Most indecisive battles in history

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on identifying the most indecisive battles in history, with participants citing examples such as the Penobscot Expedition during the American Revolution, the twelve battles of Isonzo in World War I, and the Battle of New Orleans, which occurred after the war's conclusion. The conversation highlights the complexities of defining "indecisive," noting that battles like Antietam were tactically inconclusive yet strategically significant. Participants also reference the Vietnam War and the Iran-Iraq War as examples of prolonged conflicts lacking clear objectives, contributing to a legacy of indecisiveness in military history.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of military history terminology, including "tactical victory" and "strategic victory."
  • Familiarity with key battles of World War I and World War II, such as the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Smolensk.
  • Knowledge of the Vietnam War and its major offensives, particularly the Tet Offensive.
  • Awareness of the historical context surrounding the Penobscot Expedition and the Battle of New Orleans.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the Battle of Antietam on the American Civil War strategy.
  • Explore the concept of "Pyrrhic victories" and their impact on military campaigns.
  • Investigate the role of indecisive battles in shaping modern military doctrine.
  • Examine the historical significance of the Iran-Iraq War and its parallels to World War I trench warfare.
USEFUL FOR

Historians, military strategists, and students of military history seeking to understand the nuances of indecisive battles and their implications on broader conflicts.

  • #31
The battle on the interpretation of quantum mechanics here on PhysicsForums, lasting many years already.
 
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  • #32
The great majority of battles are not decisive. So it would be better to look for series of indecisive battles. I'd say the peak of this was World War One, which was four years of one indecisive battle after another. It inspired the Russian Revolution as the Russians got tired of dying in indecisive battles. Then Germany surrended not from battlefield defeat but from the revolution spreading to Deutchland. There never was a decisive battle in the whole war. Especially considering the scale of the operation, that seems about as indecisive as you can get. Not only that, you could say that the war itself was indecisive as many believe it led directly to World War Two.
 
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  • #33
most major wars of the last 200 years came down to attrition, with victory going to the side with the most resources - from the Napoleonic Wars through WW1 and WW2

Germany was defeated on the battlefield in 1918

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Days_Offensive

Tannenburg and the Brusoliv offensive were also decisive WW1 battles
 
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