Times when a few defeated many

[Ivan Kesja]

Something I'm pretty interested in is cases in wars when you have a individual or a small group manage to win or atleast survive against a much larger force.

Because one case I believe I remember right, happened in Vietnam where a marine sniper (I believe) was set up along a river at night and had a rather good size force of vietcong try crossing the river. He engaged them and because the river crossing slowed there movements and exposed them, this man was able to cause this force to retreat.

Wish I could remember more about it, but anyways these events have always interested me because They only occur through an act of a skilled sniper, well employed ambush, Skillful work of a very good leader, or because someone manages to almost have a real world god mode activate.

[taiaha]

Something I'm pretty interested in is cases in wars when you have a individual or a small group manage to win or atleast survive against a much larger force.

Because one case I believe I remember right, happened in Vietnam where a marine sniper (I believe) was set up along a river at night and had a rather good size force of vietcong try crossing the river. He engaged them and because the river crossing slowed there movements and exposed them, this man was able to cause this force to retreat.

Wish I could remember more about it, but anyways these events have always interested me because They only occur through an act of a skilled sniper, well employed ambush, Skillful work of a very good leader, or because someone manages to almost have a real world god mode activate.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?126313-Old-but-interesting-article-on-USMC-sniper-Chuck-Mawhinney-LA-Times

[lotsoffreetime]

1% vs the 99% Occupy Wall Street people.

[hulaku]

21 Sikhs vs 10,000 Afghan Pashtuns

Battle of Saragarhi, 12 September, 1897

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

[Jippo]

Omaha Beach:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Severloh

Battle of Tolvajärvi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tolvaj%C3%A4rvi

[Migs]

The entire Gulf War.
Battle of Rorke's Drift.

[JCR]

Every time a mod closes a balkan discussion thread.

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_mirbat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_tarin_kowt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_rorke's_drift (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_rorke%27s_drift)

These are cases where a force won a battle despite being massively outnumbered.

I can think of one other case where one man held off an entire attack successfully: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._McKinney

His Medal of Honor citation is as follows:


Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Private), U.S. Army, Company A, 123d Infantry, 33d Infantry Division Place and date: Tayabas Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands, May 11, 1945 Entered service at:Woodcliff, Georgia Citation:

“
He fought with extreme gallantry to defend the outpost which had been established near Dingalan Bay. Just before daybreak approximately 100 Japanese stealthily attacked the perimeter defense, concentrating on a light machinegun position manned by three Americans. Having completed a long tour of duty at this gun, Pvt. McKinney was resting a few paces away when an enemy soldier dealt him a glancing blow on the head with a saber. Although dazed by the stroke, he seized his rifle, bludgeoned his attacker, and then shot another assailant who was charging him. Meanwhile, one of his comrades at the machinegun had been wounded and his other companion withdrew carrying the injured man to safety. Alone, Pvt. McKinney was confronted by ten infantrymen who had captured the machinegun with the evident intent of reversing it to fire into the perimeter. Leaping into the emplacement, he shot seven of them at pointblank range and killed three more with his rifle butt. In the melee the machinegun was rendered inoperative, leaving him only his rifle with which to meet the advancing Japanese, who hurled grenades and directed knee mortar shells into the perimeter. He warily changed position, secured more ammunition, and reloading repeatedly, cut down waves of the fanatical enemy with devastating fire or clubbed them to death in hand-to-hand combat. When assistance arrived, he had thwarted the assault and was in complete control of the area. Thirty-eight dead Japanese around the machinegun and two more at the side of a mortar 45 yards distant was the amazing toll he had exacted single-handedly. By his indomitable spirit, extraordinary fighting ability, and unwavering courage in the face of tremendous odds, Pvt. McKinney saved his company from possible annihilation and set an example of unsurpassed intrepidity.








Omaha Beach:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Severloh

Pretty sure the Germans lost that battle Jippo ;-)

[Winger]

Not sure if this classifies as "few" but Frederick the Great often times had to face a numerically superior opponent and often came out victorious or at a minimum stalemated.

[JCR]

Seriously, in defense, a well motivated small number of soldiers equipped with superior firepower can hold off or even destroy a much larger number of enemies, especially if the attacker relies on numbers instead of maneuver or firepower.
It has happened often, especially since the invention of automatic weapons, but even in Napoleonic or US civil war battles, a single well placed battery could often wreak havoc among advancing enemy infantry.
In WW1, pre assault bombardement usually killed or trapped many first line defenders, so most of the casualties of advancing units were often due to one or two surviving machine guns.

[Corrupt]

Most famous English/British military victories ;)

[Richard Cranium]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Yorktown
Most famous English/British military defeat ;) Your welcome for the fixing.

[Corrupt]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Yorktown Your welcome for the fixing.

18-19,000 defeated about 9000. Not really few defeating many is it ;)

Something like Freetown would be a much better example
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Freetown

[khalifah]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Yorktown Your welcome for the fixing.

Bwahaha!.

................................

But seriously though, in what context are we talking here? Do they fight and die? but let others live? Did the fighting lead to a strategic victory? etc.etc..

Some of the ancient examples would have to be Thermoplye, the Anabasis, perhaps most of the history of the Romans in the Germanic regions. Rorke's Drift has been mentioned, perhaps then the defenders of Brest? Or arguably the paratroopers at Monte Cassino, hill 400, There were numerous cut-off US Army troops (from squad-platoon strenght) at the battle of the bulge. Chosin Resivor, etc...

[LineDoggie]

2nd Battle of Adobe Walls
June 27th, 1874
28 Buffalo Hunters/Militia vs. 300 Commanche Indians

Billy Dixon using a Borrowed Sharps .50 rifle dropped a Commanche at 1,538 Yds with one shot

4 Militia KIA vs. 16 Commanche KIA, Commanche driven off

[Richard Cranium]

18-19,000 defeated about 9000. Not really few defeating many is it ;)

Something like Freetown would be a much better example
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Freetown


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore Losing an Island to an outnumbered enemy.

