1916: Having previously completed three reconnaissance missions and two further attacks (dropping 8,500 lbs of bombs) Zeppelin LZ78 was shot down off Hartlepool by BE2c aircraft No. 2738, piloted by Second Lt Ian Pyott. Pyott drove home his attack to such close range that his face was scorched when LZ78 blew up.

1917: At Fontaine Notre Dame, a company of Scots Guards successfully captured their objective, but lost all their officers in so doing. Sergeant John McAulay took charge of the company, and despite incessant bombardment organised a skilful defence of the position against heavy counter-attacks, as well as carrying his wounded company commander to safety, although the officer sadly died later.

McAulay was awarded the Victoria Cross.

1940: Force H, commanded by Vice Admiral Sir James Somerville, was providing cover for a convoy sailing from Gibraltar to Alexandria when the Italian Navy dispatched a powerful force (including 2 battleships and seven heavy cruisers).

Although outnumbered, Somerville intercepted the Italians off Cape Spartivento, Sardinia, with the battlecruiser Renown, the carrier Ark Royal, and five cruisers. One cruiser, HMS Berwick, suffered damage in the ensuing action, but the Italians abandoned the operation and the convoy got through safely.

1941 - The US Chief of Naval Operations sent a "war warning" to commanders of Pacific and Asiatic Fleets