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.

[SBL]

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!

[major major]

The Battle of Mu'tah 3,000 muslim against 100,000 byzantine and ghassanids
600 muslim killed 3,350 from the other side
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mut%27ah

[Elfstone44]

Two Army of South Vietnam (ARVN) regiments withstood a two month seige by 5 NVA regular army divisions and held. For a week they took 14,000 rounds of artillery a day. Utterly amazing:

http://www.vlink.com/nlvnch/jennifer/anloc_e1.html

[cNR]

Wizna, Poland

8-11 September 1939

720 Poles vs. 42 000 Germans, 300 tanks, 700 guns, Luftwaffe support

Polish army stopped German XIX Panzerkorps for 3 days.

Ulus-Kert, Russia (Chechnya)

29 February–1 March (or 3 March), 2000

91 Russian VDV soldiers vs 2500 muslim soldiers (also taliban mercenary).

Casualties and losses:
- Russian - 84 soldiers
- Chechens - 200-400 rebels

Karballa, Iraq

1 april - 6 april, 2004
40 Poles and 40 Bulgarians vs. 1 000 - 3 000 Mahdi's militiants, Al-Kaida, mercenaries, Chechens

Casualties and losses:
-1 Bulgiarian soldier wounded
-100 - 400 terrorists

Toledo, Spain

July 21 – September 27 1936

800 spanish nationalists vs. 10 000 communists (Spanish, Soviet). Nationalists defend castle (Alcazar) and they are liberate by Franco's soldier. This is very important battle for civil war in Spain

Casualties and losses:
- Nationalists: 65 dead, 438 wounded, 22 missing
- Commies - unknown

Zbaraz, east Poland

July 10 - August 22, 1649

Jarema Wisniowiecki forces (7 000) vs. 200 000 Cossacks, 200 000 Tatars (total: 400 000)
Poles defend Zbaraz, Cossacks withdraw.

Cassualities - unknown.

Kircholm, Poland (today Latvia)

September 27, 1605

3 000 Poles (1700 Polish winged hussars, 1300 Infantry) vs. 12 000 Swedish (Infantry - 9 000, cavalry - 3000, 11 canons.)
Decisive Polish-Lithuanian victory

Cassualities:
-Poland: 100 infantry, 13 hussars
-Sweden: 6-9 thousand soldiers.

[diesel1907]

How about Grozny?

[AVV]

How about Grozny?
Do you mean Chechen fighters?

[Mordoror]

Wizna, Poland

8-11 September 1939

720 Poles vs. 42 000 Germans, 300 tanks, 700 guns, Luftwaffe support

Polish army stopped German XIX Panzerkorps for 3 days.

Ulus-Kert, Russia (Chechnya)

29 February–1 March (or 3 March), 2000

91 Russian VDV soldiers vs 2500 muslim soldiers (also taliban mercenary).

Casualties and losses:
- Russian - 84 soldiers
- Chechens - 200-400 rebels

Karballa, Iraq

1 april - 6 april, 2004
40 Poles and 40 Bulgarians vs. 1 000 - 3 000 Mahdi's militiants, Al-Kaida, mercenaries, Chechens

Casualties and losses:
-1 Bulgiarian soldier wounded
-100 - 400 terrorists

Toledo, Spain

July 21 – September 27 1936

800 spanish nationalists vs. 10 000 communists (Spanish, Soviet). Nationalists defend castle (Alcazar) and they are liberate by Franco's soldier. This is very important battle for civil war in Spain

Casualties and losses:
- Nationalists: 65 dead, 438 wounded, 22 missing
- Commies - unknown

Zbaraz, east Poland

July 10 - August 22, 1649

Jarema Wisniowiecki forces (7 000) vs. 200 000 Cossacks, 200 000 Tatars (total: 400 000)
Poles defend Zbaraz, Cossacks withdraw.

Cassualities - unknown.

Kircholm, Poland (today Latvia)

September 27, 1605

3 000 Poles (1700 Polish winged hussars, 1300 Infantry) vs. 12 000 Swedish (Infantry - 9 000, cavalry - 3000, 11 canons.)
Decisive Polish-Lithuanian victory

Cassualities:
-Poland: 100 infantry, 13 hussars
-Sweden: 6-9 thousand soldiers.

some remarks


1 000 - 3 000 Mahdi's militiants, Al-Kaida, mercenaries, Chechens
AlQaida and Chechen are very unlikely to take part of a Shia uprising
that smells BS
as for the 1000-3000 Mahdi's well let's say OK


arema Wisniowiecki forces (7 000) vs. 200 000 Cossacks, 200 000 Tatars (total: 400 000)
Poles defend Zbaraz, Cossacks withdraw.
like any dark age battle ennemy forces are often purposely overrated
it is very unlikely that 400 000 men were sustained to form an army at that time especially in that landscape; You have both to feed the men and the horses so i don't buy the 400 000 opponents
this is like much the 3 millions soldiers in the Persian army invading Greece during Antique time
historical meta analysis show that this is from a logistic point of view impossible

[Russianlynxy]

Hmm what about defense of Moscow?

