July 24 in Military History — On This Day

Battle of Denain

With Britain having secretly withdrawn from the war, Eugene commanded a reduced Allied force near Denain. Villars identified a weakness in the Allied supply line and struck with full force at the garrison of Denain before Eugene could bring relief. The Allied garrison was overrun and some 5,000 men were lost. Eugene watched from across the river, unable to intervene in time.

Denain transformed the entire strategic picture. Villars followed up by recapturing Douai, Le Quesnoy, and Bouchain in rapid succession, erasing years of Allied gains. After Denain, France was negotiating from recovered strength rather than desperation. It stands as one of the most decisive battles of the war despite following years of French defeat.

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⚔️📍 Hamburg, Germany1943

Operation Gomorrah — Firebombing of Hamburg Begins

RAF Bomber Command began a week-long series of raids on Hamburg, Germany's second city, using Window — strips of metal foil that blinded German radar. The raids created history's first firestorm, with temperatures reaching 1,500°F and winds of 150 mph.

Hamburg's firestorm killed 37,000 people in one night and shocked the Nazi leadership; Albert Speer warned Hitler that six more such raids could end the war.

Outcome

37,000 killed; Hamburg largely destroyed

Casualties

37,000