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List of last stands

See Last stand for a detailed description of the military situation

A last stand is a Military situation where a (normally) small defensive force holds a position against a significantly more powerful attacking force. The defending force usually takes heavy casualties. This can take the form of a rearguard action, holding a defensible location, or simply by refusing to give up a position. Last stands are a last resort tactic used when retreat or surrender is either impossible, or when fighting is essential to the success of their cause. While the defending force will most likely be defeated, they sometimes survive long enough for reinforcements to arrive and force the retreat of the attackers, or even force the enemy away by themselves.

List of land-based last stands

Name Year Defenders Attackers Description Outcome
Battle of Thermopylae 480 BC Greek City-States Persian Empire A force of 7,000 Greek soldiers blocked the pass of Thermoplyae from the Persian army numbering 70,000-300,000 soldiers. The Greek defenders held their position for several days before being overrun. The battle has since become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.[1] Persian victory
Battle of Roncevaux Pass 778 AD Franks Basques A large force of Basques ambushed Charlemange's army. To escape, Charlemange assigned a rearguard to delay the Basques until the Franks could retreat. The rearguard action was sucessful, but all of the soldiers who took part in it were killed.[2] Basque victory
Battle of Stamford Bridge 1066 AD Kingdom of Norway Kingdom of England The battle was part of the Viking invasion of England. The battle took place near the town of Stamford Bridge. A force of 9,000 Vikings were opposed by ~15,000 English soldiers who achieved a decisive victory after extremely heavy fighting.[3] Decisive English victory
Battle of Agincourt 1415 AD Kingdom of England Kingdom of France The battle had a numerically inferior force of English soldiers fight against French forces. The English use of longbows is what allowed them to defeat the French, who's armor was ineffective against the fired arrows.[4] Decisive English victory
Fall of Constantinople 1453 AD  Byzantine Empire

 Republic of Genoa

 Republic of Venice

 Kingdom of Sicily

 Papal States

Ottoman defectors

Ottoman Empire The conquest of Constantinople was directly after a 53-day seige. It dealt a heavy blow to Christendom, as the Ottoman armies were able to freely invade Europe without fearing and attach from the rear. It also helped the renaissance, as several intellectuals fled the city and immigrated to Italy.[5] Decisive Ottoman victory
Battle of Naseby 1645 AD Royalists New Model Army The Battle of Naseby had the main army of King Charles I effectively destroyed by the New Model Army led by Oliver Cromwell. This last stand didn't involve total Royalists casualties, as the majority of the army surrendered to Cromwell.[6] Decisive Parliamentarian victory
Battle of the Alamo 1836 AD Republic of Texas  Mexico The battle was part of the Texas Revolution. Following the Seige of the Alamo, Mexican soldiers stormed the building, killing all of the defenders. In the following years, the battle is regarded akin to the legendary Battle of Thermopylae.[7] Mexican victory
Battle of Camarón 1863 AD France France Mexico The Battle of Camerón had 65 Foreign Legionnaires fight against 3,000 Mexican soldiers for 10 hours. The Legionnaires only surrendered after an attempted bayonet charge, and a promise that they would receive medical attention and be allowed to keep their weapons and equipment.[8] Tactical Mexican victory

Strategic French victory

Raid on Godfrey Ranch 1865 AD  United States Lakota

Cheyenne

The ranch was defended by 3-4 men who fought against 130 Native American warriors. Godfrey was aware of the planned attack and had fortified his ranch in preparation. The attack happened at night and continued until morning when the attackers retreated.[9] American victory
Custer's Last Stand 1876 AD United States United States Lakota

Dakota

Northern Cheyenne

Arapaho

Custer's Last Stand was part of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. George Custer † found himself on a hilltop with a significantly larger force of Native Americans attacking them. Even though, according to Lakota accounts, the attack on Last Stand Hill produced the most casualties, the Lakota destroyed Custer's force within an hour.[10] Native American victory
Battle of Shipka Pass 1877 AD  Russian Empire

Bulgaria

Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire During the second battle, 38,000 Ottomans decided to capture three positions guarded by 7,500 defenders. The Ottomans spent six days trying to capture the positions, but eventually retreated after Russian reinforcements arrived.[11] Ottoman attack repulsed
Battle of Shiroyama 1877 AD Samurai of Satsuma Imperial Japanese Army 500 samurai were surrounded by 30,000 Japanese soldiers. The samurai held their position, engaging in close-quarter fighting, as the Japanese soldiers were not trained for it. They continued to hold until their leader, Saigō Takamori †, was killed. They then decided to charge downhill and were subsequently killed.[12] Imperial Japanese victory
Battle of Rorke's Drift 1879 AD United Kingdom British Empire Zulu Kingdom The battle had 141 members of the British Army defend a mission station against a force of 3,000-4,000 Zulus. The battle happened soon after the British defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana. The British at Rorke's Drift had time to prepare defensive positions in anticipation of a Zulu attack. After a fierce assault, the Zulu's attack was repulsed. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders, among other decorations.[13] British victory
Battle of Saragarhi 1897 AD British India Pashtuns On 12 September 1897, 21 Sikhs of the of the 36th Sikhs defended an army post from the 10,000 Pashtuns trying to capture it. The defenders all chose to fight, buying enough time for a British Indian relief party to recapture the fort. September 12 is remembered as Saragarhi Day among Sikh military personnel.[14] Tactical Pashtun victory