28 soldiers holding off the entire Central Army.

[cNR]

AlQaida and Chechen are very unlikely to take part of a Shia uprising
that smells BS
as for the 1000-3000 Mahdi's well let's say OK


In Karbala uprising mainly forces were: Mahdi's militia, fighters of the Al-Qaeda, according to more later reports of Polish soldiers, mercenaries and Chechens.

And about Zbaraz - there really were above 300 000 - 400 000 peoples. Not regular, soldiers but cossacks (including peasants) and big İslâm III. Giray's tatars army. In Polish side there were mainly regular infantry and Winged Hussars

[Mordoror]

according to more later reports of Polish soldiers, sure
because in a fight everybody can distinguish a guy wearing a turban from another guy wearing the same turban but belonging to a different branch of terrorists/fighters
still to be proven by sources like BDA teams on the ground and intelligence reports


And about Zbaraz - there really were above 300 000 - 400 000 peoples. Not regular, soldiers but cossacks (including peasants) and big İslâm III. Giray's tatars army. In Polish side there were mainly regular infantry and Winged Hussarssure again
the link in wiki cites no sources and sound fishy to say the least (i quote 100 000 cossacks, 40 000 tatars and few (how precise) thousands valachs and turks)
well so historicaly accurate

just to explain how it works (without hurting any patriotism) you had in 1667 at Podhacje a battle with the same opponents
9000 poles vs 20 000 Tatars + 15 000 Cossacks + some 2-3000 turks
can you tell how an army can sink from 400 000 to 40 000 in 20 years ??

that is far more reasonnable and close to the truth that the previous 400 000 troops you are pulling in that thread

[cNR]

Because before battle at Podhajce there were many battles. I do not know that wikipedia is true information but I learn many about this events and there very propably version (that about 300-400 thousands) becasue there is all rebel forces. Why 300 000 is changed in 18 years to 18 000: Battle at Beresteczko (40-70 000 cossacks, tatars, peasants killed), Battle at Kopczyńce (many thousands), Battle at Krasne (10 000) and many smaller battles. Take into consideration desertion, hunger, illness.

[Mordoror]

again i am sorry but you should dwell a little more in history books
numbers are very often not accurate especially when sources are lacking (which is obvious for the batlle we are talking about)

i can take a clearer example : if we take the battle of Crecy between the French and the Brits, about the French forces, historians gave numbers as different as 18 000 up to 64 000 (1 to 4) in a battle that is far more studied and which is far more famous with more sources than Zbaraz

second point is to take in account meta analysis of the datas
as i said 400 000 men to feed is a huge number especially in that area of Crimea which was far from being the crop house it will become later

third point is to take in account the population number
the kingdom of Poland and Lithuanian in 1650 was around 11 millions inhabitants and still cannot afford armies numbering more than 20 000 - 30 000 soldiers

Ukraine was far less populated than Poland (no big cities, no indutry, no markets, no concentration of population) and you are talking of 100 000+ Cossacks ???

definitively i can't buy it until some sources are presented but we can agree to disagree

[DID]

Bastogne December 1944- January 1945
101th Airborn Div. & 10th Armored Div. Vs 5th Panzer Armee 15 divisions (including 4 armored divisions).

[Dave76]

Bastogne December 1944- January 1945
101th Airborn Div. & 10th Armored Div. Vs 5th Panzer Armee 15 divisions (including 4 armored divisions).
Where did you get those figures? The 101st & 10th (CCB) at Bastogne faced 4 understrengthdivisions, not 15.

[Tank34]

Some pretty good shooting and fire control discipline from the Turkish soldiers and officers in a losing battle!p-)
And 43 thousands of prisoners that surrendered to Russian in final of the siege. Would be okay if not so sad ending for Turkish army.

[laki]

Well is there even a question?

Thermopyles is well above and beyond the debate. When we talk small unit actions I guess opposing force ratios might be considered although even that may not give a definitive clue as to the ferocity of the battle and/or cunning involved. At Thermopyles that ratio at the end was at best 1000:1 to any mupltiple of 1000 depending on the historian.

