1857: During the continuing fighting at Delhi, the British forces managed to reach the city's magazine. The mutineers counter-attacked to try and regain the ammunition supplies there. However, Lieutenant Renny of the Bengal Artillery climbed onto the magazine's wall and, lighting their fuzes, proceeded to throw shells by hand at the attacking troops. His efforts helped break up the assault, and earned him the Victoria Cross. Second Lieutenant Thackeray, Bengal Engineers, was similarly decorated for fighting a dangerous fire amongst ammunition inside the magazine.

1897: Brigadier-General Elles' Mohmand Field Force conducted operations on the North-West Frontier, following an attack on a police post by tribesmen the previous month. Some fierce fighting flared up during the night at Bilot, where Lieutenants Colvin and Watson, Royal Engineers, and Corporal Smith, East Kent Regiment, all won the Victoria Cross for their gallantry fighting amidst burning buildings.

1914: The gunboat HMS Dwarf was rammed by the German vessel Nachtigal in an action on the Bimbia River in west Africa.

1916: On the Somme, Private Kerr of the Alberta Regiment refused medical treatment when he lost the fingers of one hand in a shell explosion, and instead went forward to support a grenade attack on the Germans positions. As the bombing party exhausted its supply of grenades, Kerr ran along the top of the trench under heavy fire to get into a flanking position. His injuries notwithstanding, he opened fire with such effect that the Germans believed they were surrounded and 62 men surrendered. Kerr received the Victoria Cross.

1918: In France, Corporal Hunter led an isolated section of the Highland Light Infantry in a successful 48 hour defence without food or sufficient water against repeated German attacks. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

1940: Following its heavy losses the previous day, the Luftwaffe proved reluctant to make another attempt during daylight hours, instead switching to heavier activity at night, both against London and other targets throughout the country. The night raids saw the first use by the Germans of sea-mines as blast bombs. The mines, normally fitted with magnetic fuses for use against shipping in shallow waters, were designed for dropping into the sea by parachute. The Luftwaffe modified them for use as an area weapon against British cities - each contained 1,500lbs of explosive. At least 25 were dropped on the first night: thanks to their parachute descent, 17 failed to explode. Since the mines required specialist defusing skills, 19 Royal Navy officers, who had been engaged on dealing with mines recovered from the sea, were diverted to augment the Army explosive ordnance teams working in the cities.

1943: Australian and US forces succeeded in eliminating the Japanese garrison at Lae in New Guinea.

1944: In preparation for Operation Market Garden the following day, Bomber Command attacked enemy airfields in the Netherlands and north-west Germany.