Strategic British Indian victory

Battle of Tirad Pass 1899 AD First Philippine Republic Philippine Republic United States United States The Battle of Tirad Pass is a famous battle where a rearguard of 60 Filipino soldiers fought a delaying action against a 300 strong American advance. The defenders suffered near total casualties, but fought long enough for President Aguinaldo and his troops to escape. The battle is now sometimes called the "Philippine Thermopylae".[15] Tactical United States victory

Strategic Filipino victory

Battle of Wizna 1939 AD Poland Poland Nazi Germany Nazi Germany The Battle of Wizna was fought during the early stages of the Invasion of Poland. The 700 Polish defenders held a fortified position for three days against a Nazi force that outnumbered them ~ 60-1. Captain Władysław Raginis † eventually ordered the last two bunkers to surrender after they ran out of ammunition, then committed suicide.[16] German victory
Pavlov's House 1942 AD Soviet Union Soviet Union Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Pavlov's House was a fortified apartment building that was defended against heavy German attack during the Battle of Stalingrad. The defense would be led by Sergeant Yakov Pavlov, who's understrength platoon would hold the tactically vital building for 60 days, following Stalin's Order No. 227. Sergeant Pavlov would be awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his actions.[17] Soviet victory
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising 1943 AD Jewish Resistance

Polish Resistance

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was an act of Jewish resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto, opposing Nazi Germany's final effort to transport the remaining Ghetto population to Treblinka extermination camp. They fought for 27 days until the Ghetto was burnt down by the Waffen-SS.[18] German victory
Battle of Tali-Ihantala 1944 AD  Finland

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany

Soviet Union Soviet Union The battle saw 50,000 highly-trained Finns with German equipment defend against 150,000 poorly-supplied Soviet forces. The Finns defended against heavy Soviet attack for 14 days. The Red Army failed to make their planned breakthrough, so the battle is regarded as a Finnish victory.[19] Finnish defensive victory
Battle of Hill 262 1944 AD Poland Poland Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Hill 262 had encircled and entrenched Polish soldiers fight against German soldiers retreating from the Falaise Pocket. The Poles were able to direct heavy artillery fire on the Germans, which prompted a counterattack. Exhausted and low on ammunition, the defenders resorted to close-quarter combat to defeat a German attempt to overrun their position. They ensured the closure of the pocket and were relieved by the Canadian Grenadier Guards.[20] Polish victory
Battle of Arnhem 1944 AD  United Kingdom
Poland Poland 		Nazi Germany Nazi Germany The Battle of Arnhem had the British 1st Airborne Division and the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade trapped and unable to be relieved. They put up a heavy resistance and fought for several days. Five of the British soldiers that fought would be awarded the Victoria Cross. The 1st Airborne suffered very heavy casualties, and would never recover.[21] German victory
Warsaw Uprising 1944 AD Home Army Nazi Germany Nazi Germany The Warsaw Uprising planned buy the Polish Government-In-Exile and Home Army. The purpose was to liberate Warsaw from the occupying Germans. The Home Army was to resist for four days, then be relieved by the advancing Red Army. The Soviets stopped their advance on the city outskirts and the Home Army was forced to fight for 63 days before they surrendered.[22] German victory
Seige of Bastogne 1944 AD United States United States Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Members of the 101st Airborne were ordered to defend the vital crossroad at Bastogne from capture by the XLVII Panzer Corps. Outnumbered, under-equipped, and surrounded, the Americans held out for seven days, before being relieved by elements of General Patton's Third Army.[23] American victory
Battle of Berlin 1945 AD Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Soviet Union Soviet Union

Poland Poland

The Battle of Berlin was Hitler's attempt at delaying the Soviets long enough so that the nearby 12th army could arrive and defeat the Soviets. The battle lasted 16 days before the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany was declared.[24] Decisive Soviet victory
Battle of the Imjin River 1951 AD  United Nations  China The Chinese had attacked positions on the lower Imjin River in an attempt to breakthrough and recapture the South Korean capital, Seoul. The UN forces fought a delaying action against the numerically superior Chinese and held their position for three days. This allowed the UN to prepare defensive positions to the north of Seoul and halt the Chinese advance.[25] Disputed
  • Successful UN delay action
Battle of Kapyong 1951 AD United Nations United Nations China China

