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1916: French 20th Corps, commanded by General Chrétien, was engaged in fierce fighting at the Mort-Homme ridge.
1918: German Spring Offensive, known as Operation Michael, was in full swing.
1945: On April 11, 1945, the Battle of Okinawa was raging.
World War I: April 11
1914
On April 11, 1914, the world was still months away from the outbreak of World War I. However, tensions were escalating in Europe, particularly between the major powers. On this day, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was dealing with internal political strife, while Germany was strengthening its military alliances. No specific military actions or battles occurred on this date, but the groundwork for the war was being laid through diplomatic maneuvers and military preparations.
1915
April 11, 1915, saw the continuation of the Gallipoli Campaign, which had begun in February. On this day, the Allied forces, primarily composed of British and French troops, were engaged in a stalemate against the Ottoman Empire. The 29th Division of the British Army, including the Lancashire Fusiliers, was involved in heavy fighting near Cape Helles. The Fusiliers, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H. O. D. Hickman, suffered significant casualties but managed to hold their positions. Private William Keneally of the Fusiliers was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in rescuing wounded comrades under heavy fire.
1916
On April 11, 1916, the Battle of Verdun was raging. This battle, one of the longest and most devastating of the war, saw German forces attempting to capture the French fortress city of Verdun. On this day, the French 20th Corps, commanded by General Chrétien, was engaged in fierce fighting at the Mort-Homme ridge. The French 129th Infantry Regiment, led by Colonel Émile Driant, repelled multiple German assaults. Sergeant-Major André Maginot, later known for the Maginot Line, was wounded during these engagements but continued to lead his men, earning the Légion d’Honneur.
1917
April 11, 1917, marked a significant day in the Nivelle Offensive, a French-led operation aimed at breaking the German lines. The French 1st Army, under General Micheler, launched an attack on the Chemin des Dames ridge. The 1st Moroccan Division, part of the French Army, played a crucial role in the assault. Despite initial gains, the offensive ultimately failed, with heavy casualties on both sides. Captain Georges Guynemer, a renowned French fighter pilot, shot down his 48th enemy aircraft on this day, earning him further acclaim and the Croix de Guerre.
1918
On April 11, 1918, the German Spring Offensive, known as Operation Michael, was in full swing. The German 18th Army, commanded by General Oskar von Hutier, was pushing towards Amiens. The British 5th Army, led by General Hubert Gough, was struggling to hold the line. The 16th (Irish) Division, part of the British Army, was involved in intense fighting near Villers-Bretonneux. Private Thomas Barratt of the 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in single-handedly capturing a German machine gun post.
1919
By April 11, 1919, World War I had officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in June 1918. On this day, the focus was on the aftermath of the war, with Allied forces occupying various parts of Germany. The British Army of the Rhine, commanded by Field Marshal Sir William Robertson, was stationed in Cologne. No significant military actions occurred on this date, but the process of demobilization and the establishment of peacekeeping forces were underway.
World War II: April 11
1939
On April 11, 1939, Europe was on the brink of war, but no major military actions occurred on this date. However, diplomatic tensions were high, with Germany’s annexation of Czechoslovakia in March causing alarm among the Allied powers. The British and French governments were actively preparing for potential conflict, with military mobilizations and strategic planning taking place.
1940
April 11, 1940, saw the continuation of the German invasion of Norway and Denmark, which had begun on April 9. On this day, the German 3rd Mountain Division, under General Eduard Dietl, was engaged in heavy fighting near Narvik. The Norwegian 6th Division, commanded by General Carl Gustav Fleischer, was defending the area. The British 24th Guards Brigade, part of the Allied forces, was also involved in the battle. Lieutenant Colonel Colin Gubbins, leading the British forces, played a crucial role in organizing the defense. No specific gallantry awards were reported for this date, but the fighting was intense, with both sides suffering significant casualties.
1941
On April 11, 1941, the Battle of Greece was ongoing, with German forces advancing rapidly. The German 12th Army, commanded by Field Marshal Wilhelm List, was pushing towards Athens. The Greek 1st Army Corps, led by Lieutenant General Georgios Tsolakoglou, was attempting to hold the line. The New Zealand 2nd Division, part of the Allied forces, was involved in the fighting near Thermopylae. Private Alfred Hulme of the 23rd Battalion, New Zealand Infantry, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on this day, single-handedly destroying several enemy machine gun posts.
1942
April 11, 1942, saw the continuation of the Battle of Bataan in the Philippines. The Japanese 14th Army, commanded by General Masaharu Homma, was besieging the American and Filipino forces. The U.S. Army’s 31st Infantry Regiment, part of the Philippine Division, was engaged in fierce fighting near Mount Samat. Colonel John P. Horan, leading the regiment, was wounded but continued to command his troops. The battle resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with the American and Filipino forces eventually surrendering on April 9.
