NationStates Jolt Archive

What are the least known conflicts and/or Battles in your oppinion?

I'll start...

Cod War

The Cod Wars (also called the Iceland Cod Wars and the Anglo-Icelandic Cod Wars) were a series of confrontations between the United Kingdom and Iceland over Iceland's claims of authority over tracts of ocean off their coastline as being their exclusive fishery zone.
As fish stocks diminish dramatically the scope for confrontation has increased. Throughout the World examples exist of systematic intrusions into areas considered either "protected" or under the jurisdiction of another country.
In 1972, Iceland unilaterally extended its territorial waters before announcing plans to reduce over-fishing. It policed its quota-system with warships, leading to a series of encounters with the British trawlers that fished the areas. As a result British Royal Naval vessels were employed to act as a deterrent against any future harassment of British fishing crews.
In 1976, a compromise between the two countries allowed a maximum of 24 British trawlers access to the disputed 200 mile / 320 km limit. This did nothing to help slow the decline of the British fisheries, severely affecting the economies of northern fishing ports such as Grimsby and Kingston-Upon-Hull.

The First Cod War
The First Cod War, in 1958, was the result of Britain's inability to prevent Iceland from extending its fishing limits from 4 nautical miles (7 km) to 12 miles (22 km) off Iceland's coast.

The Second Cod War
The second dispute occurred between 1972 and 1973. Iceland had extended its limits to 50 miles (93 km). An agreement between the two countries that bound British fishing to certain areas inside the 50 mile (93 km) limit resolved the dispute that time. The resolution was on the premise that British trawlers would limit their annual catch to no more than 130,000 tons. This agreement expired in November, 1975, and the third "Cod War" began.

The Third Cod War
July 15th the Minister of Fisheries, Matthias Bjarnason, issued a regulation concerning the extension of the fishing limits to 200 miles on the 15th of October. On the 13th of November the agreement with the British on the 50 miles limit was to expire. British ship owners protested strongly, the government of Germany and the Common Market Countries expressed their dissatisfaction.
October 15th the limit was extended to 200 miles.
November 16th the trawl cutters were used for the first time in the dispute, when the trawler “Primella” was cut a bit shorter.
November 17th the dialog between the nations ended abruptly. The British sent towboats to the fishing grounds for the protection of their trawlers.
November 25th an agreement about limited quotas was reached with the German government. The British sent three frigates to Iceland.
December 6th the towboat “Euroman” rammed “Thor” after it had cut trawl wires.
December 10th “Thor” and the frigate “Falmouth” had a clash off the east coast.
December 11th “Thor” was considerably damaged after the ramming of several towboats. They did not stop until “Thor” fired a shot through the bow of “Lloydsman”, the first shot fired during the dispute.

1975
July 15th the Icelandic Minister of Fisheries, Mattías Bjarnason, issued a regulation concerning the extension of the fishing limits to 200 miles on the 15th of October. On the 13th of November the agreement with the British on the 50 miles limit was to expire. British ship owners protested strongly, the Common Market Countries expressed their dissatisfaction.
October 15th the limit was extended to 200 miles.
November 16th the Icelandic trawl cutters were used for the first time in the dispute, when the trawler “Primella” was cut a bit shorter.
November 17th the dialog between the nations ended abruptly.
The British sent towboats to the fishing grounds for the protection of their trawlers.
November 25th an agreement about limited quotas was reached with the German and Icelandic governments. The British sent three frigates to Iceland.
December 6th the towboat “Euroman” rammed “Þór” after it had cut trawl wires.
December 10th “Þór” and the frigate “Falmouth” had a clash off the east coast.
December 11th “Þór” was considerably damaged after the ramming of several towboats. They did not stop until “Þór” fired a shot through the bow of “Lloydsman”, the first shot fired during the dispute.

1976
January 7th the frigate “Andromeda” rammed “Þór” hard and damaged it severely. Two days later more severe damages were caused by the battleship “Leander” after repeated ramming attempts.
January 11th the people in the vicinity of the naval base closed its gates to protest the behaviour of the battleships.
January 19th the government threatened to sever diplomatic connections with Britain. British authorities pulled their battleships out and invited Prime Minister Geir Hallgrímsson to a dialog in London. They were in vain, and the battleships returned to the fishing grounds.
February 19th the diplomatic relations with Britain were ended and NATO conferred on the matter.
May 6th the dispute started turning even more ugly and the frigate “Falmouth” rammed “Týr” twice severely.
May 23rd the Ministers of both nations conferred in Oslo.
Both nations agreed on quotas for British trawlers for the next six months. After that they were permitted to continue fishing within the 200 miles’ limit with the permission of the Icelanders. The last “Cod War” was eventually over.

The Club War in 16th century Finland

I don't know the names off the top of my head, but there are a few dozen wars fought by the British in the 19th century that no reference can be found to outside of about half a dozen books. Seriously, they don't exist on the Internet, and only a few books (including the official government archives) make references to them, and most of those references are vague.

I know there was a brawl in Australia between ANZACs and American's during World War Two that became a battle involving live ammunition...anyone know details?

The Armenian Genocide executed by the Turks

The mightly and immortal duel between Mario Mario and Donkey Kong, over some broad.

What are the least known conflicts and/or Battles in your oppinion?
The Fecal Coliform Bacteria Wars that took place in my lower intestine last night. Eventually the Fecal Encrustation was expelled and E. Coli bacteria were completely defeated, yet amazingly enough few people are aware of this important historical event.

The IRA's conquest of Dublin, or at least its post office, for 4 days during WWI

Sein fein invades buffalo from what windsor or something?

The Russo-Finnish War. It was sometimes seen as part of the prelude to WWII. The Russians invaded Finnland ... and got their asses kicked!