 North Korea

The battle had most of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army in the area attack the Australians on Hill 504 and Canadians on Hill 677. The Australians and Canadians were outnumbered, but refused to give up their positions. The two battalions defended against the entire Chinese division and eventually forced them to withdraw and regroup. Their fighting was key in preventing a breakthrough on the United Nations Command central front.[26] United Nations victory
Siege of Jadotville 1961 AD United Nations ONUC State of Katanga State of Katanga 155-158 Irish UN troops were attacked by ~3,000 Katangese troops. The Irish were able to repel attacks for six days before their ammunition and supplies were exhausted. The attackers suffered heavy casualties, before the defenders (none of whom were killed) surrendered. The Irish were captured, but released one month later.[27] Katangese victory
Battle of Hill 488 1966 AD United States United States Vietnam North Vietnam

Viet Cong

A small reconnaissance platoon was attacked by ~250-300 PAVN and Viet Cong soldiers. They held out for three days, losing few men. Before they were evacuated, the Marines had to forbid automatic fire, resort to hand-to-hand combat, and throw rocks in the hope that they would be confused for grenades. The commander of the platoon, Jimmie E. Howard, would be awarded the Medal of Honor.[28] Tactical American victory

List of naval last stands

Name Year Defenders Attackers Description Outcome
Battle of Myeongnyang 1597 AD  Joseon Navy Fleet of Toyotomi Hideyoshi The battle had Admiral Yi Sun-Sin take the remaining 13 ships of the Joseon Navy and hold the Myeongnyang Strait against the 133 warships of the attacking Japanese force. Due to Admiral Sun-sin's remarkable skill as a naval commander, he destroyed 33 enemy ships and forced a Japanese retreat. Admiral Sun-sin only losing 10 sailors as none of his ships were sunk.[29] Joseon Victory
1940 AD United Kingdom Royal Navy Nazi Germany Kriegsmarine The engagement was between the 1,370 ton destroyer HMS Glowworm and the 16,170 ton cruiser Admiral Hipper. The Glowworm had attacked two German destroyers, who requested help from the cruiser. After the British destroyer fired all her torpedoes, and having her guns destroyed, she collided with the Admiral Hipper, and sunk. The Germans recovered 40 British sailors. Its commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Gerard Roope † was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on the recommendation of the German captain.[30] German victory
The Sinking of Bismarck 1941 AD Nazi Germany Kriegsmarine United Kingdom Royal Navy After the German victory at the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the Royal Navy deployed a large force tasked with the destruction of the Bismarck to counter the destruction of the battlecruiser HMS Hood. Three days after the engagement, the Bismarck was found and engaged in its final action. Over the course of the night, the British forces crippled the Bismarck's steering gear and repeatedly harassed the Germans with attacks by British destroyers. On the morning of May 27, the HMS King George V, HMS Rodney, and the cruisers finally sank the Bismarck.[31]

Admiral Tovey, who commanded the engagement, said that "The Bismarck had put up a most gallant fight against impossible odds worthy of the old days of the Imperial German Navy, and she went down with her colours flying."[31]

British Victory
Battle off Samar 1944 AD United States United States Empire of Japan Empire of Japan The Battle off Samar had Task Unit 77.4.3 ("Taffy 3") fight against Japanese Center Force. The Japanese flagship was the Yamato, who alone outweighed all of Taffy 3 together. The Americans had a few destroyers, escort carriers, destroyer escorts, and 400 aircraft. The Japanese fleet had several battleships and heavy cruisers. Despite the mismatch, the Americans put up so much resistance, Admiral Kurita thought he was facing the entire Third fleet and retreated.[32] American Victory

List of last stands with few defenders

Place of Action Year Defender(s) Attackers Description Outcome
Taungdaw, Burma [now Myanmar] 1917 AD United Kingdom Lachhiman Gurung Empire of Japan Empire of Japan Gurkha Rifleman Gurung was manning the forward post of his platoon when they were attacked by 200 Japanese soldiers. He had already returned two thrown grenades when a third detonated in his trench. Despite being alone and his now severe injuries, he defended his position for four hours until he was relieved.[33] Japanese withdrawl
  • Awarded the Victoria Cross
Saipan, Mariana Islands 1944 AD United States Thomas A. Baker † Empire of Japan Empire of Japan On 7 July 1944, Thomas Baker's position came under attack by a significantly larger Japanese force. He was wounded in the initial assault, but refused to be evacuated and fought at close-range until his ammunition was expended. Baker insisted he be left behind when his comrades were forced to retreat. He was propped up against a tree with a pistol and eight bullets. When the position was retaken, he was found dead with the bodies of eight Japanese soldiers around him.[34] Baker is killed in action
  • Posthumous Medal of Honor
Near the Po Valley, Italy 1945 AD Brazil Arlindo Lúcio da Silva †

