On This Day ... in 1338 & Others
French naval superiority at the start of the Hundred Years War was brutally demonstrated with an amphibious assault on Southampton by several thousand men under the ruthless admiral Hugh Quieret.
The town's defences were completely inadequate, and most of the local militia fled. The small garrison of professional troops, backed by the braver elements from the townspeople, defeated the first assault but were then overrun by Italian mercenaries. The French and Italians thoroughly looted the town, but the next morning started to come under attack again, whereupon they withdrew, leaving Southampton in flames.
1918: During an attack by Australian infantry on Montbrehain in France, Lieutenant George Ingram, 24th (Victoria) Battalion, charged a concentration of nine German machine-guns, killing over 40 of their crew.
He went on to attack another machine-gun position and two strongpoints, taking over 60 prisoners. He received the Victoria Cross.
Montbrehain was the AIF's final action in France in the First World War, in which the 2nd Division captured the village at a cost of 430 casualties.
1940: The Luftwaffe launched six significant daylight raids on south and south-east England, followed by the usual night attacks on London.
1944: British troops landed in Greece to begin the liberation of the country after three years occupation. German troops chose not to defend the Peloponnese and withdrew towards their main garrison in Athens.