Greatest Defensive Battle by a Small Unit

[livefast2011]

Sorry forgot to say that xerxes was so pissed off at the spartans that he had Leonidas beheaded and than crucified him....yeah

[Ronguild]

I would add Camerone 30th april 1863 where a few dozen of légionnaires managed to stop the mexican army. A relic is still preserved in Aubagne (France) : The wood hand of the capitaine Danjou.
They were 63 and 52 died.
After the hacienda had been invested by the mexican infantry, 4 wounded légionnaires charge with the baïonnettes.

[Eoin666]

Battle of Montgisard in 1177

375 Knights of Jerusalem and 80 Templars, with a "couple of thousand" infantry caught Saladin with his 30,000 troops by surprise and annihilated them causing 90% casualties, defensive in that it prevented the muslim assault on Jerusalem and caused Saladin to retreat back to his powerbase in Cairo resulting in a year of peace.

[SnakeBiteLeader]

Rorke's Drift.

[sheroo]

I am not sure if this one was mentioned before. It it was I apologise for the repost
another one was the Battle of Saragarhi

The Battle of Saragarhi was fought during the Tirah Campaign on 12 September 1897 between twenty one Sikhs of the 4th Battalion (then 36th Sikhs) of the Sikh Regiment of British India, defending an army post, and 10,000 Afghan and Orakzai tribesmen in a last stand. The battle occurred in the North-West Frontier Province, now a part of Pakistan, which then formed part of British India.

The contingent of the twenty-one Sikhs from the 36th Sikhs was led by Havildar Ishar Singh. They all chose to fight to the death. Sikh military personnel and Sikh civilians commemorate the battle every year on 12 September, as Saragarhi Day.

Details of the Battle of Saraghari are considered fairly accurate, due to Gurmukh Singh signalling events to Fort Lockhart as they occurred.

When the gallantry of Saragarhi was recounted to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the recitation drew a standing ovation from the members. The saga of Saragarhi was also brought to the notice of Queen Victoria.
“ "The British, as well as the Indians, are proud of the 36th Sikh Regiments. It is no exaggeration to record that the armies which possess the valiant Sikhs cannot face defeat in war" - Parliament of the United Kingdom[5] ”
“ "You are never disappointed when you are with the Sikhs. Those 21 soldiers all fought to the death. That bravery should be within all of us. Those soldiers were lauded in Britain and their pride went throughout the Indian Army. Inside every Sikh should be this pride and courage. The important thing is that you must not get too big-headed it is important to be humble in victory and to pay respect to the other side." - Field Marshal William Joseph Slim, 1st Viscount Slim[8]



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraghari

[sheroo]

Rezang La, is a pass and is on the south-eastern approach to Chushul Valley. The feature was 3000 yards long and 2000 yards wide at an average height of 16,000 feet.

[edit] Overview

It was the site of the famous last stand of the of the 'C' Company of 13 Kumaon during the Sino-Indian War in 1962. The C Company was led by Major Shaitan Singh, who later won a Param Vir Chakra, for his actions, posthumously.

Rezang La had a very serious drawback from the Indian point of view. It was crested to Indian artillery because of an intervening feature, which meant that the Indian infantry had to make without the protective comfort of the big guns.

In this action, 109 Kumaonis out of a total of 123 were killed. Almost all jawans were Ahirs hailing from the Ahirwal region (see Valour of Ahirs [1], The Gods of Valour [2]). Of the 14 survivors, 9 were severely injured.

[edit] Memorial

There is a small memorial at the site, which reads:

How can a Man die Better than facing Fearful Odds,
For the Ashes of His Fathers and the Temples of His Gods,
To the sacred memory of the Heroes of Rezang La,
114 Martyrs of 13 Kumaon who fought to the Last Man,
Last Round, Against Hordes of Chinese on 18 November 1962.
Built by All Ranks 13th Battalion, The Kumaon Regiment.


[edit] Comments on the battle

* On this horrific battle, Major-General Ian Cardozo, in his book ‘Param Vir, Our Heroes In Battle’ writes,

"When Rezang La was later revisited dead jawans were found in the trenches still holding on to their weapons... every single man of this company was found dead in his trench with several bullet or splinter wounds. The 2-inch mortar man died with a bomb still in his hand. The medical orderly had a syringe and bandage in his hands when the Chinese bullet hit him... Of the thousand mortar bombs with the defenders all but seven had been fired and the rest were ready to be fired when the (mortar) section was overrun.".

* General T.N. Raina said:

"You rarely come across such example in the annals of world military history when braving such heavy odds, the men fought till the last bullet and the last man .Certainly the Battle of Rezang La is such a shining example."

