Today in British History

[Cutaway]

Castle Cornet holds the rather dubious distinction of being the only British castle ever to be deliberately attacked by the RAF.

The others all in error ?

 

[Albertous]

The others all in error ?

Damn beaten to it as that was exactly my thought.

 

[Queensman]

29th December 1940

On the evening of December 29, 1940, London suffers its most devastating air raid when the Germans firebomb the city. Hundreds of fires caused by the exploding bombs engulfed areas of London, but firefighters showed a valiant indifference to the bombs falling around them and saved much of the city from destruction. The next day, a newspaper photo of St. Paul’s Cathedral standing undamaged amid the smoke and flames seemed to symbolize the capital’s unconquerable spirit during the Battle of Britain.

 

[SkippedOnce]

29th December 1940

On the evening of December 29, 1940, London suffers its most devastating air raid when the Germans firebomb the city. Hundreds of fires caused by the exploding bombs engulfed areas of London, but firefighters showed a valiant indifference to the bombs falling around them and saved much of the city from destruction. The next day, a newspaper photo of St. Paul’s Cathedral standing undamaged amid the smoke and flames seemed to symbolize the capital’s unconquerable spirit during the Battle of Britain.

Something for everyone today, courtesy of Wiki:

1170 – Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II; he subsequently becomes a saint and martyr in the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church.

1778 – American Revolutionary War: Three thousand British soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell capture Savannah, Georgia.

1812 – USS Constitution, under the command of Captain William Bainbridge, captures HMS Java off the coast of Brazil after a three-hour battle.

1860 – The launch of HMS Warrior, with her combination of screw propeller, iron hull and iron armour, renders all previous warships obsolete.

1937 – The Irish Free State is replaced by a new state called Ireland with the adoption of a new constitution.

2006 – The UK settles its Anglo-American loan, post-WWII loan debt.

 

[Gary Cooper]

30th December 1917​

HMT Aragon was sunk by a U Boat off the coast of Egypt. Aragon and another transport ship, the Nile, left Marseille in December 1917. Aboard Aragon were about 2,500 personnel, including 160 VADs, to reinforce units based in Egypt. The two ships anchored at Windy Bay, Malta on 23rd December where they remained for four or five days before continuing on to Alexandria. For the last leg of the journey they were escorted by HMS Attack and two Japanese Navy Destroyers. Off the coast of Egypt, the Nile continued to Port Said with the two Japanese ships while Aragon was ordered to anchor in Alexandria roads while HMS Attack swept the channel into the harbour for mines. While Attack was away, Aragon received an order from an armed Trawler HMT Points Castle to follow her into port. As they entered the channel, Attack reappeared and ordered the Captain of the Aragon back out to sea.

It was now about 11 am and both Aragon and HMS Attack were at sea about 10 miles from Alexandria when the troopship was hit by a torpedo fired by UC-34, a German submarine commanded by an Austrian, Oberleutnant zur See Horst Obermüller.

The Aragon began to list badly, preventing some of her lifeboats being launched. Despite their protests, the 160 members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment were ordered on the first lifeboat to be launched. HMS Attack and Points Castle began rescuing men from the sea and transferring men from the ship by line. During this operation UC 34 launched another torpedo hitting HMS Attack amidships. Oil from her bunkers flooded onto the sea smothering some of the men in the water. Aragon sank about 20 minutes after being hit. HMS Attack broke in two pieces, sinking within 7 minutes. As well as her crew of 70, she had between 300 and 400 personnel from Aragon aboard. In all 10 men of HMS Attack died in the disaster while some 600 of those aboard the Aragon died, including her Captain, Frank Bateman, 19 of her crew and 6 members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment.

HMT Aragon - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Gary Cooper]

unfortunately the others had only the same references in the History, not quite sure awhy Brien didn't get a gong but he does not re emerge.. Taught me bit as well-like how much research you must be doing. Impressive!!

It only took me five years but, O'Brien was probably overlooked as he was KIA the following day.

 

[Queensman]

25 January 1759

Robert Burns, The Bard, was born in Alloway, Ayrshire.

 

[LeoRoverman]

25 January 1759

Robert Burns, The Bard, was born in Alloway, Ayrshire.

Left or right handed Haggis tonight?