List of last stands

A last stand is a military situation where a (normally) small defensive force holds a position against a significantly more powerful attacking force, often (though not necessarily) as their final act before being defeated. 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.

This article contains one or more incomplete lists which may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it / them with entries that are reliably sourced.

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 allied Greek soldiers blocked the pass of Thermopylae from the invading Persian army numbering between 70,000 and 300,000 soldiers. The Greek defenders held their position for at least three days before being overrun. The battle has since become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.[1] Persian victory
Siege of Numantia 133 BC Celtiberians Roman Republic The Roman consul Scipio Aemilianus with an army of 20,000 Roman legionnaires plus 40,000 allies and mercenary troops, surrounded the city of Numantia during the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Scipio's army constructed a wall around the city, created an artificial lake between that wall and the city walls, and erected several 10 feet towers from which archers could shoot into Numantia. The Romans asked for the full surrender of the Celtiberians. The inhabitants of Numantia refused to surrender and decided to die free before becoming slaves. Little by little the Numantians succumbed either from starvation, Roman arrows, or mass suicide. Overall the siege lasted between 8 and 16 months (depending on the sources) and ended with the burning and complete destruction of the city.[2][3] Roman victory and culmination of the Numantine War and the Celtiberian Wars.
Battle of Lauro 45 BC Pompeians Caesarians After being defeated during the Battle of Munda, Gnaeus Pompeius the Younger unsuccessfully attempted to escape the Caesarian forces that pursued him and his remaining followers. Eventually the Pompeians were cornered and surrounded near Lauro. After one last breakout attempt that allowed some of his forces to escape, Gnaeus Pompeius (who was heavily wounded) and the remaining Pompeian defenders mostly fought to the death against the Caesarians.[4] Caesarian victory, death of Gnaeus Pompeius the Younger
Siege of Masada 74 AD Jewish Sicarii Rebels Roman Empire One of the final events in the First Jewish–Roman War, occurring at the hilltop fortress of Masada in current-day Israel, near the Dead Sea. The lengthy siege by Roman Empire troops culminated in the Roman legion surrounding Masada and constructing a siege ramp against the western face of the plateau, moving thousands of tons of stones and beaten earth over several months. Upon reaching the fortress, the Romans discovered that all 960 rebels had committed mass suicide. The siege of Masada is often revered in modern Israel as "a symbol of Jewish heroism".[5] Roman victory
Siege of Mecca (692) 692 AD Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr's caliphate Umayyad Caliphate In 692 the armies of the Umayyad Caliphate besieged Mecca to put an end to the rival caliphate of Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr. After six months of brutal fighting, with over 10,000 men including two of his sons having defected to the Umayyads, Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr and his remaining loyal followers made a last stand at the Kaaba, where they fought to the death.[6] Umayyad victory
Battle of Roncevaux Pass 778 AD Franks Basques A large force of Basques ambushed Charlemagne's army. To escape, Charlemagne assigned a rearguard to delay the Basques until the Franks could retreat. The rearguard action was successful, but all of the soldiers who took part in it were killed.[7] 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.[8] 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, whose armor was ineffective against the fired arrows.[9] 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 siege. It dealt a heavy blow to Christendom, as the Ottoman armies were able to freely invade Europe without fearing and attack from the rear. It also helped the Renaissance, as several intellectuals fled the city and immigrated to Italy.[10] Decisive Ottoman victory
Siege of Szigetvár 1566 AD Habsburg Monarchy Ottoman Empire The siege of Szigetvár was fought from 5 August to 8 September 1566 and, though it resulted in an Ottoman victory, there were heavy losses on both sides. Both commanders died during the battle — Zrinski in the final charge and Suleiman in his tent from natural causes. More than 20,000 Turks had fallen during the attacks and almost all of Zrinski's 2,300 man garrison was killed, with most of the final 600 men killed on the last day. Although the battle was an Ottoman victory, it stopped the Ottoman push to Vienna that year. Vienna was not threatened again until the Battle of Vienna in 1683.[11] Ottoman Empire victory
Battle of Nishimonai 1601 AD Onodera clan Mogami clan Even though the Onodera clan that had ruled southern Akita, Japan, was completely defeated and exiled in 1600, one clan member, Onodera Shigemichi, continued to resist at his stronghold in Nishimonai and even refused to surrender when a large Mogami clan army arrived to eliminate this last remnant of Onodera resistance. Shigemichi and his loyal followers attempted to defend their castle against the Mogami, but were overwhelmed, whereupon he set fire to the fortress. According to some accounts, Shigemichi died in the flames, whereas others report that he managed to escape. Either way, Onodera Shigemichi is honored in Nishimonai until the present day. Mogami clan victory
Rokugō rebellion 1603 AD Satake clan Onodera clan loyalists Around 1,000 rōnin, still loyal to their defeated and exiled former lord Onodera Yoshimichi, decided to rebel to protest against his poor treatment by the Tokugawa shogunate. Though their uprising had no chance of success, the rōnin attacked Rokugō, Akita, where they were quickly defeated by the Satake clan. The rebellion has since been considered an exceptional display of loyalty by samurai to their master.[12] Satake clan 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.[13] Decisive Parliamentarian victory
Battle of Pavan Khind July 13, 1660 AD Maratha Empire Bijapur Sultanate The Battle of Pavan Khind was a rear guard action by Marathas led by Baji Prabhu Deshpande to aid escape of Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj to Vishalgad. Baji Prabhu held an Adilshahi force of 10,000+ with a small Maratha army of 300 in a pass now known as Pavan Khind. The Maratha army perished in the Adilshahi assault, but only after achieving their objective of safe arrival of Shivaji Maharaj to Vishalgad. [14] Tactical Adilshahi victory