* General K S Thimayya remarked,

"I had said many years ago that the Army must have a Ahir Regiment. The supreme sacrifice of the Charlie Company has fulfilled my expectations. I hope a suitable memorial will be built in Ahirwal in their memory so that the generations to come may seek inspiration from the immense courage and valour of their forefathers."

[matthew.manhorn]

Monte Cassino

[Eoin666]

I am not sure if this one was mentioned before. It it was I apologise for the repost
another one was the Battle of Saragarhi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraghari

I don't think you can ever tire of reading about Saragarhi

[JRT]

Detachment Pennanen in Winter war:

At the start of the Winter war there were only border guard troops in the very north of Finland. In the Petsamo region, CPT Antti Pennanen (later LTG) has total of 3 infantry companies and 1 field artillery battery at his disposal, a total of less than 800 men. His area of responsibility is about 50 x 200 km in size.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2459/507pxpetsamotu9.png (http://imageshack.us)
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2459/507pxpetsamotu9.ce5375e396.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=180&i=507pxpetsamotu9.png)

Against Detachment Pennanen is the Soviet 14th Army,comprising of 3 divisions: 14th ID, 52nd ID and 104th ID. Of those, 52nd and 104th took part in the battle. 14th Army had a total of 51 000 men of whom over 30 000 was in combat against the Finns.

Battle started when 104th ID invaded Kalastajansaarento (Rybachi), the peninsula on the tip of the Petsamo area. Pennanen took defensive positions in Parkkina and Luostari. DP held off the Soviet attack but was forced to move to delay because the enemy could swap fresh forces and wear the defenders out. Pennanen moved to sissi tactics, making platoon-sized infiltrations behind soviet advance, cutting the columns from the main body of Soviet forces and destroying the chopped troops. After 3 months of delay, Pennanen's forces were fighting at Nautsi area, having pulled back about 100 km. His only artillery battery was still functional and in firing positions and his front was about 70 km wide when news of the interim peace came.

Sorry if you feel DP was too large a unit for this thread, but by Soviet POV it was a very small unit.

[TheBelgian]

Battle of Camerone,Mexico 1863.60 foreign legionnaires fought against 1800 Mexicans.Few survive.30 years later Mexican army build a monument to honor legionnaires.

I have to agree with Camerone. Amazing story. The way I read it, the legionaires fought until there were only three of them left unscathed. Then these three mounted bayonets and charged the muzzels of the Mexicans. The Mexican commander surrounded them and offered to spare their lives if they surrendered their weapons and flags. The Legionaires refused, saying they'd either die there or leave the battlefield with their weapons, wounded comrades and their flag. The Mexicans, in awe at their valor, conceded, and let them leave with their honor intact.

I'm sure things weren't quite so glorious and inspiring during the actual battle, but still, an impressive story.

[Antey]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wizna

[dan_pub]

The defense of kibbutz Degania Alef by its farmers against the invasion by a Syrian armoured force.

The Syrian army invaded Israel immediately on the day of independence 15 May '48, with infantry and armour. One reinforced Syrian brigade assisted by an armored battalion and an artillery battalion attacked Degania.

The defenders had nearly no real weapons, no cannon, no armour, only one PIAT. They were basically a hasty mobilization of a the locals into a militia supported by a few fighters of the Palmach, yet they still managed to hold out the Syrians for days.

At the worst point the Syrians broke into the kibbutz itself with five tanks, armored cars and an infantry company. The villagers managed to destroy a tank with homemade "Molotov" petrol bombs and to repell the Syrians. Degania stood, and with it the Israeli villages of the Kineret.

One of the destroyed tanks is still at Degania, part of a memorial to the sixty-seven defenders who are burried there.


Unfortunately, this is far from being a unique story.


Yad Mordechai - יד מרדכי‎
On the other side of the country, kibbutz Yad Mordechai was attacked by the Egyptian army with infantry, artillery and air support. The 150 men and women of Yad Mordechai held out the whole Egyptian advance for 6 days. (150 men & women, with between themselves only 55 light weapons, one machine gun, and one two-inch mortar)
This stand gained critical time for the hagannah to set up the defense of Tel Aviv north of Ashdod.

On the 6th day, they ran out of ammunition completely and withdrew.

Yad Mordechai means "memorial to Mordechai". To Mordechai Anielewicz, the leader of the Warsaw ghetto uprising.


Nirim - נירים‎
In May of 1948, kibbutz Nirim had 40-some members when it was attacked by two Egyptian battalions reinforced by 6 armored cars, 20 universal carriers, and artillery.
The villagers had 10 rifles, 7 Italian carbines, 3 Sten, 1 Thompson, 1 Czech MG34 LMG, a Bren gun, one Austrian pre-ww1 Schwartzlose machine gun, 1 mortar, 1 PIAT. Plus some sacks of homemade explosives.

The 6th Egyptian battallion was commanded by one Gamal abdel-Nasser...