Japan's conquest of Manchuria, pre-WWII. Mention this little episode to ten History teachers in the States, and nine of them are just going to give you a blank stare.

The Campaigns of the Leper King, Baldwin the... IV, I believe. The greatest of Christendom's Crusader Kings was a child, and a leper.

Hussite Wars: Bohemia 1419-1436
Golden Horde
Wars of Apostasy
War :sniper: War :mp5: War :gundge:

I'd say the Amish rake fights of 1862.

Japan's conquest of Manchuria, pre-WWII. Mention this little episode to ten History teachers in the States, and nine of them are just going to give you a blank stare.
Not if they saw Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor.

the Battle of Bannockburn in Scotland, involving Robert the Bruce and the Scots vs. Edward the Longshanks' men

The War of 1812. Surprising, not very many people know about it.

the Battle of Bannockburn in Scotland, involving Robert the Bruce and the Scots vs. Edward the Longshanks' men

Well I think that is a battle many know about. It was the battle that won freedom for Scotland right? Where the Scots and their King Robert the Bruce King of Scotland won Edward II of England.

The War of 1812. Surprising, not very many people know about it.

Are you talking about the second war between America and England? They invaded Canada right?

The Korean War.

People seem to forget this little detail when they're talking about the time between the end of WWII and the Viet Nam War... which was previously a French led war in then-French Indochina around the same as the Korean War, which started in the 50s.

The Russo-Finnish War. It was sometimes seen as part of the prelude to WWII. The Russians invaded Finnland ... and got their asses kicked!
Mannerheim I think. The Finnish are good soldiers.

Are you talking about the second war between America and England? They invaded Canada right?
Yeah, the Americans burned down Toronto and the British/Canadians burned down Washington.

Yeah, the Americans burned down Toronto and the British/Canadians burned down Washington.
D.C. :confused:

D.C. :confused:
:rolleyes: no state!

The Connecticut Glue War.

A small local skirmish that began when an incorrigible prankster discovered a powdered adhesive that could be dusted in articles of clothing like socks and underwear and would cure in the presence of perspiration as the day progresses. Unfortunatley, this prankster had the poor sense to share this information around and mayhem ensued.

Whay is nobody describing the conflicts they post?

The Intifada.... aside from it never officially have stopped, people assume it was Israel who started it over an occupation that was never their fault, and wouldn't have lasted as long if it wasn't for their neighbours plus that idiot arafat.

The Quasi-War was an undeclared war fought entirely at sea between the United States and France from 1798 to 1801.

The pirates of the Mediterranean Sea caused the U.S. Congress in 1794 to begin building a navy for the protection of commerce. Shortly thereafter, depredations by the privateers of Revolutionary France required the US Navy to protect the expanding merchant shipping of the United States. Naval squadrons sought out and attacked enemy privateers until France agreed to an honorable settlement.

The Quasi-War started on July 7, 1798 when the United States Congress rescinded treaties with France.

Captain Thomas Truxtun's insistence on the highest standards of crew training paid handsome dividends as the frigate Constellation won two victories over French men-of-war. Eight cutters (one sloop, five schooners, and two brigs) operated along the southern coast of the United States and among the islands of the West Indies. The two brigs and two of the schooners each carried 14 guns and 70 men. The sloop and the other schooners each had ten guns and 34 men. Of the twenty-two prizes captured by the United States between 1798 and 1799, eighteen were taken by unaided cutters. Revenue cutters also assisted in capturing two others. The cutter Pickering made two cruises to the West Indies and captured ten prizes, one of which carried 44 guns and was manned by some 200 sailors, more than three times Pickering's strength.

The Quasi-War was ended by the Convention of 1800 (Treaty of Mortefontaine).

Not if they saw Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor.

Which is a damn good film.

Well there are all the conflicts with Native Americans and the French Indian War. There was also an incident where the US sent troops into Mexico chasing down a bandit or somesuch I believe that nearly led to war with Mexico, and I believe we bombarded one of their cities as well after they refused to give back an arrested soldier.

And yes to the person who didn't know DC was burned, it was Washington D.C. and the first White House was burned to the ground. It's just not something that gets played up much in American history.

The War of Jenkin's Ear.


Best. Name. For. A. War. Ever.



Second place goes to 'The Football War', obviously.

The War of Jenkin's Ear.


Best. Name. For. A. War. Ever.

Did you make it up?

Did you make it up?

What do you think?

What do you think?

I think...yes.

I think...yes.

Then you have chosen foolishly, mortal.

http://www.regiments.org/wars/18thcent/39jenkin.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenkins_Ear

Which is a damn good film.

Even though it was directed by a total loser.

The War of Jenkin's Ear.
Best. Name. For. A. War. Ever.

Argh, beat me to it. I love footnotes.

Obscure North American Wars and military actions:
Pequot War
King Willliam's War
Burr's Insurrection
Black Hawk War

Current:
The Zapatistas Rebellion in Mexico seems to have been forgotten by most in the US.

There was also an incident where the US sent troops into Mexico chasing down a bandit or somesuch I believe that nearly led to war with Mexico, and I believe we bombarded one of their cities as well after they refused to give back an arrested soldier.Yeah, right before WWI. This is the one where the then Lieutenant Patton went into a bar in Mexico, alone, and picked a fight with a couple of the Mexican soldiers. A few hours later he drove back into his camp with their bodies strapped across the hood of his car. The city was Vera Cruz, which we subjected to naval bombardment and invaded. We only left (after seven months) because the politicians decided annexing Canada would be a bad thing. That was 1914, and actually the second time we had conquered Vera Cruz, we did the same thing in 1847 during the Spanish-American war.