[Corrupt]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore Losing an Island to an outnumbered enemy.

Making the classic mistake of "They'll never attack from that direction".

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

Some of the ancient examples would have to be Thermoplye, the Anabasis, perhaps most of the history of the Romans in the Germanic regions. Rorke's Drift has been mentioned, perhaps then the defenders of Brest? Or arguably the paratroopers at Monte Cassino, hill 400, There were numerous cut-off US Army troops (from squad-platoon strenght) at the battle of the bulge. Chosin Resivor, etc...

In all of your examples, the side that was outnumbered ended up losing the battle, albeit after heroic resistance. I think the original poster was looking for cases where a vastly outnumbered force defeated the superior force opposing it.

I think some of the 1500s Spanish campaigns in the Americas might also qualify, although the Spaniards obviously had massive technical advantages (steel, guns, horses).

[khalifah]

Speaking of Chosin Resivor, the stand of Fox Company 2/7 at "Fox Hill" lead by Col. William E. Barber(avatar)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_E._Barber
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_E._Barber)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Battalion_7th_Marines

During the Battle of Chosin Reservoir (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Battle_of_Chosin_Reservoir) Captain William Barber (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/William_E._Barber) won the Medal of Honor (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Medal_of_Honor) for his actions as commander of Fox 2/7. F/2/7 held a position known as "Fox Hill" against vastly superior numbers of Chinese infantry, holding the Toktong Pass open and keeping the 5th Marine Regiment (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/5th_Marine_Regiment_(United_States)) and the 7th Marine Regiment (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/7th_Marine_Regiment_(United_States)) from getting cut off at Yudam-ni. His company's actions to keep the pass open, allowed these two regiments to withdrawal from Yudam-ni and consolidate with the rest of the 1st Marine Division (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/1st_Marine_Division_(United_States)) at Hagaru-ri. The mission to relieve F/2/7 on top of Fox Hill also led to LtCol Raymond Davis (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Ray_Davis_(U.S._Marine)), then commanding officer of 1st Battalion 7th Marines (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/1st_Battalion_7th_Marines), receiving the Medal of Honor.[5] (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/#cite_note-4) In addition to Chosin, the Battalion participated in the Inchon Landing, the recapture of Seoul and operations along both the Eastern and Western Fronts.

[Corrupt]

Megaraptor;5852777']In all of your examples, the side that was outnumbered ended up losing the battle, albeit after heroic resistance. I think the original poster was looking for cases where a vastly outnumbered force defeated the superior force opposing it.

We won at Rorkes Drift...

[khalifah]

Megaraptor;5852777']In all of your examples, the side that was outnumbered ended up losing the battle, albeit after heroic resistance. I think the original poster was looking for cases where a vastly outnumbered force defeated the superior force opposing it.



Well, again, im thinking of context, Thermoplye and the Brest Fortress sure, (although Thermoplye stalled the Persians for days if not weeks), but some of those cases were victories because they simply survived, the Anabasis comes to mind, the Rangers at hill 400 as well, at Monte Cassino the Germans put a serious halt on 5th Army/8th Army plans.

[LineDoggie]

You could make a case for Major Reno and his 314 men vs. over 900+ Indians at Custers last stand

[Kaplanr]

Tzvika Greengold - Force Tzvika. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zvika_Greengold

1-2 tanks delaying a Syrian armored brigade in 1973 on the Golan.

[LineDoggie]

Making the classic mistake of "They'll never attack from that direction".Didnt Percival as a staff officer before the war come to the conclusion that the landward side was the vulnerable side? and His Plan was pretty much what the Japanese used in 41?

I was also under the impression that fault in the 15" guns wasnt that they couldnt fire to landward, but the lack of HE shells vs. Armor-Piercing Shot. That and the Traitor Captain Pat Heenan who was shot for radioing the Japanese with troop dispositions?

[Corrupt]

The Etreux rearguard action. Although they were eventually surrounded and surrendered, their objective of delaying the Germans sufficiently for the BEF I Corps to escape was achieved.

Now it is occasionally given to a brigade the task of holding a division; likewise a division may detain an army corps, but for a single infantry battalion - or more correctly, three rifle companies plus a couple of field guns - to stem the advance of an entire German army corps, is probably an incident without parallel in modern warfare. Yet, throughout the day of August 27, the 2nd Munsters successfully carried out this incredible feat.
http://www.rmfa92.org/etreux.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etreux


Didnt Percival as a staff officer before the war come to the conclusion that the landward side was the vulnerable side? and His Plan was pretty much what the Japanese used in 41?

I was also under the impression that fault in the 15" guns wasnt that they couldnt fire to landward, but the lack of HE shells vs. Armor-Piercing Shot. That and the Traitor Captain Pat Heenan who was shot for radioing the Japanese with troop dispositions?
You're definitely correct on the 15" guns, which were supplied with AP in order to fight enemy naval assets rather than defend against an overland invasion and the traitor who was shot. Not sure about Percivals plan though, but I haven't done a great deal of reading on the subject so your're probably better read than I.

[LineDoggie]

Spain, July 21st to September 27th, 1936

the Alcazar of Toledo
1,000 Nationalist Soldiers and Militia with 2 cannon
vs.
8,000 Communist Militia with 2 tanks

Losses for the Nationalists were 65KIA, 480+ WIA Unknown for the Communists

they held for 67 days until relieved

[Richard Cranium]

Orleans, 1429. The British far outnumbered the French and was occupying Paris as well as northern France. Joan of Arc man, Joan of Arc.