For your entertainment a few other small and not-so-small unit actions to consider/recall/find interesting (Hellenic and non-Hellenic:)):

Battle for Pyroi Village, 1974:
Platoon of Greek Cypriot commandos from 13Commando Coy, 31 Commando Sqn, defend the village of Pyroi on 17 Aug1974 against a regiment-sized force of Turks. Hundreds of casualties on the Turkish side. None among the green berets. Held out against 4 waves of attacks throughout the day. Ordered to tactically withdraw out of the village at end of day. FN FALs, FN MAGs and AK-47s used, only! All conscripts with a reserve 2Lt in charge:)
Most of the following badasses took part:


http://psek.org/images/fotos_big/99.jpg
Battle for the ELDYK Army Base, 1974
300 Greek soldiers from the Greek Infantry Regiment of Cyprus face-off against 5000 Turks who are attacking their base camp. 14-16 Aug 74. The soliers have practically no food or water. 3 days. 40-45 degrees in the shade. A pair of soldiers bet on who is going to take out the most Tursk for a cup of frappe. They singlehandedly repulse a commando attack by about 150-200 turks approaching the camp stealthily. They kill or wound a few dozens of Turks between them. One of the two is cut down as he is the onnly one fighting while standing up ad refusing to take cover. He is bare naked from the waist up. Rambo though has nothing on him. ;-) The defenders provide rifle fire defence with some artillery support with very few heavy weapons among them. Turks are supported by constant close air support, artillery, significant tank force (15-20 tanks?), many heavy weapons. Turks manage to take the camp on day 3. 83 out the 300 are Greeks killed . The rest escape through hand-to-hand fighting with Turkish infantry coming in behind their tanks, Many hundreds (if not well over a thousand) turkish casualties.

Outpost Harry 1953
Harrowing stuff: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outpost_Harry

12th Hitelrjugend Division Normandy 1944
Not a very small unit action but a 20000 strong unit action against half the invasion landing force of the allies which however halted the allied advance on Caen (and therefore Paris) for 45 days. Monty planned on capturing it on Day 1 or 2 of the landings I think...

On the opposite side of the scale:
Zvika Force 1973
Lt Zvika Greengold, tank commander of just 3 tank - left with one by the end - successfuly halted the Syrian advance towards Israel in the 1973 war. Award highest award for valour. Quite rightly so... a one man saviour of Israel if there ever was one in that war.

These are just some 'good' samples. Not what I would considered the greatest!

[Domen]

third point is to take in account the population number
the kingdom of Poland and Lithuanian in 1650 was around 11 millions inhabitants and still cannot afford armies numbering more than 20 000 - 30 000 soldiers

Ukraine was far less populated than Poland (no big cities, no indutry, no markets, no concentration of population) and you are talking of 100 000+ Cossacks ???


First of all Poland-Lithuania was of course able to afford much bigger armies (and it did it for several times during that century) but the Polish-Lithuanian parliament was not eager to grant and collect taxes which were indispensible for paying soldier's pay to soldiers in such huge armies composed of professional soldiers. Another thing is that when it comes to non-professional armies, Poland-Lithuania was relying on so called pospolite ruszenie (levy en masse), which was considered as support for regular (professional) units. As pospolite ruszenie consisted only of nobles, and nobility was only some 8% of Polish-Lithuanian society, their number rather couldn't be higher than 100,000 even if gathering all "combat ready" male nobles from the entire country. Of course apart from nobility also peasants (however certainly just some of them) and especially townsmen could serve in regular armed forces or defend their towns as levies, but they were not serving in pospolite ruszenie, which was reserved only for nobles.

Cossacks on the other hand were not proffessional soldiers at all and they didn't receive soldier's pay (with the exception of situation when they were serving in Polish armies as so called Registery Cossacks), but they were the men of war (bandits, criminalists, etc.) and fought on their own. Their main "profession" was fighting and plundering (mainly lands of the Ottoman Empire). They were organized into a paramilitary organizaton called Zaporozhian Sich. There were at least 40,000 - 60,000 of Cossacks in the Ukraine at the beginning of 17th century, but during the uprising of 1648 their armies were largely reinforced by local peasants and Crimean Tatars. That's how they managed to gather armies of 100,000 men and bigger. Technically you can mobilize even 25% of your total population (so about 50% of total male population of certain area) and led them to battle.

See how Spartacus managed to gather a huge army in a very short time during the Third Servile War, starting with just a handful of men...



can you tell how an army can sink from 400 000 to 40 000 in 20 years ??


Combat casualties - yes - but mainly non-combat casualties (non-combat losses, such as hunger, desertions and diseases were always higher than combat casualties in all armies all the way through history until late 19th / early 20th century, maybe with some small exceptions). See for example how Napoleon's army sank from 500,000 to 40,000 in just several months during the Russian campaign in 1812. There we had got over 90% casualties in several months, here 90% casualties in 20 years and almost 200 years earlier (medicine & logistics were on lower level) - so nothing unusual at all.

