Tag: battles

Battles of December 16 plus museums and artwork information

Battles of December 16 including descriptions of the battles, geographic locations, associated artwork, and museums where a person can find associated artifacts and artwork.

1. Battle of Noryang

Date: December 16, 1598

War: Imjin War (Japanese Invasions of Korea)

Historical Context

  • Cause: The Allied fleet of the Joseon Dynasty (Korea) and Ming Dynasty (China) attempted to intercept and destroy the retreating Japanese fleet as they tried to withdraw from the Korean peninsula following the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
  • Result: A decisive Allied victory that resulted in the destruction of more than half of the Japanese fleet and marked the end of the Imjin War. However, it came at a great cost: the legendary Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin was killed by a stray bullet during the pursuit.

Art & Artifacts

  • Painting: The Battle of Noryang (Six-fold screen)
    • Artist: Anonymous
    • Year: Late Joseon Dynasty (Exact year varies by copy, often 18th–19th century depictions of the 1598 event)
  • Painting: Portrait of Yi Sun-sin
    • Artist: Unknown (Hanging scroll format)
    • Year: Late 16th Century / Early 17th Century reproductions

Museums & Collections

  • National Palace Museum of Korea (Seoul, South Korea): Houses the famous six-fold screen depicting the battle.
  • The War Memorial of Korea (Seoul, South Korea): Features extensive exhibits on the Imjin War, including replicas of the Turtle Ship (Geobukseon) and artifacts related to Admiral Yi.
  • Hyeonchungsa Shrine (Asan, South Korea): A major shrine and museum dedicated to Admiral Yi Sun-sin, housing his personal diary (Nanjung Ilgi) and long sword.

Location

  • General Location: Noryang Strait, off the coast of Namhae County, South Korea.
  • Coordinates: 34.9458°
    N, 127.8744° E

Recommended Reading

2. Battle of Blood River (Battle of Ncome)

Date: December 16, 1838

War: The Great Trek (Voortrekker–Zulu Conflict)

Historical Context

  • Cause: Tensions between the Voortrekkers (Boer pioneers) and the Zulu Kingdom escalated over land disputes and the massacre of Piet Retief’s delegation by King Dingane. The Voortrekkers, led by Andries Pretorius, established a defensive wagon laager to confront the Zulu impis.
  • Result: A decisive Voortrekker victory. The Zulu forces suffered heavy casualties (over 3,000 killed) while the Voortrekkers suffered only three minor injuries. This victory was historically commemorated as the “Day of the Vow” and is now known as the Day of Reconciliation in South Africa.

Art & Artifacts

  • Painting: The Battle of Blood River
    • Artist: W.H. Coetzer
    • Year: Circa 1940s (Coetzer is famous for his historical tapestries and paintings of the Great Trek)
  • Painting: Zulu Massacre at Blood River
    • Artist: Harry Green
    • Year: 1978

Museums & Collections

  • Ncome Museum (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa): Situated on the Zulu side of the river, this museum offers the Zulu perspective of the battle and Zulu culture.
  • Blood River Heritage Site (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa): Located on the opposite bank, featuring a life-size replica of the bronze wagon laager.
  • Voortrekker Monument (Pretoria, South Africa): Contains a historical frieze and tapestry series by W.H. Coetzer depicting the battle.

Location

  • General Location: Banks of the Ncome River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
  • Coordinates: 28.1053°
    S, 30.5417° E

Recommended Reading

3. Battle of Nashville

Date: December 15–16, 1864 (Concluded on the 16th) War: American Civil War

Historical Context

  • Cause: Confederate General John Bell Hood besieged Nashville in a desperate attempt to reclaim Tennessee and cut off Union supply lines. Union General George H. Thomas launched a methodical, massive two-day attack to break the siege.
  • Result: A crushing Union victory. The Confederate Army of Tennessee was routed and effectively ceased to exist as a cohesive fighting force, ending major Confederate offensive operations in the Western Theater.