[oak1999]

My #1 pick is Geronimo (apache wars)


According to Charles W. Sasser, "Geronimo's breakout from the San Carlos Apache reservation had left fourteen Americans dead in the United States and between 500 and 600 Mexicans dead south of the border."[16] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo#cite_note-15)



“
I have killed many Mexicans; I do not know how many, for frequently I did not count them. Some of them were not worth counting. It has been a long time since then, but still I have no love for the Mexicans. With me they were always treacherous and malicious.

”



—-Geronimo, [I]My Life: The Autobiography of Geronimo, 1905.[15] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo#cite_note-GeronimoStory2-14)



"At the end of his military career, he led a small band of 36 men, women, and children. They evaded thousands of Mexican and American troops for over a year,..."

"Geronimo fought against both Mexican and United States troops though outnumbered and became famous for his daring exploits and numerous escapes from capture from 1858 to 1886." (That's 28 years).

(Source Wikipedia)


Sgt Alvin York (WW1) and Lt. William Seach (Navy, Boxer Rebellion) have some pretty good stories too.

[harryc]

Battle of NewOrleans - bad tactics in the assault and grapeshot.

[oak1999]

forgot John Basilone, USMC, Guadalcanal

On the night of October 24–25, 1942 his unit engaged the Japanese in the Lunga area when their position came under attack by a regiment of approximately 3,000 soldiers. The Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine guns, grenades and mortars against the American heavy machine guns. Basilone commanded two sections of machine guns that fought for the next 48 hours until only Basilone and two other men were still able to continue fighting. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. He repaired another machine-gun and personally manned it, holding the defensive line until replacements arrived. With the continuous fighting, ammunition became critically low and supply lines were cut off. Basilone fought through hostile lines and returned with urgently needed ammunition for his gunners. He was killed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He was the first Enlisted Marine to receive The Medal of Honor, Purple Heart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart), and The Navy Cross (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Navy_Cross). (wikipedia)

[Xaito]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_for_Height_776

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_for_Hill_3234

[LineDoggie]

Battle of NewOrleans - bad tactics in the assault and grapeshot.I almost forgot that one

11,000 vs. 4,000

[gaz]

Orleans, 1429. The British far outnumbered the French and was occupying Paris as well as northern France. Joan of Arc man, Joan of Arc.

That was the English rather than the British.

EDIT - This is actually a battle I know nothing about so I just looked it up and this site has the French outnumbering the English?
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/battleswars14011600/p/siege-of-orleans.htm

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_for_Height_776

The smaller force lost that battle.

[dunemetal]

forgot John Basilone, USMC, Guadalcanal

On the night of October 24–25, 1942 his unit engaged the Japanese in the Lunga area when their position came under attack by a regiment of approximately 3,000 soldiers. The Japanese forces began a frontal attack using machine guns, grenades and mortars against the American heavy machine guns. Basilone commanded two sections of machine guns that fought for the next 48 hours until only Basilone and two other men were still able to continue fighting. Basilone moved an extra gun into position and maintained continual fire against the incoming Japanese forces. He repaired another machine-gun and personally manned it, holding the defensive line until replacements arrived. With the continuous fighting, ammunition became critically low and supply lines were cut off. Basilone fought through hostile lines and returned with urgently needed ammunition for his gunners. He was killed on Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. He was the first Enlisted Marine to receive The Medal of Honor, Purple Heart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Heart), and The Navy Cross (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Navy_Cross). (wikipedia)

Basilone is well known deservedly so. Mind as well mention Al Schmid who took over the 1917A1 after Diamond and Rivers were wounded at the Battle of the Tenaru (Ilu) River.

Also, my avatar, Mitchell Paige's story is incredible.
http://www.homeofheroes.com/mitch/index2.html

LD, do you mean "1874" not 1974?

[ubermensche]

Hannibal at the battle of Cannae.

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

[skyeye]

With acknowledgment of taiaha1’s reference I think the incident you’re referring may be one by Carlos Hathcock. He took out the officers of a group of green troops & then picked them off one by one when they ran out of nerve & broke cover one at a time.

If I’m wrong, someone will come along & set the record straight.

If this ain’t it, then Hathcock need mentioning anyway.


Also no one has mentioned Alvin York.

[Kiiski]

Assault on Narva 18.1.1919 (Estonian war of independence)

One company of Finnish volunteers captured Narva (on the border of Estonia and Russia) routing Red Army of several thousand soldiers.

This little known battle has a couple of interesting aspects
- The Finnish force defeated the enemy with strength ratio much worse than 1:10 while on the attack
- The attackers came very close of capturing commander of communist forces who was none other than Lev Trotski

There are times when initiative, boldness and strong belief in ones own invincibility carry the day.
Obviously, nine times out of ten, enterprises of this sort end in catastrophic failure:)

[Laworkerbee]

Fox Company, 2d Battalion, Seventh Marines made an epic stand against an untold number of PLA troops, they held the back door open enabling the 1st Marine Div. to fight another day.

You've all heard stories from Korea about men being used as sandbags, well this is the real deal here and is wasn't just Chinese bodies used as sandbags but Marines as well, so cold and rocky was the ground that in some places it was nearly impossible to dig in.

http://donmooreswartales.com/2010/05/24/hector-cafferata

[oak1999]

Let's not forget Chennault's FLYING TIGERS against the Japanese in WW2

[conley]

Here You are: Battle of Kircholm
3.600 Poles (Commonwealth) vs. 11.000 Swedes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Kircholm

[JCR]

Let's not forget Chennault's FLYING TIGERS against the Japanese in WW2

According to themselves.
Reality was a bit different.

[oak1999]

According to themselves.
Reality was a bit different.


