On this day in military history…

• 1916 Battle of Verdun starts with Germans making gains.
• 1941 Luftwaffe attack British ships Orion and sinks destroyers Imperial and Hereward which were assisting in evacuation of British troops from Crete.
• 1968 Phase 2 of of May offensive launched by Viet Cong in southern area including attack on Saigon.