History’s Timing Is Wild

Some armies marched in expecting a quick win and got stuck for years. Others stumbled into the fastest fight of their lives. Battle lengths tell stories of planning gone right or horribly wrong. That’s what makes this contrast so fascinating. A drawn-out siege says as much about history as a sudden surrender. Here’s a breakdown of 10 battles that dragged on, and 10 that wrapped up shockingly fast.

1. Siege Of Candia (1648–1669)

As the longest siege in recorded military history, the Siege of Candia endured for over 21 years. Part of the Ottoman–Venetian War, this confrontation stretched engineering to its limits. French troops joined the Venetian defense late, yet even reinforcements couldn't reverse the slow march of attrition.

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5. Battle Of Okinawa (1945)

The bloodiest battle of the Pacific War raged for 82 days on Okinawa. It was the largest amphibious assault in the region—and it wasn’t just soldiers who suffered. Thousands of civilians were caught in the crossfire, while relentless kamikaze attacks battered the U.S. Navy.

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10. Battle Of Aleppo (2012–2016)

Stretching over four years, the Battle of Aleppo is one of the Syrian Civil War’s most devastating episodes. Government and rebel forces turned neighborhoods into war zones. In 2016, the siege of East Aleppo marked a turning point, where ancient markets and mosques were reduced to rubble under relentless shelling.

Now, let’s look at 10 battles that ended before most realized they’d begun.

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2. Battle Of Isandlwana (1879)

At first glance, British imperial forces seemed unstoppable until they met the Zulu army at Isandlwana. Within a few hours, Zulu warriors overwhelmed a better-armed colonial force using coordinated attacks and sheer numbers. Over 1,300 British troops were killed.

3. Battle Of San Jacinto (1836)

In just 18 minutes, the Battle of San Jacinto brought the Texas Revolution to a sudden, stunning close. Texan forces caught the Mexican army off guard during their rest and quickly overwhelmed them. General Santa Anna was captured in disguise, as “Remember the Alamo” echoed in fierce, decisive revenge.

4. Battle Of Copenhagen (1801)

Naval warfare met bold disobedience in Copenhagen, where British ships engaged Danish-Norwegian defenses for less than five hours. Vice Admiral Nelson famously ignored a recall order and pressed the attack. As the smoke cleared, peace negotiations began almost immediately.

5. Battle Of Omdurman (1898)

In mere hours, British-Egyptian forces decimated the Mahdist army using modern rifles and Maxim machine guns. Over 10,000 Mahdists fell, while British casualties numbered just 47. Omdurman displayed the lethal efficiency of industrial-era weapons against traditional forces, making it one of history’s most lopsided and quick defeats.

6. Invasion Of Panama (1989)

Codenamed Operation Just Cause, this lightning-fast U.S. military campaign ousted dictator Manuel Noriega in under a week. While the invasion was swift, Noriega’s bizarre escape attempt stood out: he sought asylum in the Vatican embassy, where troops blasted rock music to force him out.

7. Battle Of Fort Sumter (1861)

The war that tore a nation apart started with a fight that barely lasted two days. Confederate artillery opened fire on Union-held Fort Sumter, and after 34 hours of bombardment, the Union surrendered. No soldiers died in this battle, yet its political fallout sparked the American Civil War.

8. Battle Of Blenheim (1704)

In just one day, the Battle of Blenheim shattered Franco-Bavarian momentum in the War of the Spanish Succession. Commanders Marlborough and Prince Eugene led a bold Allied assault that killed or captured over 20,000 enemy troops. British forces returned to London, parading captured generals—a bold show of victory.

9. Operation Urgent Fury (1983)

Following a Marxist coup in Grenada, U.S. forces intervened to evacuate American medical students and stabilize the island. Troops faced disorganized planning—some even relied on tourist maps—and encountered more resistance than expected. Still, the operation showcased improved coordination among U.S. military branches during the Cold War.

10. Battle Of The Spurs (1513)

This short-lived clash earned its nickname from the rapid French retreat—more spurs than swords were used. English forces routed the cavalry in mere hours as they fled the field. Several captured French nobles were treated courteously, even joining their captors for dinner.