Or how about this one. From 1820-1823, the U.S. Navy waged an undeclared war on slave trading ships off the coast of Africa. For a list of other uses of US power, check out:
http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/foabroad.htm

Yeah, right before WWI. This is the one where the then Lieutenant Patton went into a bar in Mexico, alone, and picked a fight with a couple of the Mexican soldiers. A few hours later he drove back into his camp with their bodies strapped across the hood of his car. The city was Vera Cruz, which we subjected to naval bombardment and invaded. We only left (after seven months) because the politicians decided annexing Canada would be a bad thing. That was 1914, and actually the second time we had conquered Vera Cruz, we did the same thing in 1847 during the Spanish-American war.

That was the Mexican War, actually, in 1847. The Spanish-American war started in 1898 when the USS Maine blew up.

This is true in the states at least....

Anything in from the Marlborough age. You never hear about it.
Queen Anne's war shortly before the 7 years war.
The 7 years war outside of it's american part (French and Indian).
Any German, Belgian, Spanish, Dutch (Boers too), and Portugese actions fought in Africa in the late 19th- early 20th centuries.
Mexican war
Spanish American War
War of 1812

All of these are actions most history COLEGE PROFESSORS don't know about. It sickens me the form of history they teach to high schoolers over here. It goes something like this-

Man migrates around the world
Eygpt and Mesopatamia
a brief touch of China
Greece
Rome
Charlemange
Crusades
Renasance
Colonization
War for independence
Constitution writing and formation of government
American Civil War
WWI
WWII
Korea
Vietnam
present day...

Also, this year Houghlin- Mifflin history textbook has more pages (2) dedicated to Cal Ripken Junior than to World War II from 1944 onwards (1 and 1/2).

No wonder we have no idea what to do on the international scene.

"those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

And yes to the person who didn't know DC was burned, it was Washington D.C. and the first White House was burned to the ground. It's just not something that gets played up much in American history.

This was the last time a non-american army set foot on american soil.

This is true in the states at least....
All of these are actions most history COLEGE PROFESSORS don't know about. It sickens me the form of history they teach to high schoolers over here. It goes something like this-...

Also, this year Houghlin- Mifflin history textbook has more pages (2) dedicated to Cal Ripken Junior than to World War II from 1944 onwards (1 and 1/2).

No wonder we have no idea what to do on the international scene.

"those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
And we wonder why more and more parents are turnign to home-schooling or private school. This is part of it.

This was the last time a non-american army set foot on american soil.

Possibly the last time that a hostile army set foot on continental US soil, but other instances of non-continental incursions litter WWII - Wake Island, for example.

Possibly the last time that a hostile army set foot on continental US soil, but other instances of non-continental incursions litter WWII - Wake Island, for example.
And we showed them. Big time.

Possibly the last time that a hostile army set foot on continental US soil, but other instances of non-continental incursions litter WWII - Wake Island, for example.

You are correct there, I'm sorry i meant ciontinental because Japan took over some Aluetian islands and wake, but neither were states at the time..

And we showed them. Big time.

...by rebuilding their shattered economy and making them high-tech competitors to the US?

Just a curious question. When was the last time a foreign army set foot on mainland Britain? (Without being invited that is) Can it really be 1066?

I am no historian, so I could be wrong here.

And yes to the person who didn't know DC was burned, it was Washington D.C. and the first White House was burned to the ground. It's just not something that gets played up much in American history.
That's why the White House was painted White, it was the only way to cover up the black char marks.

People know that the Boer war happened but I think general knowledge about the war is very lacking. (Don't ask me I wasn't a history major...oh wait I was...Still don't ask me.)

1066 was the last time Britain was successfully invaded and conquered. Battle of Hastings (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/normans/hastings_01.shtml)

Just a curious question. When was the last time a foreign army set foot on mainland Britain? (Without being invited that is) Can it really be 1066?

I am no historian, so I could be wrong here.

'Bonny' Prince Charles Stuart landed twice, I believe, with French troops at his back. With French aid and Scottish 'Jacobites' he nearly split England in half. Good history there. Check it out.

For alot of good history links, check www.odinscastle.org I

That was 1914, and actually the second time we had conquered Vera Cruz, we did the same thing in 1847 during the Spanish-American war.

Oopsie.

Seton Rebel and Bodies Without Organs, you are both wrong about the British invasion of the War of 1812 being the last incursion by foreign troops on continental US soil.

Francisco "Pancho" Villa crossed the US-Mexico border in his raid on Columbus, New Mexico of March 9, 1916.

Then there is the question of the CSA and the Indian wars. Did those constitute "foreign powers"? (My answer would be yes, they did.)

The Mormon resistance to Colonel Albert S. Johnston in Utah might also constute a "foreign" incursion.

I'd say the Amish rake fights of 1862.

not fair, I just snorted coffee into my nose

And we wonder why more and more parents are turnign to home-schooling or private school. This is part of it.

We also have to worry about history being revised in the text books,so no one feels they have been left out.

http://www.onwar.com/aced/nation/
There's a list of forgotten wars you could shake an army at.

Who remembers the Memel Insurrection in Lithuania of 1923, for example?
Or the Soviet-Japanese Border War of 1939 (which impacted WWII at least as much as the Winter War. BTW That's the name of the not so forgotten war between the USSR and Finland - at least the name I've always seen in the history books.)

http://www.onwar.com/aced/nation/
There's a list of forgotten wars you could shake an army at.

Who remembers the Memel Insurrection in Lithuania of 1923, for example?
Or the Soviet-Japanese Border War of 1939 (which impacted WWII at least as much as the Winter War. BTW That's the name of the not so forgotten war between the USSR and Finland - at least the name I've always seen in the history books.)
Does not make sence that under Iceland their is listed WWII, we were neutral in that war just like sweden, swiss and ireland.

