On this day...... 16 August

1652: Sir George Ayscue, with 40 warships, attacked a Dutch convoy escorted by de Ruyter with 39 warships off the Brittany coast.  The only ship lost was an English fireship, but heavy damage was suffered on both sides: the Dutch Eendracht and English Bonaventure were in a particularly battered state, and Ayscue's flagship had over 60 cannon shot embedded in her hull.

1812: An action was fought at Fort Detroit during the British-American war of 1812-14.  In July 1812, Brigadier-General Hull invaded Canada with 2,500 US troops, calling on the Canadians to join the United States.  However, in the face of some 100 British regulars, 300 Canadian militia, and Indian allies led by Tecumseh, Hull retreated back across the Detroit river on 11 August.  Attacked in Fort Detroit on 16 August by Major General Brock and Tecumseh, Hull surrendered, despite still enjoying a significant numerical advantage.

1880: In Afghanistan, Lieutenant Chase and Private Ashford rescued a wounded man under heavy fire, and managed to carry him to safety.  Both received the Victoria Cross.

1917: In Belgium, a fresh British offensive was launched at Langemarck during the Third Battle of Ypres.  The German defenders included one Adolf Hitler.  The initial attack, launched behind a creeping barrage, proved successful by Western Front standards, with the village retaken and the British troops advancing half a mile beyond.  Five VCs were won that day:

• Company Quartermaster-Sergeant Grimbaldeston, King's Own Scottish Borderers
• Sergeant Cooper, King's Royal Rifle Corps
• Lance Corporal Room, Royal Irish Regiment
• Private Edwards, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
• Private Brown, Alberta Regiment (posthumous)

1940: Heavy Luftwaffe attacks continued along the south coast.  The air defences claimed some 72 victories; 22 RAF fighters were lost.  The day's events are recorded on the RAF's Battle of Britain website.  Flight Lieutenant James Nicholson, 249 Squadron RAF, attacked and shot down a German aircraft near Gosport, despite having a head wound and his Hurricane already being on fire.  Baling out badly burnt, he then endured shots fired by over-zealous members of the Home Guard, which killed another RAF pilot also parachuting to the ground.  Nicholson was awarded the only Victoria Cross won by Fighter Command during the Second World War.  He died in a flying accident in May 1945.

1944: An attack by a company of the Welch Regiment on German positions in Normandy suffered very heavy casualties from enemy fire and booby-traps.  The only surviving officer, Lieutenant Watkins, took command, and although his effective strength had been reduced to just 30 men, led them in a successful charge against nearly twice as many opponents.  However, the company then found itself isolated.  Before withdrawing, Watkins personally eliminated a dangerous enemy machine-gun position, then skilfully extracted his men during the night.  He received the Victoria Cross.

2004: A sudden flash-flood engulfed the village of Boscastle in Cornwall, the waters carrying away buildings and numerous cars at the height of the tourist season.  Three Royal Navy and three Royal Air Force Sea King search and rescue helicopters were scrambled from RNAS Culdrose, RAF St Mawgan and Chivenor.  Working in torrential rain and with visibility at times down to 50 metres, the aircraft lifted over 100 people to safety, one aircraft alone ferrying 55 people.  Those rescued included a sixteen-month old baby, winched from the roof of a stranded car in a rucksack.  Thanks to the efforts of the SAR crews and other emergency services, no lives were lost despite the appalling damage to the village.