On This Day ... in 1776 & Others
Representatives of the thirteen American colonies in rebellion against the rule of George III signed a declaration of independence at Philadelphia, formalising the revolution which had commenced 15 months previously.
1879: Lord Chelmsford's army of 5,300 British and African troops attacked Cetshwayo's capital at Ulundi, advancing in a square formation. Some 20,000 Zulus charged to protect the kraal, but the superior British firepower inflicted about 6,000 fatalities, for the loss of only ten British troops. The power of the Zulu kingdom was destroyed.
1901: In South Africa, Trooper Crandon of the 18th Hussars went back to help a comrade who had been wounded along with his horse. Under heavy Boer fire, Crandon gave the casualty his own horse, and had to run back over 1,000 yards on foot to safety. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.
1915: South-west of Ireland, the military horse transport Anglo-Californian, commanded by Lieutenant Parslow RNR, was attacked on the surface by a U-boat. Knowing that escorts had been dispatched to his aid, Parslow refused to abandon ship and although defenceless, prolonged the fight as long as he could. Exposed on the bridge, he was hit by enemy fire and killed. He was awarded a posthomous VC.
1918: Australian troops attacked at Hamel Wood, two Victoria Crosses being won. Private Dalziel, a machine-gun loader, went forward with just a revolver to take out successfully a fortified German strong-point which was holding up the advance, then, despite being wounded, braved enemy fire to bring up to the front line additional ammunition. He was eventually wounded in the head and evacuated. Lance-Corporal Axford mounted a similar lone attack on a group of enemy machine-guns, killing ten gunners with the bayonet and taking the rest prisoner.
1940: As German aircraft increased their attacks on shipping in the English Channel, raids began to be mounted on Channel ports as well. At Portland, HMS Foylebank came under heavy attack. A bomb explosion smashed one of Leading Seaman Mantle's legs, but he ignored his injuries to continue manning his anti-aircraft gun until he died of loss of blood. He was awarded a posthumous VC.
His citation reads:
Leading Seaman Jack Mantle was in charge of the Starboard pom-pom gun when HMS Foylebank was attacked by enemy aircraft on the 4th of July 1940. Early in the action his left leg was shattered by a bomb, but he stood fast at his gun and went on firing with hand-gear only: for the ship's electric power had failed. Almost at once he was wounded again in many places. Between his bursts of fire he had time to reflect on the grievous injuries of which he was soon to die but his great courage bore him up till the end of the fight, when he fell by the gun he had so valiantly served.
1941: RAF Blenheims were dispatched on daylight raids against Norderney, a power station and chemical works at Choques, and Bremen. The Bremen raid, undertaken by twelve aircraft led by the Australian commanding officer of 105 Squadron, Wing Commander Edwards, encountered heavy anti-aircraft fire. Despite the loss of four aircraft, Edwards pressed home the attack at 50 feet. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his steadfast leadership.
1942: Bomber Command helped the USAAF units beginning to arrive in Britain to mark Independence Day by mounting their first significant operation, lending six Boston light bombers to US aircrews awaiting delivery of their own aircraft from the USA. The six US crews joined six RAF crews in very low-level attacks on German airfields in the Netherlands. Met by intense anti-aircraft fire, two US and one RAF Bostons were lost.
1943: An RAF Liberator transport aircraft, carrying General Sikorski, the Polish Prime Minister in exile, crashed on take-off from Gibraltar. The only survivor was the pilot.
Comments
Can I join in wishing our American cousins a Happy 4th July Holiday!
We know this marks the occasion when some damn upstarts in the Colonies – not realising they'd never had it so good – started bitching and moaning about no taxation without representation or some such political mumbo-jumbo that was quite popular at the time...... but those of us from the Mother Country DO NOT HOLD A GRUDGE!
Now, of course, y'all have taxation WITH representation - so we're not sure why you are still bitching and moaning.
We think we got the last laugh. In retrospect, sixpence on pound of tea doesn't sound so bad, does it!!!
Is that why y'all prefer coffee?
Semper Fi, “Here's tae us” and I propose a joint toast; The Queen.
;-)
Posted by: Gweilicus | July 4, 2008 10:54 AM
From the Colonies, I raise a glass in a toast to the Queen; and a second toast to you Bulldogs, who have stood with us time and again in adversity.