I don't know the names off the top of my head, but there are a few dozen wars fought by the British in the 19th century that no reference can be found to outside of about half a dozen books. Seriously, they don't exist on the Internet, and only a few books (including the official government archives) make references to them, and most of those references are vague.

We're an island...we hate each other...it rains alot...the TV hadn't been invented...what else were we supposed to do?

The IRA's conquest of Dublin, or at least its post office, for 4 days during WWI
Lots of irish people know about that, they wheren't called the IRA at the time though. 1916 is the year it happend. conquest gives the wrong impression.
They canceled it but some of them went ahead anyway.

Sein fein invades buffalo from what windsor or something?
HUH?

Yeah, the Americans burned down Toronto and the British/Canadians burned down Washington.


Some burning of Toronto. From what I hear it was 2 companies from a skirmisher regiment who were mistaken for the 60th Royal American Rifles in the British army and so were let in to Toronto. Then they burn about half of Young Street on the run and ran out the other side. Of course, you Yanks being patriots said you had 2 companies hammer through 3 regiments and burn down the city.

Meanwhile we almost burned the whole of D.C. to the ground and killed some 3 regiments of yours doing it. And we burn a national symbol of yours. w00tage.

How about current wars?

The Azerbajan-Armenia War. Both sides are fighting for a small province that declared independence, and both Azerbajan and Armenia say it is theirs. It has been ongoing since 1991, since the break up of the Soviet Union and now resembles WW1 trench warfare, with miles and miles of trenches.

The (possible) Georgia-South Ossetia war. South Ossetia claim autonomy, but Georgia says it is theirs. Georgia's armed forces are being trained by British and American soldiers, and South Ossetia has Russian peacekeepers on it's borders at South Ossetia's request.

The Russian peacekeepers say that as soon as those Georgians come over the border, they will rip off their peacekeeper neutral labels and kill Georgians.

Putin is seen as a hero in South Ossetia, the Georgian leader is not.

The Nepalese civil War. Nepalese maoists have been fighting and calling for the otherthrow of the monarchy. This week, the king sacked his government and took over as the ruler of the government, turning even more people against him.

The Laos civil war: Laos's military is at this time actively pursuing and killing remnants of those suspected of aiding the US Special Forces during the 1960's. The war is fought in the jungles, and the hunted and their famlies are slowly being wiped out.

El Salvador Gang War: El Salvador's capital, San Salvador is in the grip of a bloody gang war fought between two gangs, One of the highest death rates in the world.

Peru: Due to Peru's spray cropping of Coca (Cocaine) in Peru under the supervision of the US, The Shining Path is making a resurgence because of angry farmers who are seeing the livlihood destroyed.

Uganda: Wracked by a civil war for two decades, one group is called The Lord's Liberation Army, killing anyone who is not a christian.

Ethopia - Civil war, not much heard about it.

Too few Englishmen I meet understand the importance of their civil war. It and the ideas generated around it, had a massive influence, in Holland, America and France. It really is a disgrace. Do they teach history in England at all?!

Too few Englishmen I meet understand the importance of their civil war. It and the ideas generated around it, had a massive influence, in Holland, America and France. It really is a disgrace. Do they teach history in England at all?!

Yeah we get taught it...but as a former super power I do think they kind of teach it in a overly humble way. For example, hardly anyone has heard of the victories over the Scottish but the English usually won, even when outnumbered. Whereas Bannockburn is well known and Braveheart gives the impression that the Scottish never lost.

Take Flodden Field - 20,000 English reserve troops (Main army was in France) versus 40,000 Scottish and 5000 French whom had a brilliant position on a hill and had spent much of its money on the best artillery in Europe. The outcome? 500 English dead, 10,000 Scottish/French, including the king and half the nobility. However we never get taught things like this, probably for fear of offending Scottish.

Yes, but it depends on the person, and wther they absorb what they are taught.

Also some teachers, from personal experience, can make a very interesting subject mind numbingly boring, but others describe it in a interesting way which engages.

On the other hand teachers can also make boring subjects interesting as well.

Yeah we get taught it...but as a former super power I do think they kind of teach it in a overly humble way. For example, hardly anyone has heard of the victories over the Scottish but the English usually won, even when outnumbered. Whereas Bannockburn is well known and Braveheart gives the impression that the Scottish never lost.

Take Flodden Field - 20,000 English reserve troops (Main army was in France) versus 40,000 Scottish and 5000 French whom had a brilliant position on a hill and had spent much of its money on the best artillery in Europe. The outcome? 500 English dead, 10,000 Scottish/French, including the king and half the nobility. However we never get taught things like this, probably for fear of offending Scottish.

Flodden? That was the Earl of Surrey under Henry VIII in 1513 wasnt it?

Flodden? That was the Earl of Surrey under Henry VIII in 1513 wasnt it?

Yeah. It was right in the period of history we were studying for A level but it wasn't even mentioned. Same for the battle of Pinkie. Considering part of the course was on foreign policy during Henry VIIIs reign, I thought it was pretty silly to leave it out.

Yeah. It was right in the period of history we were studying for A level but it wasn't even mentioned. Same for the battle of Pinkie. Considering part of the course was on foreign policy during Henry VIIIs reign, I thought it was pretty silly to leave it out.

Henry VIII. What a King. I like him. Oliver Cromwell too.

Seton Rebel and Bodies Without Organs, you are both wrong about the British invasion of the War of 1812 being the last incursion by foreign troops on continental US soil.

Francisco "Pancho" Villa crossed the US-Mexico border in his raid on Columbus, New Mexico of March 9, 1916.

