Facebook logo

Today in Military History
3 November 1760

The Prussian army of Frederick the Great defeat the Austrians in the Battle of Torgau. In August 1760, the Austrians failed to destroy Prussia’s army in Silesia. Despite outnumbering the Prussian force three-to-one, the Prussians were able to break out of the Austrian trap. The Austrians then united with Gen. Tottleben’s Russian army near Berlin and marched on the Prussian capital. Capturing 3,000 Prussian troops in Berlin, the bulk o...f the Prussian army took refuge in the Spandau Fortress. Rebuilding his army, Frederick marched south into Saxony following the Austrian withdrawal from Berlin. The two sides clashed near the town of Torgau, where the Austrians had established defensive positions. In one of the bloodiest battles of the Seven Years War, the Prussians were able to drive the Austrians back and control the Süptitzer Höhen heights west of the town. The Prussians lost nearly 17,000 men in the battle while the Austrians lost 12,000 and 49 artillery pieces were captured by the Prussians.

Today in Military History
29 October 1956

The forces of France, United Kingdom, and Israel begin military operations against Egypt sparking the Suez Crisis. The Suez Canal has been an important shipping route since its inception in 1869. The British had maintained control over the canal, but in 1951 the Egyptians repudiated the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty and began to withdraw from the region. The withdrawal was complete by 18 July 1956. Following the British and American refusal t...o support construction of the Aswan Dam, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. In response to the nationalization, the French and British allied with Israel to take control of the canal and the Sinai Peninsula. The Israelis commenced operations against the Egyptians with Operation Kadesh. Striking deep into the Sinai Peninsula, the Israelis were aided by French and British attacks in Operation Musketeer. While militarily the joint-operations were a success, international condemnation for the attack led to a political victory for the Egyptians. Following the crisis, the United Nations intervened in the Sinai Peninsula, establishing the first United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF), which remained in place until the 1967 Six-Day War.

Now Available!
Strategy & Tactics #296!

https://shop.strategyandtacticspress.com/ProductDetails.asp…