December 07

Claude Victor-Perrin rose through the ranks of the French army during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He distinguished himself in battles such as Austerlitz, Jena, and Wagram, earning the title Duke of Belluno from Napoleon. After the fall of the Empire, he navigated the shifting political landscape of the Restoration era. Victor-Perrin served as a peer of France and held important military administrative positions. His career exemplifies the fortunes of Napoleonic officers in post-revolutionary France. He was known for his loyalty, tactical skill, and ability to manage both military and political duties.

Henri Mathias Berthelot was born in 1861 in Les Rousses, France. He graduated from the French military academy École Polytechnique and served in the French Army. During World War I, he commanded the Fifth Army and later oversaw Romanian forces. Berthelot played a key role in reorganising the Romanian Army in 1916. He was celebrated for his strategic acumen and was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. After the war, he served as a military governor and wrote memoirs of his campaigns.

Felix Calonder was born in 1863 in Sagno, Switzerland. He pursued a career in law before entering Swiss politics with the Free Democratic Party. Calonder served in the National Council and became President of the Council of States. He was elected the 36th President of the Swiss Confederation in 1918. His presidency dealt with post–World War I economic challenges and social unrest. Calonder later taught law and remained influential in Swiss public affairs.

Born in 1888 to a prominent political family, Fish attended West Point and served as a U.S. Army captain in World War I. After the war, he was elected to Congress, representing New York for over three decades. Fish championed veterans' benefits and conservative fiscal policies. He was known for his opposition to U.S. entry into World War II before Pearl Harbor. Fish also played a role in military affairs, serving on key defense committees. He retired in 1945 and lived until 1991, leaving a legacy of public service.

Born in 1893, Balck served as an officer in World War I before rising through the ranks during World War II. He commanded armored divisions on the Eastern Front with daring tactics and rapid maneuvers. Balck earned the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds for his leadership. Known for his frontline presence, he was respected by both subordinates and adversaries. After the war, he testified at the Nuremberg trials and later authored memoirs on armored warfare. Balck died in 1982, remembered as one of Germany's most skilled tank commanders.

Walter Nowotny was one of the most successful fighter pilots of the German Luftwaffe, achieving over 250 confirmed kills. Born in Austria, he joined the air force in 1938 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional flying skills. Nowotny flew primarily on the Eastern Front, where he earned the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. He later tested new jet aircraft and became a pioneer in jet fighter tactics. Nowotny’s career ended in 1944 when he died during a test flight, but his record remains a benchmark in aerial warfare history.

Imad Mughniyah was born in 1962 in Lebanon. He became one of the earliest members and security commanders of Hezbollah. Mughniyah was allegedly involved in high-profile attacks throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including embassy bombings. He was designated a global terrorist by the United States and indicted for various international attacks. His tactical expertise helped shape Hezbollah’s security and intelligence operations. Mughniyah was killed in a car bombing in Damascus in 2008, an event that remains shrouded in controversy.