Pancho Villa did not command an army, they were a superbly armed band of criminals. They in no way rrepresented the Mexican government which is why Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing was allowed to enter Mexico to find them. And, as for the CSA and Indians, I consider them Americans and not a forgien power, but that supject is open for debate.

Pancho Villa did not command an army, they were a superbly armed band of criminals. They in no way rrepresented the Mexican government which is why Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing was allowed to enter Mexico to find them. And, as for the CSA and Indians, I consider them Americans and not a forgien power, but that supject is open for debate.

Well the last foreign army to land in Britain was in 1798.

"those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
Yes, but, 'the only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.'

As for conflicts (in order from best know to least, at least of the ones I can think of off the top of my head)...

Franco-Prussian War (Let's be honest, how many Americans have even heard of Prussia?)

every Napoleonic conflict outside of Waterloo (especially the Peninsular campaign and the invasion of Russia in 1812[a real shame because it means ignorance of one of the most impressive men to ever live {Ney}])

any of the European 'Succession' wars (war of the Spanish Succession and the war of the Austrian Succession being the most well known)

the two conflicts between Prussia/Austria and Denmark over Schleswig and Holstein

Austrian Campaign of 1866 (Prussia invading Austria)

Any of Gustavus Adolphus' wars (especially against Russia)

Any specific Crusade (especially Albigensian, or 4th)

Sir Arthur Wellesley's Indian campaigns

and any other war that doesn't have a movie based on it.

The Battle of Kosovo Polje in 1389 in my opinion. Not many know about it, except the Serbs (and others such as Croats, Macedonians etc.).

The Ruling Knez (Prince) of Serbia, Lazar Hrebeljanović raised an army amounting to about equal of the total Ottoman force, which gathered not just a Serb army but a real Balkan coalition. He received help from his neighbouring countries, most notably from Bosnia, Hungary, Albania, and even had a contingent of mercenaries made up mostly of Saxons (Germans). Sultan Murad I also gathered a coalition of soldiers and volunteers from neighboring countries in Anatolia and Rumelia, including the forces of Serbian prince Marko Kraljević to face the Crusade.

The army marched out to meet the Ottomans at the so-called "Field of Blackbirds" or Kosovo Polje. The battle started with Serbian noble and Lazar's sons-in-law General Vuk Branković on one wing, Lazar in the center, and Captain Miloš Obilić (a.k.a. Kobilic, Kopilic, Kopili) and Lord Ivan Kosančić commanding the third wing of the Christian army.

Opposite the Christians, Sultan Murad I led his Ottoman army of about the same size as the Balkan army's size. The two armies clashed and the Ottomans immediately gained the upper hand, especially because of the wing commanded by Beyazid I. But, as the day progressed, it seemed the Christians were gaining a tactical advantage. The two wings pushed forward and each side made their way into the Ottoman camp. But, the center army under Tsar Lazar was being stopped. This army was being beaten so badly that Lazar was caught in the melee and killed in battle. Tvrtko who had made a previous deal with the Turks betrayed the Serbs at this point and retreated. The other two armies fought on. Eventually the two sides had beat each other into the ground.

During the battle Captain Miloš Obilić went into the tent of Sultan Murad I, posing as a traitor and offering his knights and his loyalty. As he pledged allegiance, he stood up and stabbed the Sultan with a poisoned dagger. Murad died and Milosh Obilich was killed trying to escape the camp. This marked the Ottoman army's probable victory.

Most historians agree that the battle was a stalemate though since both sides had practically beaten the living hell out of each other and both had to retreat. But that battle meant the fall of the then Serbian kingdom. (Sometime after this battle is probably when my family fled from Serbia northwards to southern Germany. Although no exact dates exist).

There's of course the war between Poland and the Soviet Union in the 1920's:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish-Soviet_War

The war between India and China during the 1960's:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Indian_War

The Toledo War between Ohio and Michigan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo_War

The Russo-Finnish War. It was sometimes seen as part of the prelude to WWII. The Russians invaded Finnland ... and got their asses kicked!

You can thank the Germans for that.

Mannerheim I think. The Finnish are good soldiers.

Indeed! They made very effective use of the terrain and climate. The Russians were poorly equipped for cold weather operations, having been issued only lightweight uniforms, for example. The Russians would build bonfires near the roads to keep warm, since their vehicles would get stuck if they went off-road, and huddle around the fires to keep warm. Small teams of Finns would ski to prominent terrain features during the night and snipe at the exposed Russians, usually killing several before the Russians could disperse.

The Finns won the war, only to have their government effectively surrender later by aceeding to most of the Russian demands. Reminds me a bit of Vietnam. :(

You can thank the Germans for that.

I believe the Finns were doing quite nicely on their own at first; of course there was no way they could hold out against USSR indefinitely on their own...

Someone mentioned the Japanese invasion of Manchuria and their renaming of it to Manchukuo; odd that this isnt taught in American schools (or wherever you're from); this was a major part of my GCSE history course...

As for the 1812 war with America, interesting that that should be mentioned; I was reading a little bit about it just a few hours ago; apparently Americans are taught that they won that war even though they lost.

A battle I often feel to be overlooked is the Dieppe Raid in France in 1942.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieppe_Raid - apparently the Allies were hoping to find out how easy it would be to recapture a French port (pretty damn hard, it turned out). They were willing to sacrifice thousands of Canadians to do it.

Also the Battle of the River Plate, again in World War Two; the german pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spree was chased into harbour in Montevideo. Subsequently, the British convinced Captrain Langsdorff to scuttle his own ship! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_River_Plate

The boxer rebellion or the War of Roses.

How about any of Xenophon's battles while leading his Ten Thousand?

Surprised this war is not been listed yet. The Philippino-American war 1898-?
600,000 filipinos were killed.

