Most Bizarre Conflicts

[yerbamatt]

One of the most bizarre, grotesque post-war conflicts was the so-called "Soccer War" in 1969 between El Salvador and Honduras.

Http://www.onwar.com/aced/data/sierra/soccer1969.htm

Anything more to the list?

[Polynikes]

How about the war of Jenkins' Ear?

[waldorf]

Polynikes, this war was bizarre, but it happened in 1739 and the author was talking about incidents happening post-wwII. Heres a link I found about the War of Jenkin's Ear for anyone interested: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ ... ns_ear.htm

W.

[Polynikes]

Whoops, I had forgotten what section I was in...

Clearly people at the time had a sense of proportion.

[Acolyte]

In 1996 San Marino and Sweden ended a war status that has lasted between them since 1648 (under the Peace of Westphalia).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Marino

[salo]

Sweden has never been at war with San Marino. The story of war between Sweden and San Marino is just an urban legend. More information can be found at:

http://www.smb.nu/svenskakrig/freder/san_marino.asp

[Acolyte]

Sweden has never been at war with San Marino. The story of war between Sweden and San Marino is just an urban legend. More information can be found at:

http://www.smb.nu/svenskakrig/freder/san_marino.asp

Unfortunately I don't speak Swedish. However, I've found contradictory info:

10/24/1648 The Peace of Westphalia ended the German Thirty Years War and effectively destroyed the Holy Roman Empire. [...] San Marino did not attend the conference or sign the treaty because it had not been involved in the fighting, however it was linked to states that were fighting and was therefore still at war with Sweden until 1996 when an official end was declared.

Source: http://www.decades.com/ByDecade/1640-1649/4.htm

Despite this strictly neutral foreign policy, some contend that Sweden was formally at war with
San Marino until as late as 4 May 1996. Apparently the San Marino signature was missing
from the 1648 Peace of Westphalia documents, which ended the Thirty Years War. It was
therefore decided to end ‘hostilities’ on 4 May 1996 with an official declaration on television
that the two countries are not at war (Electronic Telegraph, 3 May 1996).

Source: http://www.victimology.nl/onlpub/Briene ... sweden.pdf

[Acolyte]

THE SHORTEST WAR IN HISTORY : 1896


On the 25th of August 1896 Sultan Hamad died and his cousin Hamoud was declared as his successor by the acting British Consul, Sir Basil Cave. This appointment was not met with agreement by Khaled, another cousin of Hamad who, as the son of Barghash, considered that he had the rightful claim to the accession. By the time that Cave reached the royal palace Beit el Sahel, the doors were barred. Khaled had gained access through a broken window, along with around 2000 supporters and had proclaimed himself Sultan, raising the Zanzibar flag.

The British authorities refused to recognise Khaled's claim and tension rose as a potentially explosive stand-off ensued. Cave had marines from the three British ships in the harbour stationed around the town, evacuating Europeans to the British Consulate under heavy guard, where they gathered excitedly on the roof to watch the drama unfold.

The night passed off without event and the following morning two further ships arrived in Zanzibar harbour to reinforce the fleet. At dawn Rear Admiral Rawson turned his guns on the palace and issued Khaled with an ultimatum. Either he was to surrender and walk out to the customs shed by 9.00am or the fleet would open fire.

At 8.00am Khaled sent a message asking for talks, but his request was curtly turned down. As the seconds ticked by the sweat must have stood out on the brows of all involved. At 9.02am the fleet opened fire a barrage of shells on the palace and when the dust settled the building was in ruins, with up to 500 bodies strewn amongst the rubble. At 9.40am, the flag was lowered as Khaled surrendered, escaping through the maze of streets to seek sanctuary at the German consulate. From there he escaped to Mombasa, where he lived out his life in exile.

The battle is officially listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the shortest war in history.

Source: http://www.allaboutzanzibar.com/indepth ... estwar.htm

[OMRK]

Here's a funny one for you Crimea War Fans:

A curious case involves Berwick-upon-Tweed. The city, on the border between England and Scotland, was not formally part of either nation until the Reform Act of 1885 made it part of England. When Britain went to war against Russia in 1853 (see Crimean War); Queen Victoria signed the declaration of war as "Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, Ireland, Berwick-upon-Tweed and all British Dominions". But when the Treaty of Paris (1856) was signed the "Berwick-upon-Tweed" was missed out. In 1966 a Soviet official waited upon the Mayor of Berwick, Councillor Robert Knox, and a peace treaty was formally signed. Mr Knox is reputed to have said "Please tell the Russian people that they can sleep peacefully in their beds."


http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.c ... 20of%20war