Art & Artifacts

  • Painting: The Battle of Nashville
    • Artist: Howard Pyle
    • Year: 1906 ( painted for the Minnesota State Capitol to honor the governor who led a charge there)
  • Print: The Attack on Shy’s Hill
    • Artist: Lt. Col. Howard Massey
    • Year: Late 20th Century (Contemporary historical art)

Museums & Collections

  • Tennessee State Museum (Nashville, USA): Holds a vast collection of uniforms, weapons, and battle flags from the conflict.
  • Minnesota State Capitol (St. Paul, USA): Houses Howard Pyle’s massive original painting in the Governor’s Reception Room.
  • Battle of Nashville Monument Park (Nashville, USA): Preserves key parcels of the battlefield, including Shy’s Hill.

Location

  • General Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA (specifically the hills to the south of the city).
  • Coordinates: 36.1055°
    N, 86.7960° W     (Vicinity of Shy’s Hill)

Recommended Reading

4. Battle of the Bulge (Start of the Ardennes Counteroffensive)

Date: December 16, 1944 (Start date) War: World War II

Historical Context

  • Cause: In a final attempt to turn the tide of the war, Adolf Hitler launched a surprise blitzkrieg through the dense Ardennes forest to split the Allied armies, seize the port of Antwerp, and force a negotiated peace.
  • Result: After initial German advances, the Allies (primarily US forces) held critical road junctions (like Bastogne). The German offensive eventually stalled and was pushed back, depleting Germany’s last reserves of armored vehicles and manpower.

Art & Artifacts

  • Watercolor: Battle for Monte in the Ardennes
    • Artist: Robert Noel Blair
    • Year: 1945 (Painted in a hospital in Liège shortly after the event)
  • Painting: K-Rations (Depicting the siege of Bastogne)
    • Artist: Aaron Bohrod
    • Year: 1945

Museums & Collections

  • Bastogne War Museum (Bastogne, Belgium): The premier museum for the battle, located near the Mardasson Memorial.
  • National Museum of Military History (Diekirch, Luxembourg): Famous for its large dioramas and extensive collection of vehicles from the battle.
  • The National WWII Museum (New Orleans, USA): Features an immersive gallery dedicated to the “Road to Berlin” and the Ardennes campaign.

Location

  • General Location: The Ardennes region, spanning eastern Belgium and Luxembourg.
  • Coordinates: 50.0000°
    N, 5.7167° E

Recommended Reading

Books for sale

WarScholar Press

Contact Information

For more “Military History Inside Out” please follow me at www.warscholar.org, on Facebook at warscholar, on twitter at Warscholar, on youtube at warscholar1945 and on Instagram @crisalvarezswarscholar. Or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Tags: military museum, military artwork, battles, Military History, War History, Battle Art, War Paintings, Military Art, December 16, On This Day, History, Military History, War History, December 16, Today In History, History Buff, Historical Facts, History Matters, #LearnHistory #BattleOfTheBulge #WWII #BattleOfNashville #CivilWar #BattleOfNoryang #YiSunSin #ImjinWar #BattleOfBloodRiver #Voortrekker #ZuluHistory #Ardennes1944 #WarArt #MilitaryArt #MuseumLife #ArtHistory #HowardPyle #HistoricalPainting #MuseumVisit #BastogneWarMuseum #TennesseeStateMuseum #KoreanHistory

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Battles of December 15 plus museums and artwork information

Battles of December 15 including descriptions of the battles, geographic locations, associated artwork, and museums where a person can find associated artifacts and artwork.

1. Battle of Nashville

  • Date: December 15–16, 1864
  • War: American Civil War
  • Cause: Confederate General John Bell Hood attempted to reclaim Nashville, Tennessee, and cut off Union supply lines to force General William T. Sherman to withdraw from Georgia. Union General George H. Thomas, after weeks of preparation, launched a massive attack to destroy Hood’s Army of Tennessee.
  • Result: A decisive Union victory. The Confederate Army of Tennessee was routed and effectively destroyed as a fighting force for the remainder of the war.

