On This Day ... in 1645 & Others
The battle which decided the outcome of the English Civil War was fought at Naseby. Sir Thomas Fairfax commanded Parliament's New Model Army against King Charles' Royalist forces. Whilst the outnumbered, Royalist infantry held their own in the centre, Prince Rupert's cavalry swept away the Parliamentarian horse on one flank. However, Oliver Cromwell's cavalry proved equally effective on the other flank. Unlike Rupert, Cromwell was then able to swing his horsemen round to decide the infantry battle in the centre.
1917: During continuing fighting around Messines, a concealed German machine-gun opened up on the rear of troops from the South Lancashire Regiment. Private Ratcliffe charged the position and wiped out its crew in a bayonet fight. He then carried the weapon forward to supplement his own unit's firepower. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.
1941: Reinforced by precious deliveries of new tanks shipped from the UK, British and Commonwealth forces in the Western Desert launched Operation Battleaxe against Rommel's Axis troops in an effort to relieve Tobruk. However, the British armour suffered heavily from a skilful German anti-tank defence, and the operation concluded on 17 June without success.
1942: Aircraftsman First Class O'Neill was one of a party of personnel from the newly formed RAF Regiment aboard the merchantman SS Aagtekirk en route for Malta. The ship was unable to remain in the safety of the convoy, and was diverted towards Tobruk. It came under heavy air attack. O'Neill manned an anti-aircraft gun, until a bomb blast destroyed it and left him seriously wounded. He nevertheless helped the ship's captain attempt to rig hand steering gear .When the ship finally sank, he saved the lives of two colleagues in the water before being rescued. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, a unique award to an RAF Regiment member.
1982: General Menendez, commanding Argentine forces in the Falklands, surrendered to Major-General Moore.