And btw - I think that there were hardly any veterans from 1648 fighting at Podhajce - 20 years was a lot of time and people in 17th century usually lived shorter than today. If a Cossack had got 30 - 40 years in 1648, 20 years later at Podhajce the same man would be 50 - 60 years old. Considering what was the Cossack livestyle (unhealthy + very dangerous), a 60 years old Cossack, even if alive, rather wouldn't be able to fight any more.

Another explanation why armies were shrinking so fast is that soldiers were simply... going home. That's for example how Harold's army was "decimated" before the battle of Hastings (his men simply came back home after the battle of Stamford Bridge). Even relatively well disciplined (as for 17th century conditions) regular soldiers used to go away if they remained unpayed for too long. What about peasants and rebelious, hot-headed Cossacks?

[Domen]

Gen. Joachim von Kortzfleisch (commander of 1. Infanterie-Division during the Polish Campaign of 1939) wrote a three page memorandum for the troops dated November 9, 1939, on the subject of "Lessons of Gora Kamienska." What happened near Gora Kamienska? What lessons were taken there?

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

The whole thing was during the battle of Mlawa. Indeed forces of the division fought for the Polish defensive positions called "redoubt Czubak" and "resistance nest Zaboklik" located on and near Gora Kamienska (Kamienska Hill). Gora Kamienska with "Czubak" and "Zaboklik" was the most eastern part of the Polish defensive position "Rzegnowo", which was defended by 79 pp (Inf.Rgt.) from 20 DP (Inf.Div.). In combats against the "Rzegnowo" position which was defended by just one Polish regiment, Germans concentrated the main efforts of the entire Korps "Wodrig" with two infantry divisions (1. and 12.). Combats for Kamienska Gora lasted for 2 days (1 - 2 September). Gora Kamienska was defended by small Polish forces which consisted of 9th company of III./79 pp (20 DP) reinforced by 2 AT guns, 2 infantry guns and also of one platoon of cyclists (around 50 men) from 11 puł (11th uhlan regiment) of Mazowiecka Cavalry Brigade, reinforced by 2 AT guns. "Czubak" was defended by 9th company and "Zaboklik" was defended by the platoon of cyclists of Mazowiecka BK. The position was planned to be defended by the entire III./79 pp, but in the course of the battle it somehow happened, that during both assaults on the position (1st on 1 IX, 2nd on 2 IX), only forces mentioned above defended it.

Map of the battle of Mlawa:

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7294/mlawamapa.jpg

The town of Mlawa after the battle - September of 1939:

http://img.audiovis.nac.gov.pl/PIC/PIC_2-245.jpg

Concrete fortifications along the Rzegnowska position were much weaker than those along the Mlawska position.

Only 6 concrete bunkers were finished before 01.09.1939 (numbers 1 to 6) along the "Rzegnowska" position:

http://www.schrony1939.fortyfikacje.pl/rzegno.htm

Polish concrete bunker, September 1939 (this one is from Nowogrod, not from Mlawa):

http://forum.axishistory.com/download/file.php?id=201358.jpg

Now something on combats for the Gora Kamienska from the Polish point of view:

Combats on 01.09.1939:

On 01.09.1939 the German 1. Infanterie-Division was attacking from the area of Janowo towards Rzegnowo. In the early morning reconnaissance units of the division crossed the border and after some clashes with Polish border guards, they were cautiously advancing to the south. When reaching the river Orzyc they encountered resistance of the cyclist company of 20 DP under command of kpt. Szokała and were repulsed under some casualties on both sides (kpt. Szokała was WIA). German patrols kept trying to recognize along the Janowska road towards Rzegnowo but also here they were repulsed by the reconnaissance company of 79 pp under command of kpt. Czesław Byliński. Around 10:00 AM the German cyclist company supported by 2 guns (infantry or AT) appeared in front of positions of Polish outlooks from I./79 pp near Dobrogosty. The German company also tried to cross the river Orzyc and started combat against Polish outlooks, but it was forced to retreat by heavy fire. This was the last German attempt of crossing the river Orzyc in this area until the evening. Along the frontline of Polish II./79 pp German patrols approached the line of Polish outlooks near Dzierzgowo at 11:00 AM, but after violent fire fight they were repulsed to the north. Soon after that a German observation baloon appeared above the village of Brzozowo, but it was forced to retreat by the fire of regimental artillery of 79 pp. In the afternoon Germans gathered stronger infantry units along the frontline of II./79 pp and started an assault against Polish outlooks, but were not able to force the Poles to retreat from their positions until the evening. Soon after that the commander of 79 pp received information from the HQ of Army "Modlin", that groups of German soldiers had managed to cross the Niemyje swamp and were concentrating on the western edge of the "Rzegnowo" position (near Budy Garlinskie - Niemyje), trying to bypass the Polish defenses. Under such circumstances the regimental commander ordered mjr. Antoni Michalewski (commander of III./79 pp) to attack with his battalion strengthened by the reconnaissance company and 1 artillery troop towards the localities Tansk and Wasiły in order to repulse the enemy forces concentrating there, at the joint of defensive positions of 79 pp and 80 pp. Mjr. Michalewski left 9 company strenghtened by 2 platoons from the AT company (4 AT guns) and 1 platoon of 11 uhlan regiment at the defensive position Zaboklik - Kamienska Gora and took the rest of his forces to organize a counterattack. The counterattack started around 18:00 PM and, despite the initial failure of 7th company, was successful, forcing the Germans to retreat (some German MGs were also captured), but soon after dusk mjr. Michalewski received an order to immediately retreat to the area of Budy Garlinskie. Here the 7th company occupied defensive positions near the village Krzywonos while the rest of the battalion came back to the area of defensive position Zaboklik - Kamienska Gora. As it turned out, the order to retreat was caused by the German attack against the eastern edge of the "Rzegnowska" position, which started around 18:30 PM. The German attack was carried out by a strong group of infantry supported by 20 tanks / AFVs (I guess that AVFs were from Pz.Div. "Kempf") and at the beginning it managed to break through the joint between defensive positions of Mazowiecka Cavalry Brigade and 79 pp and started to attack positions of 9th company at "Czubak". Fortunately Polish forces which were left there by mjr. Michalewski (9th company of III./79 pp, two platoons of AT company of 79 pp and one platoon of 11th uhlan regiment near "Zaboklik") were not surprised by the German attack. What happened later was indeed a bloody failure for the Germans - Polish sources say that after just 15 minutes of fierce combats German units were forced to retreat, leaving 12 KIA, several dozens WIA and 5 destroyed tanks behind them. After that victorious combat the commander of 79 pp, worrying about his eastern flank, sent the reconnaissance company of kpt. Czeslaw Bylinski with the task of establishing contact with Mazowiecka BK. One hour before midnight kpt. Bylinski came back and reported that he managed to establish contact with Mazowiecka BK near Lanieta. During the night one more raid was carried out by forces of II./79 pp towards the Niemyje swamp in order to liquidate the threat which might have been caused by German units concentrating in that area. In the morning on 02.09.1939 forces carrying out reconnaissance in the area of Niemyje swamp came back reporting no contact with the enemy. Unfortunately during that night reconnaissance several soldiers were wounded on mines.

http://www.weu1918-1939.pl/artyleria/przeciwpancerne/bofors/bofors_9.jpg

The first day of that war along the defensive line of 20 DP ("Mlawska" and "Rzegnowska" positions) ended with complete Polish success. The division repulsed all attacks of overhelming enemy forces (supported by Luftwaffe) not only against the "Mlawska" position (attacks carried out by 11. Inf.Div., Pz.Div."Kempf" and 61. Inf.Div.) but also along the "Rzegnowska" position (attacks carried out by 1. Inf.Div., elements of 12. Inf.Div. and "Kempf").

Combats on 02.09.1939:

On 02.09.1939 Germans once again assaulted the Polish position.

On that the Germans concentrated almost entire Corps "Wodrig" (which consisted of two divisions - 1. Inf.Div. and 12. Inf.Div.) in order to break the defensive position of Polish 79 Inf.Rgt.

Yet since the early morning hours German reconnaissance groups were sent in order to establish contact with Polish outlooks of "Rzegnowska" position and recognize Polish forces and positions. Then after long artillery preparations around 9:00 AM both divisions of Corps "Wodrig" started their assault against the Polish 79 pp on the "Rzegnowska" position:

- 1 Inf.Div. - from the area of Szumsk, via Kamienska Gora, towards Kitki, Szpaki and Zawady
- 12. Inf.Div. - from the area of Krzynowloga via Rudno Jeziorowe towards Zaboklik and Rzegnowo

In order to make their artillery fire more efficient Germans once again launched an observation baloon, which was flying in the neighbourhood of Rzegnowo and directing artillery fire of 1 ID. In the church tower in Dzierzgowo Germans located their second observation post but it was soon detected by Polish forces and destroyed by one troop of 20 pal (20 light artillery battalion).

Units of German infantry supported by strong artillery fire were attacking along the road from Szumsk via Kitki towards Budy Garlinskie. One German battalion had already been defeated here on the previous day, but despite that Germans were repeating their attacks in order to break the Polish resistance, cross the Niemyje swamp once again, and bypass the "Mlawska" position.

