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What are some of the latest battles in history to feature melee combat? By melee combat, I mean up close and personal with either weapons, and hand to hand, and much of KIA is not because of a projectile. As gunpowder weapons advanced, combat took place further and further away, till we get to this point in modern history. So I am just wondering what are some of latest battles in history to have some kind of melee combat. I know the early firearms where not that good, so I imagine, they were used much like archery was, and there were probably still lots of close in personal combat.
I think you can find examples in both theaters of WWII, but my intuition is that the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa saw many such combats events. (And i guess some of the others, like the battle for Peleliu). Also, modern urban warfare has always had a "house-house" phase of combat.
My guess? Big padded bra sale at Wal-Mart during the holidays....taking your life in your own hands when these broads come calling....give the tables a wide berth....live to fight another day....
If you're talking US military history it was the Korean War. In 1951 Captain Lewis Millett led his infantry company on an uphill all out bayonet charge against entrenched enemy positions on top of Hill 180. It is generally recognized as the last bayonet charge in American military history. Charging ahead, firing, throwing grenades and using the bayonet and the rifles themselves as clubs they routed the enemy forces. Millett received the Medal of Honor.
Ever seen any film or video of the South Korean police forces vs student strikers? The Koreans take their rioting seriously, they would occupy some public building and then fight like maniacs when the police came for them with their tear gas and heavy clubs. The bodies being dragged, or forced to duckwalk into the paddy wagons, were blood soaked and battered. They put America's '60's campus rioters to shame.
What are some of the latest battles in history to feature melee combat? By melee combat, I mean up close and personal with either weapons, and hand to hand, and much of KIA is not because of a projectile. As gunpowder weapons advanced, combat took place further and further away, till we get to this point in modern history. So I am just wondering what are some of latest battles in history to have some kind of melee combat. I know the early firearms where not that good, so I imagine, they were used much like archery was, and there were probably still lots of close in personal combat.
Do you mean melee combat as a norm or outstanding feature of the battle?
Do you mean melee combat as a norm or outstanding feature of the battle?
This. Your question is not phrased well. What are you looking for? Hand to hand combat, as well as use of the bayonet has been documented in the Mid East and A'stan.
If you're talking US military history it was the Korean War. In 1951 Captain Lewis Millett led his infantry company on an uphill all out bayonet charge against entrenched enemy positions on top of Hill 180. It is generally recognized as the last bayonet charge in American military history. Charging ahead, firing, throwing grenades and using the bayonet and the rifles themselves as clubs they routed the enemy forces. Millett received the Medal of Honor.
Even though Canada still does bayonet drills, I believe Hill 677 in the Korean War was the last time Canada used bayonets (and shovels lol), as well, when 700 Canadians defended the hill in Kapyong against several thousand Chinese after the Australians were forced to retreat, and other Allied positions collapsed around them.
It was so bad that at one point the Canadians had the New Zealanders shell the Canadian position, landing 2,300 shells in under an hour.
By the time the next day rolled around, and they were relieved by a battalion of the 1st US Calvary Division, 10 Canadians were killed, 23 wounded, and an estimated 2,000 Chinese dead.
As a side note, it turns out Capt. Millett received his bayonet training from the Canadian military, and has also been awarded two medals from Canada.
I think you can find examples in both theaters of WWII, but my intuition is that the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa saw many such combats events. (And i guess some of the others, like the battle for Peleliu). Also, modern urban warfare has always had a "house-house" phase of combat.
House to house does not necessarily mean melee. By melee I mean either hand to hand or with hand held weaponry like knifes, sabres, bayonets. In house to House in modern times people are still shooting each other.
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