Location:

  • General: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
  • Coordinates: 36°06′36″N 86°47′33″W

Art & Artifacts:

  • Painting: The Battle of Nashville
    • Artist: Howard Pyle
    • Year: 1906
  • Museums:
    • Tennessee State Museum (Nashville, TN): Holds a vast collection of Civil War uniforms, weapons, and flags related to the western theater.
    • Minnesota State Capitol (St. Paul, MN): The original Howard Pyle painting hangs in the Governor’s Reception Room.
    • Battle of Nashville Monument Park: Preserves key locations of the battlefield.

Recommended Book:

2. Battle of Fredericksburg

  • Date: December 11–15, 1862 (The battle concluded with the Union withdrawal on Dec 15)
  • War: American Civil War
  • Cause: Union General Ambrose Burnside attempted to cross the Rappahannock River and race toward the Confederate capital of Richmond. He was delayed by pontoon bridges, allowing General Robert E. Lee to entrench his army on high ground behind Fredericksburg.
  • Result: A major Confederate victory. The Union army suffered staggering casualties in futile frontal assaults against Marye’s Heights and was forced to retreat across the river on December 15.

Location:

  • General: Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA
  • Coordinates: 38°17′42″N 77°28′12″W

Art & Artifacts:

  • Painting: The Battle of Fredericksburg
    • Artist: Carl Röchling
    • Year: Circa 1890s
  • Museums:
    • Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (VA, USA): Maintains the battlefield, Sunken Road, and Chatham Manor.
    • National Museum of Civil War Medicine (Frederick, MD): Contains artifacts related to the medical treatment of the thousands wounded at this battle.

Recommended Book:

3. Battle of Colenso

  • Date: December 15, 1899
  • War: Second Boer War
  • Cause: British General Sir Redvers Buller launched a frontal assault to cross the Tugela River and relieve the besieged town of Ladysmith. The Boers, led by Louis Botha, were heavily entrenched and camouflaged on the opposite bank.
  • Result: A decisive Boer victory. The British suffered heavy casualties and lost many field guns. It was one of the three defeats during the British “Black Week.”

Location:

  • General: Colenso, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
  • Coordinates: 28°44′20″S 29°49′49″E

Art & Artifacts:

  • Painting: The Last Shot at Colenso
    • Artist: Richard Caton Woodville
    • Year: 1900
  • Museums:
    • Colenso Museum (R.E. Stevenson Museum) (Colenso, South Africa): Houses specific artifacts and memorabilia from the battle.
    • National Army Museum (London, UK): Holds significant collections of Boer War art and weaponry.

Recommended Book:

4. Battle of St. Lucia (Battle of the Cul de Sac)

  • Date: December 15, 1778
  • War: American Revolutionary War (Anglo-French War)
  • Cause: A British fleet under Admiral Samuel Barrington captured the island of St. Lucia to monitor the French base at Martinique. A much larger French fleet under Count d’Estaing arrived to retake the island.
  • Result: A British victory. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Barrington anchored his ships in a defensive line across the Cul de Sac bay and repelled two massive French attacks, securing the island.

Location:

  • General: Grand Cul de Sac Bay, St. Lucia, Caribbean
  • Coordinates: 14°01′01″N 60°58′59″W

Art & Artifacts:

  • Painting: Barrington’s Action at St Lucia, 15 December 1778
    • Artist: Dominic Serres
    • Year: 1780
  • Museums:
    • National Maritime Museum (Greenwich, UK): Houses the original Serres painting and ship models from the era.
    • Pigeon Island National Landmark (St. Lucia): Contains ruins of the 18th-century forts and batteries used during the conflict.

Recommended Book:

5. Battle of Mount Austen

  • Date: December 15, 1942 – January 23, 1943 (Offensive began Dec 15)
  • War: World War II (Pacific Theater)
  • Cause: As part of the Guadalcanal Campaign, U.S. forces (specifically the Army’s XIV Corps) launched an offensive to eliminate pockets of entrenched Japanese resistance in the hills overlooking Henderson Field.
  • Result: A hard-fought American victory. The capture of Mount Austen and the “Gifu” strongpoint secured the airfield from artillery fire and paved the way for the final Japanese evacuation of the island.