German infantry marching towards starting positions to the assault, covering fire of German artillery - September 1939:

http://forum.axishistory.com/download/file.php?id=201133.jpg

Commander of Army "Modlin" (gen. Przedrzymirski) alarmed by the threat of outflanking the "Rzegnowska" position in his phone call with the commander of 20 DP (płk. Lawicz-Liszka), ordered him to shorten the defensive line of 79 pp, moving its eastern edge more to the west, and leaving the entire "Zaboklik" resistance nest to units of Mazowiecka BK. He expected that the commander of MBK would send additional units there (apart from that platoon of cyclists).

In connection with that order the commander of 79 pp (ppłk. Konstanty Zaborowski) had to move his 7th and 9th companies (from III./79 pp) to the area Rogale - Dobrogosty, from which they were to be used in the planned counterattack towards the north-west, together with I./79 pp. As the result the entire defensive section of III./79 pp (so Gora Kamienska) remained in hands of Cpt. Hoppe, commander of 9th company. The 9th company was only reinforced by 6 additional HMGs, one AT platoon (2 AT guns) and the platoon of infantry guns of 79 pp (2 guns).

Nobody expected (including gen. Przedrzymirski), that the commander of Mazowiecka BK (płk. Jan Karcz) - because of lack of any spare reserves - would only leave this one platoon of cyclists from 11 puł (~50 soldiers) at "Zaboklik". Despite the fact that płk. Lawicz-Liszka reinforced this platoon by 2 AT guns (one platoon), it was still too weak to acomplish a very important task - the defence of the joint between 2 Great Units (20 DP and Mazowiecka BK).

Under such circumstances, when after violent combats the outlooks of 79 pp had been forced to retreat from their protruding positions towards the main defensive position around 12:00 AM, the artillery of Korps "Wodrig" once again started its artillery preparation - this time for the general assault. The assault had been preceded by strong artillery preparation (10 Abteilungen = 120 guns from 1. and 12. Inf.Div. - the artillery preparation against Kamienska Gora was coordinated and commanded by Generaloberst Werner von Fritsch himself, the commander of Art.Rgt.12). According to Polish sources this heavy artillery fire on Kamienska Gora lasted for 8 hours (12:00 PM - 18:00 PM). Under covering fire of their own artillery, German infantry already started to attack Polish positions around 15:00 PM. Their 1. Inf.Div. was attacking from the direction of Szumsk towards Kitki and Kamienska Gora, while 12. Inf.Div. was attacking from the direction of Krzynowloga Mala towards "redoubt Zaboklik" and Kamienska Gora with "Czubak".

The commander of AT company of 79 pp (two platoons from which - 2 AT guns each - were supporting the 9/79 pp on Gora Kamienska), kpt. Stanislaw Grudzinski, wrote in his memoirs:

"At 15:00 PM the general German assault started. Units of 1. and 12. German infantry divisions, supported by tremendous artillery fire and many tanks, launched an attack against the foremost edge of the defensive position of our regiment. Left wing of the regiment - I. battalion - holds its positions. Right wing of the regiment - the reinforced 9th company under kpt. Hoppe on Kamienska Gora and the platoon of cyclists from 11 puł on the "Żaboklik" position are receiving violent enemy attacks. The regiment is fighting for life and death. Waves of German infantry are advancing towards our positions closer and closer. Our artillery (12 howitzers from 88 dac and 8 guns cal. 75mm from 59 dal) had laid a barrage fire. The first wave of Germans encountered our minefield. Mines were throwing away human bodies, weapons and equipment by their explosions. Then our wonderful boys started to heavily, bloodily and with great sacrifice make use of their weapons - but vainly..."

The platoon of cyclists (~50 men) defending the "Żaboklik" had literally evaporated. After 5 hours since the beginning of artillery preparation and 2 hours since the beginning of German assault - around 17:00 PM - the Germans finally managed to capture "Żaboklik". Almost all Polish defenders lost their lives. But the "redoubt Czubak" was still holding. Cpt. Grudzinski luckilly managed to withdraw his AT guns (two platoons) from "Żaboklik" to "Czubak". In the meantime the "Czubak" position had also been reinforced by 2 infantry guns from the infantry artillery platoon of 79 pp.

Polish positions on Gora Kamienska were also being attacked by at least ~30 Stuka dive bombers.

