Posted on Apr 11, 2016
What is the toughest battle ever fought by United States forces?
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In your opinion, what was the toughest military battle ever fought by United States forces? Why? What was it's significance? What was the toughest era to be a combat Soldier in, according to your opinion?
Military History
American History
Warfare
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 34
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Vietnam. Guerilla tactics were terribly effective against the traditional combat tactics we brought to that fight. I suspect the numbers would support, but I have not confirmed.
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I was way wrong: Battle of Normandy World War II June 6 to August 30, 1944 29,204 killed. This does not include the vast number of WIAs.
This is the result of 150,000 making a landing on a heavily fortified beach.
This is the result of 150,000 making a landing on a heavily fortified beach.
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I might suggest the undersea (submarine) campaign of WW2 for all the nations involved.
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Fire Base Ripcord: It isn't the worst one, but it is one of the least known because of the time period it happened. http://www.ripcordassociation.com/c.aspx?n=facts-about-ripcord
FSB Ripcord, Facts, History, details, Vietnam 1970
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So far all have been excellent answers. However, being a paratrooper I would also mention the 173rd Airborne Brigade Operation Hump battle for Hill 65.
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Very good question and a very tough answer. There are so many battles but I would have to go with the Lost Battalion during WWI in the Argone Forrest that was led by Major Charles White Whittelsey of the 77th Div. They were so far past the allied lines that they were cut off and repelled many German attacks. At one time they were under artillery fire and had to use carrier pigeons to call of the barrage because they were hitting their own.
The Germams mistook this small band of soldiers as the rest of the allied lines thus causing the Germams to focus their attention to this particular front while the rest of the Allies were able to break through on another front.
The Germams mistook this small band of soldiers as the rest of the allied lines thus causing the Germams to focus their attention to this particular front while the rest of the Allies were able to break through on another front.
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SSG Carlos Madden
I think Gettysburg has 51,000 casualties total (KIA, MIA, wounded) where as Vietnam was 58,000 KIA.
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The battle for Iwo Jima was the toughest battle.
Iwo Jima was considered to have great tactical importance. There were two airfields on the island under Japan’s control. They could be used by Japanese fighter planes to attack American bombers on their flights to Japan. Under American control, the airfields could be used as emergency landing bases for damaged airplanes in the bombing raids. They could also be used for American fighter planes to escort the bombers, as they needed smaller runways for take-off.
The toughest era to be a combat soldier is the era that you are in. There are no easy wars, All wars are hell for the participants.
Iwo Jima was considered to have great tactical importance. There were two airfields on the island under Japan’s control. They could be used by Japanese fighter planes to attack American bombers on their flights to Japan. Under American control, the airfields could be used as emergency landing bases for damaged airplanes in the bombing raids. They could also be used for American fighter planes to escort the bombers, as they needed smaller runways for take-off.
The toughest era to be a combat soldier is the era that you are in. There are no easy wars, All wars are hell for the participants.
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