Welcome to the WWII Forums! Log in or Sign up to interact with the community.

What Battle is your favorite to talk about? Why?

Discussion in 'WWII General' started by DangerousBob, Feb 8, 2014.

  1. mac_bolan00

    mac_bolan00 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2008
    Messages:
    717
    Likes Received:
    20
    Leyte gulf (all five engagements). it was the only complete naval battle in history. carriers on both sides launched planes to attack enemy ships and both sides scored kills. battleships fought in line formation and scored a kill. submarines attacked enemy surface ships and scored kills. cruisers and battleships sank ships with gunfire at close range. destroyers did close-in torpedo attacks and scored a kill. it featured the most creative diversion tactic in naval history. the only lacking component: ship-shore bombardment and responding land artillery fire (or was there?)
     
    Slipdigit likes this.
  2. O.M.A.

    O.M.A. Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2013
    Messages:
    473
    Likes Received:
    80
    Location:
    Illinois
    I agree 100%, very interesting battle. Arguably more catastrophic for Germany than Stalingrad or Kursk, and not covered as well as those two battles by a long shot.

    I'm still seeking good books on the topic, so any suggestions are welcome.
     
  3. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2012
    Messages:
    6,329
    Likes Received:
    1,712
    Location:
    The Arid Zone
  4. DT1991

    DT1991 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2014
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    3
    I'm a big fan of the four carrier battles of 1942, especially Midway. Midway was the battle that started by interest in World War II all those years ago. Santa Cruz is right after that, because of the fact that it was Japan's last major tactical victory of the war. Eastern Solomons and Coral Sea are both tied at number 3.

    Beyond that, Battle of Britain and the defense of Malta are some of my favorites from the other side of the world.
     
  5. Poppy

    Poppy grasshopper

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    Messages:
    7,740
    Likes Received:
    820
    Well, some have led up to my ultimate scenario. Guadalcanal. Land, sea, air. It was a sinkhole for Japanese effort. The Coast Watchers, the code breaking. The F4F vs Zero. The dreaded bombardment by sea. Washing machine Charlie. Guadalcanal was the turning point, in this Joe's mind.
     
  6. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2010
    Messages:
    9,503
    Likes Received:
    3,037
    Tobruk...And Kokoda.

    Excellent examples of the Australian mongrel.
     
  7. green slime

    green slime Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2010
    Messages:
    3,150
    Likes Received:
    584
    Although my interest lies strongest in the Eastern Front, I have to say that my "favourite" is the Battle for Crete, and the second the Battle for Monte Casino.

    28th (Maori) Battalion New Zealanders pitched against Germany's Fallschirmsjägers. IMO, it's tougher to get more Epic than that.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    It's safe to say that the events at Crete broke the will of the Germans to utilize airborne assaults on a large scale.
     
  8. KodiakBeer

    KodiakBeer Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2012
    Messages:
    6,329
    Likes Received:
    1,712
    Location:
    The Arid Zone
    I'll have to look into that some time!
     
  9. green slime

    green slime Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2010
    Messages:
    3,150
    Likes Received:
    584
    Ah it gets better. The battle of Crete has the tale of the Blücher brothers, and includes in its cast of characters, Max Schmeling, the former Heavyweight World Boxing Champion, and General Freyberg VC, and 3xDSO, one of the most decorated officers of World War 1, a "Battle of 42nd Street" including bayonet charge, and Mountain troops trailblazing treacherous routes across mountains to flank defenders.

    It also includes Australians, Greeks, and the Black Watch (Scots!), ... and the RN, evacuating troops in dire straights. Brave heroics all round!
     
    CAC likes this.
  10. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2010
    Messages:
    9,503
    Likes Received:
    3,037
    There was a lengthy Crete story in the Sullivans...Norm ended up staying...You're prolly to young to remember GL : )
     
  11. KJ Jr

    KJ Jr Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    3,148
    Likes Received:
    359
    Location:
    New England
    Do you recommend any specific reading material on the battle? Thx
     
  12. green slime

    green slime Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2010
    Messages:
    3,150
    Likes Received:
    584
  13. KJ Jr

    KJ Jr Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2014
    Messages:
    3,148
    Likes Received:
    359
    Location:
    New England
    Thank you for your prompt response. Look forward to picking it up. I see you're not alone. The reviews are very positive.
     
  14. roscoe

    roscoe Guest

    Market Garden ;) Because my father was there.

    But we've been "discussing" this already and my conclusion is:

    "It is fortunate for Governments that the people do not think" - Adolf Hitler Mein Kampf

    No Actually it's the Battle of the Atlantic because I'm currently doing a whole series of paintings on the subject.

    Ex RN -

    Who is able to post things on here (Ha!) because the Argentinians pilots chose to bomb HMS Ardent and not our ship.

    Yay! freedom ay?
     
  15. rkline56

    rkline56 USS Oklahoma City CG5

    Joined:
    May 8, 2011
    Messages:
    1,194
    Likes Received:
    215
    Location:
    CA Norte Mexico, USA
    Thank you Mr. Goldstein. Out of salutes today. But double salute to you, Sir. Two! :S!
    Stalingrad and Kursk / Prokhorovka / Orel have always been SO interesting, oh and The Seelow Heights assault.
     

Share This Page