Let's quote memoirs of kpt. Grudzinski:

"Waves of German aircrafts are once again diving down, with bloody yawl, and throwing ropes of bombs. The 9th company on "Czubak" takes the hardest beating from them. "Czubak" is the key position of the entire regiment, there is an excellent view from it and it overhelms the entire area with its fire. That's why Germans have launched a terrific storm of fire, grenades and bombs on the entire "Czubak"."

http://www.navalhistory.dk/images/Episoder/stuka4.jpg

On 19:30 PM, when overhelming forces of German infantry have launched their final assault against "Czubak", they only had to mop up the shaken remnants. But the defenders managed to hold a bit more. Only after the dusk kpt. Hoppe with remnants of his company leaved their defensive positions and retreated towards Rzegnowo.

http://img.odkrywca.pl/forum_pics/picsforum23/204285927_o.jpg

Dead Polish soldiers:

http://forum.axishistory.com/download/file.php?id=200279.jpg

That was not yet the end of the battle for Gora Kamienska. When commander of the 79 pp received information that "Czubak" and "Żaboklik" had been lost, he ordered to carry out a counterattack on these positions which was to be conducted by II./79 pp under mjr. Zuske reinforced by elements of III./79 pp and 63 company of TK tankettes under por. Mieczyslaw Kosiewicz. But the entire action took place long time after the dusk and without any artillery support - that's why the attack collapsed in German fire somewhere along the road from Borkowo-Falenty to Rzegnowo.

Soon after capturing "Zaboklik" and "Czubak" Germans attempted to expand the breakthrough of Polish defenses towards the west by another attack of 1. Inf.Div. against the Kitki-Rogale section of Polish defensive line, which was defended by I./79 pp under mjr. Jozef Bach. At the beginning they wanted to partially break into the defensive line of 1st company of this battalion (por. Wladyslaw Pajewski), but after double Polish counterattacks Polish forces regained their previous positions and the Germans, under heavy casualties, were forced to retreat.

As the result of capturing "Czubak" and "Zaboklik" Polish 79 pp was ordered to withdraw from the "Rzegnowo" position, covered by night, and to occupy new defensive positions (bolting position) along the line Debsk-Pawlowo-Nosarzewo-Marynin Maly. Unfortunately 79 pp didn't manage to imperceptibly detach from the enemy, and thus it was constantly being harrased by German artillery fire and chased by German infantry during its withdrawal, carrying out slowing down combats. Despite that the regiment - under covering fire of Polish outpost located on the Hill 159 to the east from Nosarzewo - managed to organize a new defensive position along the ordered line until 23:00 PM on 02.09.1939:

- I. battalion - along the line Nosarzewo Borowe - Nosarzewo Polne
- II. battalion - along the edge of the forest east from Mlodynin
- III. battalion - along the section Debsk - Pawlowo

The regiment managed to immediately establish contact with the neighbouring (in the west) 80 pp but there was no contact with Mazowiecka BK in the east, so the eastern flank of the regiment was bare. There were no any field fortifications along the new defensive position so soldiers of the regiment immediately started to dig shooting nitches, despite the fact that soldiers were exhausted by the day-long combat and very hungry.

Płk. Marian Porwit wrote about the withdrawal of 79 pp to the bolting position (under enemy pressure):

"Firm attitude of soldiers, if the withdrawal towards the bolt position took place without any disruptions."

In order to clog the gap which was created between Mazowiecka BK and 79 pp, 8 DP (which had been in reserve until that moment) was ordered to carry out a counterattack towards Grudusk in the morning on 03.09.1939. The breakthrough of the Polish "Rzegnowska" position affected the cohesion of defense of Polish 20 DP, but yet didn't destroy it. The situation of Polish defence could improve together with the fresh reserves (8 DP) entering the battle.

Unfortunately, on the next day the counterattack of 8 DP failed. Also Pz.Div."Kempf", 1st Kav.Brig. and elemens of 12. Inf.Div. forced Mazowiecka BK to retreat, due to which units of 20 DP found itself outflanked from the east.

During the night from 3 to 4 and in the morning on 4 September Polish 20 DP abandoned its defensive lines. Polish withdrawal was quickly detected by German reconnaissance and they immediately directed larges forces of Luftwaffe in order to bomb the withdrawing Poles. Retreating units of 20 DP and 8 DP were cought in the daylight (4 IX) by Stuka bombers, as the result both divisions were seriously shattered and needed several days for reorganization.

Fortunately the Germans were not chasing Polish 20 and 8 DP (which retreated towards Warsaw), but turned their main efforst and the main axis of their attack towards Rozan and Pultusk (where another fierce battle took place).

Short view on the village of Żaboklik - apart from the Kamienska Hill, everything was flat as a table:

http://beb.esiedlce.pl/Zabokliki/Zaby1.jpg

Directions of German attacks against Gora Kamienska and in the neighbourhood:

http://forum.axishistory.com/download/file.php?id=201353.jpg

Another map of the battle of Mlawa - from the book "Armia Modlin" by Tadeusz Jurga:

http://forum.axishistory.com/download/file.php?id=201339.jpg

[Atlantic Friend]

Er.. Can the battle of Mount Cassino be considered to have been fought by a small unit?