"Even using the lower figure of Japanese aircraft downed, the AVG's kill ratio was superior to that of contemporary Allied air groups in Malaya, the Philippines, and elsewhere. The AVG's success is all the more remarkable since they were outnumbered by Japanese fighters in almost all their engagements." Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Tigers)

[JCR]

Read Shores or Daniel Ford on the subject.
While they were certainly a good and successful unit, they were mostly singularly successful in creating their own legend, often at the expense of the RAF, the chinese and everyone else.
But that is not the topic.

[oak1999]

Yes, I'm aware of that. But they went up against better enemy fighters and through tactics were able to best the Japanese.

[JCR]

Yes, I'm aware of that. But they went up against better enemy fighters and through tactics were able to best the Japanese.

Better enemy fighters?
The japanese only had Ki-27s which had fixed landing gear and two machine guns.
Later there were a few Ki-43s, but the main enemy was Ki-27s.

One good example of a really heroic but unknown naval action
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete#First_landing_attempt
The action of the italian torpedo boat Lupo (Cmdr Mimbelli) against a far superior british cruiser-destroyer force, a single small destroyer managed to save a barge convoy from a large royal navy force until the Luftwaffe routed them.

[oak1999]

They fare well against the Ki-43, yes?

[JCR]

They fare well against the Ki-43, yes?

Yes they did, but usually it was numerically evenly matched.
They chose tactics and engagements carefully and came up on top.

[BAF]

Id say Belgium holding 90% of German army for two weeks at the begining of ww1, thus defeating the Schlieffen plan was pretty neat to.

Also Battle of the golden spurs, where an army of Flemish peasants and common folk won against an army of knights and well trained troops from France.

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

[Kaaskop]

What about Operation Compass (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Compass)in 1940/1941? Three British divisions against four Italian army corps resulting in a decisive Allied victory.
Result:
British casualties: 1,928
Italian casualties: 118,000

[dunemetal]

Megaraptor;5852644']http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_mirbat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_tarin_kowt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_rorke's_drift

These are cases where a force won a battle despite being massively outnumbered.

I can think of one other case where one man held off an entire attack successfully: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._McKinney

His Medal of Honor citation is as follows:






Pretty sure the Germans lost that battle Jippo ;-)

I bought the book about him a few years back. Quite a story. Amazing how this guy just lived in obscurity for so long although he was recognized later in life. there are some after action photos (like the next morning) of the carnage. If I can find the book, I'll try scanning the photos.

[dunemetal]

With acknowledgment of taiaha1’s reference I think the incident you’re referring may be one by Carlos Hathcock. He took out the officers of a group of green troops & then picked them off one by one when they ran out of nerve & broke cover one at a time.

If I’m wrong, someone will come along & set the record straight.

If this ain’t it, then Hathcock need mentioning anyway.


Also no one has mentioned Alvin York.

Nothing but respect for Hathcock here especially considering how the injuries/burns from the war then MS ravaged him throughout his life after the war. There is a guy, another marine sniper named John Culbertson, who has written several books in which he casts heavy skepticism/doubt on the abovementioned incident without mentioning Hathcock by name. In fact he derides quite a bit of how Hathcock was said to operate as a sniper.

The action took place in Elephant Valley between Hathcock, his spotter Johnny Burke and 80 NVA. I am not vouching for Culbertson, just pointing out the fact that he doubts this took place as described.

[James]

Private Dan Daly, USMC, 1900. During the Boxer Rebellion, he was ordered to guard an entrance into the legation one night. He was attacked by hundreds of boxers, and single handedly killed or wounded something like 200. For that he was awarded hi first Medal of Honor.

[Bleifuss]

Don't know if this applies but it was 45 against the homefleet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_submarine_U-47_%281938%29

[Vejadu]

Does a battalion of the French Foreign Legion conquering the Kingdom of Dahomey count? (cue the homey jokes!)

Second Franco-Dahomean War (1892–1894)Main article: Second Franco-Dahomean War (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Second_Franco-Dahomean_War)
In 1892, King Behanzin (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Behanzin) was threatening the French protectorate of Porto Novo (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Porto_Novo) and France decided to intervene. A battalion, led by commandant Faurax, was formed from two companies of the First Foreign Regiment and two others from the second regiment. From Cotonou (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Cotonou), the legionnaires marched to seize Abomey (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Abomey), the capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Kingdom_of_Dahomey). Two and a half months were needed to reach the city, at the cost of repeated battles against the Dahomean warriors, especially the Amazons of the King (http://www.militaryphotos.net/wiki/Dahomey_Amazons). King Behanzin surrendered and was captured by the legionnaires in January 1894

[digrar]

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

The numbers were about 20 to 1, we were trained on the 3 to 1 ratio for attacking a position and Delta Company were not in an established defensive position or even ideally positioned to conduct a defensive action, although their wide dispersal did make the Vietnamese think that they were up against a much larger force.

[Corrupt]

although their wide dispersal did make the Vietnamese think that they were up against a much larger force.

Didn't something similar happen at Ia Drang?

[LineDoggie]

Republic of South Vietnam
Camp Nam Dong
July 6th, 1964
300 ARVN
60 Nung
12 US Green berets under Captain Roger Donlon (ODA A-276)
1 Australian W.O. Kevin Conway

vs.
1,000 VC/NVA

From Captain Donlons Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army. Place and date: Near Nam Dong, Republic of Vietnam, July 6, 1964. Entered service at: Fort Chaffee, Ark. Born: January 30, 1934, Saugerties, N.Y. G.O. No.: 41, December 17, 1964.
Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while defending a U.S. military installation against a fierce attack by hostile forces. Capt. Donlon was serving as the commanding officer of the U.S. Army Special Forces Detachment A-726 at Camp Nam Dong when a reinforced Viet Cong battalion suddenly launched a full-scale, predawn attack on the camp. During the violent battle that ensued, lasting 5 hours and resulting in heavy casualties on both sides, Capt. Donlon directed the defense operations in the midst of an enemy barrage of mortar shells, falling grenades, and extremely heavy gunfire.