Brazil Geraldo Baeta da Cruz †

Brazil Geraldo Rodrigues de Souza †

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany The three Brazilians were on patrol near the Po Valley when they were attacked by German forces, who requested their surrender. They took cover and returned fire, eventually running out of ammunition. They then mounted a bayonet charge against the German attackers, but were killed in the process.[35] The Brazilian soldiers are killed
Near Holtzwihr, France 1945 AD United States Audie L. Murphy Nazi Germany Nazi Germany Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery, killing large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. He then climbed on a burning tank destroyer and employed its machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from three sides, but he killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back.[36] German withdrawal
  • Awarded the Medal of Honor
Near Babaji, Helmand province, Afghanistan 2010 AD United Kingdom Dipprasad Pun Taliban Dipprasad Pun of the Royal Gurkha Rifles was guarding his unit's compound when he was attacked by 30 insurgents. He was surrounded and was certain of his death, so he resolved to kill as many of the attackers as he could. He expended all 400 rounds of his ammunition, launched 17 grenades, detonated a Claymore mine, and killed the final attacker with his tripod.[37] Taliban defeated

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Charlemagne: Battle of Roncevaux Pass". About.com Education. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  3. ^ "The Battle of Stamford Bridge". geoffboxell.tripod.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  4. ^ "Military History Online - The Battle of Agincourt". www.militaryhistoryonline.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  5. ^ "Nicol. Last Centuries of Byzantium". coursesa.matrix.msu.edu. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  6. ^ "The Naseby Campaign, 1645". bcw-project.org. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  7. ^ L., HARDIN, STEPHEN. "ALAMO, BATTLE OF THE". www.tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2016-02-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  10. ^ Gregory, Michno (1997). Lakota Noon, the Indian narrative of Custer's defeat. Mountain Press Publishing Company. ISBN 0-87842-349-4.
  11. ^ "Reminiscence from Days of Liberation* - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency". www.novinite.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  12. ^ "Satsuma Rebellion: Satsuma Clan Samurai Against the Imperial Japanese Army". History Net: Where History Comes Alive - World & US History Online. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  13. ^ Watson, Sir Charles Moore (1889-01-01). History of the Corps of Royal Engineers. Longmans, Green.
  14. ^ Sharma, Gutam (1990). Valour and Sacrifice: Famous Regiments of the Indian Army. India: Allied Publishers. ISBN 81-7023-140-X.
  15. ^ "Philippine-American War, 1899-1902 | by Arnaldo Dumindin". philippineamericanwar.webs.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  16. ^ "1939: Sept. 7, 1939 - Battle of Wizna". war1939.blogspot.ca. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  17. ^ "Дом Павлова". volfoto.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  18. ^ "World War II: Warsaw Ghetto Uprising - History Net: Where History Comes Alive - World & US History Online". History Net: Where History Comes Alive - World & US History Online. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  19. ^ Prince, Rob. "The history of the Finnish 6th Division during the Battle of Tali-Ihantala (29th June - 9th July 1944)" (PDF). Battle Vault. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
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  21. ^ "hill107.net". hill107.net. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  22. ^ "Poland in Exile - The Warsaw Rising". www.polandinexile.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
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  24. ^ "Battle for Berlin: April May 1945". www.historyofwar.org. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  25. ^ Archives, The National. "The National Archives - Exhibitions & Learning online - British Battles". www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  26. ^ "Battle of Kapyong, April 1951 | Australian War Memorial". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  27. ^ O'Donoghue, David (2005). The Irish Army in the Congo 1960-1964:The Far Battalions. Irish Academic Press. ISBN 0 7165 3319 7.
  28. ^ "Medal of Honor 1stSgt Jimme E. Howard - 1929 - 1993". www.forcerecon.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  29. ^ "Yi Sun-shin Home". www.koreanhero.net. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
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  32. ^ "Glorious Death: The Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 23rd -- 25th, 1944 by Tim Lanzendörfer". www.microworks.net. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
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  34. ^ "Thomas Alexander Baker (1916 - 1944) - Find A Grave Memorial". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  35. ^ "CINEMARKETING FILMES: Novo Filme da Cinemarketing". cinemarketingfilmes.blogspot.ca (in Portugese). Retrieved 2016-02-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  36. ^ Hollen, Norman (1944-08-15). "Complete Description of Service Rendered". National Archives. The National Archives Catalog. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
  37. ^ "Bravery medal for Gurkha who fought Taliban - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
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