Throughout the history of human warfare, there have been many bloody battles with extremely high mortality rates. However, the battle that cost the most lives did not take place in the two modern World Wars, but in the ancient period.
Taking place on September 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam ranked fourth in the intensity of the American Civil War and was the bloodiest single-day battle in American military history. Within 12 hours, approximately 25% of Union troops and 31% of Confederate troops were killed, maimed or captured (estimated losses of more than 10,000 men per year). beside). Also in this battle, 6 generals were also killed – a terrible number for commanders.
The Battle of Antietam was considered a strategic victory for the Northern Union, clearing the way for President Abraham Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation 5 days later. According to Business Insider, if the Confederate troops waited a few more hours, the advantage of the battle would be in their favor, leaving President Lincoln not confident enough to make the Declaration. At that time, the South would receive stronger support from its allies in Europe, leading to a change in the course of the American Civil War.
The 3-day battle between General George G. Meade and the Army of the Potomac (Northern Union) and General Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia is always noted as the turning point of the American Civil War when it was robbed. over many lives.
The Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle in American war history with casualties ranging from 46,000 to 51,000 people on each side. The battle for the rocky hill “Little Round Top” alone resulted in the death of 1,750 soldiers.
The Paraguayan War, also known as the War of the Three Allies, became the bloodiest battle in the history of Latin American war when Paraguay “engaged” with neighboring countries, causing the three countries of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay to fight. decided to form an alliance against this country
According to historical documents, with the unsuccessful attempt to raid the Three Allied stronghold, the battle of Tuyurti caused Paraguay to lose almost all of its armed forces. By the end of the war, Paraguay had lost 70% of its total male population.
The Battle of Okinawa was one of the major climactic battles in the final stages of World War II, claiming the lives of a total of 240,931 soldiers, including the forced Okinawans. While the US side had 14,009 killed and more than 82,000 wounded, the Japanese army suffered equally, losing up to 80% of its defense force.
According to Business Insider, there are two reasons why Japan has such a large death toll. One was due to the fact that the Japanese army with many civilians on the island of Okinawa was forced to join the army and fight. They had to confront the skilled American soldiers, experienced many battles in the Pacific region. Second, because the commanders of the Japanese army did not surrender but decided to kill themselves, causing difficulties and fear for American soldiers.
The Battle of Argonne was the last Allied offensive of World War I, and also the bloodiest battle of the war. On September 26, 1918 – the first day of the battle, in the first three hours, the Allies used more ammunition than the American Civil War!
According to the figures, both sides suffered huge losses: Germany lost 28,000 soldiers, America lost 26,277 soldiers. In particular, France lost up to 70,000 people in this battle.
At the Battle of Cannae, the Carthaginian army under the command of Hannibal Barca went down in history by defeating a Roman army twice as large. This is also the first time in history that the tactic of “striking the flanks” has been recorded.
According to the ancient scholar Polybius, out of a total of 86,400 Roman soldiers who took part in the battle, only 770 survived!. Meanwhile, the Carthaginian army lost only 5,700 out of 50,000 men and 200 out of 10,000 cavalry.