Irish Civil War....not many people outside Ireland know that once Ireland was independent they had a civil war

Some burning of Toronto. From what I hear it was 2 companies from a skirmisher regiment who were mistaken for the 60th Royal American Rifles in the British army and so were let in to Toronto. Then they burn about half of Young Street on the run and ran out the other side. Of course, you Yanks being patriots said you had 2 companies hammer through 3 regiments and burn down the city.

Meanwhile we almost burned the whole of D.C. to the ground and killed some 3 regiments of yours doing it. And we burn a national symbol of yours. w00tage.

I don't think he meant Toronto, the British capitol in Canada was York. The Brits burned the White House in retaliation for the American destruction of York early in the war.

Of course, that was not the main battle of the war.

The Battle Of New Orleans was. 4,000 pirates, militia, freed slaves, and frontiersmen defeated a British army of 5,000.

At the end of the battle the Brits lost 2,000 while the Americans under Andrew Jackson lost only 100.

Also don't forget the Americans won the war.

I don't think he meant Toronto, the British capitol in Canada was York. The Brits burned the White House in retaliation for the American destruction of York early in the war.

Of course, that was not the main battle of the war.

The Battle Of New Orleans was. 4,000 pirates, militia, freed slaves, and frontiersmen defeated a British army of 5,000.

At the end of the battle the Brits lost 2,000 while the Americans under Andrew Jackson lost only 100.

Also don't forget the Americans won the war.

How did the Americans win the war?
Toronto WAS York. It had the name changed.

How did the Americans win the war?
Toronto WAS York. It had the name changed.I thought everyone agreed it was pretty much a stalemate.

I thought everyone agreed it was pretty much a stalemate.

I like to maintain a victory for the British Empire. We achieved our aims, the US didn't. That's a victory in any language.
of course, when arguing with some people who are so stubborn to admit the US didn't win, I can accept stalemate.

How did the Americans win the war?
Toronto WAS York. It had the name changed.

True, but York wasn't renamed Toronto until 1834. But while discussing history you should use the names that were common then.

How did the Americans win the war?

Well, let's see.

The US remained indepedent. It won the most important battle of the war. It gained its national anthem from the war. After the war impressment of American sailors stopped. After the war the US entered the Era of Good Feelings which was a period in which nationalism was at its peak.

Just because the British burnt the White House does not mean they won the war.

True, but York wasn't renamed Toronto until 1834. But while discussing history you should use the names that were common then.

How did the Americans win the war?

Well, let's see.

The US remained indepedent. It won the most important battle of the war. It gained its national anthem from the war. After the war impressment of American sailors stopped. After the war the US entered the Era of Good Feelings which was a period in which nationalism was at its peak.

Just because the British burnt the White House does not mean they won the war.

ok, to take your most important point, to my mind anyway. the US remained independent. Taking the US back was never a war aim. France can't claim victory in the Napoleonic wars because we didn't assume control of France, hmmm? A common mistake, that.

The most important battle of the war? which one would that be? There were several battles of basically equal importance, in my eyes. An interesting point of trivia was that whilst the US declaration of war was sailing towards Britain, Britains pledge to stop impressing US sailors was sailing towards the US. Seriously, consider this. Even if Britain "lost." The US could never strike back, and could never outmatch the royal navy at that time. A declaration of war meant very little, except to Canada, which repulsed America without British assistance. What could the US do to stop the Royal Navy impressing sailors unless Britain wanted to stop?

The era of good feelings means little. An all time high in nationalism after the war hardly means you won. Considering the British aim was to teach those upstarts (the US :D) a lesson, which they did by burning down the white house, I'd say that's a British victory.

Let's also not forget that the US won the most important battles of the war.

The Battle of Lake Erie and the Battle of Lake Champlain were the two largest naval battles in the war. The battles ended with complete US victory.

The largest and pivotal land battle was the Battle of New Orleans. If the Americans lost, the British would be able to move in from the north from Canada and from the south from New Orleans. However the battle ended in a resounding American victory.

The Americans also stopped the British from taking Baltimore and held Fort McHenry, the defense of Fort McHenry resulted in our national anthem.

ok, to take your most important point, to my mind anyway. the US remained independent. Taking the US back was never a war aim. France can't claim victory in the Napoleonic wars because we didn't assume control of France, hmmm? A common mistake, that.

The most important battle of the war? which one would that be? There were several battles of basically equal importance, in my eyes. An interesting point of trivia was that whilst the US declaration of war was sailing towards Britain, Britains pledge to stop impressing US sailors was sailing towards the US. Seriously, consider this. Even if Britain "lost." The US could never strike back, and could never outmatch the royal navy at that time. A declaration of war meant very little, except to Canada, which repulsed America without British assistance. What could the US do to stop the Royal Navy impressing sailors unless Britain wanted to stop?

The era of good feelings means little. An all time high in nationalism after the war hardly means you won. Considering the British aim was to teach those upstarts (the US :D) a lesson, which they did by burning down the white house, I'd say that's a British victory.

Basically, your saying the Brits won because they burnt down a building?

Good arguement. :rolleyes:

The mad Roman Emperor Caligula's epic battle with Poseidon, the God of the Sea.

(He ordered his soldiers to throw their spears into the ocean at random.)

Let's also not forget that the US won the most important battles of the war.

The Battle of Lake Erie and the Battle of Lake Champlain were the two largest naval battles in the war. The battles ended with complete US victory.

The largest and pivotal land battle was the Battle of New Orleans. If the Americans lost, the British would be able to move in from the north from Canada and from the south from New Orleans. However the battle ended in a resounding American victory.

The Americans also stopped the British from taking Baltimore and held Fort McHenry, the defense of Fort McHenry resulted in our national anthem.

