including F-4 Phantoms from the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, conducted numerous close air support missions to blunt the North Vietnamese advance. Naval aviation from carriers USS Constellation and USS Coral Sea in the Gulf of Tonkin provided additional strike capabilities.
B-52 bombers conducted massive raids against North Vietnamese supply lines and troop concentrations, dropping hundreds of tons of ordnance in coordinated strikes. These missions provided critical support to the embattled South Vietnamese ground forces.
U.S. advisors with the ARVN 22nd Division in Binh Dinh Province coordinated artillery fire and air strikes as South Vietnamese troops attempted to contain NVA advances toward Kontum in the Central Highlands. The fighting was particularly intense as North Vietnamese units attempted to exploit their initial advances.
April 26, 1975: Final Evacuation Operations of South Vietnam
On April 26, 1975, with the fall of South Vietnam imminent, U.S. forces were engaged in the final stages of Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American personnel and Vietnamese civilians from Saigon. This dramatic operation became one of the most iconic moments of the entire Vietnam War.
The United States Embassy in Saigon was the focal point of hectic evacuation efforts as helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (HMM-165) conducted continuous flights from the embassy rooftop to ships of the Seventh Fleet stationed offshore. CH-53 Sea Stallion and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters shuttled between landing zones and the fleet, often carrying far more passengers than their rated capacity.
USS Hancock (CVA-19) and USS Midway (CVA-41) served as primary receiving platforms for the evacuation helicopters, with their flight decks crowded with refugees and aircraft. Marine security forces from the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade maintained perimeter security at evacuation points while processing thousands of evacuees.
The situation on the ground deteriorated rapidly as North Vietnamese Army units of the 1st Corps approached the outskirts of Saigon. Elements of the NVA 325th Division had reached positions within artillery range of Tan Son Nhut Air Base, forcing the cancellation of fixed-wing evacuation flights and the shift to helicopter operations only.
This chaotic final chapter of American involvement in Vietnam was marked by desperate scenes as thousands of South Vietnamese attempted to escape the advancing communist forces. The operation would continue until the final helicopter lifted off from the embassy roof in the early morning hours of April 30, 1975.
Gulf War (1990-1991) and Iraq War (2003-2011)
April 26, 1991: Post-Gulf War Operations and Humanitarian Efforts
On April 26, 1991, approximately two months after the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm, coalition forces continued their presence in southern Iraq as part of Operation Provide Comfort. This humanitarian mission focused on protecting Kurdish refugees who had fled into the mountains following failed uprisings against Saddam Hussein’s regime.
Elements of the U.S. 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) maintained security operations in their sector of responsibility, while specialized Civil Affairs units coordinated with international relief organizations to distribute supplies and establish refugee camps. The 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion worked with Kurdish leaders to establish governance structures in the protected northern zone.
Air operations continued with U.S., British, and French aircraft patrolling the no-fly zones established over northern and southern Iraq. F-15C Eagles of the 1st Fighter Wing and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs of the 23rd Fighter Group maintained combat air patrols to enforce these restrictions on Iraqi air operations.
The massive environmental disaster caused by Iraq’s deliberate release of oil into the Persian Gulf and the burning of Kuwaiti oil wells continued to receive attention. Specialized firefighting teams from companies like Red Adair and Boots & Coots worked to extinguish the hundreds of oil well fires, while environmental assessment teams documented the ecological damage.
April 26, 2003: Early Phase of Iraq War and Stabilization Operations
By April 26, 2003, major combat operations in the Iraq War had been largely concluded, with the coalition’s rapid advance having toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime. The focus had shifted to stabilization operations and the establishment of the Coalition Provisional Authority under L. Paul Bremer.
The U.S. 1st Marine Division conducted security operations in Baghdad, establishing checkpoints and conducting patrols to maintain order in the capital city. The 3rd Infantry Division had begun to redeploy some units while maintaining security in their assigned sectors. Special Forces units of the 5th Special Forces Group worked with local tribal leaders to establish cooperative relationships in western Iraq.
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) under the command of Major General David Petraeus had established its headquarters in Mosul and was implementing early counterinsurgency strategies that emphasized civil affairs and reconstruction alongside security operations.
Engineers from the 130th Engineer Brigade and Naval Construction Battalions (Seabees) conducted assessments of critical infrastructure, particularly electrical systems and water treatment facilities damaged during the conflict. Restoration of these essential services was identified as a priority to gain popular support.
The day was marked by continuing challenges with looting and civil disorder as the power vacuum left by the collapsed Ba’athist regime had not yet been filled by effective governance structures. Coalition forces faced the difficult transition from conventional warfare to the complex task of nation-building and counterinsurgency that would define the subsequent years of the conflict.