Posted by: Joseph | July 4, 2008 11:08 AM
Here's to the Anglosphere!
Posted by: Carl Huffman | July 6, 2008 6:50 PM
Here's to a 994 year tradition of the rule of law. Better years ahead. And thanks to Mr. FM and clan for your most enjoyable blog.
Posted by: Cris | July 4, 2009 2:57 AM
In fact, Gweilicus, the taxed tea was cheaper than the smuggled product, but it was, in fact, the spirit of the thing: Parliament had never taxed the colonies, had never paid them the slightest attention, in fact, and the combination of taxes, restrictions on western expansion, what was seen as coddling of the Indians, and troops quartered in towns--often is forcibly requisitioned housing--were seen as tyranny.
Ben Franklin warned Mother England that, by accepting Canada rather than France's Caribbean possessions after the French and Indian War, England was taking away the biggest reason for Americans to remain loyal, but not only did the Crown not listen, but they went and stirred up the Indian frontier, and tried to squeeze the colonists to pay for it.
Posted by: D.W. Drang | July 4, 2009 5:34 AM
The Queen!
Posted by: RickinNC | July 4, 2009 12:46 PM
Yes, the pater's ancestors were at Valley Forge and Trenton, and fought in the Indian Wars. Then they got tired of the Eastern Seaboard and ventured west. We are whining about the egregious taxation by our representatives. Heh.
Our Anglo friends across the Pond have been tried and true, and the colonists had their advocates ini Parliament as well. God Save your Queen and all you fine people.
Posted by: Cricket | July 4, 2009 2:22 PM
At least the USA, when becoming independent, actually became INDEPENDENT. Australia, South Africa, Rhodesia, Canada and New Zealand all had independence too. Compare that to all the other Rinky-Dink countries that once flourished under British Rule, who got independence then became more dependent than ever. Indeed, their populations realised what a pile of garbage independence was and proceeded to follow us back to Blighty! Now they depend on us for homes, benefits, health care and education, and occasionally work!!! Now Britain is host to vast colonies of these people, who will soon outnumber the real Brits. I'm sure davisd cameron will have some ideas as to what to do. More of the same, no doubt
Posted by: Frank | July 4, 2009 6:07 PM
Thank you for remembering the most important holiday in America (besides Kwanzaa and Earth Day, of course).
I think this video pretty much sums-up the attitude of most Americans that still matter.
Two... er, check that... One thumbs up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYc26WC4oYg
Posted by: SlimToonunn | July 4, 2009 8:39 PM
Funny how no one in england held a grudge about american independence, I guess that puts us in the club of good sports with japan and germany? it is a shame they just had to copy our sack of shit socialists, I have no doubt the bulldogs will again support real Americans against oppression.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
Posted by: chris Edwards | July 5, 2009 12:22 AM
God Save the Queen and America!
Lord knows we need a little help.
Yes, we like coffee but we like tea also...on ice. Except for Asian Americans who love it hot, as much as you do.
Posted by: POWinCA | July 5, 2009 6:13 AM
Thank you, Mr. FM, You are a gracious man, as always. And I'll raise a glass myself and say, "God Save the Queen."
Some of us are indeed irritated with our representation. Sometimes I mourn the lost art of tar and feathers.
Posted by: Larry Anderson | July 5, 2009 2:13 PM
Errrrr I love hot tea, and I'm not an Asian-American.
Anyway, history has shown that it's possible for cousins to have a falling-out (or two), and then carry on a wonderful relationship, one hopes for ever.
And on behalf of all Americans, please allow me to apologize to Britain for the current occupant of the Oval Office, and his graceless, tacky behavior in sending back the statue of Sir Winston.
3 1/2 more years to go...
Posted by: Kim du Toit | July 5, 2009 3:35 PM
A bit insensitive for Kim to remind a denizen of Wiltshire about how Cousins can carry on a wonderful relationship; cousins, that is considered outbreeding in Pewsey..
Posted by: The Englishman | July 7, 2009 7:47 AM
At the moment we're all thinking a mentally ill hereditary King imposing a tax only on tea, sugar, and printed materials would be a marked improvement over our current president/congress and their socialist innovations.
Independence seemed like such a good idea at the time. Who knew?
Posted by: POWinCA | July 14, 2009 5:48 AM