Shortest War

[Zofo]

does anyone know the timescale of the shortest war in British history? Who was it against and for real kudos, when was it?
This sort of thing (for obscurity) should be right up your street Derrick!

[Derrick Stephenson]

Hi Zofo,
I vaguely remember a very short war called 'The War of Jenkins' Ear', any good?
Derrick.

[Drone_pilot]

World's Shortest War

On August 27th, 1896, a British battle fleet delivered Said Khalid, the pretender Sultan of Zanzibar, an ultimatum to vacate his palace. When he refused, fighting broke out. Hostilities peaked at 9:15 and ceased at 9:40.
The war was over in 38 minutes, its turning point the sinking of Zanzibar's only warship, the aging Glasgow, with two shells.

As a final insult, local residents were ordered to pay for the ammunition used in the destruction of the Sultan's palace.


Khalid, Said Zanzibarian Sultan of Zanzibar

[Sources: Stephen Pile, The Book of Heroic Failures]

[Zofo]

Bingo DP!