Even though every building was hit by artillery and burned, the farmers of Nirim held out. In the end, Nasser decided to declare victory and hold a 'victory celebration' in Rafah, rather than face these pesky Jews who wouldn't surrender.


Lots of other stories like this: Kibbutz Negba holding out for several months until relieved by op Yoav; Kfar Darom holding out a 3 months siege before falling, etc. From North to South, from coast to Jerusalem, the whole nation was a desperate last stand against a sea of invaders.

It's each little last stand, at Nirim and at Degania and elsewhere, which propped up the morale of defenders and allowed them to stemm the tide, inch by inch at first, then building up momentum and turning the tables onto the invaders in the final stages of the war.

[dan_pub]

The question was asked about who fought at Monte cassino.
Many nationalities have been cited, but one was forgotten. The very one that finally broke through and caused the collapse of the Gustav line: The Free French Forces, and their Moroccan Goumiers of the Corps de montagne.

In the words of the allied commander, General Mark Clark:

"In spite of the stiffening enemy resistance, the 2nd Moroccan Division penetrated the Gustav Line in less than two day’s fighting. The next 48 hours on the French front were decisive. The knife-wielding Goumiers swarmed over the hills, particularly at night, and General Juin’s entire force showed an aggressiveness hour after hour that the Germans could not withstand. Cerasola, San Giorgio, Mt. D’Oro, Ausonia and Esperia were seized in one of the most brilliant and daring advances of the war in Italy... For this performance, which was to be a key to the success of the entire drive on Rome, I shall always be a grateful admirer of General Juin and his magnificent FEC."

Lest we forget.

[filochard]

Thanks dan seems like those who broke the front and opened the door of Roma were a little forgotten.

I didn't read everything but it seems Bir-Hakeim was forgotten as well. WTF?? they probably saved the 8th army.


The Battle of Bir Hakeim
At the end of May 1942, the Free French 1st brigade occupied the southern sector of the British 8th Army's deployment in Libya, facing German and Italian Axis troops. This was a key point on the extreme left of the position since it could prevent any potential encirclement from the south of Allied forces retreating in disarray from the defeat and the fall of Tobruk that had opened the road to Cairo for the German tanks.
On 27 May 1942, the position of Bir Hakeim came under attack from the Italian "Ariete" armoured division and was engaged in fierce fighting that even reached into the interior of the stronghold. The enemy was driven back, leaving 40 tanks on the field.
From 1 to 10 June the position came under methodical attack and was completely surrounded by German and Italian forces in vastly superior numbers. General Rommel, in command of the enemy forces, endeavoured to remove the obstacle barring his advance. General Koenig, commanding the French brigade, responded to an ultimatum from Rommel calling upon him to surrender, with the words, "We are not here to surrender".
Despite the most intense artillery fire and aerial bombardment, the brigade held off every enemy attack, gave not an inch of ground and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.
The incredible boldness of a group of volunteers from the "Train" (transport corps) enabled a convoy of 30 lorries to reach the position under cover of night. By 10 June, however, supplies of water, food and ammunition were virtually exhausted. The garrison was given the order to retreat by the commander of the British 8th Army. During the night of 10 to 11 June, the brigade broke through the encircling enemy lines by sheer force, negotiating mine fields and bringing back its wounded and any equipment still usable.
By holding out for far longer than could have been hoped, in a feat which won worldwide acclaim, the Free French 1st Brigade had enabled the British 8th Army to withdraw in good order and had won the time needed to prepare for a reversal of the situation at El Alamein. For the French population labouring under German oppression, it confirmed their faith in their destiny and in ultimate victory. The Resistance inside France, under Jean Moulin and Christian Pineau, joined with Free France to create a single Fighting France.

[Atlantic Friend]

The defense of kibbutz Degania Alef by its farmers against the invasion by a Syrian armoured force.

Is it the battle which is called "The battle of the Chinese farm" ?

[Snoshi]

Is it the battle which is called "The battle of the Chinese farm" ?

No, battle of the Chinese farm was a major battle during the Yom-Kippur war.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_The_Chinese_Farm

[Atlantic Friend]

No, battle of the Chinese farm was a major battle during the Yom-Kippur war.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_The_Chinese_Farm

Thanks a lot !

[Wally1967]

Battle of Kapyong 4 aussies held back 3 waves of Chinese attack on the flank during Korea war.

***during the withdrawal of the Australians, 4 men from B Company, 3RAR, formed a rearguard to hold off any flanking attacks.
The 4 Australians held off 3 waves of Chinese soldiers, consisting of roughly 200 men in each wave, killing at least 25 and wounding many more. For this, they were awarded American service medals.***

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kapyong

[I can't think of a name]

My only problem with Thermopylae winning the poll is that it is the battle we know least about. Especially regarding numbers, units etc.