Strategic Maratha Victory

Battle of the Alamo 1836 AD Republic of Texas  Mexico The battle was part of the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege 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.[15] Mexican victory
Battle of Blood River 1838 AD Voortrekkers Zulu Kingdom The Battle of Blood River had 464 Voortrekkers and 200 servants under Andries Pretorius attacked by 10,000 Zulu under Ndlela kaSompisi with an additional 70,000 held in reserve not taking part in the battle. Pretorius had set up a laager on a defensive position near the bank of Blood River. The Zulus attacked with overwhelming numbers over the course of several days, but Pretorius' technological advantage (muskets and two cannons) allowed him to successfully hold them off. By the end of the battle, three Voortrekkers were wounded while the Zulus had lost more than 3,000.[16] Voortrekker victory
Retreat from Kabul 1842 AD  British Empire Emirate of Afghanistan The 1842 Kabul Retreat took place during the First Anglo-Afghan War. Following an uprising in Kabul, Major General Sir William Elphinstone negotiated an agreement with Wazir Akbar Khan, one of the sons of the Afghan Emir Dost Mohammad Barakzai, by which his army was to withdraw to the British garrison at Jalalabad, more than 90 miles (140 km) away. As the army and its numerous dependents and camp-followers began its march, it came under attack from Afghan tribesmen. Many of the column died of exposure, frostbite or starvation or were killed during the fighting. The final stand was made just outside a village called Gandamak on 13 January.[17] Afghan victory
Battle of Camarón 1863 AD France France Mexico The Battle of Camerón had 65 Foreign Legionnaires fight against 3,000 Mexican soldiers for over 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.[18] Tactical Mexican victory

Strategic French victory

Raid on Godfrey Ranch 1865 AD  United States Lakota
Cheyenne		 The ranch was defended by three or four 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.[19] American victory
Battle of Cerro Corá 1870 AD  Paraguay  Empire of Brazil The last engagement of the Paraguayan War, the Battle of Cerro Corá saw the complete destruction of all remaining forces of Paraguayan President Francisco Solano López. Although completely outnumbered, many of the Paraguayans refused to surrender and instead were killed in attempts to escape, made stubborn last stands or simply allowed themselves to be shot. Among those killed were President Lopez, Vice President Domingo Francisco Sánchez, Secretary of State Luis Caminos, and the son of the President, Juan Francisco López. According to one account, the President's last words were that he was "dying with [his] homeland". In this regard, historian Gabriele Esposito has commented that considering the enormous Paraguayan casualities during the war, López had "certainly ensured that most of [Paraguay's] people had died before him".[20] Brazilian victory, end of the Paraguayan War
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 an open 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.[21] 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.[22] Russian/Bulgarian victory
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.[23] 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 to 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 several fierce assaults over 12 hours, the Zulu's attack was repulsed. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders, among other decorations.[24] British victory
Battle of La Concepción 1882 AD Chile Chile Peru Peru A force of 300 Peruvian soldiers accompanied by around 1000-1500 guerillas assaulted a garrison of 77 Chilean soldiers at Concepción. The Chileans entrenched themselves in the town's church and withstood the attack for a period of 27 hours, eventually being totally annihilated by the Peruvian forces.[25] Peruvian victory
The Shangani Patrol 1893 AD British South Africa Company Matabele Kingdom During the First Matabele War, 34 men of the Shangani Patrol were ambushed by ~3,000 Matabele warriors. The Matabele leader offered to spare the Shangani Patrol if they surrendered, but they refused and kept fighting. Under the orders of Major Allan Wilson †, the remaining British took cover behind their dead horses and inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers. After they ran out of ammunition, the remaining survivors were finished off by an assagei spear charge. The British took total casualties, but killed ~500 of their attackers.[26]

Usually, the Matabele mutilate the bodies of the enemy, but made an exception for Wilson's men. One of the Matabele leaders explained after the battle, "The white men died so bravely we would not treat them as we do the cowardly Mashonas and others."[26]