Upon the initial onslaught, he swiftly marshaled his forces and ordered the removal of the needed ammunition from a blazing building. He then dashed through a hail of small arms and exploding hand grenades to abort a breach of the main gate. En route to this position he detected an enemy demolition team of 3 in the proximity of the main gate and quickly annihilated them. Although exposed to the intense grenade attack, he then succeeded in reaching a 60mm mortar position despite sustaining a severe stomach wound as he was within 5 yards of the gun pit. When he discovered that most of the men in this gunpit were also wounded, he completely disregarded his own injury, directed their withdrawal to a location 30 meters away, and again risked his life by remaining behind and covering the movement with the utmost effectiveness. Noticing that his team sergeant was unable to evacuate the gun pit he crawled toward him and, while dragging the fallen soldier out of the gunpit, an enemy mortar exploded and inflicted a wound in Capt. Donlon's left shoulder. Although suffering from multiple wounds, he carried the abandoned 60mm mortar weapon to a new location 30 meters away where he found 3 wounded defenders.

After administering first aid and encouragement to these men, he left the weapon with them, headed toward another position, and retrieved a 57mm recoilless rifle. Then with great courage and coolness under fire, he returned to the abandoned gun pit, evacuated ammunition for the 2 weapons, and while crawling and dragging the urgently needed ammunition, received a third wound on his leg by an enemy hand grenade. Despite his critical physical condition, he again crawled 175 meters to an 81mm mortar position and directed firing operations which protected the seriously threatened east sector of the camp. He then moved to an eastern 60mm mortar position and upon determining that the vicious enemy assault had weakened, crawled back to the gun pit with the 60mm mortar, set it up for defensive operations, and turned it over to 2 defenders with minor wounds.

Without hesitation, he left this sheltered position, and moved from position to position around the beleaguered perimeter while hurling hand grenades at the enemy and inspiring his men to superhuman effort. As he bravely continued to move around the perimeter, a mortar shell exploded, wounding him in the face and body. As the long awaited daylight brought defeat to the enemy forces and their retreat back to the jungle leaving behind 54 of their dead, many weapons, and grenades, Capt. Donlon immediately reorganized his defenses and administered first aid to the wounded. His dynamic leadership, fortitude, and valiant efforts inspired not only the American personnel but the friendly Vietnamese defenders as well and resulted in the successful defense of the camp.

Capt. Donlon's extraordinary heroism, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country



W.O.II Conway who was KIA was reccommended for the Victoria Cross he died alongside US Master Sergeant Gabriel Alamo manning a Mortar.

Roger Donlon retired in 1985 a Full Colonel.

[digrar]

Kevin Conway was Australia's first KIA in the Viet Nam war.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

I'm sorry I can't remember the name, but wasn't there a tank battle in the first Gulf war that involved two damaged Abrams tanks against a few hundred Iraqi tanks?

[DasVivo]

"In early August 1942, a Brandenburger unit of 62 Baltic and Sudeten Germans led by Freiherr Adrian von Fölkersam penetrated farther into enemy territory than any other German unit. They had been ordered to seize and secure the vital Maikop oilfields. Disguised as dreaded NKVD men, and driving Soviet trucks, Fölkersam's unit passed through the Soviet front lines and moved deep into hostile territory. The Brandenburgers ran into a large group of Red Army deserters fleeing from the front. Fölkersam saw an opportunity to use them to the unit's advantage. By persuading them to return to the Soviet cause, he was able to join with them and move almost at will through the Russian lines.
Operating under false identity of NKVD Major Truchin based in Stalingrad, Fölkersam explained his role in recovering the deserters to the Soviet commander in charge of Maikop's defenses. The commander not only believed Fölkersam, but the next day gave him a personal tour of the city's defenses. By August 8, the German spearheads were only 12 miles away. The Brandenburgers made their move. Using grenades to simulate an artillery attack, they knocked out the military communications center for the city. Fölkersam then went to the Russian defenders and told them that a withdrawal was taking place. Having seen Fölkersam with their commander and lacking any communications to rebut or confirm his statement, the Soviets began to evacuate Maikop. The German spearhead entered the city without a fight on August 9, 1942."

[DasVivo]

Shtorm-333

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Storm-333

[subotai]

Surprised this has not been mentioned. 101st Airborne during Battle of the Bulge, siege of Bastogne. Outnumbered 10:1.

[hulaku]

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/849/gurung.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/189/gurung.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung of the 8th Gurkha Rifles of the Indian Army vs. 200 Japanese soldiers in Burma in World War II (oh and our Gurkha was partially blind and had only one useable arm)

Won the Victoria Cross


On 12/13 May 1945 at Taungdaw (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taungdaw), Burma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar) [now Myanmar], Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung was manning the most forward post of his platoon which bore the brunt of an attack by at least 200 of the Japanese enemy. Twice he hurled back grenades which had fallen on his trench, but the third exploded in his right hand, blowing off his fingers, shattering his arm and severely wounding him in the face, body and right leg. His two comrades were also badly wounded but the rifleman, now alone and disregarding his wounds, loaded and fired his rifle with his left hand for four hours, calmly waiting for each attack which he met with fire at point blank range. Afterwards, when the casualties were counted, it is reported that there were 31 dead Japanese around his position which he had killed, with only one arm.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachhiman_Gurung

And a more comical account of what he did
http://www.badassoftheweek.com/gurung.html

[subotai]

The Mongol invasion of Europe and Asia is basically one battle after another of where the Mongols were outnumbered and won.