Perhaps, but I fail to see how these result in a US "victory". You did not fulfil your war aims. That is, to take Canada, and to not get beaten up by Britain.

Britain fulfilled its war aims. To teach you a lesson, and to keep Canada. 'nuff said.

Besides. The US navy consisted of 31 ships. The Royal navy consisted of over 800. There were no truly major naval engagements. You didn't have the ships for a major naval engagement. As for New Orleans, it's irrelevant. you can win the battle, and not the war, hmmm? The national anthem is also irrelevant. it wasn't a campaign aim, just a matter of circumstance.

Basically, your saying the Brits won because they burnt down a building?

Good arguement. :rolleyes:

if that was the intention. It's not just any old building, remember. it's the capitol...
You're saying the US won because they didn't become a colony? Then France won the napoleonic wars! it never surrendered to peru!

You cannot claim a US victory, when they failed to destroy the British army and claim the Empire :P you declared war on Britain, remember? That implies you were going to either A: teach us a lesson or B: dismantle our Empire. You done neither. Instead, your capital was burnt down. What a stunning blow to the British Empire.

Perhaps, but I fail to see how these result in a US "victory". You did not fulfil your war aims. That is, to take Canada, and to not get beaten up by Britain.

Britain fulfilled its war aims. To teach you a lesson, and to keep Canada. 'nuff said.

Besides. The US navy consisted of 31 ships. The Royal navy consisted of over 800. There were no truly major naval engagements. You didn't have the ships for a major naval engagement. As for New Orleans, it's irrelevant. you can win the battle, and not the war, hmmm? The national anthem is also irrelevant. it wasn't a campaign aim, just a matter of circumstance.

Our primary objective was to stop British impressment of sailors and for Britain to recognize the US as a sovereign nation. Those were the goals of the War Hawks in Congress.

Annexing Canada was just a secondary goal. True, the US failed to take Canada but they still managed to accomplish their primary objective.

The War of Jenkin's Ear.


Best. Name. For. A. War. Ever.



Second place goes to 'The Football War', obviously.

Yay! I'm not the only guy in the world who knows about that war! You rock!

The 1842 timber wars are pretty obscure.

The largest and pivotal land battle was the Battle of New Orleans. If the Americans lost, the British would be able to move in from the north from Canada and from the south from New Orleans. However the battle ended in a resounding American victory.

Let's not forget this was fought AFTER the peace treaty of Ghent was signed, it was on it's way over with the news and troops for both sides had no idea the war was over, nor did the American government at home. Ah the joy of communications before electricity. Also, the most pivital battles were the defence of Lake Champlain and Erie, allowing America to prevent a British presence from moving through the lakes. The peace treaty did come at the right time for the Americans in my opion, seeing as to how the Brits were ready to send 1000s of troops from Europe, and these were Seasoned men who had defeated Napoleon. Also, America could've probaly done more in Canada if their militia hadn't refused to cross an international border. I believe there was somewhere around 50,000 NY militia men sitting 1 mile south of the border arguing they didn't have to invade as they signed contracts to defend. And somewhere around 30,000 men from other states joined their boycott.....

Our primary objective was to stop British impressment of sailors and for Britain to recognize the US as a sovereign nation. Those were the goals of the War Hawks in Congress.

Annexing Canada was just a secondary goal. True, the US failed to take Canada but they still managed to accomplish their primary objective.

But since Britain had already conceded to stop impressing sailors before the war, you cannot call that a result OF the war. And as far as I'm aware, Britain did recognise you as a sovereign nation after the first war of independence. It just didn't respect you as one. (that subtle, yet tangy difference again...) And after that, I hardly feel that we were shocked into awe.

On the point of Seton rebels to do with us just finishing off Napoleon, that's a very true point. We did send over 10,000 veterans, but there was another 60,000 still hanging around. And with no other naval power in the entire planet left intact (because we destroyed the French and Spanish navies) we could transport them virtually unhindered. It's an entirely moot point, though. I just like to say. :P

Why do Americans feel proud about fighting the British in 1812 when the British were the only reason that a tyrannical egomaniac didn't conquer Europe at the same time?

Portuguese - Dutch wars of the XVI Century, first global war ever, fought on four different continents.

Saw some thing on the history channel about some battle between hannibal and the romans, the name escapes me but the amount of casualties suffured by the romans was the biggest amount of casualties ever suffered by any army EVER.
And hannibal was outnumbered.
And if i recall correctly it said that in the gulf war, American generals tried to replicate hannibals strategy, and did so succesfully, killing pretty much all of iraqs army.
Hannibal still rocked though.

Why do Americans feel proud about fighting the British in 1812 when the British were the only reason that a tyrannical egomaniac didn't conquer Europe at the same time?The Prussians and Russians called. They want their credit for helping defeat that tyrannical egomaniac back.

Just a curious question. When was the last time a foreign army set foot on mainland Britain? (Without being invited that is) Can it really be 1066?

I am no historian, so I could be wrong here.

Yes it is

Just a curious question. When was the last time a foreign army set foot on mainland Britain? (Without being invited that is) Can it really be 1066?

I am no historian, so I could be wrong here.

Yes it is

No it's not (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/timelines/britain/ang_french_inv.shtml)

You can thank the Germans for that.
Maybe corrected already but he ment the Winter war (1939-1940) Germans helped Finns on Continuation war (1941-1944).

How about current wars?
...
Ethopia - Civil war, not much heard about it.
You sure about that? There's civil war in Eritrea. Ethiopia and Eritrea have been fighting on and off but as far as I know there's no civil war in Ethiopia (at the moment).

No it's not (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/timelines/britain/ang_french_inv.shtml)

That still wasn't the latest french invasion of mainland Britain.