 Matabele victory
Battle of Saragarhi 1897 AD British India Pashtuns On 12 September 1897, 21 Sikhs 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.[27] Tactical Pashtun victory

Strategic British Indian victory

Battle of Tirad Pass 1899 CE 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."[28] Tactical United States victory

Strategic Filipino victory

Gavrilović's defense of Belgrade 1914 CE  Serbia  Austria-Hungary Gavrilović lead the Serbian defensive action that delayed the Austro-Hungarians in fully taking Belgrade during the first World War. The attacking force vastly outnumbered the Serbians, and were only gaining reinforcements. They also had a vast superiority in artillery. Gavrilović was forced to engage the Austro-Hungarians in close-quarter combat. Eventually, the defenders mounted a final charge in an attempt to destroy the enemy's bridgehead. A memorial planted by the enemy commander still stands today, reading "Here Lies Serbian Heroes."[29] Failure to destroy Austro-Hungarian Bridgehead
Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge 1915 CE  Canada  German Empire The Battle of Gravenstafel was one of the six engagements that made up the Second Battle of Ypres. The battle had members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force hold their position, as well as the position of the French Moroccan and Algerian divisions, who had retreated after the gas attack. The Canadians fought for three days, despite being surrounded on three sides, gassed again, outnumbered, and outgunned.[30] German attack repulsed
Battle of Wizna 1939 CE 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.[31] German victory
Pavlov's House 1942 CE 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, whose 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.[32] Soviet victory
Last Battle of Pohorje Battalion 1943 AD Liberation Front of the Slovene Nation Nazi GermanyNazi Germany The Pohorje Battalion was an armed unit of Slovene Partisans, resistance army of the Slovenian people, organized on territory occupied by Third Reich during the Second World War. As other units of Slovene Partisans, it performed its actions in a guerrilla-like way, avoiding larger conflicts against a much stronger opponent. Their last battle was fought in winter camp, where they were planning to spend the winter. On 8 January, 69 fighters (among them women and children) were surrounded by some 2000 men of the German armed forces. In a two and half hour long fight, all but one of the defenders, who was too severely wounded to kill himself, were killed (their commandant gave the order that none should be captured alive). The captured partisan was shot subsequently, yet the last stand of the battalion became a symbol of a heroic stance against occupation and a legendary action of the Slovenian people in a fight for their freedom.[33] Germany 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.[34] 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.[35] 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.[36] 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.[37] German victory
Warsaw Uprising 1944 AD Home Army Nazi Germany Nazi Germany The Warsaw Uprising was planned by 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.[38] German victory
Siege 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.[39] 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.[40] 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.[41] Disputed
  • Successful UN delay action
Battle of Kapyong 1951 CE 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.[42] 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.[43] 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.[44] Tactical American victory
Battle of Longewala 1971 AD  India  Pakistan The Battle of Longewala (4–7 December 1971) was one of the first major engagements in the western sector during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, fought between assaulting Pakistani forces and Indian defenders at the Indian border post of Longewala, in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan state in India. About 120 Indian soldiers from the 23rd battalion of the Punjab Regiment held on and fought against the invading force of 2000 Pakistani soldiers.[45] Decisive Indian victory

List of naval last stands

Name Year Defenders Attackers Description Outcome
Battle of Myeongnyang 1597 CE  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 lost 10 sailors as none of his ships were sunk.[46] Joseon Victory
1940 CE 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.[47] German victory
The Sinking of Bismarck 1941 CE 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.[48]

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."[48]

 British Victory
Battle off Samar 1944 CE 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, which 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.[49] American Victory

List of last stands in aviation

Place of Action Year Defenders Attackers Description Outcome
Over Nanjing, China 1937 CE Taiwan Republic of China Air Force Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service On 3 December 1937, a large Japanese bomber formation, escorted by 11 Mitsubishi A5Ms, attacked the airfield of the Republic of China Air Force's 21st Pursuit Squadron/4th Pursuit Group at Nanjing. At the time, the whole 21st Pursuit Squadron had only two operational Hawk IIIs left, flown by Captain Tung Ming-teh and Lieutenant Yue Yiqin. Despite their massive numerical disadvantage, Tung and Yue took off and engaged the Japanese attackers by themselves. In course of the following dogfight, the Japanese were victorious, with Yue shot down and Tung driven off. Yue was posthumously promoted for his courageous actions and buried at the Memorial Cemetery to the Anti-Japanese Aviator Martyrs, while Tung rose in rank to command the 4th Pursuit Group by 1939.[50] Japanese success, Yue Yiqin is killed
Over Oschersleben, Germany 1944 CE United States United States Luftwaffe The United States sent out a heavy bomber group that was escorted by a formation of P-51 aircraft led by Col. James H. Howard. During the mission, they met with a Luftwaffe force that attacked the bomber group. The Americans, in the process of defending their bombers, became separated from the bomber formation. Howard lost contact with his group and decided to return to the bomber formation, only to see that it was being attacked by the Germans. Instead of waiting for the rest of his group, he chose to defend against the 30 German planes alone. He fought by himself for 30 minutes, nearly out of fuel and out of ammunition; he continued to dive at the Germans until they withdrew. Howard would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.[51] Successful defense of American bombers