[DaveDash]

A couple that time to mind:

Mogadishu 1993. US Army Rangers and Special Forces vs Somalia militia.
Battle of Alesia, 52BC. Ceasars 50,000 Romans vs 180,000-330,000 Gauls.

[Jippo]

Megaraptor;5852644']Pretty sure the Germans lost that battle Jippo ;-)

Op asked for defenders to win or at least survive the battle.

[Hazzard]

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


(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rymnik)Attackers:Russia\Austria
25 000 men
Defenders: Ottoman Empire
100 000 men
Casualties and losses
Ru\Au 500-700 men
Ottomans 15 000-26 000 men


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

[kawaiku]

The battle off Samar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar) where a small US naval task force held off a much larger and more powerful Japanese naval force that included the Yamato during the early stages of the invasion of the Philippines by the US to retake the islands.

Lee at the battle of Chancellorsville (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chancellorsville).

2nd the bit about Reno during Little Big Horn.

[Violet Fashion by Mindy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Singapore Losing an Island to an outnumbered enemy.

An island that couldn't be supplied. More then one million civillians in a besieged city without access to food or water..........Surrender is the better option.

[Steak-Sauce]

Because one case I believe I remember right, happened in Vietnam where a marine sniper (I believe) was set up along a river at night and had a rather good size force of vietcong try crossing the river. He engaged them and because the river crossing slowed there movements and exposed them, this man was able to cause this force to retreat.

Wish I could remember more about it, but anyways these events have always interested me because They only occur through an act of a skilled sniper, well employed ambush, Skillful work of a very good leader, or because someone manages to almost have a real world god mode activate.
If I remember correctly, this could be the story of Carlos Hathcock and his spotter in Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills written by Charles Henderson.

[pocoloco]

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


(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rymnik)Defenders: Ottoman Empire
60 000 men

Article has 60K, not 100K for Ottomans.

[subotai]

Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung of the 8th Gurkha Rifles of the Indian Army vs. 200 Japanese soldiers in Burma in World War II (oh and our Gurkha was partially blind and had only one useable arm)

Won the Victoria Cross

Kukri Knives are nature's way of saying "Don't Mess with this".

[Skutatos]

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

1500 Union soldiers defeat 9,000 Confederates.

Edit: Found some better information regarding the incident. Apparently there were only 1,051 Union Soldiers and only half with combat experience:

http://www.civilwarhome.com/Ewing.htm

[California Joe]

The British defense of Hougoumont during the Battle of Waterloo...

'You may depend upon it' said the Duke of Wellington. No troops but the British could have held Hougoumont, and then only the best of them...

[kevlar308]

Because one case I believe I remember right, happened in Vietnam where a marine sniper (I believe) was set up along a river at night and had a rather good size force of vietcong try crossing the river. He engaged them and because the river crossing slowed there movements and exposed them, this man was able to cause this force to retreat.

I think I saw something about this one on one of those History or Military channel shows, USMC sniper had a M14 w/ starlight scope, I seem to remember it was not Gunny Hathcock

[tluassa]

Battle of Leuthen (one of the greatest victories of Frederick II)

36.000 Prussians defeat 80.000 Austrians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leuthen

another one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rossbach

[pascalywood]

There was the story of Gideon which I've read in a book about special forces and their origins. Gideon and 300 men, armed with only torches, jars and horns, managed to vainquish the Madianites with a daring trick. The men would circle the camp at night and at the same time break their jar, revealing a burning torch and blew their horn. The mandanites thought they were surrounded by a much more numerous ennemy and fled.

http://niv.scripturetext.com/judges/7.htm

[DPM_Sheep]

HMS Speedy vs El Gamo, May 1801.


Speedy was now in the position of the dog that has finally caught the car. He couldn’t retreat. He didn’t have the firepower to sink El Gamo. Boarding her, being outnumbered some 6:1 seemed out of the question. As always, when faced with a series of impossible alternatives, Cochrane attacked.

http://ageofsail.wordpress.com/2009/05/26/hms-speedy-vs-el-gamo

[Ivan Kesja]

Quite a few of these are very good, but wish some of them would have more explanation into the tactics and such.

[Dave76]

Because one case I believe I remember right, happened in Vietnam where a marine sniper (I believe) was set up along a river at night and had a rather good size force of vietcong try crossing the river. He engaged them and because the river crossing slowed there movements and exposed them, this man was able to cause this force to retreat.
I think I saw something about this one on one of those History or Military channel shows, USMC sniper had a M14 w/ starlight scope, I seem to remember it was not Gunny Hathcock
Marine Corps snipers didn't use M14 rifles in Vietnam, they had Winchester Model 70 rifles and later Remington 700 (M40). Army snipers used modified M14 rifles called M21 SWS.

[dunemetal]

^^ Correct, although the initial USMC effort was made with the M-1D Garand sniper rifles from Korea era. The Model 70's had the Unertl recoilling scope system whereas the Rem 700 used a Redfield scope, IIRC.

[California Joe]

Pretty sure if you guys read back over the thread it has been established that it was Gunny Hathcock and Johnny Burke and he used a Winchester Model 70 with a Unertl scope per Col. Land's specs....

[Laworkerbee]

I don't understand why sniper exploits are being included in this thread? It's not like any of them were told to hold until relieved.

[deagle]

thermapolae

vasilly zaitszeff

Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Shughart),

[Dave76]

It was a typo on my part, wanted to say Winchester Model 70, not Remington. Fixed my post. And yeah, it was Hathcock, just wanted to correct Kevlar308's post about USMC sniper rifles used in Vietnam.