The French attempted an invasion of sorts in 1797, with just about the shoddiest army ever fielded. The 'Black Legion', numbering 1400, consisted mostly of convicts, and commanded by a 70+ year old irish American, landed in wales, with the aim of gaining popular support for a revolution similar to what had recently occurred in France.

It was driven back into the sea by a gang of welsh women within 3 days.

The Korean War
Montego Bay Rebellion
Punic Wars
The Varian Disaster

The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. It wasn't exactly a conflict, but neither was the Shay's Rebellion, which was just as big but far more destructive.
Anyhow, it was in the US, when barley and oats farmers rebelled about some pricing mechanism involving whiskey. Pres. Washington then sent troops in, and it was a lopsided victory. Out of all the farmers, only two were acquitted of treason.
The Whiskey Rebellion was minor, but it was pivotal in American history. It proved that the new constitution could work, unlike the disastorous Articles of Confederation.

This thread has endless examples:

The War of the Spanish Succession - where the British, the Dutch, the Austrians and some German states teamed up to thrash the French under Louis XIV. The Spanish had long held the territory the Spanish Netherlands (Belgium). Their King died with no heir and the two most likely candidates (both with dubious claims) were the French and the Austrian royal families. The British and the Dutch wanted to keep the French out.

The Prussians and Russians called. They want their credit for helping defeat that tyrannical egomaniac back.

I'm Dutch and credit Britain mainly.

In my opinion, the least known battle is the battle of sandbach town.

There are probably a bazillion British Empire wars that like only 10 people know about but I think the boer war is well known.
I wish the British had just invaded America with its 800 ships :mad:

There are probably a bazillion British Empire wars that like only 10 people know about but I think the boer war is well known.
I wish the British had just invaded America with its 800 ships :mad:

75 wars.

The Connecticut Glue War.

A small local skirmish that began when an incorrigible prankster discovered a powdered adhesive that could be dusted in articles of clothing like socks and underwear and would cure in the presence of perspiration as the day progresses. Unfortunatley, this prankster had the poor sense to share this information around and mayhem ensued.
LOL!

I say the Sino-Vietnamese War. It caused Vietnam to have one of the largest armies in the world.

Lunatic Goofballs
The Connecticut Glue War.

A small local skirmish that began when an incorrigible prankster discovered a powdered adhesive that could be dusted in articles of clothing like socks and underwear and would cure in the presence of perspiration as the day progresses. Unfortunatley, this prankster had the poor sense to share this information around and mayhem ensued.

LOL!

This is actually less sttange a story than those behind the actual War of Jenkin's Ear and the Football War.

I just remembered one that is like, the best.
Frog Fight, a harrowing night in 1754 when townspeople rushed outside with their muskets to defend themselves from an unseen screeching menace. The next morning, they discovered scores of dead frogs, who had fought for the last remaining puddles of water in a drought-stricken lake.
(yes, I did copy and paste that.)
http://www.kurumi.com/roads/ct/pics/photo-frogs.jpg

I just remembered one that is like, the best.
Frog Fight, a harrowing night in 1754 when townspeople rushed outside with their muskets to defend themselves from an unseen screeching menace.

Excellent. Thanks for that one.

Does not make sence that under Iceland their is listed WWII, we were neutral in that war just like sweden, swiss and ireland.

Well, Iceland was occupied by the UK and then the US due to it's Iceland was strategic location - it gave air and naval control of the North Atlantic lifeline between the Britan and North America. The 1st Marine Provisional Brigade commanded by Brigadier General John Marston arrived in Reykjavik in July 1941.

How about current wars?

The Azerbajan-Armenia War. Both sides are fighting for a small province that declared independence, and both Azerbajan and Armenia say it is theirs. It has been ongoing since 1991, since the break up of the Soviet Union and now resembles WW1 trench warfare, with miles and miles of trenches.

The (possible) Georgia-South Ossetia war. South Ossetia claim autonomy, but Georgia says it is theirs. Georgia's armed forces are being trained by British and American soldiers, and South Ossetia has Russian peacekeepers on it's borders at South Ossetia's request.

The Russian peacekeepers say that as soon as those Georgians come over the border, they will rip off their peacekeeper neutral labels and kill Georgians.

Putin is seen as a hero in South Ossetia, the Georgian leader is not.

The Nepalese civil War. Nepalese maoists have been fighting and calling for the otherthrow of the monarchy. This week, the king sacked his government and took over as the ruler of the government, turning even more people against him.

The Laos civil war: Laos's military is at this time actively pursuing and killing remnants of those suspected of aiding the US Special Forces during the 1960's. The war is fought in the jungles, and the hunted and their famlies are slowly being wiped out.

El Salvador Gang War: El Salvador's capital, San Salvador is in the grip of a bloody gang war fought between two gangs, One of the highest death rates in the world.

Peru: Due to Peru's spray cropping of Coca (Cocaine) in Peru under the supervision of the US, The Shining Path is making a resurgence because of angry farmers who are seeing the livlihood destroyed.

Uganda: Wracked by a civil war for two decades, one group is called The Lord's Liberation Army, killing anyone who is not a christian.

Ethopia - Civil war, not much heard about it.

Papua New-Guinea is still a mess.
Guadalcanal seems to be relatively pacified now, but wait and see - I bet it doesn't stay that way. Half the Australian peace keepers were withdrawn recently.
In Algeria, in addition to the well known Islamic rebels (GSPC and GIA), there are the Berbers.
Sub-Saharan Africa is simply a mess of small wars that are often forgotten.
Here's a list of countries with on-going wars/conflicts in Africa: Burundi, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda. There is potential for conflict in almost every African country. (I actually can't think of a single one that doesn't have an active war or brewing war going on.)