The Shape of Battle

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Every battle is unique, shaped by its context—war, campaign, and weaponry. Yet, battles throughout history share commonalities, reflecting the unchanging nature of humanity. This exploration delves into six pivotal military engagements, examining the wars and campaigns that framed them and the factors influencing their outcomes. The focus is on British battles, three of which involved allies. It begins with Hastings, a well-known date often overshadowed by its strategic significance. Next is Towton (1461), the bloodiest battle in English history during the Wars of the Roses. Waterloo follows, frequently discussed yet rarely placed in the context of the prolonged conflict that defined the careers of Wellington, Napoleon, and Blücher. D-Day is highlighted as a complex operation ('Overlord'), representing the longest-planned offensive battle in history. The lesser-known Battle of the Imjin River (1951) during the Korean War marks the British Army's last major defensive engagement. Finally, Operation Panther's Claw in Afghanistan (2009) presents a modern offensive that, despite its contemporary elements, echoes the strategies of the Middle Ages. This narrative-driven account allows the stories of these battles to unfold without imposing a specific argument.