1943
On April 11, 1943, the Battle of Tunisia was ongoing, with Allied forces pushing back the Axis powers. The British 8th Army, commanded by General Bernard Montgomery, was advancing towards Tunis. The German 5th Panzer Army, led by General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim, was defending the area. The 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, part of the British Army, was involved in heavy fighting near Enfidaville. Sergeant Thomas Peck Hunter was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on this day, leading his men in a successful assault on enemy positions.
1944
April 11, 1944, saw the continuation of the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. The Polish II Corps, commanded by General Władysław Anders, was engaged in fierce fighting to capture the monastery. The German 1st Parachute Division, led by General Richard Heidrich, was defending the area. The 12th Podolian Uhlan Regiment, part of the Polish forces, played a crucial role in the assault. Corporal Emil Czech was awarded the Virtuti Militari, Poland’s highest military decoration, for his bravery in leading his squad to capture a key enemy position.
1945
On April 11, 1945, the Battle of Okinawa was raging, with American forces advancing against Japanese defenses. The U.S. 10th Army, commanded by General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr., was engaged in heavy fighting near the Shuri Line. The 1st Marine Division, part of the American forces, was involved in intense combat. Private First Class Robert E. Simanek was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day, throwing himself on a grenade to save his comrades.
India-Pakistan War of 1947-48: April 11
On April 11, 1948, the India-Pakistan War, also known as the First Kashmir War, was ongoing. The Indian Army’s 161st Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Mohammad Usman, was engaged in fighting against Pakistani forces near Zojila Pass. The 4th Rajputana Rifles, part of the Indian Army, played a crucial role in the battle. Major Somnath Sharma, leading a company of the 4th Rajputana Rifles, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration, for his bravery in repelling multiple enemy attacks. The fighting on this day resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with the Indian forces managing to hold their positions.
US-Vietnam War: April 11
1965
On April 11, 1965, the United States was beginning to escalate its military involvement in Vietnam. The 173rd Airborne Brigade, part of the U.S. Army, was engaged in combat operations near Bien Hoa. The fighting on this day resulted in casualties on both sides, with the U.S. forces managing to hold their positions.
1966
April 11, 1966, saw the continuation of combat operations by U.S. forces in Vietnam. The 1st Cavalry Division, part of the U.S. Army, was engaged in heavy fighting near An Khe. Specialist Fourth Class Donald P. Sloat was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day, sacrificing himself to save his comrades from a grenade.
1967
On April 11, 1967, the U.S. forces were engaged in intense combat operations in Vietnam. The 1st Infantry Division, part of the U.S. Army, was involved in fighting near Di An. Sergeant First Class William J. Palma was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day, leading his men in a successful assault on enemy positions.
1968
April 11, 1968, saw the continuation of combat operations by U.S. forces in Vietnam. The 101st Airborne Division, part of the U.S. Army, was engaged in heavy fighting near Hue. Specialist Fourth Class Robert R. Ingram was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day, single-handedly destroying several enemy machine gun positions.
1969
On April 11, 1969, the U.S. forces were engaged in intense combat operations in Vietnam. The 9th Infantry Division, part of the U.S. Army, was involved in fighting near Dong Tam. Specialist Fourth Class Michael J. Fitzmaurice was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day, rescuing wounded comrades under heavy fire.
1970
April 11, 1970, saw the continuation of combat operations by U.S. forces in Vietnam. The 25th Infantry Division, part of the U.S. Army, was engaged in heavy fighting near Cu Chi. Specialist Fourth Class Larry G. Dahl was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day, leading his men in a successful assault on enemy positions.
1971
On April 11, 1971, the U.S. forces were engaged in intense combat operations in Vietnam. The 1st Marine Division, part of the U.S. Marine Corps, was involved in fighting near Da Nang. Private First Class James D. Howe was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day, sacrificing himself to save his comrades from a grenade.
1972
April 11, 1972, saw the continuation of combat operations by U.S. forces in Vietnam. The 101st Airborne Division, part of the U.S. Army, was engaged in heavy fighting near Quang Tri. Specialist Fourth Class Dwight W. Birdwell was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day, leading his men in a successful assault on enemy positions.
1973
On April 11, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords had been signed, officially ending U.S. combat involvement in Vietnam. No significant military actions occurred on this date, but the process of withdrawal and the establishment of peacekeeping forces were underway.
Gulf War 1990 and US-Iraq War 2003: April 11
Gulf War 1990
On April 11, 1990, the Gulf War had not yet begun. However, tensions were escalating between Iraq and Kuwait, with Iraq accusing Kuwait of slant drilling and overproducing oil. No significant military actions occurred on this date, but the groundwork for the war was being laid through diplomatic maneuvers and military preparations.
US-Iraq War 2003
On April 11, 2003, the US-Iraq War, also known as the Iraq War, was ongoing. The U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Buford Blount, was engaged in heavy fighting near Baghdad. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, part of the 3rd Infantry Division, was involved in intense combat operations. Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on this day, sacrificing himself to save his comrades from enemy fire. The fighting on this day resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with the U.S. forces managing to secure key positions in Baghdad.