Location:

  • General: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands
  • Coordinates: 9°28′00″S 159°58′00″E

Art & Artifacts:

  • Sketch/Art: Privates Driving Down a Jeep Trail from Mt. Austen (Combat Art)
    • Artist: Howard Brodie
    • Year: 1942
  • Museums:
    • National WWII Museum (New Orleans, LA, USA): Features extensive exhibits on the Guadalcanal campaign.
    • Solomon Islands National Museum (Honiara, Guadalcanal): Displays war relics recovered from the jungle battlefields.

Recommended Book:

Books for sale

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Contact Information

For more “Military History Inside Out” please follow me at www.warscholar.org, on Facebook at warscholar, on twitter at Warscholar, on youtube at warscholar1945 and on Instagram @crisalvarezswarscholar. Or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Tags: military museum, military artwork, battles, Military History, War History, Battle Art, War Paintings, Military Art, December 15, Civil War, Boer War, Royal Navy

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Battles of December 14 plus museums and artwork information

Battles of December 14 including descriptions of the battles, geographic locations, associated artwork, and museums where a person can find associated artifacts and artwork.

1. The Battle of Lake Borgne

Date: December 14, 1814

War: War of 1812

Location: Lake Borgne, Louisiana, USA

Coordinates: 30°09′52″N 89°26′14″W

Description

Cause: In late 1814, a massive British expeditionary force aimed to capture New Orleans to gain control of the Mississippi River. To approach the city, the British fleet had to navigate Lake Borgne. A small flotilla of American gunboats, commanded by Lieutenant Thomas ap Catesby Jones, blocked their path to delay the advance and gather intelligence.

Result: The British won a tactical victory. Using a swarm of 42 armed rowboats (barges) carrying nearly 1,000 sailors and Royal Marines, they overwhelmed the five American gunboats after a fierce close-quarters engagement. However, the battle provided General Andrew Jackson with crucial time to fortify the defenses of New Orleans, contributing to the decisive American victory there weeks later.

Associated Art

  • Painting: British and American Gunboats in Action on Lake Borgne, 14 December 1814
    • Artist: Thomas Lyde Hornbrook
    • Year: c. 1836–1840s
    • Description: A dramatic oil painting depicting the chaotic scene of British rowboats swarming and boarding the American gunboats.

Museums & Artifacts

  • U.S. Naval Academy Museum (Annapolis, Maryland, USA): Holds the original Thomas Lyde Hornbrook painting and artifacts related to the naval war.
  • National Maritime Museum (Greenwich, United Kingdom): Houses collections and records related to the Royal Navy’s involvement in the War of 1812.
  • The Louisiana State Museum (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA): The Cabildo and Presbytère buildings often feature exhibits on the Battle of New Orleans and the preceding Lake Borgne engagement.
  • National WWII Museum (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA): While focused on WWII, this museum’s campus sometimes hosts broader military history exhibits relevant to Louisiana’s strategic importance.

Recommended Reading

  • Book: The Naval War of 1812
  • Author: Theodore Roosevelt
  • Why it’s highly regarded: Written by the future U.S. President, this book is considered a seminal work in naval history, offering a meticulous and balanced account of the naval tactics and engagements of the war, including the operations in the Gulf Coast.

2. The Battle of Saint-Eustache

Date: December 14, 1837

War: Lower Canada Rebellion (Patriote War)

Location: Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada

Coordinates: 45°34′25″N 73°53′50″W (Church of Saint-Eustache)

Description

Cause: Tensions between the “Patriotes” (reformers seeking democratic change and responsible government) and the British colonial administration boiled over into armed rebellion. Following British defeats of rebel pockets elsewhere, British Commander John Colborne marched on the rebel stronghold of Saint-Eustache to crush the insurgency.

Result: A decisive British victory. The Patriotes, led by Jean-Olivier Chénier, fortified the convent, presbytery, and the village church. British artillery bombarded the structures, and soldiers set fire to the church, forcing the rebels out where they were gunned down or captured. The battle effectively ended the rebellion in the immediate region.

Associated Art

  • Print: Back View of the Church of St. Eustache and Dispersion of the Insurgents
    • Artist: Lord Charles Beauclerk
    • Year: 1840 (Lithograph published in “Lithographic Views of Military Operations in Canada”)
    • Description: A famous lithograph showing the church engulfed in flames and rebels fleeing the British cordon.