[T-5 Killer]

I'm sorry I can't remember the name, but wasn't there a tank battle in the first Gulf war that involved two damaged Abrams tanks against a few hundred Iraqi tanks?

I'm not sure if this is what you are talking about. It was a lot more than two Abrams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_73_Easting

[dunemetal]

Pretty sure if you guys read back over the thread it has been established that it was Gunny Hathcock and Johnny Burke and he used a Winchester Model 70 with a Unertl scope per Col. Land's specs....

Thank you....

[Ratamacue]

The battle off Samar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar) where a small US naval task force held off a much larger and more powerful Japanese naval force that included the Yamamoto during the early stages of the invasion of the Philippines by the US to retake the islands.Beat me to it. I've never been too much in to naval warfare, but I never fail to be amazed by the cast iron balls these guys showed.

[bigjohn4]

If it hasn't been said already I believe the original poster is talking about Chuck Mawhinny. This has been mentioned on the History Channel in an interview he gave them. Pardon the spelling of his name, not sure of the correct way.

[LineDoggie]

vasilly zaitszeff Was Far from Alone at Stalingrad, do you even understand the concept of the OP?



Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Shughart), Both died they did not defeat anything, and Durant was captured, again I dont think you comprehend the concept of the thread.

[Kitsune]

Some other examples might be the "Battle of the Bees" during WWI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tanga
and the taking of the fort Eben-Emael in WWII. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Eben-Emael
An extreme example of chuzpe was the conquest of Belgrade in 1941 by a small unit led by Fritz Klingenberg. http://www.historynet.com/invasion-of-yugoslavia-waffen-ss-captain-fritz-klingenberg-and-the-capture-of-belgrade-during-world-war-ii.htm

[LineDoggie]

Some other examples might be the "Battle of the Bees" during WWI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tanga
and the taking of the fort Eben-Emael in WWII. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Eben-Emael
An extreme example of chuzpe was the conquest of Belgrade in 1941 by a small unit led by Fritz Klingenberg. http://www.historynet.com/invasion-of-yugoslavia-waffen-ss-captain-fritz-klingenberg-and-the-capture-of-belgrade-during-world-war-ii.htm

The Indian Army Rajput unit involved had Mutinied at Singapore just prior to embarking and the ringleaders were shot. von Lettow-Vorbeck was one hell of a Leader, man ran rings around the British.


Klingenberg took Belgrade without his band killing anyone, a amazing feat

[valtrex]

The Battle of the Gravia Inn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gravia_Inn) with 300 Greek Revolutionaries under Odysseus Andrutsos holding off some 9,000 Ottomans (the Greek Alamo, but without the tragic fate of the defenders of the original Alamo).
The Battle of Dervenakia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dervenakia) (the second phase of it, when 2-3,000 Greek Revolutionaries under Theodoros Kolokotrones trapped and destroyed inside the Dervenakia ravine a 30,000-strong Ottoman force commanded by Mahmud Dramalı Pasha).
The Battle of Oetylon (fought on January 19, 1481) when a few hundred Greek Revolutionaries under the Maniot, Crocodile Kladás engaged and defeated a 6,000 Ottoman army under the Turco-Albanian, Ali Bumikos.

[Kitsune]

Klingenberg took Belgrade without his band killing anyone, a amazing feat
Yes, that was a completely brazen action that could as well have gone wrong. As far as I know, the mayor of Belgrade committed suicide, when he learned how he had been tricked... :|

[dunemetal]

The battle off Samar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar) where a small US naval task force held off a much larger and more powerful Japanese naval force that included the Yamamoto during the early stages of the invasion of the Philippines by the US to retake the islands.

.

I believe you mean "Yamato" as in the battleship. Yamamoto was an admiral, shot down over Bouganville. Kurita was the Japanese commander at Samar.

[seraosha]

I don't understand why sniper exploits are being included in this thread? It's not like any of them were told to hold until relieved.

Master Sergeant Gary Ivan Gordon
Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart

1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D)
Mogadishu, Somalia 1993

[James]

Master Sergeant Gary Ivan Gordon
Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart

1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D)
Mogadishu, Somalia 1993

As stated earlier (and not meaning to detract from their bravery and dedication) they did not win that fight.

[Laworkerbee]

Master Sergeant Gary Ivan Gordon
Sergeant First Class Randall Shughart

1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D)
Mogadishu, Somalia 1993

Not to dim what they did what-so-ever but see LD's post.

[boreal]

Battle of Garellano (Garigliano) 1503

15.000 spaniards Vs 23.000 french

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Garigliano_(1503)

Battle of Saint Quentin 1557

10.000 spaniards Vs 24.500 french

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_St._Quentin_(1557)

Siege of Cartagena de Indias 1741

4.000 spaniards Vs 27.4000 brits

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

[seraosha]

Durant lived, their mission was accomplished.
That's a win in my book.

YMMV

[skyeye]

Something I'm pretty interested in is cases in wars when you have a individual or a small group manage to win or at least survive against a much larger force.


Based on the premise of an individual surviving against a large group, I’m mentioning Mike Benge. He was a USAID worker captured in Jan. 1968 by the NVA, held in Cambodia for a year, then marched to Hanoi and released in the 1973 prisoner release. He then went back to Viet Nam to work with the Montagnards. His story is little known, but IMHO, epic.

Link to his bio:


http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/b/b600.htm

[kawaiku]

I believe you mean "Yamato" as in the battleship. Yamamoto was an admiral, shot down over Bouganville. Kurita was the Japanese commander at Samar.Thanks for correcting that glaring mistake of mine.

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

If we're talking about single individuals, I remember reading about a 101st Abn soldier in Normandy who went nuts storming through several German barracks with grenades and a Tommy Gun and ended up killing something like 100 people. I forget his name though.