[MostlyHarmless]

What about those die hard Soviet soldiers that hid at Brest Litovsk? I recall reading about a Soviet tanker who waited three whole days in his destroyed tank before taking out a German officer. Not exactly the greatest defensive battle of all time, but pure determination of Soviet remnants there always fascinated me. Sitting for days in a tank? Lets hope he at least got the Order of Lenin for that one.

[BearInBunnySuit]

Battle of Kapyong 4 aussies held back 3 waves of Chinese attack on the flank during Korea war.

***during the withdrawal of the Australians, 4 men from B Company, 3RAR, formed a rearguard to hold off any flanking attacks.
The 4 Australians held off 3 waves of Chinese soldiers, consisting of roughly 200 men in each wave, killing at least 25 and wounding many more. For this, they were awarded American service medals.***

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kapyong

Amazing. I've read up quite a bit on the Korean War but wasn't too familiar with this one. Thanks for sharing.

[Panzerfaust99]

Battle of Monte Cassino was a lost to the Germans, but they did a good of trying to hold it. There was 105,000 Allied troops and only 80,000 German troops. Von Senger und Etterlin was responsible for the very successful defense of the Gustav line(January 17, 1944), which included Monte Cassino. The German position was only broken by the Allies in May 18, 1944. These operations resulted in casualties of over 54,000 Allied and only 20,000 German soldiers.

[eugenlitwin]

Detachment Pennanen in Winter war:

At the start of the Winter war there were only border guard troops in the very north of Finland. In the Petsamo region, CPT Antti Pennanen (later LTG) has total of 3 infantry companies and 1 field artillery battery at his disposal, a total of less than 800 men. His area of responsibility is about 50 x 200 km in size.

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2459/507pxpetsamotu9.png (http://imageshack.us)
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2459/507pxpetsamotu9.ce5375e396.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=180&i=507pxpetsamotu9.png)

Against Detachment Pennanen is the Soviet 14th Army,comprising of 3 divisions: 14th ID, 52nd ID and 104th ID. Of those, 52nd and 104th took part in the battle. 14th Army had a total of 51 000 men of whom over 30 000 was in combat against the Finns.

Battle started when 104th ID invaded Kalastajansaarento (Rybachi), the peninsula on the tip of the Petsamo area. Pennanen took defensive positions in Parkkina and Luostari. DP held off the Soviet attack but was forced to move to delay because the enemy could swap fresh forces and wear the defenders out. Pennanen moved to sissi tactics, making platoon-sized infiltrations behind soviet advance, cutting the columns from the main body of Soviet forces and destroying the chopped troops. After 3 months of delay, Pennanen's forces were fighting at Nautsi area, having pulled back about 100 km. His only artillery battery was still functional and in firing positions and his front was about 70 km wide when news of the interim peace came.

Sorry if you feel DP was too large a unit for this thread, but by Soviet POV it was a very small unit.

Petsamo area is Russia today, right?

[rhodtpr]

Have not seen it mentioned here yet (and it may be too big of a battle?) but the Turkish defense of Plevna 1877-78 must rank as one of the greatest "against all odds" battles in military history. 40,000 Turks facing off against 150,000+ Russians and their allies.

Just imagine, single shot black powder Martini-Henry rifles cutting down Russian troops at 2000+ yards and then switching to 14 shot Winchester lever action rifles for those poor Russians who made it within 200yds!

By the end of the 3rd battle of the Plevna Delay the Russians had lost 543 officers and 22,407 troops (not including their allies losses) to the Turkish loss of 10,000 men commanded by Field Marshal Osman Pasha.

Some pretty good shooting and fire control discipline from the Turkish soldiers and officers in a losing battle!p-)

[JRT]

Petsamo area is Russia today, right?

Right you are.

[M. chivers]

yum kippur war
tzivka force
and the battle in the bacha valley

[KilledByAGirl]

One of the greatest victories by a severely outnumbered force, in my opinion, was the Battle of Pharsalus. This, of course, was a civil battle of the first triumvirate. Not only are the events leading up to the battle quite interesting, but Caesar had every disadvantage, with the exception of one. His soldiers were hardened veterans and extremely loyal and motivated since they had to fight or die, as they were cornered and declared as traitors. Caesar's disadvantages in this battle led to Pompey's and the senate's underestimation of the difficulty of the battle.

Caesar's superior tactics and deployment of his troops, ultimately, led to Pompey's strong cavalry being crushed and fleeing, allowing Caesar to flank Pompey at the exact moment that Caesar pushed a fresh line of infantry on the front line. Pompey's army was, then, easily defeated. Caesar took command of Pompey's remaining forces as Pompey fled to Egypt where he was promptly beheaded by Ptolemy's men. This gave Rome to Caesar, and we all know what happened after that!