Today in military history: June 4, 2014

1525 – Battle of Ingolstat; Second Battle of Wurzburg (German Peasants’ War)

1525 - Title page of the Memmingen Articles of War drawn up in March 1525, during the German Peasants War. It shows armed peasants with an assortment of weaponry.

1745 – Battle of Hohenfriedberg (War of the Austrian Succession) 

1794 – Port-au-Prince taken by British (French Revolutionary Wars) 

1796 – Battle of Altenkirchen (War of the First Coalition) 

1798 – Battle of Tuberneering (United Irishmen Rebellion) 

1799 – First Battle of Zurich begins (War of the Second Coalition) 

1859 –Battle of Magenta (Second Italian War of Independence) 

1915 – Third Battle of Krithia (WWI) 

1916 – Battle of Lutsk begins; Brusilov Offensive begins (WWI) 

1940 - Evacuation of Dunkirk ends (WWII) 

1942 – Battle of Midway begins (WWII) (Naval)

June 4, 1942 -
U.S. Navy Douglas TBD-1 Devastators of Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) unfolding their wings on the deck of USS Enterprise (CV-6) prior to launching for attack against four Japanese carriers on the first day of the Battle of Midway.

The Japanese aircraft carrier Hiryu maneuvers to avoid bombs dropped by USAAF Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress bombers during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Note the big hinomaru identification mark on the bow and at least three planes on deck.

Ensign George Gay (right), sole survivor of VT-8 at Midway, standing beside his TBD Devastator on June 4, 1942 before the Battle of Midway. The other crewman pictured is one of his rear gunners.