[kawaiku]

Megaraptor;5857850']If we're talking about single individuals, I remember reading about a 101st Abn soldier in Normandy who went nuts storming through several German barracks with grenades and a Tommy Gun and ended up killing something like 100 people. I forget his name though.Oh I remember what you're talking about. It was in that show following the 502nd I believe. He (forgot his name as well) was at it for a while before 2 other guys showed up and helped him clear out the rest of the buildings. And I believe it was at a farm.

[Kiiski]

The battle off Samar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Samar) where a small US naval task force held off a much larger and more powerful Japanese naval force that included the Yamato during the early stages of the invasion of the Philippines by the US to retake the islands.

The actions of the US Navy destroyers trying to defend the fleeing CVE's is simply beyond praise. What makes them even more stunning is the fact that these little ships were manned by crews that had been civilians three years before (vast majority of them anyway).

These were the people who attacked the professional elite of the IJN in their battleships and heavy cruisers. Amazingly, it was the Japanese who wet their pants in this most unequal encounter.
My favourite story of the day is the cry by the chief of the CVE White Plains "Hold on a little longer boys, we're sucking them to 40 mm range"p-)

To say that Taffy 3 held off the Japanese centre force a bit misleading. The task force was running for its life to reach the safety of the more powerful US Navy units when Kurita lost his nerve and called of the pursuit.

[bersaglieri]

Megaraptor;5857850']If we're talking about single individuals, I remember reading about a 101st Abn soldier in Normandy who went nuts storming through several German barracks with grenades and a Tommy Gun and ended up killing something like 100 people. I forget his name though.

S/Sgt Harrison Summers of B/502

[Connaught Ranger]

The defense by the Island of Malta against constant Italian & German bomber attacks in WW2.

Connaught Ranger

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

The defense by the Island of Malta against constant Italian & German bomber attacks in WW2.

Connaught Ranger

Especially, the defense of Malta by 3 Gloster Gladiators against German and Italian bomber attacks.

[happyslapper]

"Never, in the field of human conflict,
was so much owed, by so many,
to so few''

I don't think further expansion is necessary.

[James]

Durant lived, their mission was accomplished.
That's a win in my book.

YMMV

Their objective was to defend the 2nd crash site until rescue forces arrived to secure it. They were KIA, the crash site was overrun, and everyone aside from Durant who might still have been alive was murdered. Durant spent 11 days as a prisoner in very, very austere conditions before being released to the ICRC. Again, I have the utmost respect for what they attempted (I hope I could decide to attempt just a fraction of what they did in those circumstances) but, as a microcosm of the larger battle, I'd call the action a failure.

Maybe we should start another thread titled "Forlorn Hope".

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

Before explosives and guns, it was a lot harder for the few to defeat the many.

One example where this did happen was the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC, where 38,000 Romans were annihilated by 10,000 Parthian cavalry.

This was made all the more incredible because the Parthians had only 1,000 heavy cavalry, the rest were lightly armored horse archers. In fact, the Parthian force wasn't even supposed to attack the Romans, just delay them until the main Parthian army could arrive. General Surena, the Parthian commander, had other ideas. Result, 20,000 Roman dead, 10,000 POW who were not released until 20 BC.

[Kitsune]

Megaraptor;5861761']Before explosives and guns, it was a lot harder for the few to defeat the many.
That sounds almost pessimistic, but there are always possibilities. Nothing gets a large number of troops killed and defeated as a bad commander, even back then. Crassus at Carrhae is but one example. Varus in Germania in 9 AD might be another. Dareios at Gaugamela should be considered a remarkable third one.

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

That sounds almost pessimistic, but there are always possibilities. Nothing gets a large number of troops killed and defeated as a bad commander, even back then. Crassus at Carrhae is but one example. Varus in Germania in 9 AD might be another. Dareios at Gaugamela should be considered a remarkable third one.

On second thought, I may need to amend that statement. In ancient battles, training, armor and discipline could overcome numbers quite often (see: Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, etc). I was thinking more along the lines of some of the battles mentioned earlier like Mirbat were the force difference was 20-1 or more.

[lecker]

The era of Genghis Khan and his first successor, at the height of Mongols power.

or the second battle of Kharkov
350.000 Axis troops against 765.300 Red Army troops
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Kharkov

[JCR]

Megaraptor;5862375']On second thought, I may need to amend that statement. In ancient battles, training, armor and discipline could overcome numbers quite often (see: Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, etc). I was thinking more along the lines of some of the battles mentioned earlier like Mirbat were the force difference was 20-1 or more.

Marathon for example.
A athenian/platean force half as large as the Persians defeated them and killed half of them with only about 200 casualties.
Of course persians were lightly armed compared to greek hoplites and the Athenians charged downhill but still choosing the right terrain and making the enemy fight your fight is good generalship.
The greeks proved that over and over again the persian wars.
If they had let the Persians fight how they did best they would have lost like everybody else.

[Mordoror]

The era of Genghis Khan and his first successor, at the height of Mongols power.

or the second battle of Kharkov
350.000 Axis troops against 765.300 Red Army troops
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Kharkov

Doesn"t really fit the OP


this one is more in the idea : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_the_International_Legations
500 vs 10 000 + during the 55 days of Beijing

[visigothum]

Blas de Lezo. At the Battle of Cartagena de Indias (1741): 3000 Spanish and 400 Indians, 6 boats, against about 30000 English in 186 ships and 2000 guns (more ships and men that the Great Armada of Philip II). The English defeat was such that King George II of England forbade them to speak or write about it.
Blas de Lezo y Olavarrieta, at age 25, he was lame, lame and blind in the wounds received in battle.

[Hazzard]

Article has 60K, not 100K for Ottomans.

I do not know the sources of eng. wiki. try russian one.