On this day...... 9 September
1513: The English inflicted a catastrophic defeat on the Scots at Flodden Field in Northumberland, King James IV of Scotland falling along with the flower of Scots nobility. James had invaded England with perhaps 30,000 or more men whilst Henry VIII was engaged against the French on the Continent, but he was met by a veteran English general, the Earl of Surrey, commanding northern English troops. The English longbows achieved their last memorable victory, mowing down the Scots pikemen. Some 10,000 were reported killed, including most of the Scots gentry who formed the front rank.
1916: On the Somme, Corporal Clarke of the Eastern Ontario Regiment led a grenade-armed section in an effort to hold up German counter-attacks whilst a newly captured section of trench was prepared for defence behind them. Most of his men had fallen casualty when a fresh counter-attack by more than twenty Germans materialised. Clarke met them alone, armed only with a revolver, and despite suffering a bayonet wound, killed five opponents and drove the rest off. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.
1940: Another large attack on London was attempted by the Luftwaffe in the late afternoon, but met fierce opposition from Fighter Command . The day's events are recorded on the RAF's Battle of Britain website.
1943: US and British troops landed at Salerno in Operation Avalanche. The landings proceeded well to begin with, but then encountered strong German forces. Elsewhere in southern Italy, Royal Navy warships landed British troops at Taranto: the Italian garrison met them with cheers.