[minotaur161]

Gate Pa, New Zealand, 29th April 1864. 1400 British troops reinforced with the latest Armstrong breech loading rifled guns including a 110 pounder!! two 40 pounders two 6 pounders plus two smoothebore 24 pounder howitzers, two 8 inch mortars and 6 Coehorns attempted to bombard, assault, take and hold entrenchments occupied by roughly 200 Maori warriors but failed loosing 120 killed. But on the very morning the British were collecting their dead and wounded another action was taking place at Sentry hill redoubt with the shoe on the other foot (30th April 1864) in which a Maori war party190 strong lost almost 50 killed to one British soldier killed and none wounded.

[johnny_be_good]

General Pyotr Kotlyarevskiy with 2200 soldiers defeated Persian army of Abbas-Murza with 30'000 soldiers at 1812. And that's just small episode in his career. For example, he captured Caucasian Thermopylae — Persian stronghold Migri with just 300 soldiers :)

[Ulytau]

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-)


This battle pretty important for our history too Gazi Osman Pasha really important character and commander of Turkish History,as i read he used good tricks too,after war he seen big respect from Grand Duke of Russia too

May he rest in Peace.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6223/gaziosmanpasa.jpg

As i know kind of battles happen at Battle of Gallipoli too very few man hold the shore.I must dig my books for more information '-'

[Sada]

Toledo, Spain

July 21 – September 27 1936

800 spanish nationalists vs. 10 000 communists (Spanish, Soviet). Nationalists defend castle (Alcazar) and they are liberate by Franco's soldier. This is very important battle for civil war in Spain

Casualties and losses:
- Nationalists: 65 dead, 438 wounded, 22 missing
- Commies - unknown


Your figures aren´t accurate for both sides, no offense but your vocabulary sounds like the one used for nazis in Signal. There weren´t soviets troops there, actually there weren´t soviets "troops" in Spain during our war, nor weren´t "commies" the spanish attacking the Alcázar. Although a good prop operation for the franquist side, that siege it´s not considered as a "great defensive battle" for them nor a decisive one: actually it was relativeley easy to defend the Alcazar with the means and personal that rebels had, compared with the resources of the republican side. Oviedo siege or Belchite, in the franquist sice, are far more significant in any way.

[wild goose]

Eventhough not the best, these two are worth reading.

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


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

[dudski]

Anyone read the book "The Longest Winter", battle of the Bulge
I believe if I remember correctly an 18 man recce platoon holding
off a battalion of germans.. In the end all of them were dead or wounded or
captured. One of the Most highly decorated platoons in US history.

P.S. GREAT read...

[Mangrove]

Soviet 32nd Separate Assault Brigade of c. 1020 men attacked Finnish outpost at East Karelia on 13 September 1943. The outpost was manned initially by 27 Finnish soldiers who managed to hold the base until reinforcements arrived a day later. Finns suffered 8 KIA and 13 WIA as casualties versus Soviet minimum of 121 KIA, 90 WIA and 11 POW.

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=4936756 (Finnish 6./JR 10's report)
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=3382774 (-""- war diary)
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=3658182 (Finnish 14.DE's summary on the interrogation of the POWs)

[Wally1967]

*Edit*

Bah I already posted on page 18.

Battle of Kapyong.
Korean war


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

[shadowsrider]

With all respect Domen, but Battle of Mlawa does not qualify for this category. Battle of Wizna (Polish battalion agaist Guderian's corps) definitelly does.

[LineDoggie]

Has SSG. Jimmie Earl Howards Recon Plt and Howards Hill been mentioned?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmie_E._Howard

18 Recon Marines from 1st Recon Bn. vs. a VC Bn. on Hill 488, near Tam Ky, Vietnam
http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/vietnam-30-years-ago-alamo-survivors

Marines of Howard's 18-man reconnaissance platoon on Nui Vu would earn four Navy Crosses, 13 Silver Stars and 18 Purple Hearts. (All were wounded at least once.) Howard would be presented the Medal of Honor to hang near the Silver Star he earned fighting in Korea.

[LineDoggie]

Anyone read the book "The Longest Winter", battle of the Bulge
I believe if I remember correctly an 18 man recce platoon holding
off a battalion of germans.. In the end all of them were dead or wounded or
captured. One of the Most highly decorated platoons in US history.

P.S. GREAT read...
Read it in Baghdad back in 2004, great book

Unit was the I&R platoon from the 394th Infantry regiment,99th Div. Lt Lyle Bouck was the PL. 18 G.I.'s who didnt get the word to withdraw inflicted 400 casualties on the German paras. 4 Distinguished Service Crosses, 5 Silver Stars, 10 Bronze Stars with "V" and a Presidential Unit citation for the plt.