Museums & Artifacts

  • McCord Stewart Museum (Montreal, Quebec, Canada): Holds a significant collection of prints, including Beauclerk’s lithographs, and historical objects from the 1837 rebellion.
  • Église de Saint-Eustache (Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada): The church itself is a living museum; the façade still bears the marks of British cannonballs from the battle.
  • Maison de la culture et du patrimoine (Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada): Located in the historic Manoir Globensky, this museum is dedicated to the history of the rebellion and the battle.

Recommended Reading

  • Book: The Patriots and the People: The Rebellion of 1837 in Rural Lower Canada
  • Author: Allan Greer
  • Why it’s highly regarded: This award-winning social history provides a deep dive into the motivations of the rural inhabitants of Lower Canada, moving beyond simple political narratives to explore the roots of the insurgency that culminated in battles like Saint-Eustache.

3. The Defense of Srinagar Airbase & Battle of Bogra

Date: Sringar December 14, 1971 / Bogra December 13-15

War: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (Bangladesh Liberation War)

Location: * Srinagar Airbase: Srinagar, Kashmir (33°59′15″N 74°46′30″E)

  • Bogra: Bogra, Bangladesh (24°51′00″N 89°22′00″E)

Description

Cause: Nearing the end of the war, Pakistani forces launched desperate air raids on Indian airfields while Indian ground forces encircled Pakistani strongholds in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

  • Srinagar: Six Pakistan Air Force Sabre jets attacked the Srinagar airfield to neutralize it.
  • Bogra: Indian Army divisions and Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi freedom fighters) launched a massive assault to capture the strategic town of Bogra.

Result: * Srinagar: A legendary aerial defense. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, flying a tiny Gnat fighter, took off under bombardment and fought off six Sabre jets alone, shooting down two before being killed. He saved the airfield and was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra (India’s highest wartime gallantry award).

  • Bogra: The allied forces broke through Pakistani lines, leading to a massive surrender of troops and paving the way for the total surrender of Pakistani forces in the East two days later on December 16.

Associated Art

  • Graphic Art/Illustration: Param Vir Chakra Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon
    • Artist: Rishi Kumar (Illustrator for “Param Vir Chakra” graphic novels)
    • Year: 2019
    • Description: Modern artistic renderings and comic depictions are the most prevalent visual record of Sekhon’s dogfight, widely used in educational materials and memorials.
  • Poster Art: Annihilate These Demons (Associated with the 1971 War generally)
    • Artist: Quamrul Hassan
    • Year: 1971
    • Description: A sketch caricature of Yahya Khan, which became the iconic visual symbol of the resistance during the final days of the war.

Museums & Artifacts

  • Indian Air Force Museum, Palam (New Delhi, India): Houses the Gnat aircraft flown by Sekhon (or models of it) and details of the Srinagar defense.
  • Liberation War Museum (Dhaka, Bangladesh): Contains extensive artifacts, photographs, and documents related to the Battle of Bogra and the 1971 war.
  • National War Memorial (New Delhi, India): Features a bust of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and inscriptions honoring the martyrs of the 1971 war.
  • Museum of Independence (Dhaka, Bangladesh): Features exhibits on the final battles of December 1971, including the Bogra offensive.

Recommended Reading

  • Book: India’s Wars: A Military History, 1947–1971
  • Author: Arjun Subramaniam
  • Why it’s highly regarded: Written by a retired Air Vice Marshal, this book offers a comprehensive military history of post-independence India. It provides detailed tactical accounts of the 1971 operations, including both the air defense of the Kashmir valley and the ground offensives in the eastern theater.

Books for sale

WarScholar Press

Contact Information

For more “Military History Inside Out” please follow me at www.warscholar.org, on Facebook at warscholar, on twitter at Warscholar, on youtube at warscholar1945 and on Instagram @crisalvarezswarscholar. Or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

Tags: military museum, military artwork, battles, Military History, War History, War Of 1812, IndoPak War, Battle Art, War Paintings, Military Art

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