List of last stands with few defenders

Place of Action Year Defender(s) Attackers Description Outcome
Rome 69 CE Sempronius Densus † Followers of Otho On January 15, 69, the Roman emperor Galba and his heir Piso were attacked on the streets of Rome by Praetorians who had defected to the usurper Otho. Instead of defending them, Galba and Piso's bodyguards promptly fled or joined the rebels. Only one centurion, Sempronius Densus, refused to abandon the emperor, even though he felt no particular affinity to Galba. Sempronius first attempted to remonstrate with the assassins, and then fought them to the death. While he managed to buy time for Piso to escape, he and Galba were killed. Soon after, however, Piso was found by Otho's followers and also killed. Due to his extraordinary sense of duty and bravery, Sempronius Densus's last stand was recorded by Roman historians as being the only heroic act done in Rome that day.[52][53] Galba and Piso are killed, Otho becomes Roman emperor.
Monchy-le-Preux, Pas-de-Calais, France 1917 CE Dominion of Newfoundland James Forbes-Robertson German Empire German Empire After a German counterattack at the village of Monchy-le-Preux, one wounded soldier of the Essex Regiment limped to the field headquarters of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and reported that every man in his battalion had been either killed or captured. After Lt. Kevin Keegan returned from a scouting expedition to the other side of the bombarded village, he reported that about 300 German troops were approaching within several hundred yards of the Eastern edge of the village. The tenacious Lieutenant-Colonel Forbes-Robertson ordered all remaining personnel, some 20 men, to take up arms. After making a dash towards a well defended parapet opposite the village's assembly trench, the soldiers came under heavy German fire, and only nine arrived safely at the parapet, eight from the Newfoundland Regiment, and the one Essex soldier. The soldiers seized the opportunity presented by their superior positioning, and opened rapid fire from both rifles and the parapet's machine gun mount upon the advancing Germans, killing more than 40 men, many of whom were runners and scouts, thereby causing a delay in the German army's relay of intelligence, and creating the false impression that a much larger British Imperial force was waiting at the other end of the village. The fierce firefight continued until the nine men were reinforced by a contingent of the 2nd Hampshire Regiment, and an artillery barrage was opened up on the German-occupied assembly trench, killing most of the soldiers within.[54] German takeover of Monchy-le-Preux prevented
Taungdaw, Burma [now Myanmar] 1945 CE 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.[55] Japanese withdrawal
  • Awarded the Victoria Cross
Saipan, Mariana Islands 1944 CE 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.[56] Baker is killed in action
  • Posthumous Medal of Honor
Saipan, Mariana Islands 1944 CE United StatesBen L. Salomon † Empire of Japan Empire of Japan Captain Salomon was the Surgeon for the 2nd Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division when they were attacked by a massive Japanese force numbering somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers. The Japanese bypassed the perimeter and started to attack Salomon's aid station. After killing seven of the attackers, he ordered the wounded back to the regimental aid station. He exited his aid station and manned a machine gun position to hold off the Japanese and cover the retreat of the wounded men for as long as possible. The American force retaking his position found him with 98 dead soldiers in front of him.[57] Salomon is killed in action
  • Posthumous Medal of Honor
Near the Po Valley, Italy 1945 CE 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.[58] The Brazilian soldiers are killed
Near Holtzwihr, France 1945 CE 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.[59] German withdrawal
  • Awarded the Medal of Honor
Near Babaji, Helmand province, Afghanistan 2010 CE 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.[60] Taliban defeated
Near Palmyra, Syria 2016 CE Russia Alexander Prokhorenko † Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Daesh Alexander Prokhorenko was discovered by Daesh forces while identifying targets for Russian airstrikes. He was quickly surrounded, and requested evacuation, which was 12 minutes away. He found himself unable to reach the evacuation point, and low on ammunition. Knowing capture or death was inevitable, he requested an airstrike on his position to kill as many of the enemy as he could.[61] Contributed to the liberation of Palmyra

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cassin-Scott, Jack (1977). The Greek and Persian Wars 500-323 B.C. Osprey. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-85045-271-6.
  2. ↑ Mclaughlin, William (2016-05-04). "The Siege of Numantia: Scipio Shows Young Marius How to Run a Legion - Page 2 of 2". WAR HISTORY ONLINE. Retrieved 2017-07-09.
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Bibliography

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